U.S. headed in the right direction (Worthwhile read)

Columbus Dispatch ^ | August 11, 2011 | Peter W. Schramm

[Texas Fossil]

Much has happened in Washington recently, most of it good. I do not refer to the details of the debt-reduction agreement but to the change it signifies. The logistics of turning around an aircraft carrier concern me less than the new direction the big boat will face. Changing course is incredibly complicated. But now, I believe, we’re moving toward our target.

Beyond even the reawakening of national priorities under President Ronald Reagan, this debate over what House Speaker John Boehner calls “the arrogant habits of Washington” has produced the most radical change in my lifetime. The debt-ceiling debate exposed Washington’s ways, opening fundamental constitutional questions. We owe this great accomplishment to the determination of the conservatives within the GOP and to the good judgment of Boehner.

[Texas Fossil]

Seldom do we see reasoned optimism. This is an exception. And from a man I respect.

Here is why:

"Born American, But in the Wrong Place"

By Peter W. Schramm

http://www.claremont.org/publications/pubid.5/pub_detail.asp

It is time to show what this nation is capable of. It is TIME to oust those who seek to destroy this great nation.

[Darkwolf377]

“President Barack Obama and the Democrats have agreed to massive spending cuts, the biggest spending cuts in 15 years (with more to come), and no tax increases.”

While I like the author’s optimism amid all this negativity, I was abruptly reminded that this was written on August 11.

What’s he saying now?

The sole comment below the article is a pip.

[PetroniusMaximus]

One problem.

Demographics.

[Texas Fossil]

I don't know what he is saying now.

I read the article about his background many years ago and admire the author.

It is a mistake to be overly optimistic, but I feel we have too much negativism here on FR lately and thought this would be a welcome change.

[Texas Fossil]

There are a lot of problems, but I find optimism today refreshing. The author has an admirable background.

[vbmoneyspender]

President Barack Obama and the Democrats have agreed to massive spending cuts, the biggest spending cuts in 15 years

That may have happened in a parallel universe but not in this one.

[Darkwolf377]

I agree, thanks for posting that. I’ve never heard of him until you did, so I hope you post future columns you think are decent.

Even if I don’t share some of his beliefs, he has the right mindset. Too many get mired in the here-and-now. We have to stand back and see that we’re not defeated, that things go in cycles, and we can get through this IF we stick to our principles and aren’t dazzled by momentarily-fashionable novelty and glamor.

[nathanbedford]

President Barack Obama and the Democrats have agreed to massive spending cuts, the biggest spending cuts in 15 years (with more to come), and no tax increases.

I see no spending cuts, I see no prospect of spending cuts coming out of the Super Commission, all I see are demands from Obama for tax increases which the author tells us Obama and the Democrats have forsworn.

The best it can be said for Boehner out of this debt ceiling negotiation fiasco is that he concluded that to win the battle now was to lose the election and the war. That is a judgment which we cannot make because we cannot know.

Undoubtedly, we will end up with massive cuts in military spending and tax increases. As Churchill said of Prime Minister Chamberlain's Munich agreement, we could choose between dishonor and war, we chose dishonor but we will get war.

[Texas Fossil]

That may have happened in a parallel universe but not in this one.

I understand your skepticism, but you should not be surprised with your governor's charade.

[Iron Munro]

The spending cuts may be massive in terms of the raw dollar amounts proposed but they are still pipedreams to be realized over a 10 year period (good luck with that).

And they are close to miniscule in relation to the accrued debt, the ever increasing deficit budgets and the fact deficit spending is still accepted and projected for years.

At a minimum a truly “massive” spending cut would end deficit spending within a year and provide something to begin meaningful debt reduction.

[esopman]

Your Churchill quote is spot on.

While I appreciate optimism, reality, for better or worse, trumps. Mathematically, the level of spending reductions using ‘baseline budgeting’, is meaningless.

More importantly, indicators of the accuracy of Angelo Codavilla’s brilliant analyses of our elites are everywhere. Recently, John Boehner participated in a congressional honoring of Charlie Rangel (the very definition of a corrupt congressman: tax cheat and fellow traveler with Communists who was removed by Democrats (!) from his Chairmanship for ‘ethics lapses’). He should be in jail.

The arrogant elitism, self-interest and Beltway blindness in the majority of (not all) elected officials guarantee that too-little, too-late is all that will be done relative to the impending financial tsunami. Boehner should have decried the Rangel-fest and refused to participate. None of them understand what Churchill did: No making nicey-nicey with the tyrant just under the skin of every liberal.

Continue supporting “constitutional” candidates, but...Get out of the cities now. Pray. Get some skills and tools to regroup in self-organizing communities. And yes, keep your powder dry and close to hand.

Shalom b’Shem Y’shua

[RoadTest]

The “if” in ‘if the republicans take advantage of this moment” is as monumentally gigantic as the federal government itself. I can’t imagine today’s Republicans doing anything that good and big.

The fed will continue to grow bigger as long as we keep increasing the size of its meals. I just wish the Republican politicians in Washington had the nerve to put it on a diet. I don’t think Boehner cut the calories more than a bottle of diet soda’s worth.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Mr Schramm is ignorant of the Constitution and our history:

?"But ours is a constitutional regime. In a new world, the framers established a new order, a republican system in which each part is elected by the people, but not by the same people at the same time."

The founders were rightfully concerned about the actions of the majority so they provided for election of Senators by the States and election of the President by the Electors. Only the members of the House were directly elected by the people.

I think the author's optimism is unfounded. I don't see any sign that the aircraft carrier is beginning to change direction. If it does, it'll be a few degrees port or starboard for only a few years, just as happened under Reagan. Can you spot the Reagan years and his success reigning in the behemoth?