Do we really find ourselves flying military sorties over Libya, in the absence of any congressional vote to approve such an action? Do we find ourselves flying these sorties with no properly constituted lines of authority? And do we find our great military sent to, among other worthy goals, "stop the killing"?
Why at every turn am I flashing back to memories of Michael Dukakis riding in a tank with a goofy helmet, or of other memories of President Carter being attacked by a crazed rabbit near his ancestral home in Georgia? I even recall in an unusual fit of honesty The Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson commenting, during BHO's procession to his November 2008 coronation, on the Peace Prize recipient's apparent lack of two spherical anatomical organs generally thought to be critical for purposes of intimacy and procreation. The reason for these flashback memories? Simply put, the emperor has no clothes, and more and more Democrats are joining Republicans and conservatives in coming to this realization, which is why I expect polls to reflect a fairly sour American public, bipartisanly so, in the coming months.
The liberals' quarter-war policy is clear, once you understand certain touchstones for Democrat liberal policy makers. George W. Bush was and remains the focus of evil in the modern world, so no strategy out of the Peace Prize recipient's administration can even remotely resemble a Bush coalition. Moreover, a multitude of partners is critical, and deferring operational command to one of these lesser powers is desirable. Bonus points are awarded for prolonged dickering about the chain of command. Next, the policy must hamstring its own forces by denying them their most lethal weapons and by putting forth rules of engagement that are complex and difficult to understand. These ROEs will ensure no decision is made without opportunity for second and third guessing, with plenty of input by Department of Justice lawyers. Further, a freewheeling loud public debate ought to take place regarding where any captured "suspects" may be held pending their civil trials. It goes without saying that full access to lawyers and the press will be enjoyed by the detainee "suspects."
Unfortunately for the Ivy League frat boys running this show, and more unfortunately for the people of America, and most unfortunately for those brave men and women who may be called upon to give the ultimate sacrifice as they serve as the tip of our spear, this quarter-war that the Peace Prize recipient has gotten us into will not end well for America. This is so for innumerable reasons, but the first and foremost is that no one has yet to define our mission. Why are we there? What does victory look like? Are the rebels really our friends? Can we identify our friends in the region? I'm skeptical about that last question in particular.
For now, regular Americans are just lying low, watching in disbelief as the inmates run the asylum and hoping there'll be something left to salvage after the 2012 presidential elections. We've got to get this train that is America turned around, my friends. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on it.
Look for a post in the next week or so about Israel. The issues facing that small nation so favored by God are of great interest to me, and what's more amazing is that Holy Scripture can guide us as we seek to learn about these issues confronting The Holy Land today.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Let's "Opt Out" To Victory
The travesty of ObamaCare has so discouraged me that I can't often post about it. I'm proud of the House Republicans and wholeheartedly support their legislative efforts to kill the law with death by a thousand cuts. At the end of the day, however, most of us believe it will take a new President to repeal this Orwellian monstrosity by ripping out its roots and casting it into the lake of fire, so that efforts at meaningful reform that empowers patients and their doctors can take shape.
It was in this context that I've been reflecting on how a catchy turn of phrase can make a profound impact on an idea's success in the marketplace of ideas. Examples abound, such as "affirmative action" instead of "race-based preferences," or "investment in our children," instead of "pouring good money after bad down a rat hole of overpaid, incompetent, unmotivated teachers." "Reform" is another useful noun that can mean anything, as in "tax reform" that lowers marginal rates and eliminates the double taxation of the death tax, versus "tax reform" that raises marginal rates, punishes entrepreneurs and investors, and generally incentivizes people to hide money under their mattress. The same word, but two completely opposing meanings.
I suggest we who oppose ObamaCare down here in the trenches begin to call for allowing individual states to "opt out" of ObamaCare. The term "opt out" is catchy and conveys clearly our goal, but with a positive connotation that suggests "freedom" and "choice" to citizens. It lends itself to a number of slogans, such as "Just opt out!" or "Opt Out Now," and it can even be used as a stand alone motto.
The value of a catchy phrase, composed of two or three three letter words, that clearly communicates our values and goals cannot be overestimated. Opting out is consistent with America's historic federalist principles, and ought to appeal to moderates and fence-sitters and others who might oppose outright federal appeal.
I envision a coordinated grass roots effort among roughly the same red and purple states which are participating in legal challenges to ObamaCare, which is more than half of the Union. Existing conservative infrastructure would promote the idea publicly and pressure the individual states to pass "opt out" laws. In turn this would generate further federal pressure against ObamaCare, and in fact the Opt Out movement might be viewed by President Obama as a face-saving compromise as he positions himself for his 2012 re-election race. I dare even hope that federal legislation allowing for an Opt Out option might be perceived as reasonable enough to pass the Senate and avoid an Obama veto.
Granted, Opt Out does not by itself nullify all the damage done by ObamaCare, but it is an achievable goal in 2011 or 2012, and as policy would boost a number of favorable precedents, not least the broadening of the concept of federalism and state sovereignty. Granted as well, Opt Out requires action at both federal level and in each state, but in accomplishing each legislative victory another nail is driven into the heart of the concept of centralized health care rationing. No one said this would be easy, but with hard work I'm convinced we can achieve victory.
By all means let's press on toward the goal of repeal, but let's open another battle front against the forces of statism and stagnation with a new grassroots movement to Opt Out! Far from diluting our efforts, Opt Out will strengthen our cause by adding new volunteers, persuading more voters, and encouraging those of us in the trenches with achievable victories in the short-term. Conservative leaders, tea party activists, Republican officials, are you listening? We the people are crying out for leadership on this issue.
It was in this context that I've been reflecting on how a catchy turn of phrase can make a profound impact on an idea's success in the marketplace of ideas. Examples abound, such as "affirmative action" instead of "race-based preferences," or "investment in our children," instead of "pouring good money after bad down a rat hole of overpaid, incompetent, unmotivated teachers." "Reform" is another useful noun that can mean anything, as in "tax reform" that lowers marginal rates and eliminates the double taxation of the death tax, versus "tax reform" that raises marginal rates, punishes entrepreneurs and investors, and generally incentivizes people to hide money under their mattress. The same word, but two completely opposing meanings.
I suggest we who oppose ObamaCare down here in the trenches begin to call for allowing individual states to "opt out" of ObamaCare. The term "opt out" is catchy and conveys clearly our goal, but with a positive connotation that suggests "freedom" and "choice" to citizens. It lends itself to a number of slogans, such as "Just opt out!" or "Opt Out Now," and it can even be used as a stand alone motto.
The value of a catchy phrase, composed of two or three three letter words, that clearly communicates our values and goals cannot be overestimated. Opting out is consistent with America's historic federalist principles, and ought to appeal to moderates and fence-sitters and others who might oppose outright federal appeal.
I envision a coordinated grass roots effort among roughly the same red and purple states which are participating in legal challenges to ObamaCare, which is more than half of the Union. Existing conservative infrastructure would promote the idea publicly and pressure the individual states to pass "opt out" laws. In turn this would generate further federal pressure against ObamaCare, and in fact the Opt Out movement might be viewed by President Obama as a face-saving compromise as he positions himself for his 2012 re-election race. I dare even hope that federal legislation allowing for an Opt Out option might be perceived as reasonable enough to pass the Senate and avoid an Obama veto.
Granted, Opt Out does not by itself nullify all the damage done by ObamaCare, but it is an achievable goal in 2011 or 2012, and as policy would boost a number of favorable precedents, not least the broadening of the concept of federalism and state sovereignty. Granted as well, Opt Out requires action at both federal level and in each state, but in accomplishing each legislative victory another nail is driven into the heart of the concept of centralized health care rationing. No one said this would be easy, but with hard work I'm convinced we can achieve victory.
By all means let's press on toward the goal of repeal, but let's open another battle front against the forces of statism and stagnation with a new grassroots movement to Opt Out! Far from diluting our efforts, Opt Out will strengthen our cause by adding new volunteers, persuading more voters, and encouraging those of us in the trenches with achievable victories in the short-term. Conservative leaders, tea party activists, Republican officials, are you listening? We the people are crying out for leadership on this issue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
