This is not the change you seek
posted at 9:10 am on November 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
While some Democrats celebrate what they see as a game-changing election, others have decided to start scaling back expectations already. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid both said yesterday that they had learned from previous failures of both parties in overreaching and antagonizing the middle of the electorate. For those who voted “change”, this may sound a sour note through the revelry over Barack Obama’s victory:
Democratic leaders are tamping down on expectations for rapid change and trying to signal they will place a calm hand on the nation’s tiller.
“The country must be governed from the middle,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday. Repeating themes from election night, she said she plans to emphasize “civility” and “fiscal responsibility.” …
“There is a wave of hope that swept the country … not a mandate for any hope or ideology, but a mandate to get things done,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Wednesday morning on National Public Radio.
But to get what done? A senior aide to Pelosi said he did not envision the House Democrats “going off on an ideological mission”, and pointed back to 1993 as an example. Democrats won the White House back after twelve years along with majorities in Congress and decided to go after radical change in health care. They discovered that the electorate wasn’t at all radical when they got bounced out of Congressional leadership for the first time in 40 years.
That probably means the Freedom of Choice Act will not be the first item on the priority list, as Obama promised Planned Parenthood. There would be no better way to stir the hornet’s nest than to get abortion on demand, complete with federal funding, in the early days of the session. Without a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, I doubt that Card Check will come up soon, either. Democrats can’t afford to anger either constituency for long, but they will probably wait until some of the pressing budget and tax issues get settled first.
Democratic leadership obviously wants to play long ball here. If they try enacting a sweeping shift to the Left, a suspicious electorate will almost certainly penalize them, especially in the Blue Dog districts that elect more conservative Representatives. In 2010, the ground is much more even for Republicans in the Senate than this year, and a radical 111th would give the GOP some easy targets. If they’re smart, they’ll kick the most controversial measures down the road a bit while trying to reassure voters that they can be trusted with one-party government.
Blowback
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No reason why we can’t join the fun. Going undercover as a leftist is a piece of cake because there is nothing too extreme/vile/over-the-top to be unbelievable. Go to KOS, DU, etc. Make your demands for all those promised goodies known. Instigate for radical change. Immediately. Swear violently at any hint of moderation. Push the Dems to rule as the leftists they want to be.
Maybe with a little prodding, we can help the leftists push the Dems over the brink of political sense.
CJ on November 6, 2008 at 10:06 AM
LOL! Now that’s an understatement!
aero on November 6, 2008 at 10:07 AM
BTW…Barack! I’m still waiting on my mortgage to be paid and my tank of free gas.
Scorched_Earth on November 6, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Can we all do that now?
rgranger on November 6, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Sure why not. I firmly believe the only way to truely break liberalism is to bankrupt it. Like in Hawaii and the child health care. By everyone signing up for every boondoogle that Washington passes we will bankrupt washington. Sure they will try to raise taxes but each increase in taxes causes more unemployment which offsets the tax raises. I say let’s bankrupt this thing and get on with the smaller governmetn thing.
unseen on November 6, 2008 at 10:08 AM
If you have the stomach for it, you can get an ideal of what the king of all libtards is expecting from the O-messiah. Michael Moore sent out this email to his “personal friends” this morning.
…and no, I’m not on his list. I was forwarded it from a musician friend who is. I’ll probably catch hell for posting it, since it has MM’s email address. But no one here is going to give it out or anything, right? ;)
dinobalz on November 6, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Those guys would love to have all of us on the Right focus on a side issue like the Fairness Doctrine, while they shove their leftwing social policies down our throats. We need to be careful not to take the bait. There will be many tactical efforts to distract us from the main chance.
I’m not even that worried about Card Check anymore. If Republicans can’t deal with unions and go directly to their members, as Reagan did, we’ll be a small minority for a long time. The unions worked long and hard to build up support for their agenda, and they won. They will get what they want for the most part, and unlike some conservatives, I don’t think their agenda will wreck the economy. Half of their membership is going to lose their jobs in this recession anyway. There is very soon going to be no more U.S. auto industry or mining industry, the SEIU will be decimated as hotels and casinos close, etc. Even state and loal governments are going to be laying off thousands of public employees.
What will wreck the economy is higher taxes, nationalized health care, repealing class action reform and bankruptcy reform, federal regulation of insurance, permanent nationalization of banks and Fannie and Freddie, etc. These are the isues where conservatives must focus and take a stand, and frame the 2010 and 2012 elections.
rockmom on November 6, 2008 at 10:10 AM
And another thing, do not think that any one who is a Socialist is patriotic in terms of a nation state, they are INTERNATIONAL SOCIALISTS, they are loyal to Socialism and creating a world Socilist government. Take the Labour party in the UK, they just handed over the country without going to the people in a referendum (because they would lose) to the unelected EU. The EU is their vision of a Socialist government made up of wise people who will lead the sheep to the promised land. There are groups such as the Fabian Society that have this one world view and the majority of its members are socialists with a smattering of centre right people who stand for nothing more than their own status.
TrueBrit on November 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Keep your eyes on the BACKDOOR. This is what they are saying in front of you. Lying to soothe your fears IS in their playbook.
birdhurd on November 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Hmmmm. This is really a tough one Ed.
Will the Donks govern from the center, or will they immediately begin prosecuting Bush and Cheney for war crimes?
On second thought, not so tough. I think their mindset will continue to be “We’re in Charge and You’re Not, So Bite Me”.
fogw on November 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Because Obama supporters will become disenchanted very quickly with 5-7 dollar gas and heating costs through the roof. Direct energy costs hurt individuals regardless of party, and pie in the sky promises of alternative sources won’t cut it for long. Now, there is only one administration to blame, and the donks can’t afford to have their approval ratings stay in the tank with Obama as president.
a capella on November 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
You’re thinking too small! Bill Gates can afford more than that, and Barack’s gonna shake him down for us. I’m shooting for a couple of free cars and a giant flat-panel HDTV for every room of my house, including the bathrooms (in addition to the mortgage and free gas, of course).
aero on November 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM
What Obama does in his 1st 100 days will be fascinating, when you juxtapose it against what he’s promised in word and at barackobama.com. He can either try to do it, and fail, or not do it, and fail to deliver what he promised. Which will it be? For me, the fulcrum for all of it will be Obama’s thin skin and desire to be liked and seen as a good person. I don’t think he can rise above that. It will cause him to flail in unbecoming ways.
Paul-Cincy on November 6, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I ofetn thought this when Clinton was president and Newt was still running the House: conservatives should counter with some totally crazy uber-liberal proposals and put the liberals in a box. Examples: Raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour. Enact a 25-hour work week. Paid maternity leave for 6 months. Ban cigarettes entirely and make nicotine a controlled substance. Prohibit all subprime mortgages. Windfall profits tax for Hollywood movie studios and actors.
rockmom on November 6, 2008 at 10:14 AM
There was incentive to stall when Bush was in the White House. They knew(especially with the media on their side) that any blame for what was ailing the nation would be directed at the President and by default his party.
They were also the beneficiaries of the financial crisis hitting at just the right time. It put Obama ahead of McCain in the polls for good. And it cemented the GOP’s fate in Congressional races(this despite the Dems being more responsible).
And as added bonuses, the sinking economy caused oil prices to plummet which effectively took energy, the sole winning issue for the GOP, off the table. And the success of the surge took Iraq and foreign policy, McCain’s biggest strength, off the table.
But now the Dems control everything. They will get sole credit for any good news and more importantly bear sole responsibility for all the bad news regarding the economy and the wars. They no longer have the luxury of sitting on their asses and doing nothing. Inaction is the surest way to hand control back to the GOP. As a result, they’ll feel the need to do something, and given Pelosi, Reid, and Obama’s track record, that means liberal legislation and big government solutions.
Doughboy on November 6, 2008 at 10:15 AM
That is what would make sense, I agree. But there was no rioting among voters at almost $5/gal a few months ago, so I’m curious to see what price will finally set them off. Obama seems to have the magic mojo that convinces stupid people that paying more for gas and energy now will somehow make alternative energy sources a reality sooner.
aero on November 6, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Peloci has been saying one thing and doing the other for two years now. And the Democrats got a boost out of the last problem they caused.
Count to 10 on November 6, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Yes, but both Pelosi and Obama are on record as saying that high energy prices are good because they reduce wasteful use of oil and other resources and because high prices will cause people to demand alternative energy sooner (as if people aren’t out there right now trying to become multibillionaires by discovering an alternative energy source as soon as possible).
I think Obama and Pelosi and many, many other liberals really and truly believe that skyrocketing energy costs are a good thing. They weren’t just trying to stall on Bush – they believe this socialist crap.
aero on November 6, 2008 at 10:19 AM
The war crimes trials are a given, I believe. Pelosi and Reid know that their framing of the war as based on lies and Halliburton produced their majority in 2010, and they need to keep fanning those flames as long as possible to give themselves cover and appease the nutroots. They will quickly realize they can’t enact a lot of the “progressive” social agenda, so they will have to produce some “bread and circuses” for the hard Left. I think we will see a lot of this until after 2010, when they will probably get that 60 votes in the Senate. They are going to play stall-ball, have lots of hearings, blame the Bush Administration and Senate Republicans for everything, and then go balls-out to knock off 5 more Republican Senators in 2010.
rockmom on November 6, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Well, we now have the best president that money can buy, along with the best congress money can buy. Thank you anonymous Obama donors from around the globe! We really appreciate how you helped our nation.
Let me add a feel good quote for all to ponder…
“I feel like we got a righteous wind at our backs here, but we’re going to have to work. We’re going to have to struggle. We’re going to have to fight.”
Barack Obama 2008
“The ill wind of opportunism is falling, the righteous wind of Socialism is on the rise. By the end of this year the victory of socialism will be greatly assured. Naturally there will be many struggle ahead and we must struggle hard.”
Chairman Mao
Hope and Change my ass
/spits
Kevin in Washington State on November 6, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Oops, corrected last post.
The war crimes trials are a given, I believe. Pelosi and Reid know that their framing of the war as based on lies and Halliburton produced their majority in 2006, and they need to keep fanning those flames as long as possible to give themselves cover and appease the nutroots. They will quickly realize they can’t enact a lot of the “progressive” social agenda, so they will have to produce some “bread and circuses” for the hard Left. I think we will see a lot of this until after 2010, when they will probably get that 60 votes in the Senate. They are going to play stall-ball, have lots of hearings, blame the Bush Administration and Senate Republicans for everything, and then go balls-out to knock off 5 more Republican Senators in 2010.
rockmom on November 6, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Do NOT give the Democrats credit for “common sense” or any idea that they want to exercise “restraint” because of their election “surprise” in 1993.
The Dems in leadership positions in Congress are the most ideologically “radical” leftists that have ever occupied Congress. And they owe much of their success to the even more radical “activists” that got them elected. Have you forgotten how the House and Senate had daily meetings and conference calls with the “activists” regarding policy and legislation over the past two years? Do you think it will be any less over the next two years? Get serious!
Pelosi and Reid are so far to the left that their idea of “centrist” is akin to the political philosphy of West Germany during the cold war. Pelosi talked of “compromise” and “reaching out” and “bipartisanship” when she first took the gavel. And she has been absolutely stident since then while setting up confrontations with the Bush Administration and riding foughshod over Republicans in the House. Now she has a wider majority, and her “chiding” of Reid for “not getting things done” will be less relevant with a wider majority in the Senate for Dems.
Pelosi and Reid will likely come in with an agenda loaded with pork and with “goodies” for those who embrace their leftist ideology. We may be shocked to see them pull Obama further to the left. Pelosi is already maneuvering (as is Reid) to “chake up” the leadership of committees and put in place more radical leaders. When you elevate Waxman to replace Dingell, that is not a sign of “temporizing” and seeking bipartisanship. Putting Emanuel in the WH as COS should give us paue. The stars are aligned for a massive shift in politics in the US.
The Dems wil likely start by “buying off” the public with a “stimulus” followed by a “tax cut” for the 95% (which will be hugely weighted to those who adtually do not pay income tax). Then they will withdraw from Iraq. Then they can do just about anything they want after that.
tehehehe on November 6, 2008 at 10:22 AM
here’s spome change and hope for you. Coal stocks losing 25% in last day and half.
Obama causing coal stocks to crash. How many miners will this put out of work when the companies can not raise capital to expand operations?
unseen on November 6, 2008 at 10:23 AM
barry has promised to aggressively use executive orders. He will do what he wants.
peacenprosperity on November 6, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Obama has always been short on implementation. We know he’ll never implement more than a small part of what he’s promised. So how will that play out? Clinton was always “working as hard as I can for the American People”. What will Obama’s schtick be? I predict he will play the victim. Wait til Jan 20 and watch. Barack Victim Obama. His new middle name.
Paul-Cincy on November 6, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Nancy Pelosi = Lucy Van Pelt
Pulling the ball away yet again.
BobMbx on November 6, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Actually they will put these provisions in larger legislation pieces, something that if voted down will give them ammuniton to use against Republicans.
Like say putting the union ID stuff in a bill for offshore drilling or drilling in ANWR.
That is the normal Democrat tactic. There favorite target for this sort of stuff is the Defense Budget, but with Barney Frank already out there saying he wants a 25% cut in defense they will have to find another bill.
Maybe a stimulus bill so they can continue to bang the drum of how evil the Republicans are and they don’t look out for the middle class.
Just A Grunt on November 6, 2008 at 10:26 AM
dinobalz on November 6, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I read a bit of the Michael Moore email. McCain/Obama was a “Whooping landslide”, he said. It’s funny, I channel surfed over to Rachel Maddow on MSNBC last night, she said Mitch McConnell won in KY by a “squeaker”, and kept emphasizing that point. But, he won by a greater percentage than Obama won over McCain. The left is so funny!
Paul-Cincy on November 6, 2008 at 10:29 AM
And here is yet another one that has conveniently been swept “under the rug”: http://forum.pafoa.org/national-11/34659-oil-prices-fall-obamas-windfall-profits-tax-energy-policy-falls-apart.html
diogenes on November 6, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Lest anyone forget, Rahmbo is a cut-throat Chicago politician still reeling from the beatdown his adulterous boss received while POTUS. The’re a vengeful pack of wolves and they’ll go for the jugular.
When is payback time for Dems?
24/7.
fogw on November 6, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Found this at American Thinker.
Kind of scary if this is the change. *GULP*
capejasmine on November 6, 2008 at 10:35 AM
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/11/chicago_election_night.html
capejasmine on November 6, 2008 at 10:35 AM
But to get what done?
Pelosi has been saying one thing and doing the other for two years now. And the Democrats got a boost out of the last problem they caused.
Count to 10 on November 6, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Ditto. We are going to have to be very careful to parse everything they say now. After all, we have a tonic salesman demagogue with a hard left agenda, congressional leadership with hard left agenda, and MSM with hard left agenda.
After a lot of thought, you are known by who your friends are. BO comes from associations, well known here, that are very, very, very angry, liberation theology, reparations entitled people.
When surrounded by syncopants, such as SF Chronicle Coal Story, he will go hard left. He will “sell” it as the center and change, but it will be hard left agenda.
Starlink on November 6, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Obama and his team said to themselves, “ANYTHING to make it into the White House”. They figured that possession is 9/10th’s of the law. The perverse joy we’re going to all have is watching the Democratic Goverment implode. Nothing is more embittering than betrayal, nothing. All those constituents will first have the subtle thoughts, “hey, didn’t he say he was gonna give me x or y”? Then it will be vocalized to friends and family and then you will have full-blown haters. Remember how the Repubs wanted to lynch Bush, Sr. for breaking his tax promise? They still hate him. That’s nowhere near as bad as all the promises Obama will break.
As for the congress, they don’t have the character and patience to follow a below-the-radar timetable. Greed will be too intoxicating and they’ll end up undermining each other to get their own bills passed and never accomplish anything.
I think we’ll see an unprecedented level of infighting as pressure is applied from the district level and then the national level.
By the way, the media will have to play a very subtle slight of hand on Obama. The shift will go like this…
He’s the Messiah!
He’s dealing with George Bush’s crap, let’s cut him slack.
He’s having to make necessary cuts in his agenda.
He’s struggling to get things passed, must be a bad congress.
He needs to do a better job managing congress.
He’s doing a bad job managing congress.
What was his original agenda?
Crap, who blew up Cleveland?
Where’s Obama?
This son of a bitch tricked us.
Get him, argghhhhhh!!!!!!!
ebbtide on November 6, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I warned all the moonbat Obamatrolls that their usefulness to the party is now over and that is starting to come to pass. I told them to study The Night of the Long Knives and Ernst Rohm for a fine example of their future.
I will make a prediction.
If Obama and the Democrats do not start to deliver on their promises and the nutroots starts to get upset about it they will find that their Democratic party heroes will have absolutely no problem with using the “Fairness Doctrine” to shut Kos/DU/PuffHO down. If their “activists” and “race warriors” start taking to the streets to protest their lack of action on the things the Democrats promised them they will find that Obama will not essentially ignore them like Bush did. No, he will shut them down. There will be no more Cindy Sheehan and the Code Pinkos camping outside of Nancy Pelosi’s door.
Nahanni on November 6, 2008 at 10:36 AM
True, and let’s not forget Harry Reid’s proclamation that oil and coal make us sick. But the only thing that’ll make them even more sick is sinking numbers in the polls.
I know RePO(Reid, Pelosi & Obama) are extreme leftists, but they can’t seriously be dumb enough to want high energy prices and a bankrupted coal industry. Can they?
Doughboy on November 6, 2008 at 10:37 AM
He cannot create law with executive orders.
LimeyGeek on November 6, 2008 at 10:40 AM
These guys are practically peeing their pants to get at the taxes, spending and the judiciary.
Pelosi kept check on the house using George Bush as the boogey man. There will be boogey man now.
Reid has proven himself to be no great leader. He used palrliamentary tricks many times because he could not get around his own people or Mitch McConnell.
Jdripper on November 6, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Major shift.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/11/04/creative-class-obama-oped-cx_jk_1105kotkin.html?partner=email
a capella on November 6, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Yeah, it’s like they all took Bill Ayer’s “Anarchy Through Adjectives” class.
dinobalz on November 6, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I remember listening to a news anchor say…or maybe it was O’Reilly…but Obama doesn’t seem to understand, that oil fuels the country, and put an emphasis on all of us using electric cars. All fine and good, but where will the electricity come from, without the coal?
I do think they are that dumb, and I do think they believe it, and I do think they’re capable of pulling the plug, and when it goes to he!! they’ll once again, find the Republicans at fault.
capejasmine on November 6, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Sorry, but his is the EXACT same thing San Fran Nan and Reid said after the LAST election…
Remember? Bipartisanship? Working together? Most ethical Congress EVAH?
They have a YEAR to put their way Left Agenda into practice before the American people wake up from the Hopey Changey Drug Fix that seems to have them high right now. They can use the “we just go into power” excuse for about that long before they will be held accountable for the Economy and Energy prices…
They know this… and so their will be a BLIZZARD of far left wacked out bills coming… because they know they only have a limited time tomake that type of change.
Romeo13 on November 6, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Someone should snapshot the Obama campaign site to make sure that there is an undeniable list of his promises to compare against reality later on.
worlok on November 6, 2008 at 10:48 AM
This Emmanual guy is a hatchet man – a gangster type.
worlok on November 6, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Don’t forget your free car. Goodbye, Joe the plumber. Hello, Peggy the moocher!
bryan2369 on November 6, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Basically, Obama LIED throughout the entire nomination process and presidential campaign.
He lied lied lied to whatever group he was speaking to…telling them anything and everything they wanted to hear.
The difference this time was that the media gave him a 100% pass because he was black.
He is the affirmative action president.
President O.J.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on November 6, 2008 at 10:56 AM
The “creative class” will not protect us from the Putins and radical isslamists of the world….what a JOKE.
Let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on November 6, 2008 at 10:59 AM
The only reason that they will be that smart is Rahm Emanuel may take charge. I’m not aware of another Democratic leader with the intelligence to pull this off. You can attack Rahm for being overly partisan, but he’s also the Democratic politician who actually cares about the populace thinks, instead of simply living in ideological fantasy lands. Maybe Obama did make a good choice in him.
thuja on November 6, 2008 at 11:02 AM
What no money for College. I want to be a student for life. I make good grades. Why can’t he pay for me to continuning to go to school. I need to put my kid through college soon too. I was banking on that money. What you don’t say they lied to the American People!
I am glad I didn’t vote for him, but hey all those people that did are expecting money from him. I am going to stand in that line too.
Brat4life on November 6, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Yes, just like Saul Alinksy theorized, they will bring their revolution in increments.
Shhhh…..
PattyJ on November 6, 2008 at 11:07 AM
OK. Do I have to be the first one to bring up the old “frog in the slowly-boiling water” analogy?
kurtzz3 on November 6, 2008 at 11:08 AM
As a former “life-long” Dem let me just say:
the path for America is smaller government….let’s roll.
ex-Democrat on November 6, 2008 at 11:13 AM
They have traveled so far into lib land, they’d wouldn’t be able to find the middle even with GPS.
Done That on November 6, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Abortion on demand is on the way — conveniently located at your local Catholic hospital. We are already part way to that brave new world, with pharmacists in California REQUIRED to dispense the “morning after” pill, or risk losing their license to practice.
Massachusetts and California can be viewed as the test range for all laws of this type. Luckily (?), Massachusetts’ law was found by the state to be unconstitutional — but they sure tried to stick the camel’s nose deep into the tent.
unclesmrgol on November 6, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I am skeptical that the far left liberal base will let them get away with this as they are already bragging abou the money they raised. On the other hand the Dems ran on ending the Iraq war two years ago and they did nothing and were not held accountable by their base. it’s hard to believe they will be able to resist and who in the center will Nancy be listening to on her trips from Washington to SF?
ldbgcoleman on November 6, 2008 at 11:24 AM
No, you’re thinking too small areo. I want Obama’s house and Rezko’s off-shore accounts. Now that’s spreadin’ the wealth!
Rovin on November 6, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Pelosi doesn’t know what the words mean.
backwoods conservative on November 6, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Guess we aren’t the only ones looking for our money already
http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=9299280
Brat4life on November 6, 2008 at 11:35 AM
So overnight the bug-eyed, Bush-deranged Pelosi is gone? These reasonable-sounding remarks are merely in preparation for another assault against Republicans. Democrats are going to define everything they propose as moderate or centrist and, if Republicans object, they will be vilified and excoriated as extremists and obstructionists. Based on what I’ve seen in the polls, I doubt the electorate was voting for “getting things done”.
littleguy on November 6, 2008 at 11:51 AM
I, for one, refuse to succumb to Obama Derangement Syndrome. I didn’t vote for him, but come Inauguration Day, he will be my president.
eaglescout1998 on November 6, 2008 at 11:58 AM
So, the question is, do we attempt to get them too push hard for leftist policies in order to get them to lose in 2010 (we hope) or do we hope they govern as centrists so they don’t destroy the country?
Security Mom on November 6, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Man, that list really needs to be etched in stone. Of course, by the time it’s engraved we’ll be at the end of the list anyway.
Ask McCain how long it takes to go from media adoration to character assassination.
saint kansas on November 6, 2008 at 12:15 PM
This is old but it still holds true today:
http://www.friesian.com/ross/ca40/noright.htm
We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid any more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior and secure the blessings of debt free liberty to ourselves and our great great-great grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bedwetters.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: That a whole lot of people were confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim that they require a Bill of Non Rights.
ARTICLE I — You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV or any form of wealth.
More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.
ARTICLE II — You do not have the right to never be offended.
This country is based on freedom, and that means the freedom for everyone, not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots and probably always will be.
ARTICLE III — You do not have the right to be free from harm.
If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful. Do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.
ARTICLE IV — You do not have the right to free food and housing.
Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generations of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
ARTICLE V — You do not have the right to free health care.
That would be nice but, from the looks of public housing, we’re just not interested in government run health care.
ARTICLE VI — You do not have the right to physically harm other people.
If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim or kill someone, don’t be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.
ARTICLE VII — You do not have the right to the possessions of others.
If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don’t be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won’t have the right to a big screen TV or a life of leisure.
ARTICLE VIII — You don’t have the right to demand that our children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching conscience.
We hate oppressive governments and won’t lift a finger to stop you from going to fight, if you’d like. However, we do not enjoy parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.
ARTICLE IX — You don’t have the right to a job.
All of us sure want all of you to have one, and will gladly help you in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.
ARTICLE X — You do not have the right to happiness.
Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness — which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
If you agree that a understanding of no rights is necessary to “Secure the Blessings of Liberty,” I strongly urge you to refer this to as many people as you can, or link it from your own webpages.
No, you don’t HAVE to …. Nothing tragic will befall you should you NOT refer it. I just think it’s about time common sense is allowed to re-emerge in our society and flourish again. Thank you!!!
Scorched_Earth on November 6, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Dow down -403. down almost 900 points from tuesday morning. I’m quite sure the rally on monday was either just due to 1) end of campaign, 2) false hope that mccain could pull it out.
bilups on November 6, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Is anyone listening to these charlie rose clips on Rush? Amazing. Leftists are already hedging their bets: “he’s deeply manipulative” “singular personality” “he’s an unknown” “he ascends” “slightly creepy”. gird your loins folks. saul alinsky and ayers are about to have their prayers answered.
bilups on November 6, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I believe I was promised a “no fat chicks” agenda.
Chuck Schick on November 6, 2008 at 1:33 PM
I am absolutely loving all this unity talk now that the Dims are completely in control. It must be so easy to sound gracious when you can pretty much call all of the shots.
CarlaPHX on November 6, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Yap! Typical “Jedi mind tricks”. What Pelosi didn’t say was that she was in the process of the typical Leftist trick of redefinition. The “middle” is what she says it is.
We’re screwed!
rspock on November 6, 2008 at 3:41 PM
If they are smart, jobs will be their first priority. It was the economy that got Obama elected, so he better deal with it.
I don’t know about that whole war crime trial thing. Needless to say we will find out and I don’t doubt that a lot of Democrats will get off on it. However, I think that Americans are more interested in dealing with the problems that face the country than they are in some petty vindictive get even stuff. I have a feeling it might backfire.
Terrye on November 6, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Hot tubs! YES! Let’s demand hot tubs for everyone from the government. That’s a great idea, kurtzz3!
aero on November 6, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Be mindful of those who speak of cooperation but bear arms against those who don’t accept it.
- Me
madmonkphotog on November 6, 2008 at 6:16 PM
It’s not as if they wouldn’t be prepared to deal with “agent provocateurs”. Besides, that only makes you look worse for it.
That is the right way to handle it.
sethstorm on November 6, 2008 at 6:19 PM
You make policy on what works… not on where it falls ideologically. If Socialism truly worked for the most people, they’d run left… they know it’s just a power grab so they’ll move that way slowly until it’s too late for anybody to notice.
mankai on November 6, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Oh, fine but can’t the USA expropriate Michael Moore’s fortune? Just based on a percentage of the excess of his income per movie over costs to produce compared to the same ratio related to Exxon/Mobil Oil’s gallon of gas. Or his CO2 production compared to that of a normal human.
He likes Cuba. He would love to be victimized.
IlikedAUH2O on November 6, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Slightly OT, But here in eastern Virginia gas at the pump is now $1.95.9/gallon.
oldleprechaun on November 6, 2008 at 8:36 PM
I am concerned that a group of those on the right will become as unhinged as the moonbats have been for the last 8 years.
We need to vigorously oppose Obama on his socialist plans. We need to work at our local levels to move our communities toward conservatism so when the vote nationally, those values are what they vote on. Acting like the Krazy Kos Kiddies by spreading lies will only push people away.
csdeven on November 6, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Civility.
Get things done.
Someone write this crap down.
Or put it in your favorites markers.
drjohn on November 6, 2008 at 9:12 PM
- Hairy Pelosi
(sorry- it cracks me up)
drjohn on November 6, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Yeah,, from the middle of the pit of hell.
JellyToast on November 6, 2008 at 9:17 PM
I now pronounce you husband and husband.
Pelayo on November 6, 2008 at 9:51 PM
What? Obama isn’t Jesus and his cult followers might be disappointed to find out he can’t/won’t deliver on all those promisies he made on the campaign?
One can only hope.
Yakko77 on November 6, 2008 at 10:25 PM
BTW, I loved the Obi Wan title and picture.
drjohn on November 6, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Good luck to them. Liberals cannot help themselves. They are impatient and unreasonable by nature. Obama will be forced to either temper their zeal or go along with them.
He is going to start waking up in the middle of the night clutching his pillow, rocking back and forth on his bed in a cold sweat, scared of playing a grown-up’s game.
Grafted on November 6, 2008 at 11:00 PM
I’m conflicted. Obviously, I want the best for the country in the long run. In short, that would be greatly reducing the number of liberals in Congress and getting a conservative in the White House in 2013.
If Pelosi and pals somehow manage to restrain themselves and play it “center left” for the next two to four years, they could legitimize the idea of a Democrat triumvirate being anything but harmful for the nation. Obama could be in office for eight years and they’d cause enough longterm damage in the form of soft socialism and permanent entitlements that it could take decades to reverse.
On the other hand, if these buffoons rule like the far-lefties we all know they are, the American people will kick them out of power right away and we’ll all be left with a sobering reminder of how dangerous unchecked liberalism is.
Sign of the Dollar on November 7, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Dig this; most of the campaign site is cloned here: http://www.change.gov
How the heck do you get a .gov domain for the “Office of The President-Elect”??? At the bottom of the page it says: “Content copyright © 2008 by Obama-Biden Transition Project, a 501c(4) organization. All rights reserved.”
Wow, you can even fill out a form and give them your email address, name, address, etc. with suggestions, tell your story, or apply for a job!
Note the links at the bottom that the “America Serves” links for “Service Plan” and “Find A Way To Serve” have no content.
electric-rascal on November 7, 2008 at 5:20 AM
I think Obama and all the leftists are trying to decide if they want to “go all in” and run the economy straight into the ground and can then usher in full-bore socialism with little complaint… thus nearly every American will be “on the dole”.
If they do it half-assed or too slowly, then some of the sheep may wake up to the fact that they are being fleeced and will decide to do something about it.
electric-rascal on November 7, 2008 at 5:24 AM
Hmmm… here’s a bit more on “service”: http://www.change.gov/americaserves/
According to that page, the “American dream” seems to have taken a more socialist turn:
That certainly differs from the Wikipedia definition:
Funny how the Obama definition links “service” and “The American Dream”…
electric-rascal on November 7, 2008 at 5:34 AM
Get ready for the next Great Depression
http://www.change.gov/agenda/economy/
JeffinSac on November 7, 2008 at 8:59 AM
In other words moochers, you won’t be getting your check in the mail. Ooopsie!
Mr_Magoo on November 7, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Good post. When you choose not to serve, you are not participating in the American dream = you are un-American. Soon it will be if you choose to live in America, you must choose to serve. After that comes the penalties for not serving. After that…
Mr_Magoo on November 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I’ve always found it interesting that when FDR ran for office the first time, he would never reveal what his PLAN was to fix things. In fact, even after he was elected, everybody started pressing him to reveal his plan and he refused. Only after he was sworn in did he start to reveal and implement his plan. Same pattern with President Change-elect.
Mr_Magoo on November 7, 2008 at 10:41 AM
http://www.conservativesforum.com
A website for conservtives. A good place to discuss ideas
kangjie on November 7, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I intend to help Obama when he is in the White House.
I will offer to paint it black.
profitsbeard on November 8, 2008 at 12:53 AM
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