How To Get Kicked in The Butt

Published on May 6, 2005 By stevendedalus In Politics

David Ignatius of the Washington Post national weekly may well be a “stand up guy” in political savvy, but not in his article “Will Democrats Seize the Opening?” First, he tries in the style of Thomas Friedman to appease both sides by practically dismissing hammering DeLay as simply another copycat of Democratic leaders when they were in power. More importantly he sees the problem that Americans do not like self righteous “busybodies” from the right any more than they do from the left — a revelation that came to light in the Shiavo case, which nevertheless did not dampen the powerful Christian Coalition, and the evangelical voter will surely not forget in ‘06 — where was David while the Catholic vote was kicking Kerry in the butt for his stance on choice and gays? Where was David when Kerry was trying to convince the nation that war is a last resort and that it is not its business to democratize the Middle East with brute force and unconscionable casualties.

Further the author’s slur of “Mommyism” is unwarranted in light of Clinton’s reform of welfare as we knew it long before Gingrich and his gang thought of it. Besides, the New Deal's — FDR by the way was thought of as “Daddy” — Mommyism , in caring for all its children, had made this country a legitimate middle class economy. David lashes out at the Democratic Party for having no thrust as if it had no interference from Red State senators of its own party. FDR could forge ahead because he offered electricity to the south and subsidies to the farmers.

No such joyride today — no dust bowls, guns are in place, women now dismiss the economy and prioritize national security, hard earned income is taxed more than unearned, evangelism has successfully masked racial prejudice, the pentagon and multinational corporations set foreign policy, and Bush’s “neo-Wilsonianism”, flip-flopping on anti-nation-building, not unlike Nixon’ s opening up China.

Ignatius seems to think that reaching across party lines is all it takes to confront the horrific economic issues of the day — been there done that — ask Ted Kennedy what you reap when cooperating with the administration à la NCLB. The nation did not care about the “tax stampede,” the rush to war, a president who was decisive but wrong, estate tax hijacked by “death” tax, health care down the tubes, and environment violations further damaged by okaying drilling in ANWR that will result in multi billions in tax writeoffs, let alone no EPA viable oversight amendment.What in the world is David thinking of by suggesting the Democrats work cooperatively with the administration and Greenspan, both of whom are more concerned with a crisis fifty years away than the immediate tsunami of terrorism, deficits and imbalanced trade, diminishing middle class wages, and runaway health costs? To be a true “stand-up” guy who, like Dean, facing the confederate flag waving pick-up truck, the Party will get run-over — again. Only abusive stand-up guys like DeLay and Bush are rewarded.

Comments

kingbee

on May 06, 2005

The nation did not care about the “tax stampede,” the rush to war, a president who was decisive but wrong, estate tax hijacked by “death” tax, health care down the tubes, and environment violations further damaged by okaying drilling in ANWR that will result in multi billions in tax writeoffs, let alone no EPA viable oversight amendment.What in the world is David thinking of by suggesting the Democrats work cooperatively with the administration and Greenspan, both of whom are more concerned with a crisis fifty years away than the immediate tsunami of terrorism, deficits and imbalanced trade, diminishing middle class wages, and runaway health costs?

so sad and so true. your assessment is nothin but aces my man. insightful as hell.

dabe

on May 07, 2005

This is a great article. Yet again.

My sister was a great fan of Friedman. Why? I dunno. I have rarely seen such shameless fence-sitting anywhere. Seems we got another one in Ignatius. And they are, in my mind, just the kind of "democrat" who have migrated to this mythical middle. I've commented here in the past about the "middle" being nothing but a move to the right side of the aisle. In fact, this concept of "middle" is a relative thing, and seems to be a moving target.

Unless a democrat sidles over to the right, s/he is labled an extremist. This fear of being so labled has led, I believe, to rightwing pandering that accomplishes nothing but saving your own butt in this climate of hyperbolic nationalism and rightie fear mongering and hate.

I don't quite know what I'm trying to say. Hmmmmmmmm....... my sister finally saw that, in fact, Friedman is not really putting forth his ideas in a manner that makes people stand up and take notice. He plays both ends of the candle, like Ignasius here, and really accomplishes nothing but fading into the background, even though a good thought may actually reside somewhere in his gray matter. It gets lost in the pablum, however. Doesn't surprise me that he and Friedman are buddies.

Dr Guy

on May 07, 2005

Maybe, just maybe, someone else is right and you are wrong? It is worth thinking about as all you have stated is the old tried, true and failures.

You are still thinking inside the box. You and kb may eventually be able to see outside it and discover why you are losing all the time. Dabe never will.

maybe just maybe, you need to think out side the box.

Your choice. He was not trying to convert, just enumerate your shortcomings.

stevendedalus

on May 09, 2005

maybe just maybe, you need to think outside the box.

It's something you and your ilk might try one of these years in lieu of hanging on to the big box of ninetheenth century thinking.

stevendedalus

on May 09, 2005

I've commented here in the past about the "middle" being nothing but a move to the right side of the aisle. In fact, this concept of "middle" is a relative thing, and seems to be a moving target.

Agreed: targeted to remake the 21st Century in the image of the 19th and its robber barons.

Thanks King,...nice having you around.

dabe

on May 10, 2005

Agreed: targeted to remake the 21st Century in the image of the 19th and its robber barons.

Good way to put it. Thanks.

Dr Guy

on May 10, 2005

It's something you and your ilk might try one of these years in lieu of hanging on to the big box of ninetheenth century thinking.

I think we are already thinking 21st century and beyond. As long as you refuse to admit the truth of the defeat of your ideas, you will never learn from them. But I see you are hopelessly trapped inside the box with no desire to leave it.

stevendedalus

on May 19, 2005

Neither one of us will ever be outside the box as long as extreme self interest overrides the common good.

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