Two Americas
There are plenty of smart and creative and successful people in both Americas. But they don’t like to mix with each other these days.
They especially don’t like to talk about politics and the cultural issues that, despite the prominence of economic concerns today, have largely determined our political allegiances over the last two decades.
One America tends to be traditionally religious, personally charitable, appreciative of entrepreneurs, and suspicious of government. The other tends to be secular or only mildly religious, less charitable, skeptical of business, and supportive of government as an instrument to advance liberal causes…
Now the two Americas disagree, sharply. Government decisions enthuse one and enrage the other. The election may be over, but the two Americas are still not on speaking terms.
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John Edwards in 2016!
aunursa on November 7, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Retire, Michael.
You were not big enough to beat Chicago. Your 315 prediction was way over the line. Retire.
Key West Reader on November 7, 2012 at 10:34 AM
One of those Americas just voted to pull the life support plug on the California economy.
Ditkaca on November 7, 2012 at 10:34 AM
And marriage counseling won’t work.
DStreete on November 7, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Amicable divorce then. Irreconcilable differences.
Nick_Angel on November 7, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Oh, and your thought processes and blithering about what and who America is is also gone. Along with Obama.
You have single handedly ruined your own career. I will never trust you or read you again. FWIW.
Farking eggface.
Key West Reader on November 7, 2012 at 10:35 AM
The problem is the other half is driving us off the fiscal cliff with their voting habits. We’re past the point of live and let live. We have to expose the progressive agenda for the sham that it is. I’d prefer to not have to suffer through 8 years of Obama to accomplish that, but maybe that’s what it’ll take.
Doughboy on November 7, 2012 at 10:37 AM
It wasn’t that long ago when this country fought itself, brother against brother. It was ugly then, and it will be ugly now. Thank you president obama. your presidency will be historical, but not in a good way.
Harbingeing on November 7, 2012 at 10:39 AM
He’s wrong. There is America and Europe and Europe just won. Wait for the cries to join the European Union start. We already know 50%+ of the people in this country would orgasm if we handed over our sovereignty to the UN.
Frank Enstine on November 7, 2012 at 10:39 AM
You people are pathetic. You are getting mad at pundits for making incorrect predictions? I’m sorry, but no one had a crystal ball. They gave their best educated guess.
You guys are acting like little girls, stomping your feet, pouting, “but, mommy, you promised me a pony! You promised!! You got my hopes up and I’ll never listen to you again!”
Seriously, we are all disappointed. We called it wrong. Unfortunately, the Republican ground game didn’t deliver when we needed it to.
But you had access to the same information as these pundits, and they explained their reasoning. Whether or not you agreed with that reasoning was your own decision. Don’t blame the pundits for your disappointment now.
bluegill on November 7, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Yes… we should all just totally get excited about the fact that we’re screwed as a country.
Illinidiva on November 7, 2012 at 10:47 AM
It’s a rough day. People need to get it out. Maybe there will be a silver lining down the road but we deserve to throw it against the wall for a while.
salem on November 7, 2012 at 10:48 AM
This: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/condom-requirement-for-porn-filming-approved-by-voters.html? ; this is why America is messed up.
davidk on November 7, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Atlas is about to shrug.
Kataklysmic on November 7, 2012 at 10:49 AM
I see this as necessary.
Let’s recall how bad it had to get for the majority of Americans to side with the Patriots eventually during the American Rev0lution.
I believe it takes REALLY hard bad times for people to throw off the chains of slavery.
And some people still yearn for their chains, even after they willingly threw them off, once they realize personal responsibility & accountability is hard.
Badger40 on November 7, 2012 at 10:51 AM
I keep wondering how much prognosticators like Barone were off because they couldn’t calculate the amount of election fraud perpetrated by the left – either at the grass roots (driving illegals to the polls to vote) or at the higher levels (rigging voting machines and/or controlling the vote count).
Josiah on November 7, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Obama has no mandate, no Congress. So what is he going to do? How?
Just Executive Privilege his way through everything? He better duck.
Moesart on November 7, 2012 at 10:55 AM
You’ve gotta be kidding. America and Europe? Hahahaha.
It’s America and Mexico, friend. America and the Ivory Coast. And increasingly America and East Asia. If “America” (or whatever it’s called in the future) realizes this we might be able to make the radical changes that are necessary. I’m not optimistic though.
Ostrich Egg on November 7, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Yes, but it’s clear way too many on our side were spinning that information, and the frustration with that is understandable. And for what, to goose GOP turnout? Didn’t work. There was way too much whistling past the graveyard, and Barone was one of the worst offenders.
changer1701 on November 7, 2012 at 11:00 AM
How’s this for a quick outline for what is most likely to happen in the next few years:
1). The country is weakened – on purpose – by the dear liar’s brand of National Socialism.
1a). The country splits apart over ‘Irreconcilable differences’ – further weakening it.
3). Other nations assert their world leadership – conflict breaks out over this competition: WWIII.
4). A new Dark age settles of over the planet.
Does anyone see a different outcome?
Not to beg: But Someone – anyone- please tell me where I’m wrong on this.
Chip on November 7, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Federalism people, that’s the answer to Leviathan.
The 10th Amendment hasn’t been repealed. All we need is strong 10th Amendment conservatives at all levels of state governments. Officials willing to seize back state powers long ago usurped by the federal government.
When the states ratified the Constitution they didn’t agree to be subservient to the federal government.
If you really want to get rid of Obamacare and rein in the federal government then look to your state governments.
Charlemagne on November 7, 2012 at 11:09 AM
I agree; however, what percentage of the American public even knows what federalism is?
Nick_Angel on November 7, 2012 at 11:16 AM
What percentae of the American public can spell federalism? Pathetic morons don’t deserve the blood our forefathers spilled to give them this gift.
txmomof6 on November 7, 2012 at 11:24 AM
I agree, and I would add that all this has been intentionally engineered to happen.
bgibbs1000 on November 7, 2012 at 11:28 AM
No offense, But you’re supposed to tell where I’m wrong this – I’m really hoping someone can tell me a flaw in my logic.
There’s has to be some assumption I’ve made that’s wrong, or a conclusion that doesn’t make sense.
Can anyone help me out on this?
Chip on November 7, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Face it, it was never going to get better, before it got worse. Worse here we come, deal with it.
FineasFinn on November 7, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Two Americas
Maybe we should recognize this reality in this country today and make the two Americas a fact. We should stop wasting our good will, efforts and money and just go our own way. The old America died last night.
Old Country Boy on November 7, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Wish I could offer a different viewpoint, but that’s pretty much how I see it going down too.
Harbingeing on November 7, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Old Rome had to divide into two parts because it was ungovernable. There is nowhere else to go.
Old Country Boy on November 7, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Two Americas: Those that trust FiveThirtyGreat (data) and those that trust Michael Barone (intuition).
Alpha_Male on November 7, 2012 at 11:57 AM
http://themetapicture.com/not-so-funny-anymore/
davidk on November 7, 2012 at 11:58 AM
I said this in the other thread, NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.
States cannot say NO, because they depend on the Fed to keep them out of Bankruptcy. Hiway $, SS $, Medicare $, they need all that money.
No, its ALL or NOTHING now…
So Ala says the Fed has no power to tax or fine us if we don’t comply with OC insurance mandate.
Fed says ok, no hiway money.
1. Ala says boohoo we need money and caves.
or
2. Ala says fine we wont send Fed tax dollars to you.
2. Fed says meet USArmy, you will pay Taxes.
then
3. Ala caves.
or
3. We fight.
April 1861 all over again.
Notice nowhere in there did the Fed recognize States Rights.
They ain’t gonna.
orbitalair on November 7, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Too many scenarios to play out.
1. US civil war, makes Rwanda extermination look like childs play
or
2. US desperatation leads to great atrocities on other people as a distraction.
or
3. US try to defend itself and expends many W87 warheads…
or
4. We all settle into ‘less’ while the elite eat up all the resources, a situation more like the late 1890s early 1900s with small colonial wars and battles. This is the likely outcome. One day you will tell your grandkids you remember when the power was on 24/7, and gasoline was available everyday on every street corner.
orbitalair on November 7, 2012 at 12:06 PM
I used to think this was crazy talk. Used to…
At the very least, I am looking to leave the Northeast. It will be hard as my family is all here, but I have less and less in common with the people, even old friends, who vote for more of the federal leviathan.
What are the most conservative-friendly or even libertarian-friendly cities/counties/states? I know Texas is an obvious choice, but what are some others?
Nick_Angel on November 7, 2012 at 12:15 PM
http://themetapicture.com/but-suddenly/
davidk on November 7, 2012 at 12:21 PM
The Crisis of Low Information Voters.
blatantblue on November 7, 2012 at 12:29 PM
I couched the question in terms of a general or quick outline of what’s going to happen – there are many variables as you say, but [Again, I hope I’m WRONG on this] I don’t see a reversal on the National Socialist Left trying to deliberately weaken this nation.
That coupled with other nations on the rise, with Nuclear weapons thrown into the mix – I don’t really see an alternative future ahead.
Lord help US.
Chip on November 7, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Ignoramus
blatantblue on November 7, 2012 at 12:31 PM
The stupid who produce and continue to pay taxes, enabling
The stupid who mooch, while looters like the Obamas live like Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour.
Schadenfreude on November 7, 2012 at 12:46 PM
diversity! yay! /
tomg51 on November 7, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Well I shot a list in a early a.m. thread but a summary looks like this:
more taxes
less gas
less electricity
less food (more expensive)
2nd amendment – another assault weapons ban to start, more handgun bans
1st amendment – more regulations, pressure to doublespeak, racists, etc
DHS/TSA get fully armed and roam the hiways with checkpoints
less healthcare
more $ for HC insurance
more assaults on christians
more gay and dope smoking bs
I’ve had no raise in years, and Jan1 looks to kick me for another $3000 or more.
I am starting to get really, really, angry.
orbitalair on November 7, 2012 at 1:52 PM
ahem … they HAVE no shame …
conservative tarheel on November 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM
I would say VA … but this election proved that one wrong …
NC is pretty good … just got a GOP Gov to go along with the house and senate
conservative tarheel on November 7, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Georgia.
But we have enough Yankees down here. (Though true I am just kidding)
Brat on November 7, 2012 at 2:15 PM
True. So many did not respond negatively to Obama’s hatred of Amaerica. This tells me a big bunch of people want the old America to die, and another 14 million plus dont care.
vote numbers from drudge
O: 59971178
R: 57304430
He veers from Marx, because he seeks out masters of industry and banking who want to be part of the Nanny.
What starts out as Maxism, ends up as facism, the collaborative venture of industry and Nanny state,
entagor on November 7, 2012 at 2:33 PM
didnt finish that post
vote numbers from drudge
O: 59971178
R: 57304430
14 million less voters than the last election
rough percent, O: 46 R: 44 non voter: 11 percent
This is similar to the percentages in our American Revolution, about 40% Tory, 40% Rebels, 20 percent don’t bother me
Pretty much a repeat
I know one thing. Friends who voted Obama wanted something monetary from him. Because of that, they would not even consider Romney. They also would not argue politics, the Constitution, Civil rights nada. Their eye was on the prize and whatever else came of their vote they did not care
Class warfare works good if you own the press, and if love of country is not taught in public schools
entagor on November 7, 2012 at 2:44 PM
I understand the sentiment although the Yankee epithet seems a bit dated. ha.
I have NO interest in bringing blue-state politics with me to a red state the way so many escapees tend to do. I’ve had it. If I go somewhere that is rock-ribbed conservative, you can bet I will assimilate.
I read that Williamson County, TN, is a good area.
Nick_Angel on November 7, 2012 at 3:18 PM