In Government We Mistrust

One animating theme of Barack Obama's campaign and early Presidency was that he would repair government's post-Reagan reputation, expanding its role in American life so voters would turn once again to Democrats as the party of government, as they did in 1964 and the 1930s. So how's that working out?

Not so well, judging by a remarkable Gallup poll this week that asked the public about its views of government and various businesses. The federal government dropped to its lowest approval levels ever. Only 17% were positive, 63% negative, for a net approval rating of minus-46%. Government never ranks well, but for the first time since Gallup began asking in 2003 it fell to last place—below even the oil and gas industry, which netted minus-44% approval.

This is another quote from the article:

Every time Democrats attempt to govern the country from the ideological left, they damage government's reputation and status.

Let's keep focused on this during the election and not allow the Dems to divert the discussion to abortion, gay marriage etc.

I have taken a personal vow to decline to respond to bumper sticker comments from Dems. It's a waste of breath and time. Stick to the original topic and refuse to be diverted down another of the left's endless verbal sinkholes.

Here are cautionary reminders of the seriousness of the conditions we face in 2011, as summarized in Justice Story's concluding remarks in his "Commentaries on the Constitution . . . ."

"§ 1907. If these Commentaries shall but inspire in the rising generation a more ardent love of their country, an unquenchable thirst for liberty, and a profound reverence for the constitution and the Union, then they will have accomplished all, that their author ought to desire. Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capable, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial blessings of life, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence. The structure has been erected by architects of consummate skill and fidelity; its foundations are solid; its compartments are beautiful, as well as useful; its arrangements are full of wisdom and order; and its defences are impregnable from without. It has been reared for immortality, if the work of man may justly aspire to such a title. It may, nevertheless, perish in an hour by the folly, or corruption, or negligence of its only keepers, THE PEOPLE. Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them."

George Washington's Farewell Address, Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural, as well as the writings and speeches of other leaders warned citizens of the need to monitor and limit the coercive power of those they would elect to serve them.

Have we reached a "tipping point" where "We, the People" may be willing to examine our Constitution's founding principles of liberty and hold our representatives in government to the limits and bounds of the Constitution?

While engaging the left may seem like a total waste of time, think of how many people have come to FR seeking to overcome the lies drilled into them by the leftist media and politicians. Notice how many who call talk radio are recent converts to conservatism.

I wanted to expand the list of diversions from the left that are to be ignored: charges of racism, charges of wanting to kill granny, calling us polluters and accusing us of wanting to “kill the Earth”, slurs against millionaires, billionaires and the use of corporate jets (sheesh), tax cuts for the rich.

Pausing even one moment to respond to these nonsensical comments from the left sidetracks the discussion about finding a solution for the economy and the national debt. If you respond to even one of their canards, it only emboldens them to reach into their Barney Frank/Maxine Waters pouch and drag out more.

Recently, when in a discussion on how to spur the creation of jobs, I mentioned that, for starters, the government should honor its gas/oil leases and permits. Of course, the opponent immediately accused me of polluting “the Earth”. I responded by saying that sometimes a little pollution is preferable to abject poverty, just ask China and India. It more or less wrote a period to that tack from the lefty. He thanked me for my honesty. lol

I shouldn’t have responded at all, but it is a small example of how they can be stopped in their tracks sometimes.

It takes resolve and some practice in private (with a friend) to get used to being called names and not allowing it to sidetrack you in your discussion.

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