The only privacy you have is that you can personally guarantee. Behind your eyes and between your ears….

Mew

sesquipedalian on June 29, 2009 at 4:10 PM
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What is it with you and trolls, sesq?

You seem a tad fixated.

Mew

Sometimes, the best way to tell you’re going the right way is by who you’re pissing off.

acat on June 29, 2009 at 2:54 PM

a troll manifesto?

Mew

I guess the fact that the high school drop out rate and the out of wedlock birthrate of Hispanics are approaching that of blacks is “no reason.”

I guess the fact that the educational achievements of Hispanics that have been here for over four generations have not improved during that time is “no reason” too.

Your “no reason” argument is just a politically correct excuse not to face reality. PC people want to believe that people of all races have the same possibility of voting for self-reliance and conservatism. That is not reality and if you ignore reality, reality wins.

Thresher on June 29, 2009 at 2:01 PM

Hispanics are not locked into these behaviors through immutable physiology, any more than anyone else is. There are no high-school dropout or educational underachievement genes, present in certain races. These behaviors are a matter of individual choice and cultural influence. Individuals can make different choices, and cultures can change. I don’t suggest it will be easy, but it’s not impossible. Political Correctness is the refusal to see what is, not the willigness to envision what could be.

Good policies are not enough because the majority of people are incapable of understanding policies and their implications. Intellectually, most people are sheep and they will follow thoughtlessly wherever they are led, (assuming that the leader can rouse them from their laziness in the first place).

YiZhangZhe on June 29, 2009 at 2:14 PM

That’s a good description of the challenge that faces conservatives, although I think the metaphor of voters as sheep can be overworked. Some of them are easily herded, of course. Others are overwhelmed, a predictable consequence of massive government combined with sensationalist, agenda-driven media. Many of them can be reached if they are approached with passion, energy, and clarity. The socialist enterprise has gotten about as far as it can without drawing serious blood from the middle class, as we can see from the quick and violent death of Obama’s absurd promises to spare anyone making under $250k per year from tax increases.

The world-view and policies of the Democrats tend to get shoved in voters’ faces by the media, but when that world-view proves false, and the policies fail to deliver what has been promised, the voters will be ready to listen to other voices – particularly a comprehensive critique that exposes the bankruptcy of the socialist approach, rather than a little nit-picking over a few of the details. It’s an opportunity that can be squandered, as the Republicans have done many times before, but it is an opportunity nonetheless.

trigon on June 29, 2009 at 1:29 PM
—–

Sometimes, the best way to tell you’re going the right way is by who you’re pissing off.

This is, by that measure, a good post.

Mew

Chainsaw56 on June 29, 2009 at 2:38 PM

I think that’s referred to as “strategery”. Democrats have gotten really good at labeling Republican strategy as hypocrisy, though.

Being a conservative first, to me, means making sure that Republicans stay as conservative as possible while still being able to win. Politicians have to win to be able to do anything. Promoting a culture of individualism has to be done by us, and not politicians.

Capitalism is and should be the basis of the conservative party. The tragedy with Government is that NO ONE has ever RUN a real company, YET they think they know how to regulate it. It’s like the Blind leading the Blind. None of the politicians have the backgrounds (Particularly O’Bama, who’s claim to fame is rising to the top of his profession as a Community Organizer) understand the basic principles of business. If you want to see the result of the Democratic theory, one only needs to look to Detroit, MI as their shiny example of how well Democrats can run a city. It’s a virtual wasteland and that’s what’s in store for our economy if they are left in charge.

The only Republican that I know who has the skill set not only to run or turn around a failing company is Romney. A Romney/Newt ticket would be a good way to turn all this crazy stuff these wacko Democrats are doing around. We as a country should demand a separation of Government and Commerce. It is trading freely with others unhindered that will bring about innovation and new ways of solving problems. Ayn Rand was right when she said true laissez-faire Capitalism, which has never been in practice in the United States, is the only way to create wealth, innovation and self esteem. Once Government starts regulating commerce you start creating the Halves and Have Nots. You start interfering with businesses ability to adapt to the marketplace and you handcuff our manufacturing industry here in the U.S. This is why manufacturing has moved overseas….. because we can’t compete internationally as a country when the same conditions are not placed on our overseas competitors. That’s why we’ve got to get Government out of Commerce.

Having said this…..These thoughts go right over the heads of politicians…Why? Because they have never personally worked in business trying to manufacture a product and bring it to market. The majority have mostly worked in Government as a career. This is why were in trouble my friends….right here in RiverCity.

JohnJ on June 29, 2009 at 2:14 PM

Understand that I’m not hating on Republicans – I’m a Conservative first and then a Republican.

It’s just that Republicans are going to have to get some conjones and stand up for what’s right.

Of course that means they will be pilloried by the SCM – but that’s going to happen anyways, it’s just a matter of degree, so why not be condemned for the right things.

Threadwinner.

Everything else here is nothing but mental masturbation, defeatism, or liberal delusion.

thirteen28 on June 29, 2009 at 2:19 PM

The thread winner you pick is the one that offers absolutely no guidance as to how to move forward. That’s sure helpful, but I think we can do without your help.

The fight for freedom has always been hard.

the_nile on June 29, 2009 at 2:07 PM

Threadwinner.

Everything else here is nothing but mental masturbation, defeatism, or liberal delusion.

Ummm, that is much harder.

Far more people play the lottery than chess. The lottery proffers huge rewards and demands no serious thought. Most people don’t think strategically or evaluate or calculate; they follow their feelings and their feelings are largely determined by the words of people that they feel comfortable with and ‘admire’.

Once upon a time people might have been influenced by thoughtful, insightful men in the form of pastors. Today the influential people are publicity seekers: actors, ‘media personalities’ (whatever one of those is), musicians.

Good policies are not enough because the majority of people are incapable of understanding policies and their implications. Intellectually, most people are sheep and they will follow thoughtlessly wherever they are led, (assuming that the leader can rouse them from their laziness in the first place).

Chainsaw56 on June 29, 2009 at 2:05 PM

I’ll never understand why people blame the Republicans for being a better party than the Democrats. If you spend more time hating Republicans than you spend hating Democrats, you’re a Democrat.

Education in what defines CONSERVATISM instead of letting the extremely weak republicans attempt to define it. Conservatism is geared toward individual freedom and personal responsibility. Liberalism is geared toward socialism and worse, which is ANTI-freedom, removing personal responsibility and individual freedom wherever it can be taken.

Let Americans make the choice between freedom and socialist fascism BEFORE it comes to armed conflict.

Spiritk9 on June 29, 2009 at 1:10 PM

The Republican party should either stand up for Conservatism, or get the H*ll out of the way for another party. They need to forget about being the ‘Lite’ version of the Socialist Fascism of the Demoncraps.

What’s the saying? When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging – well the Republican party is digging it’s way into oblivion being “moderates” and “bipartisan” and where has it gotten them? Maybe they should stop digging and try something else, maybe something like being Unapologetically Conservative.

Even if both legal and illegal immigration remains high, there’s no reason to think Hispanic voters will remain serfs on the Democrat vote farm forever.

I guess the fact that the high school drop out rate and the out of wedlock birthrate of Hispanics are approaching that of blacks is “no reason.”

I guess the fact that the educational achievements of Hispanics that have been here for over four generations have not improved during that time is “no reason” too.

Your “no reason” argument is just a politically correct excuse not to face reality. PC people want to believe that people of all races have the same possibility of voting for self-reliance and conservatism. That is not reality and if you ignore reality, reality wins.

Sarah Palin was a VP candidate, you’ll recall – a sinecure of a job most of the time. If you honestly think she looked worse than Joe Biden I can’t begin to take you seriously.

TheUnrepentantGeek on June 29, 2009 at 12:53 PM

The reason Sarah Palin’s VP credentials got more scrutiny was because the Presidential nominee looked half-dead the whole year. If it had been a Romney/Palin ticket, I think Palin would have been a nonfactor since Romney is the picture of health.

Once in power they should work quickly to defund all of these lib special interests groups who get fat on tax payer dollars. Unions, ACORN (or whatever it calls itself) all should be kicked off the federal dole. I’d love to see an effort to break public sector unions but getting federal money out of liberal pockets should be the priority.

I forgot where this was posted. The GREEN room, where the communists play.

Disregard the previous post then, it was wasted typing. You can’t talk to socialists about freedom, they can’t “conceptualize” it.

It doesn’t matter if Bush is at fault, or McCain, or Palin (and quite frankly, blaming the people who fought against the socialists for not winning is a bit like blaming a woman for being raped. Why not blame the perpetrator?).

Another thing, looking for our own savior isn’t a great idea. Neither Ron Paul nor Sarah Palin is The Only One Who Can Save America. Republicans have always won by supporting good policies, and knowing when to compromise and when to draw the line. Republicans didn’t support Reagan because of his personality. That’s just another liberal lie. republicans supported Reagan because Reagan supported good policy. If Republicans work to support good policies, then the politician who supports whose policies will naturally rise to the top.

The fear that a public bribed with government goodies will vote Democrat in perpetuity is a serious concern,

Those are my concerns as well – that does seem to be the way Statists cling to power.

The key has to be interrupting the revenue stream that produces the vote-buying goodies.

Misconceptions need to be flushed out… Let Americans make the choice between freedom and socialist fascism

you seem to have some issues with conceptualizing things.

To add to this, Americans need some education, and fast.
- Education on what and who Obama and his cohorts really are and what they want for this country, and why it’s a complete disaster.

- Education in what America is. How it was founded and why. This is lacking severely in the populace today, and it’s a shame. Those who do not understand freedom are doomed to lose it.

- Education in what defines CONSERVATISM instead of letting the extremely weak republicans attempt to define it. Conservatism is geared toward individual freedom and personal responsibility. Liberalism is geared toward socialism and worse, which is ANTI-freedom, removing personal responsibility and individual freedom wherever it can be taken. Americans, due to a successful long term brainwashing starting all the way back in the 60′s, believe the exact opposite, and the current republican leadership which is barely conservative at all, has done nothing to correct this misconception for decades. It’s so bad that it makes one wonder if the republicans weren’t in on it to begin with, that’s how ridiculous it’s gotten.

Education is key here. Misconceptions need to be flushed out and destroyed at the same time the liberals need to be exposed for what they are. Let Americans make the choice between freedom and socialist fascism BEFORE it comes to armed conflict. Since America is rapidly heading to 3rd world country status, I can no longer rule out armed rebellion, it’s in the cards now. It can be avoided though, but we need leadership. Something we’re sorely lacking at the moment.

We need to take our own advice. The same rules that apply to fighting Islamic theocracy apply equally to ALL fanatics: if all you do is defend, you will always eventually lose.

We cannot talk about “holding the line” against Socialism anymore. The GDP three years from now will be at least 30% less than it is today. We need to DESTROY it.

Any candidate who credibly promises to dismantle the welfare state will win, and will then go on to accomplish a veritable miracle in revitalizing this nation.

Another candidate who promises “kinder, gentler” Socialism Light can’t win another national election. This country no longer has a choice between slow poison or fast poison. Once Hussein gets through with this country, we will be very lucky if we have a choice between life or death.

The economy is everything. Socialism will tank the economy. People will vote for an alternative to that. The traditional Conservative view on government spending and many other issues are majority opinions in the nation. All we need is candidates that espouse those views and offer a clear choice.

echosyst on June 29, 2009 at 12:52 PM

There you go with socialism cries again. Frankly that is the last thing on people’s minds.

The “majority of American’s are conservatives” view is garbage. Recent polls put the public option on healthcare (yes, that Obama ‘socialist’ healthcare plan) popular amongst everyone, including Republicans.

Nuclear, wind, and solar? Yes. More drilling which is decimating our environment and will run out within the next century or so? No.

ckoeber on June 29, 2009 at 12:54 PM

You can certainly make arguments to drill less and use more nuclear, wind, and solar. That’s not the point. The point is, you can’t blame Alaska or it’s government for not being self-sufficient when IT WAS KNOWN at the time they were admitted into the union that they would not be self sufficient. It’s not Alaska’s fault if the nation decides to move away from fossil fuels. They aren’t the ones making these determinations.

By the way, you should probably avoid overusing strawman arguments. We aren’t decimating our environment by drilling. The drilling is going to be done regardless, whether it is in the USA or elsewhere. We do it much more environmentally-friendly here. By not drilling, we outsource the production elsewhere… including places that light their wells on fire when they are pissed off at the world.

Clueless, you are.

Dale in Atlanta on June 29, 2009 at 12:49 PM

You are essentially proving my point that I wrote to Doctor Zero. Republicans had their opportunity.

Now people are somehow hoping that two years out of power is suddenly going to change the script?

Nuclear, wind, and solar? Yes. More drilling which is decimating our environment and will run out within the next century or so? No.

ckoeber on June 29, 2009 at 12:54 PM

Nuclear sure, but wind and solar are meaningless until we find a way to store electricity efficiently.

And as for this supposed decimation? Hyperbole. Additional drilling is a useful, revenue generating stopgap.

Economically viable innovation is the way forward, not draconian government policy.

shale oil
nukes
methane hydrate

When Republicans fail to nominate fiscal conservatives I vote Libertarian. Been doing that a lot these last 15 years or so.

True, but you must realize that it was given when Alaska was admitted to the union that they would be hard-pressed to be self-sufficient. The goal was to bring to bear the vast energy reserves of Alaska… it is not the fault of Alaskans that the Federal Government is handcuffing them.

BPD on June 29, 2009 at 12:43 PM

We have been talking about energy indepedance for well over 50 years. The last thing we need is to rebuild our energy platform for the next 20-40 years on the same fossil-fuel based ideology that is hamstringing us now.

Nuclear, wind, and solar? Yes. More drilling which is decimating our environment and will run out within the next century or so? No.

Please cite these polls.

ckoeber on June 29, 2009 at 12:50 PM

The PEW poll and the PPP poll… both concluded within the past 2 weeks or so. They were wideley discussed here at hotair. The PEW poll fromlast week showed her favorables amongst independents improved 7 pts.

If Sarah Palin were to win she most likely would have pushed McCain over the edge in 2008 to take the white house. Instead, she dragged down the ticket. She now continues to drag the ticket down with constantly trying to settle scores with people who criticize her.

ckoeber on June 29, 2009 at 12:46 PM

Republicans lost in 2008 because they were corrupt and power hungry. If you’d like to hang that on Palin’s door that’s your delusion, but don’t kid yourself.

Sarah Palin was a VP candidate, you’ll recall – a sinecure of a job most of the time. If you honestly think she looked worse than Joe Biden I can’t begin to take you seriously.