Ted Cruz is doing exactly what Texans elected him to do. Sowell must not understand that Cruz standing on the principles he ran on is one of the most admirable traits in a political figure. David Crockett comes to mind....a quality rare then and even rarer now.
Sowell is so rarely wrong, but he’s never been more wrong. And it is painful to read. It’s more plausible that the NSA has something on a loved one of his than that he has lost his senses like this:
“The most charitable interpretation of Ted Cruz and his supporters is that they are willing to see the Republican Party weakened in the short run, in hopes that they will be able to take it over in the long run, and set it on a different path as a more purified conservative party.
“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.
“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.”
They've had so many "chances" and they've blown every one. It's almost like they never intended to "undo" anything.
Ted Cruz has never "undermined" anything, he's just trying to find out where that STINK is coming from!
So what’s gotten into Sowell? Did he get a fish in a vest delivered to his door step?
I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Sowell but I have one question for him: When was the last time the GOP repealed a liberal law or did away with a liberal program?
Thomas Sowell could just as easily criticize the GOP, for undermining its own conservative members who want to stand on principle.
He has a valid point about not splitting the opposition, but he takes it way too far by using a Nazi Germany example.
Ted Cruz has done little damage to the GOP. Sowell is missing the point that the GOP establishment isn’t going to stop many of the things Sowell is concerned about.
For the life of me I have no idea why the GOP establishment started attacking the tea party. Wrong on so many levels. They could have disagreed with Cruz’s approach without getting crazy about it.
Ted Cruz Ping!
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So we flay one of the most conservative Senators we have ever seen just to be fair minded? So the guy, Cruz, has a little political cache, a little narcissism, who the hell on capitol hill doesn’t. Brother Sowell, we love ya man... go ahead and get this out of your system, state your concerns then get behind the guy or go stand with the rest of the capitol hill lizards... or maybe you’ve been paid to throw a few jabs, capitol cronyism maybe?
Ted Cruz is looking out for America, not Ted Cruz. He is a selfless man guided by God and our Constitution. Someone tell Sowell that such a person exists.
I can’t recall strongly disagreeing with Dr. Sowell on one of his articles before.
Thomas Sowell engaging in Godwin’s law arguments?
Sorry Tom, but in this debate, you just lost.
But let's examine some of the differences.
His records are not sealed to the public.
He has been successful in school and in work.
He doesn't need a teleprompter to communicate.
He seems to have a good grasp of the constitution and it's meaning.
He is not a triangulator. He says what he means and he goes straight at it without regard to convention.
He seems to have some of the same skills as Obama but he appears to be on America's side instead of against it.
I always say I prefer experience as a governor or chief executive to a legislator without direct authority or responsibility for results. But given Cruz's positions so far, I would be inclined to give him a chance.
I rarely disagre with Mr. Sowell, however this is one case where he is wrong.
Agreed. He’s criticizing principle. Cruz realizes that staggering debt and Obamacare are in reality existential crises.
The Republican senators who have lied to their constituents to get elected are the ones who are splitting the GOP. Does the great Dr. Sowell think that it is only b/c of Cruz that we oppose “clean” debt ceiling increases or pork barrel budget deals? NO, he is standing up for us? There is nothing noble about going along with evil to get along. What benefit to anyone would it be if more nominally GOP senators like McCains and Specters are elected? Bob
Et tu, Mr. Sowell?
ping to me
Sowell is dead wrong on this one.