Posted on 03/17/2012 9:13:20 AM PDT by Antoninus
I have repeatedly told people over the years that is precisely what I believe Franklin meant when he said, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Franklin knew that where individuals could not restrain themselves or their own behavior, governments would be asked, if not begged to restrain them, and more than happy to oblige.
I agree and it’s obvious (again) just how wise our founders were.
Most Americans think our problems can be solved by some mysterious supercandidate and nothing could be further from the truth. We are a nation divided and special interests groups dominate our national conversation/agenda with the help of media and academics. These groups are not just bankrupting the treasury.... they tear holes in our national fabric in the name of tolerance and the nanny state.
If Ronald Reagan in his prime was our candidate today it is unlikely that he could turn our nation around if he were even elected. We need a revival of spirit. Moral governance would follow.
I don’t think that will happen so I spend more time focusing on what I can do to help my family weather a storm.
Thanks. You see the truth.
I agree with you!
I agree with you!
With what we have left this year, I doubt there will be much celebrating. It will however be rather easy to get me to break open a bottle of the bubbly, no doubt. I just hope it has a four year bottom in it.
I would be happy to join you!
IF I WERE THE DEVIL
By Paul Harvey, 1999
If I were the Prince of Darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.
And I would have one-third of the real estate and four-fifths of the population, but I wouldnt be happy until I had the ripest apple on the tree.
So Id set about, however necessary, to take over the United States of America.
Id subvert the churches first; Id begin with a campaign of whispers.
With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: Do What You Please.
To the youth I would whisper, The Bible is a myth.
I would convince them that man made God instead of the other way around.
I would confide that whats bad is good and whats good is square.
In the ears of the young married, I would whisper that work is debasing; that cocktail parties are good for you.
And to the old I would teach to pray after me:
Our Father, who art in Washington
And then Id get organized; Id educate authors on how to make lurid literature exciting, so that everything else would appear dull and uninteresting.
Id threaten television with dirtier movies and vice versa.
Id peddle narcotics to whom I could; Id sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction;
Id tranquilize the fit with pills.
If I were the Devil Id soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed.
And with promises of higher ratings Id have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the Devil Id encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions; let those run wild. Before you know it, youd have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
Within a decade Id have prisons overflowing.
With flattery and promises of power I would get the courts to do what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography.
Id designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts and Id get the preachers to say, Shes right. Thus we could evict God from the courthouse, then from the school house, and then from the Houses of Congress.
And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys, girls and church money.
If I were the Devil, Id take from those who have and give it to those who want it, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.
Whatll you bet that I couldnt get whole States to promote gambling as the way to get rich?
I would caution against extremes: in hard work, in patriotism, and in honorable conduct.
I would convince the youth that marriage is old-fashioned, but swinging is more fun; that what you see on television is the way to be; and thus I could undress you in public and I would lure you into bed where there are diseases for which there is no cure.
Then I would separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines and objectors in slave-labor camps.
In other words, if I were the Devil, Id just keep doing what hes doing.
“The way he pandered to union members for votes in Michigan and all that.”
I think you need to look up the definition of “pander.”
This is why we have to have 2 plans, and both A; can't afford B.
1. Make the Chief-in-liar to pack and leave in November.
2. Bulletproof Congress with veto power, the best, or a good majority.
Even if the Chief-in-liar remains in office (which I highly doubt) then he can do little with a constant harassment from the Congress: like, the criminal prosecution of Holder and similar characters, and then the impeachment procedure (Holder will give plenty info for that). The Tea Party will come out again, just to keep the RINOs in line.
Now, it's time to open 2 bubbly, as you call it, and enjoy the show. The economy will get better starting first with a boom in psychiatry and with group therapy professionals who will be busy with the disillusioned left. Second, the airlines will do well taking the Hollywood and entertainment types to Europe so they can whine about how bad America is. Ooops, wrong place to go; the Europeans are still pulling each other hair out about which country to be bailed out next and who will pay for it. They will be irritated listening to rich whiners.
These are Obama’s goals, aren’t they?
First of all, let me assure you that the Commonwealth of Virginia does get involved in these issues ...usually at the county or independent city level. There are numerous recent cases on record. I don't know what state or commonwealth you live in; so, your situation may be different.
Second: The fact that the federal government has usurped powers that should be relegated to the states does not make this Constitutionally correct and is all the more reason why ANY Conservative candidate for the presidency should avoid this or similar issues. Santorum’s position on this is big government at its worst; and, frankly that is a major flaw in many of Santorum’s policy positions.
Third; Even if you somehow assume that this should be a federal issue; it is does not rise to the level of being a presidential issue. Rick's statement will be amplified by the media and used by the opposition to trivialize his candidacy; at at time when Rick needs to be focusing his efforts on jobs and the economy.
The left would make an issue out of a pet hamster if one of the Santorum kids owned one, because 94% of American kids think hamsters are unpopular.
[ I think you need to look up the definition of pander. ]
I didnt use the word.. I quoted it from somebody else..
To accuse a politician of “pandering” is ...well... well its normal..
Everyone is somebodys bitch.. a different times..
Santo and Romney are just Union bitchs.. you know.. like Obama..
Their 3 campaigns are decided in some boardroom..
Cigars and whiskey.. like that.. Brilliant really..
Poor ol Newt.. is battling some seriously connected whores..
Darn it...I keep coming back to this thread hoping someone would answer your question.
I just looked at your forum posts (because you seemed so angry about Santorum mentioning it) and it is obvious... unabided pornography is your “No. 1” concern.
I said pornography is a state/commonwealth legal issue; not a presidential issue. Your premise above is a “strawman argument.”
That’s one of the things that bothered me about the whole issue. He said he would enforce the obscenity laws that Obama isnt, but which ones are they. Without specifics, all he was doing is riling up his base.
I only mentioned Santorum’s statement in saying that I didnt think it was a good issue for a Presidential campaign. Pretty much all of the rests of my posts were about how I dont think it is the Federal Government’s job to make these laws. And I even posted that s the executive, he should enforce all of the laws, because that would be his job. I just dont think it should be a law.
It would be the same as him instructing the IRS not to collect taxes. I dont think income taxes are the way to go, but if he did that, he would not be doing his job. Doesnt mean we cant debate the merit of existing laws.
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