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Thomas Sowell: Suckered by political 'Lucys'
Orange County Register ^ | July 5, 2010 | Thomas Sowell

Posted on 07/05/2010 5:48:19 PM PDT by jazusamo

People who remember the old comic strip "Peanuts" will recall an often-repeated situation where Lucy offers to hold a football for Charlie Brown to kick. Then, as Charlie coming running up to kick it, Lucy snatches away the ball and Charlie Brown loses his balance and goes crashing on his backside.

The reason this same scene remained funny, despite how often it was repeated, is that in the later repetitions Charlie Brown would express suspicion at Lucy, recalling how she had tricked him before. She would then come up with some claim that she wasn't going to do that any more -- and of course she did.

There is a similar routine that has been repeated many times in Washington, over the years, with the Democrats playing Lucy and Republicans playing Charlie Brown.

It goes like this: Democrats start spending money wildly, handing out goodies to a wide range of people who they want to vote for them, while Republicans complain about deficits and the national debt. Then, when the public becomes alarmed about the debts that are piling up, the Democrats get the Republicans to vote for higher taxes to deal with the debt crisis, in the name of "fiscal responsibility."

Sometimes the deal is sweetened by the Democrats promising to make spending cuts if the Republicans vote for higher taxes, so that there can be one of those "bipartisan" solutions so beloved by the media. But, after the Republicans vote for the tax increases, and come running up to find the spending cuts, the Democrats snatch away the spending cuts and the Republicans fall right on their backsides, just like Charlie Brown.

This old trick is now being unveiled by the Obama administration, like so many other old political tricks used in this "change" administration.

(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: sowell; thomassowell
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1 posted on 07/05/2010 5:48:22 PM PDT by jazusamo
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To: abigail2; Amalie; American Quilter; arthurus; awelliott; Bahbah; bamahead; Battle Axe; ...
*PING*
Thomas Sowell

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2 posted on 07/05/2010 5:51:59 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

If McCain isn’t the “Lucy” of Republicans, I don’t know who is. No matter how many times he’s stabbed us in the back, now he’s conservative. Yeah, right. How many Charlie Browns (aka schmucks) are going to fall for McLucy this time?


3 posted on 07/05/2010 5:56:31 PM PDT by CitizenUSA
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To: jazusamo

He’s still sharp as a tack after all these years. “Political Lucy’s” . . . heh, very good.


4 posted on 07/05/2010 5:57:20 PM PDT by Mere Survival (The time to fight was yesterday but now will have to do.)
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To: jazusamo

Repeal the Bill. Get the majority, inspect the books, expose the con ... and ... Repeal the Bill.


5 posted on 07/05/2010 5:57:51 PM PDT by I am Richard Brandon
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To: CitizenUSA

Well said, hopefully JD Hayworth will put an end to his treachery.


6 posted on 07/05/2010 6:00:46 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: All
Please bump the Freepathon and donate if you haven’t done so!

7 posted on 07/05/2010 6:04:03 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

Another well-written piece by Sowell. That this guy isn’t a leader of the conservative movement or elected to high office speaks volumes of our failure.

Of course this piece isn’t true merely of fiscal policy. We see the same gullibility with the appointment of judges and other political issues. The republicans continuously show that they believe the leftist propaganda and talking points.

And the reason why is no mystery. Republicans get their news and impression of public opinion from a media that is 99% leftist. Small wonder then that they are constantly the fools when they get their worldview from their opposition.


8 posted on 07/05/2010 6:05:32 PM PDT by LastNorwegian
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To: jazusamo

Insightful article. Republicans have fallen for this so many times.

I know rank and file Republicans won’t get fooled again but I don’t have that much faith in the leadership.


9 posted on 07/05/2010 6:05:56 PM PDT by skyman
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To: skyman

me either...


10 posted on 07/05/2010 6:11:40 PM PDT by wally_bert (It's sheer elegance in its simplicity! - The Middleman)
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To: jazusamo
There is a similar routine that has been repeated many times in Washington, over the years, with the Democrats playing Lucy and Republicans playing Charlie Brown.

Actually, Lucy is the Republicans, and Charlie Brown is the conservatives. And we're well into another round of the exact same cycle.

11 posted on 07/05/2010 6:14:09 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (Freedom.)
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To: skyman

Agreed, we have to get conservatives in leadership positions.


12 posted on 07/05/2010 6:14:32 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

You know what I am absolutely sick and tired of..!! Everytime those bums in Washington...(or holding office in the states for that matter)....want to raise taxes to take more and more of OUR money...they hold us hostage by whining that the teachers and police and firemen are going to be hurt if the tax isn’t passed....they NEVER say we will have to cut taking care of the Kangaroo Rat or the Dung beetle or some other idiot project...it’s ALWAYS teachers, police, firemen....I am so beyond fed up!! I am sick of this S&M play by the rulers in office. We MUST FIRE ALL those bums up there....and scare the wheebyjeebies out of the rulers in each of the States!! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!


13 posted on 07/05/2010 6:18:44 PM PDT by imfrmdixie
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To: LastNorwegian
That this guy isn’t a leader of the conservative movement or elected to high office speaks volumes of our failure.

Or it may be a further indication of his great intelligence.

14 posted on 07/05/2010 6:32:35 PM PDT by tsmith130
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To: imfrmdixie

The sad part is IF WE don’t, there is going to be blood in the streets sooner or later. Those who say and have said “that won’t happen” are due for a horrible shock when the lead starts flying.


15 posted on 07/05/2010 6:32:59 PM PDT by mongo141
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To: jazusamo
"Why Republicans join such transparent attempts to rescue the Democrats from the political consequences of their own actions is one of the many unsolved mysteries of human nature in general and the Republican Party in particular."

The democrat party is not the only one that has been bought and paid for by the puppet masters. Even republicans would have a hard time turning down an offer they can't refuse. I don't understand why the pundits are still scratching their heads over this issue. Mystery? Uh, no.

16 posted on 07/05/2010 6:35:44 PM PDT by TheOldLady (Q: What does a community organizer do? A: Organize, not lead. -FReeper Mike Darancette)
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To: CitizenUSA

>> If McCain isn’t the “Lucy” of Republicans ...

First “Lucy” politician that came to mind.


17 posted on 07/05/2010 6:36:11 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Your Hope has been redistributed. Here's your Change.)
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To: I am Richard Brandon
Repeal the Bill. Get the majority, inspect the books, expose the con ... and ... Repeal the Bill.

Odds are, the Republicans, in power, will just amend it to favor their patrons. All very high-mindedly, of course.

18 posted on 07/05/2010 6:38:36 PM PDT by Grut
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To: jazusamo
Another great Sowell article. I notice he's getting more and more annoyed with Obama, referring to him as "prissy" this time. Sowell is usually careful never to speak negatively of an individual, but restricts himself to the arena of ideas. Obama's really gotten under his skin.

BTW, he's right about the Republicans, but they blew their chance at being the party of fiscal responsibility in 2004-05. Yeah, I'm voting Republican, but last time they were in power they spent money faster than any other entity in the history of the world. Until 2006, when the Rats took over. The Rats doubled down and hit the gas pedal.

19 posted on 07/05/2010 6:44:16 PM PDT by Richard Kimball (We're all criminals. They just haven't figured out what some of us have done yet.)
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To: Richard Kimball
Obama's really gotten under his skin.

Yes he has.

When Obama first started his campaign Dr. Sowell was critical of him but as time has progressed he's become extremely critical. In some of his columns he has lambasted Obama unmercifully but it was always deserved.

20 posted on 07/05/2010 6:51:09 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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