[Wonder Warthog]

An very interesting article on American political philosophy. The Arabs/Muslims/French/Germans would do well to read and heed.

[2timothy3.16]

bumped and bookmarked for later reading.

[alloysteel]

Collateral damage to the population of a country under attack is always greater than the direct losses taken by the armed defenders. Part of this attributed to the fact that the defenders are embedded in the population centers, rather than foolishly spreading their resources over sparsely populated rural areas. The secondary reason is that the population centers are also where the logistical supply centers for the defending forces are located, and shutting down the munitions factories, heavy industrial manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers are targets worthy of attack.

[centurion316]

This fellow does a pretty good job of describing my own political philosophy. Its clear that I am a Jacksonian Democrat. Of course, like most Jacksonian Democrats, I am today a member of the Republican Party. I continue to be amazed by the number of Jacksonians who continue to blindly vote for Democrats. One can only hope that the recent antics of the Dashcleites will bring them back into the fold.

Particulary insightful is the discussion on Jacksonian attitudes towards other ethnic groups. We do not judge them by the color of their skin, their religion, or their origins. We judge them by their values and mores. If you accept and exhibit the shared set of values that we embrace, then you are welcome - you become one of us. Contrast this with the political construct of the left. Their political power depends on divisive group politics and they fear most the migration of minority groups to the Jacksonians. We can prevail if we stand firm on our values and welcome into our ranks all those who share those values. This is the Democrats worst nightmare.

[speedy]

Thought-provoking and refreshingly clear. Meade strikes me as possibly a Hamiltonian who nevertheless greatly respects what he describes as the Jacksonians, who could just as easily be called the Reaganites or Bushies. Couldn't pull away from the screen on this one -- thanks so much for posting.

[JSteff]

"Despite its undoubted limitations and liabilities, however, Jacksonian policy and politics are indispensable elements of American strength. Although Wilsonians, Jeffersonians and the more delicately constructed Hamiltonians do not like to admit it, every American school needs Jacksonians to get what it wants. If the American people had exhibited the fighting qualities of, say, the French in World War II, neither Hamiltonians, nor Jeffersonians nor Wilsonians would have had the opportunity to have much to do with shaping the postwar international order. "

It says in alot of words the base facts that we are basically a warrior nation who just wants to be left alone to transact business. We have never been great at diplomacy, but when you have the biggest stick you really don't need to.

For those who don't think so just think to a football game.. often the loudest cheers of the day come from a fly over by FIGHTER JETS. The loudest cheers and clapping at parades often come when troops walk by. News coverage of our military in action breaks records for sustained viewer ship ratings.

We love our military and seeing it stomp some baddy. This is not bad.. it just is us. On the other hand, if you are another country and have something great to sell, a service to offer, or a great place to visit you can get rich from us. That too is not necessarily bad or good, it just is.

Also though if you are another peoples or country in trouble we are usually the quickest and usually fastest to help. How often over history have we seen a picture of our warriors giveing a refuge some food, a blanket, or a tent to live in. How often have we seen our army medics taking care of the need of civilians in a combat zone.. often on their own time. That is all good and comes from all the schools of thought that make us Americans.

But as the author says in so many words, all the good stuff works because of our warrior heritage.

[betty boop]

Thanks for this wonderful; post, WW. Methinks President Bush can be described as a Jacksonian -- with Wilsonian overtones perhaps?