Romney: Didn't We...

When people are taken hostage they are customarily bound and gagged: bound, as to prevent escape; gagged as to prevent them from speaking.

Though I have no proof, I believe that years ago the Catholic Church was deliberately infiltrated by elements that were intent on sowing mischief. There was much to be gained by the diminution of the Church’s credibility and power. Offshoots and lesser Christian denominations were targeted as well, but there the approach was more directly ideological. These would essentially evolve into politically-driven social clubs.

In politics, a similar strategy has now become apparent. The Democrat Party - the weaker of the two American political parties, weakened primarily by the indiscretions of Bill Clinton - became a cesspool for leftist tripe. The Republican Party also would not remain immune to anti-American trends.

In our last presidential election it was interesting to note just how the strategy works. The people were presented essentially with a Hobson’s choice. On one hand, a known entity, saddled with all of the trumped-up failures of the past; a war hero, who quite appropriately wrapped himself in the American flag, but was a ‘progressive’ (new word for ‘socialist') nonetheless. On the other, an unknown. “Let’s try something different,” became the excuse of the duped who thought themselves as modern and, above all, (oh so) tolerant. (The Islamization of America had not yet entered the frame.) The office at stake was not that important after all. We’d been attacking it, belittling it, mocking it for eight years without seeing much of a difference.

As the table is now being set for the 2012 election cycle, we see more of the same. No doubt, Obama’s record constitutes a serious drag for Democrats as Republicans continue to poll well. But far from taking the opportunity to change course, we’re merely changing masks and party labels. Romney should be out by virtue of his health care blunder in Massachusetts alone. The real standard bearers of conservatism continue to be demonized by both the Left and the Right. ‘Centrist’ and ‘no labels’ are exalted, but stand firmly for the status quo: a sometimes rapid, sometimes slow descent. When what we really need to do is tear up the tracks going forward and turn this train around.

As I’ve said previously, Obama’s election was no accident. All was in place to bring it about. I maintain, that under McCain it would now be no different. In some ways it might even be worse.

I am simply amazed how many who claim to be on our side are perfectly willing to denounce Palin; how many laugh and nod their heads knowingly when someone outrageously and publicly claims she is no more than masturbatory material.

Romney looks good on the golf course. I may be mistaken, but didn’t we just try that?

http://pkoelliker.blogspot.com/

Staring Us In The Face

As Egypt’s travail progresses, I increasingly hear glowing reports in the media about the demonstrators and their ‘legitimate’ grievances. This may all be well and good. There hasn’t been a legitimate election in Egypt since Mubarak assumed office in 1981 (following the assassination of Anwar Sadat). In all that time it would not be an overstatement to say that the Egyptian people have gotten the short end of the stick.

However, Egypt is not America or any other nation where elections have paved the way for a smooth transfer of power. (We let it happen it in Gaza and it didn’t work out so well.) It might even be said that Egypt has been held together by ten-cents worth of salt water taffy and glue, courtesy of (who else?) Uncle Sam.

There are those who now joyfully opine that this may not have been our best policy - especially now that the jewel in our Middle East crown (Israel) stands somewhat tarnished by events. This view contends that Israel should be left alone to see to itself, allowing for serious reform to develop among its neighbors.

There is every indication that the current American administration is now prepared to do just that. This would release a lot of water currently dammed up. Not sure if Israel could survive the flood.

Leaving the issue of Israel’s survival aside for the moment, there’s now a different, more ominous narrative emerging. Increasingly one hears about this initially noble revolution (throughout the Middle East) being hijacked by extremist elements. No doubt Iran and its proxies, as we, have a stake in its eventual outcome. We hear that we shouldn’t worry; that Iran will never get a foothold (in Egypt) because their population differs from Egypt’s in significant ways. We can only hope.

When Obama was elected, we also had hope. Now, we might say that, first, our Democrat party was hijacked; and, then, our government. We look around and might say that our universities and our media were hijacked by a radical fringe. We might even say that our financial institutions, our churches and our unions were infiltrated and hijacked while we weren’t paying attention. Now, even though we still think of ourselves uniquely as Americans, we find it difficult find a solid hold to steady ourselves. We’re just ‘the people’ who sense that something has gone terribly wrong. We speak out, but our voices trail off into the ether. We gather to show our solidarity with what? - Some guy on the radio? Ourselves?

Meanwhile, the government grinds on along its merry way with seemingly no regard for us. In fact, it is ruling against our will. We find ourselves working for it, even as we thought it was working for us. This is tyranny.

Not exactly sure how long it’s been this way. It’s just that we woke up one morning and saw it staring us in the face.

http://pkoelliker.blogspot.com/