Posted on 11/25/2015 11:34:24 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
In the summer of 1992, Rush Limbaugh saved me from myself. I was an 18-year-old high school graduate about to begin college, too impatient to wait for adulthood to come to me. So instead, I went in search of it the only way I knew how: by engulfing myself in presidential politics and the fascinating campaigns that summer between Bill Clinton, George Bush and Ross Perot.
Like many idealistic teens, I was at first drawn to the youthful Clinton campaign and Fleetwood Mac's cheerful command to "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow." But then I started listening to Limbaugh and it changed everything. I was working as a delivery driver, so I'd plan my trips at six minutes after the hour so as to not miss a minute of his show — a habit I keep even today. The way he described his belief in conservatism reached out and grabbed me and I've been a loyal listener ever since.
So it is not from a place of hatred or misunderstanding that I write this. I'm not a plant from Media Matters. But when it comes to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Limbaugh is a mind-numbing, frustrating hypocrite (with all due respect, of course).
His tacit endorsement of Trump, now occurring daily during his show, is almost impossible to understand. Listening to him gleefully discussing Trump is painful for those of us who have followed his advice for decades. Why? Let's break it down.
Look at the polls
For years, Limbaugh has lambasted the "drive-by media" for their insistence on using polling data to make headlines and drive the story of the day. Trump's appearances and speeches, for the most part, are Trump droning on about how well he's doing in the polls. It's often the only story.
Words mean something
One of Limbaugh's biggest criticisms of President Obama has always been the vagueness in Obama's message; in his way of speaking until he can think of something to say; in the blank canvas that he offers us to project our hopes and dreams upon. And that, when he goes off-message, he often misspeaks. Explaining what Obama meant to say has become a cottage industry for websites like Vox and full-time gigs for a variety of nationally known journalists.
When has Trump ever offered anything of substance? His speeches are meandering streams of consciousness, and although he claims each to be unique, they are often the same litanies of vague promises. Trump will negotiate hard with China and Mexico. Trump will make the military so strong it will make your head spin. You'll get bored with winning so much. Chinese bankers live in his building, which proves he can bring jobs back from China. Trump thinks reporters are sleazy. Trump will hit you so hard. And, oh, by the way, have you seen the polls?
Big government
Limbaugh has been the voice for those who believe in smaller government for as long as he's been on the air. So it would stand to reason that challenging Trump on even his vague promises to vastly enlarge an already bloated government should give Limbaugh pause. Apparently, it doesn't. How many new government agencies will be necessary to round up 11 million illegal immigrants, send them back to Mexico and then let them back in? How many billions of dollars will it cost to make the military so great your head will spin? How many government workers will be required to build the Trump wall, complete with a beautiful Trump door?
The Kardashianification of American politics
Limbaugh has long lamented "low-information voters," who, he claims, are responsible for the rise of Obama. It's not his policies that win the day; it's the fact that he's cool and hip. His celebrity overcomes all other weaknesses.
Trump took the money that his father left him and built a series of failed casinos. What else does he have to offer, other than gaudy celebrity?
The Limbaugh Theorem
Simply put, the Limbaugh Theorem is Limbaugh's explanation as to why Obama remains popular when so many of his policies lack public support. It posits that Obama is always campaigning against the bad guys or bad situations, even when those situations are of his own making. It's a disassociation in the public perception of him between cause and effect.
Just peruse Trump's Twitter feed to see the Limbaugh Theorem on full display. He's always campaigning; always ready to right to wrongs in the world. The problem, though, is that many of those wrongs will be borne from a Trump presidency. He'll be there on Twitter or on another stop in his perpetual campaign, making obscenely vague promises that only he can fix what is wrong.
I'm still listening, Rush. But I hope you are, too. We don't need another blank canvas in the Oval Office, gilded or otherwise.
Hale is a freelance writer who lives in San Antonio with his wife and three children.
So, “taking me down” is what FR is?
I don’t think so.
Jim Robinson is open to debate and a good discussion.
If “keeping us on your toes” entails snark and insults in order to change the subject, it’s not the FR I come here for.
And btw, I post on a variety of conservative issues.
Debate is one thing. Posting lies and trolling as you do on a daily basis is something else. You add nothing to the discussion but dissension and deceit.
I've lived in Texas for over 25 years.
Perry would have sealed the border.
What lies have I posted?
I believe CW lives in Houston. But you are right about my ex governor Rich Perry.
“Why do you need to change the discussion? This isn’t about me (or Walker).”
CW, you have me LMAO @ you. Those two statements just reminded any man that has an ex-wife, just why he is so happy to have finally gotten rid of her.
Thanks for the laughs. My sleeping pill is kicking in so I won’t be able to watch the rest of your comedy act. Oh no, I read it again....please stop, you’re killing me.
One word for this overwrought piece...PATHETIC....
“Perry would have sealed the border.”
Well, it could be, but Jim doesn't let me hold the zot gun.
I imagine your ex-wife is sleeping just fine.
: )
Hope your sleeping pill kicks in soon.
Y’know, I gotta wonder if CW supported Walker because she thought he was Chuck Norris: Walker, Texas Ranger.
First time I've ever seen you mention that. I've even seen people ask you what state you're in, without getting an answer from you (which is typical of you).
Your body may be in Texas, but your mind sure isn't, if you believe that LaRaza Rick would have done a thing to stop illegal immigration. He did next to nothing about it during all his years as Governor, and your ilk did nothing but make excuses for him the whole time.
Oh wait....he did push through in-state tuition for the children of illegals. I guess there's that.
I sure wouldn’t know what either of them are doing or how sound the may be sleeping, but my present wife of over 44 wonderful years is sound asleep.
And you just know she was a David Dewhurst Disciple, too.
It's news to me. I've never seen her answer up, as to her location.
Makes no difference. We've got all sorts in this state. You know, Karl Rove and the Bushes live here, too.
LOL...could well be.
I’ve never hidden where I live.
There was almost total TX legislature consensus on tuition for children of illegals - it was veto proof.
However in WI, Gov. Walker revoked that law almost immediately after he was elected in 2011 (only state/gov to do that).
I don’t agree with you either. Rush never endorses in primaries. If by “endorsement” you mean “not disparaging” you would be correct. But the two are not the same. What you see as obvious is not. He hasn’t come out and endorsed Trump or anyone else. Personally, I’ll vote for anyone on that Republican debate stage over Hillary, except Jeb. If it’s Jeb I’ll, stay home. But he hasn’t gone over 5% in any poll so I’m not really concerned about that.
This is over the top lying.
I supported and voted for Cruz.
Take a break.
For those who might be confused that all I post on is Trump:
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:cincinatuswife/index?tab=articles
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