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Sowell: Cruz Control?
Creators Syndicate ^ | February 18, 2014 | Thomas Sowell

Posted on 02/18/2014 12:32:13 PM PST by jazusamo

Freshman Senator Ted Cruz says many things that need to be said and says them well. Moreover, some of these things are what many, if not most, Americans believe wholeheartedly. Yet we need to remember that the same was true of another freshman Senator, just a relatively few years ago, who parlayed his ability to say things that resonated with the voters into two terms in the White House. Who would disagree that if you want your doctor, you should be able to keep your doctor? Who would disagree with the idea of a more transparent administration in Washington, or a President of the United States being a uniter instead of a divider?

There are many things like this that freshman Senator Barack Obama said that the overwhelming majority of Americans — whether liberal or conservative — would agree with. The only problem is that what he has actually done as President has repeatedly turned out to be the direct opposite of what he said as a candidate.

Senator Ted Cruz has not yet reached the point where he can make policy, rather than just make political trouble. But there are already disquieting signs that he is looking out for Ted Cruz — even if that sets back the causes he claims to be serving.

Those causes are not being served when Senator Cruz undermines the election chances of the only political party that has any chance of undoing the disasters that Barack Obama has already inflicted on the nation — and forestalling new disasters that are visible on the horizon.

ObamaCare is not just an issue about money or even an issue about something as important as medical care. ObamaCare represents a quantum leap in the power of the federal government over the private lives of individual Americans.

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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cruz; sowell; tedcruz; thomassowell
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To: Atlas Sneezed
“Like many political ideas, this one is not new. It represents a political strategy that was tried long ago — and failed long ago.

“In the German elections of 1932, the Nazi party received 37 percent of the vote. They became part of a democratically elected coalition government, in which Hitler became chancellor. Only step by step did the Nazis dismantle democratic freedoms and turn the country into a complete dictatorship.

I believe Dr. Sowell -- or his editor -- made a mistake.

It looks like -- and reads as if -- the second paragraph follows from the first. So that he is comparing Cruz and his supporters to Hitler and the Nazis.

But, by the time you reach his final paragraph, you realize that Sowell's Nazi analogy is actually directed at Obama and his supporters.

Sowell abruptly changed subjects between the two paragraphs and it's not immediately apparent.

101 posted on 02/18/2014 9:07:40 PM PST by okie01 (The Mainstream Media -- IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
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To: Timber Rattler

He’s 83yo and surrounded by Establishment types. It may be just too much for him to believe that GOP leadership is as corrupt and duplicitous as it is.


102 posted on 02/19/2014 1:46:17 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: Williams

Of course, the election system doesn’t pit two GOP candidates against one Democrat—we have primaries.

And, when one comes to understand that the leadership of the purported opposition is actually conspiring with the Left, one has a clearer view of things.


103 posted on 02/19/2014 1:48:28 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: okie01

I think Sowell is quite clear in what he is saying—and he is comparing Cruz’s tactics with the failed opposition to Hitler:

“In the German elections of 1932, the Nazi party received 37 percent of the vote. They became part of a democratically elected coalition government, in which Hitler became chancellor. Only step by step did the Nazis dismantle democratic freedoms and turn the country into a complete dictatorship.

The political majority could have united to stop Hitler from becoming a dictator. But they did not unite. They fought each other over their differences. Some figured that they would take over after the Nazis were discredited and defeated.

Many who plotted this clever strategy died in Nazi concentration camps. Unfortunately, so did millions of others.

What such clever strategies overlook is that there can be a point of no return. We may be close to that point of no return, not only with ObamaCare, but also with the larger erosion of personal freedom, of which ObamaCare is just the most visible part.”


104 posted on 02/19/2014 1:50:46 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: 9YearLurker

Too bad there is no real opposition party Cruz can join


105 posted on 02/19/2014 2:09:58 AM PST by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans!)
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To: GeronL

Indeed—he may eventually need to create his own.


106 posted on 02/19/2014 3:58:24 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: Travis McGee; P-Marlowe; Jim Robinson
But there are already disquieting signs that he is looking out for Ted Cruz — even if that sets back the causes he claims to be serving.

This line stands out in the 3rd paragraph after Sowell spent the first 2 establishing that Obama said nice things with nothing in his resume to back them up.

It has nothing to do with Obama wanting to be der Fuhrer. It is a blatant attack on Cruz. There is no denying it.

My take is that Sowell has done the calculus and in his opinion has determined that the GOP is too powerful for Cruz to overcome. Therefore, Sowell determines to bring Cruz down now, so there is no split later on in 2016.

Cruz's credentials are as good as many past presidents. Better than a good number, so it isn't really ability and experience that are the issues. My only conclusion can be that Sowell is playing politics in this article, something I can't remember him doing in the past.

107 posted on 02/19/2014 5:30:25 AM PST by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
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To: Atlas Sneezed

Agreed... I usually agree with Sowell. This time not!


108 posted on 02/19/2014 5:47:36 AM PST by pollywog ("O Thou who changest not, abide with me.".......)
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To: dps.inspect

All politicians have ego. It’s the only way to gain power. We just should be happy he’s on the right side of the issues - as I believe he is. He was elected by the state of Texas and we should respect that. I love Dr. Sowell but he may be wrong here.

I, for one, would love to sit in the Senate cafeteria and have lunch with Ted Cruz! Such childish antics that stink of Alinskyism.


109 posted on 02/19/2014 7:18:08 AM PST by miss marmelstein (Richard Lives Yet!)
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To: jazusamo

What Sowell doesn’t get is that people are totally fed up with DC, period. This is not about Democrat vs. Republican anymore, its about DC insiders vs. the rest of the country.


110 posted on 02/19/2014 9:14:51 AM PST by AdaGray
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To: miss marmelstein

Whet we see in Cruz is the audacity to show some real backbone... what we call Chutzpah!!


111 posted on 02/19/2014 10:40:17 AM PST by dps.inspect (rage against the Obama machine...)
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To: dps.inspect

Love Chutzpah. He needs to have a tough hide.


112 posted on 02/19/2014 11:06:54 AM PST by miss marmelstein (Richard Lives Yet!)
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To: onyx

Party unity my furry butt! Party unity is a one way street in the Republicrat party. It is all you support the elites choices for office or face their wrath and certainly do not expect any loyalty or support from the Vichy Republicans.

Dr. Sowell this same song with a different verse about party unity and the democrats are the real enemy has played since 1992 and it’s a loser. When you have 5th column supporters of your political enemy’s in your own party and in positions of power you can’t ever expect to win and if you should you will not be allowed to act upon that victory with any significant impact. Your political enemy’s must be defeated and liberals in the Republican party must be driven out or any future victory’s at the ballot box will continue to be fools gold with no change of course for the country.


113 posted on 02/19/2014 11:44:14 AM PST by sarge83
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To: Servant of the Cross

Go Ted!!!!


114 posted on 02/19/2014 10:45:26 PM PST by 4Liberty (Optimal institutions - optimal economy.)
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To: jazusamo

I think Sowell makes some good points, and his grasp of history is riveting.


115 posted on 02/23/2014 3:44:36 PM PST by SoFloFreeper
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To: Travis McGee

I agree.


116 posted on 02/23/2014 4:04:55 PM PST by SoFloFreeper
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