By any chance, do you knit?
Posted on 01/20/2016 11:54:10 PM PST by WTFOVR
So! YOU. STILL. DON'T. GET. IT!
It is an irony of politics that we often get that which we most despise yet doggedly work to bring into fruition - mediocrity ...
Purists want nothing less than complete lock step with whatever definition each one of them individually defines to be their ideology. But life, in a land that upholds as sacrosanct the historically novel idea of individual freedom, must by its very nature admit as many diverse opinions as their exists individuals.
The nexus of the problem is that the purist can never bend in the wind - and so he snaps - at everything and everyone, friend and foe alike. Not settling for anything less than 100 percent of that which defines his personal orthodoxy, he or she will cast out those who otherwise might be his best ally in the fight.
So goes the present contest of wills between two groups, each of whose chosen leader now battles for the number one position in a political struggle that will decide the fate of this American Republic for generations to come - that is, if our nation manages to survive as a republic.
Thus, it is to the "conservative purists" that I direct this rebuke ...
You, oh most orthodox believer in the church of "conservatism," would have all other members march, in perfect Hun tradition, as one gloriously synchronized goose-stepping phalanx. You, oh most pure of ideologues, would brutishly force all to go lock step to the beat of your most holy drum, left-right-left, without but a millimeter of deviation nor a nanosecond of doubt - even while the entire edifice burns and crumbles down around you ... Boldly you shall continue to sing only the most orthodox of conservative hymns, while holding up your fist in defiance and rage, obstinately certain of your "ideological purity" throughout the ensuing sociopolitical collapse.
Shall we attempt to douse the flames? NO! The water is contaminated with impurities! We dare not allow it to touch our sacred conservative tabernacle! We must not defile ourselves! We should rather perish! But the flames will surely spread and burn down the city ... So be it! Better to die than compromise our precious bodily fluids! Commander Jack D. Conservative will have none of it! OK, have it your way ...
The total destruction of EVERYTHING Americans ever were, or could ever hope to be, is but a minor thing; for you will happily perish in the flames of political Armageddon, gladly be reduced to ashes, because you may proudly shout from your graves that never did you deviate in the slightest from your dogma ... Let the irony of your indifference forever echo above the charred destruction ... Let the epitaph of this Republic be chiseled into the cold granite of your obstinately monolithic stupidity:
"Here lies Pure Conservatism - His cause perished with his country, but at least he pridefully never gave one inch!"
And you, oh purist, with your willing accomplices, made certain that neither could any other, less you beat them into submission with incessant mockery and damnable calumny - "Burn the heretics! Long live the Church of Pure!"
In your absolute arrogance, you forgot one very important axiom of life - a tree that never bends in the wind, snaps.
There is nothing so constant as change, and if it is not allowed to develop organically, then it will come by way of destructive revolution. Nor is there any object so elusive as the entity without blemish. Nothing in this life is pure - not even gold, and least of all political ideology ... There will always be heretics and compromising hellions to muddy the waters. Oh, the shame of it all!
The fact is that the political brinkmanship is not about electing the the most ideologically pure candidate ... The contest is and always has been one of choosing the MOST ELECTABLE ideological candidate ... You don't get 100 percent unadulterated conservatism - you settle for the mutt, because in politics the purebred is a myth - a figment spun only in the imaginations of those who have not acquired the ability to courageously face life's awful truths. Reality often sucks for ideologues.
No, you do not get the "purist" candidate - for reason that there is not one political animal who can win a national election by the weight of his ideological purity alone. Why? Because there is not one individual voter who is made up of 100 percent unadulterated anything. We're all political mutts! No citizen this side of sanity, who functions productively within our Constitutional Representative Republic, is so self-absorbed in their orthodoxy as to play the purist fiddle while the nation burns to the ground around them.
This is not a dress rehearsal, there is no do-over. This is our moment of trial. We have a nation in financial and cultural chaos, a Republic sitting on the precipice of the abyss. We have but one last opportunity to perhaps pull her back from the edge; and in this hour of peril "purity" takes a back seat to self-preservation.
We are now in a "fight to the death" with forces that unabashedly mean to destroy us and all we have ever been. Let me remind those who perhaps have forgotten those fateful words past spoken:
"... Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. ..." - Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address
We need ALL hands on deck - the purists and the not so pure; the ideologue and the pragmatist; Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent, man, woman, young, old - every one who believes in what this country stands for ... We need every creed, color, race and ethnicity who, at their very core, are AMERICANS FIRST!
Which now brings me to the point of my rant: Donald J. Trump ...
OK, I get it - Trump is not a straight down the list "pure" conservative. Well, golly gee, all you followers of Captain Obvious, thanks for pointing that out to me - I might never have guessed! But then again ... Neither is Senator Ted Cruz, his protests to the contrary notwithstanding.
In fact, I doubt you ideological bloodhounds will ever find such a creature among us, because we each hold to a different idea of what defines that ubiquitous moniker of "conservative" - and that reality check IS the point that Governor Palin made in her endorsement speech for Donald Trump.
On the other hand, the enemy we face IS VERY "pure" - and VERY focused on one singular evil goal - the utter destruction of our Republic ... He is the Dragon of fascist governance - let's call this beast "Smog," if you please, and we are the Hobbits.
Smog is the guardian of the gold that lies beneath the seemingly impenetrable mountain fortress of The Establishment, whose evil overlords have plotted down through the centuries so to protect their ill-gotten gain - and thus, by treachery of their warring dynasties, cast a perpetual darkness upon the Land of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Their proxies promise reform - some promise to "spread the wealth;" and still others promise to "punish the wicked and restore justice." But somehow the smothering darkness never yields its grip on the land, no matter how often the dynastic throne changes hands, because the Dragon allows none but its heirs to enter his gold filled lair.
This Dragon, this entrenched and most powerful adversary, desires to crush our rugged individualism; he desires to extinguish the guiding spirit that beats in every American heart; any who dare threaten his power are burned out of existence - the orthodox and not so orthodox alike ... For all must accept their serfdom, never to be more than drones, existing but not prospering in this planned utopia of Dynastic crony collectivism.
Unfortunately for the cause of freedom, those who demand nothing less than "ideological purity" consistently act to deny admittance to those falling short of their personally prescribed measure. Thus the purists help our Dragon adversary achieve his evil goals.
We are a nation in search of a champion; but,more than a Bilbo Baggins, we need a Brave Heart ... We need a leader who will exploit the Dragon's weakness, see the chink in the Dragon's allegedly invincible armor, and let fly the arrow of liberty to its fateful mark. We need a new breed of warrior, one who fights to win; not merely for the purists, but for all Americans: the red, the white, the blue - and all the shades in between. That individual may not be the most "pure" of conservatives, but he's the only man consistently hitting the target ... A lean, mean fighting machine, named Donald J. Trump.
I believe you have the picture. In spades. It isn’t going to sell, nationally, and Cruz will have to repair it after he flogs it through the proper states. Just like wobbling on immigration, HB1, TPA, TPP, he will find a way to dilute his IOWA pastoral tactic, to hawk for votes.
GREAT! When Cruz looses the primary race - and he will - you can either sit home during the general election, or, I suppose, do a “write-in” on your ballot ...
Either way, if enough of you obstinate “constitutional” purists go that route, then you WILL gain for yourselves the death of this nation ... I hope you are able to say President Sanders, or President Biden (Clinton WILL be indicted and likely will be out of the race) In which case, all of your protestations - about who best mirrors conservatism and upholds the constitutional principles - will amount to a pointless exercise in bloviating bull pucky.
I think Trump is our only hope of fending off -- or at least slowing down -- the march of the elites to socialism.
I would appreciate that you consider the points I made last week:
Consider for a moment what would likely happen if Donald Trump were to drop out of the race thinking, like far too many business and political leaders, that cheap labor and a fast-track political system is more important than America's borders, language and culture (acknowledgement to Michael Savage). I mean, really ... just stop and think about it for a minute.
It's true, Trump is not a leader -- a candidate -- with as strong conservative values that most of us here at FR long for, but by his words and actions it's clear that Donald Trump loves America.
So ... Trump drops out. At the very best, this results in Ted Cruz (who I hold in the highest regard) fighting for his viability in a national election against the newly-energized Jeb "I-don't-have-any-principles-but-it's-my-turn-to-be president" Bush, Marco "I-want-amnesty-for-illegal-aliens-but-I-can't-say-so-until-after-I'm-elected" Rubio, and (heaven help us) Chris "I-can't-get-that-image-of-him-hugging-obama-on-the-eve-of-the-last-election" Christie. And Cruz's three opponents will have the full support of not only the Democrat/Socialist Party and the MSM, but the Republican GOPE/RINO leadership as well which, I'm convinced, would like to destroy Cruz's political future.
Notwithstanding the phenomenal conservative success at the state and local level (due in no small part to obama's uncontrolled egotism and his undermining of his political party), the chance of our success at the national level is, at best, tenuous. You realize of course that in order to win this election we need to pick up states -- we need to gain electoral votes. The Democrat/Socialist Party is going into this election with a high electoral vote count advantage no matter who they run. If we cannot overcome that, if we cannot energize voters who don't know the difference -- and who are unlikely to take the time to understand the difference -- between honorable candidates such as Ted Cruz and, yes, Donald Trump, and communist candidates such as the duplicitous and cold-hearted Hillary Clinton or the feeble-minded Bernie Sanders, America's de-volution from a free country to a totalitarian state will not only continue, it will accelerate.
Despite Ted Cruz's appeal and his uncompromised love of the Constitution, unlike Donald Trump he doesn't (to me, at least) seem strong enough to overcome the powerful forces lined up against him -- including the GOPE/RINO leadership and influential members of his own party. I just don't see Ted Cruz gaining enough electoral votes to overcome the advantage the Democrat/Socialist Party has with the siren-song of "freebies" for all. It seems to me that it would be extremely difficult to pick up a state that voted for the communist/muslim sympathizer for a second term based on the results of his first term. Of course, if Bush or Rubio or Christie would prevail as the nominee, there is no doubt we would lose electoral votes from the last election ... an outcome the GOPE/RINO leadership appears quite willing to "live with".
So, I urge those who may not like Trump -- and by extension who dismiss conservatives such as me who support him -- to reconsider what they think of Trump's candidacy ... to spend objective, thoughtful time considering Trump's value to stopping the very real possibility of communist president selecting like-minded Supreme Court justices who would no doubt be confirmed by a complicit "opposition party".
I refuse to support progressives. If you choose to do so, you only have yourself to blame.
Support Cruz, the Constitutional conservative.
It’s not about ideological “purity”, it’s that he’s been on both sides of almost every issue. I know you’d like to believe that he will eventually fall on the conservative side on most of them when he is president. I think it’s just wishful thinking for the most part.
He’s a good salesman, he’s good at saying things that he knows you want to hear. But how much will he actually follow through on? I have my doubts. I’ll vote for him against anybody the dems put up, but I’d rather go with the guy who’s already proven he won’t abandon his principles when he gets to DC.
Fine, but Donald trump is NOT a “progressive” by any stretch ... Your straw man premise does not withstand honest scrutiny. You are quite presumptuous in thinking that no man evolves in his point of view. My opinions change as the facts change. It’s a shame that yours do not.
” ... He’s a good salesman, he’s good at saying things that he knows you want to hear. But how much will he actually follow through on? I have my doubts. I’ll vote for him against anybody the dems put up, but I’d rather go with the guy who’s already proven he won’t abandon his principles when he gets to DC.”
I can make the same argument about Senator Cruz. How much do you honestly believe he could accomplish as president, considering the vitriolic hatred espoused against him by the GOP establishment? That sword cuts both ways.
How much has Ted Cruz actually accomplished during his rather short time in the Senate ... Filibustering is not an accomplishment, if, in the last measure, your opponent still gets his way ... Just as voting against a piece of harmful legislation does not provide credible cover if you first voted for cloture.
Absolutely right on the mark, sir. Thank you for having the forward-looking clarity of thought that so many around here seem to lack. Perhaps sanity may yet persevere. There is no place left to run to if we loose this nation to the socialists.
Certainly people evolve. All the time.
But I need to see evidence of it to believe it-—not just talk.
Considering that Trump lies constantly and engages in Alinskyite attacks from the left, I see absolutely nothing to indicate he has changed. In fact, everything I see from the man confirms that he’s still a progressive, still a big government statist.
If you persist in supporting him, you need to come to terms with the fact that he will never achieve broad appeal, that his negatives are too high and many people simply will refuse to support him. Take a look at social media; every day, more people are becoming disgusted with his leftist attacks and his alignment with his fellow members of the establishment.
Choose a better candidate while you can. Tantruming won’t change a thing.
There are no perfect candidates, and Ted Cruz has his shortcomings. I am under no illusion that Ted Cruz is some kind of savior that will solve all our problem.
I just think he’s a lot surer bet than Trump. I think a lot of Trump supporters have fallen for what he says without examining further, Trumps says a lot, even says stuff I like, but he often takes both sides of an issue depending on the audience. So I have no confidence that anything he says is actually sincere or just to sell himself whoever is listening.
When you look at his actions instead of his words, there is a lot left to be desired.
By any chance, do you knit?
“Certainly people evolve. All the time. But I need to see evidence of it to believe it-—not just talk.”
His company - Trump Organization - for starters ... One does not succeed with such an enterprise by making wild liberal decisions. Such an enterprise requires putting”conservative” principles in to action.
Moreover, what of all these “conservatives” we elected to both houses of Congress? They “talked” the talk and supposedly demonstrated sufficient “evidence” of their conservatism to back up their “talk” ... And what have they actually accomplished? NOTHING! They all fold like cheap suits. Obama says “jump,” and they answer “how high.” So, don’t lecture me about “true” conservatives - because there are enough examples from the bunch to whom we gave the nod of approval to blow your argument out of the water.
“Considering that Trump lies constantly ...’
Constantly, eh? Really? Give specific credible examples of his lies - not accusatory generalities.
” ... and engages in Alinskyite attacks from the left ...’
Again, in context, demonstrating side by side the comparison of Trump’s methods with that of Alinski, bearing in mind that this is a political battle in which the rhetoric, up to this point, is rather tame when compared to what was typical in American politics a century ago.
If you think that what Donald Trump has demonstrated thus far is even close to times past, then I have to think you are quite naive, or otherwise uninformed of this nation’s political history.
“...In fact, everything I see from the man confirms that he’s still a progressive, still a big government statist.”
Again, provide specific in-context examples relative to this period ... not what he may have stated 10 or 20 years ago - or even 3 years ago ... As you first admitted - people evolve in their opinions depending on the exigent circumstances. Everything I see, hear, and learn of him in context of what he actually does in practice, runs contrary to your accusations and gross presumptions.
“If you persist in supporting him, you need to come to terms with the fact that he will never achieve broad appeal, that his negatives are too high and many people simply will refuse to support him. ...”
Every national and state poll proves you wrong. Donald Trump has far broader appeal, across all demographics, than does Senator Ted Cruz.
“... Take a look at social media; every day, more people are becoming disgusted with his leftist attacks and his alignment with his fellow members of the establishment.’
Partially true - they are all Cruz supporters, Captain Obvious
“Choose a better candidate while you can. ...”
I did choose the better candidate - the one who has the most broadest appeal, and thus holds the best chance to win the election - Donald J. Trump. That said, should Senator Cruz win the GOP nomination (and that is a slim chance) I will support his candidacy 100 percent ... But he will get trounced in the general. That is simply the demographic reality. Ted Cruz cannot pull cross over votes. Unless you think Democrats and Independents are going to suddenly pull the lever for a Bible-thumping, on-steroids conservative, hard-core crusading Baptist zealot. If you actually believe such is possible, then I must reply that you are suffering a very strong case of denial.
“Tantruming won’t change a thing.”
Tantruming? Is that a word in the dictionary? Whatever ...
Physician, heal thyself!
Good article... But... The only other main candidate in the race IS much more closely aligned with virtually all limited-government principles and ideals. So while Trump may be a solid choice otherwise, despite not being “pure”, there’s no reason to eschew the one candidate in the race who has decades of proven support and efforts for conservative issues, in favor of someone who isn’t as “pure”, and has zero actual history of efforts at supporting causes.
You still don’t get it.
The game is not about getting the most conservative candidate, but rather the one who is the MOST ELECTABLE conservative candidate. Trump is not a purist ... and yes, he is late to the game - BUT he’s got the attitude, the guts and the resources necessary to take-on and beat the crap out of those who want to destroy us.
Senator Cruz simply does not pull the depth and width of demographics as does Donald Trump. Unless the electoral map changes we will lose if Cruz is the nominee. Trump has at least the strong possibility of changing the electoral math. THAT is what matters ...
When your house is on fire, you do not go out looking for the biggest and best hydrant down the road; rather, you grab the bucket, the garden hose - or whatever suitable tool is closest and allows you to douse the flames long enough to give the fire department time to arrive.
I won't vote for him under any circumstances.
Trump: "Let's Get To Be A Little Establishment"
To hell with Trump.
So, you are not able to support your caustic OTT accusations. I suspected as much. Enjoy stewing in your juices - I will just sit back and watch you cook.
Mmmm-mmm good!
-— Before Trump came along we were facing a repeat of failures.
How could things be any worse? -—
We could choose a RINO over a once-in-a-generation constitutionalist.
I have long ago considered each and every point you raise and come to essentially the opposite conclusion.
Trump may well be nominated and we will survive. He may get elected and we’ll survive that too, just like we will survive Obama and his minions: badly damaged.
But, eventually we need to start repairing the damage. I’d rather start that now with Cruz than see Trump elected for the mere sake of inflicting a different kind of damage than the damage already done.
I fear to my bones the long term damage that might be done by Trump nominations to the court system, especially to the Supreme Court.
I truly wish that Trump would drop out for the good of the country, I don’t think Donald Trump gives a rat’s ass about anything but his personal wealth and power.
And I am not about to vote for someone who gave money to McConnell to beat Bevin in Kentucky or who gave money to Cochrane to beat McDaniels in Mississippi. In every case where Trump had the option to be a straight shooter or a corrupt crony, he opted to be a corrupt crony.
What on Earth makes you think Trump has changed his stripes?
As for Cruz’s strength, I have seen him campaign. I know how strong he is. I know what principles he holds. And I see that he does best of all the Republican candidates against either Hillary or Sanders. And we still aren’t in the general campaign season yet. Cruz is a fighter and a winner.
I stand with Cruz, and Cruz alone.
And the guy they always pick, they idolize...”he is perfect”...”he is so pure”...la de da .... and it’s ends with them picking the wrong guy by a country mile, but they never admit to it, even when all his warts start appearing in public.
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