One of Reagan’s finest speeches
Forty-five years ago yesterday, Ronald Reagan gave a televised speech that laid out much of what today’s conservatives believe, and not a few things we have forgotten and need to remember. Watch or read the whole speech here.
A couple of things in it particularly caught my eye:
1. Not too long ago, two friends of mine were talking to a Cuban refugee, a businessman who had escaped from Castro, and in the midst of his story one of my friends turned to the other and said, “We don’t know how lucky we are.” And the Cuban stopped and said, “How lucky you are? I had someplace to escape to.” And in that sentence he told us the entire story. If we lose freedom here, there’s no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth.
In four and a half years in Europe, I realized that there were plenty of places there for liberals to flee and find the kind of government they want, if they were ever to make good on threats to “leave the U.S. if _______ is elected.” But there isn’t anywhere else for similarly discouraged conservatives to go. Indeed, this is still the place to which discouraged conservatives in Europe and elsewhere in the world look. This is truly the last stand on earth. And that matters because of the next quote:
2. But beyond that, “the full power of centralized government”—this was the very thing the Founding Fathers sought to minimize. They knew that governments don’t control things. A government can’t control the economy without controlling people. And they know when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. They also knew, those Founding Fathers, that outside of its legitimate functions, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector of the economy.
This is as good a summary of what conservatives oppose about today’s power grabs in Washington or other world capitals — from people whom Reagan dubbed “a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capitol” — as any that exists.
If you have time, watch or read the entire speech.
Thanks to Erick Erickson of RedState and Peach Pundit for reminding us of this anniversary (even if I’m a day late in noticing his reminder).
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114 comments Add your comment
StJ
October 28th, 2009
10:46 am
Spot on. I couldn’t agree more.
F. Sinkwich
October 28th, 2009
10:56 am
Wonderful words by a great American. The contrast between his beliefs and those of the current Whitehouse occupant is striking.
The moonbats will be here shortly…
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
11:46 am
DAMN STRAIGHT!!!!!
Now, everyone needs to see this home made trailer park commercial. It’s so funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-RLqLx1iYI
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
11:53 am
Kyle, this is still my all-time favorite Reagan speech. It leaves liberals speechless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvg7lRsCVJ8
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
11:59 am
Best Reagan quotes:
Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other.
Welfare’s purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence.
One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine. It’s very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project.
under the name of liberalism the American people would adopt every fragment of the socialist program.
Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction.
One legislator accused me of having a nineteenth-century attitude on law and order. That is a totally false charge. I have an eighteenth-century attitude. That is when the Founding Fathers made it clear that the safety of law-abiding citizens should be one of the government’s primary concerns.
[Evolution] has in recent years been challenged in the world of science and is not yet believed in the scientific community to be as infallible as it once was believed. But if it was going to be taught in the schools, then I think that also the biblical theory of creation, which is not a theory but the biblical story of creation, should also be taught.
If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to. This is the last stand on Earth.
Abraham Lincoln freed the black man. In many ways, Dr. King freed the white man. How did he accomplish this tremendous feat? Where others — white and black — preached hatred, he taught the principles of love and nonviolence.
My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.
government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
11:59 am
The ten most dangerous words in the English language are “Hi, I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”
booger
October 28th, 2009
12:23 pm
My favorite. Not quoted but as I remember…….Govt. says, If it moves tax it. If it keeps moving regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.
booger
October 28th, 2009
12:26 pm
Kyle, this is solid gold. I feel lucky to have lived as a grown up in this country before we became needy and dependant, and before we had a government which enabled such behavior.
Shawny
October 28th, 2009
12:35 pm
That point #2 says it all. What is going on now with Reid, Pelosi, and Obama is nothing but a power grab. It is not FOR THE PEOPLE. Not if it is for the expansion of govt.
Captain USA
October 28th, 2009
12:58 pm
The best Reagan quote: “I don’t remember.” When asked about the meetings where he planned to sell military weapons to the terrorist regime in Iran.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
1:11 pm
Captain USA, funny. How about the quote from Jimmy Carter when he helped bring in the Iranian terrorist regime.
JF McNamara
October 28th, 2009
1:26 pm
“In four and a half years in Europe, I realized that there were plenty of places there for liberals to flee and find the kind of government they want, if they were ever to make good on threats to “leave the U.S. if _______ is elected.” But there isn’t anywhere else for similarly discouraged conservatives to go.”
I wonder why? It could be that the rest of the developed world understands that what conservatives want idealogically is neither practical nor desired in real world practice through both intellectual study and failed experimentation.
Either that or everybody else in the developed world is stupid and chose a form of government and leadership that were inferior even after experiencing what conservatism has to offer.
Its probably the second option since conservatives are smarter than everyone else, but there is a little doubt in my mind.
Cutty
October 28th, 2009
1:30 pm
Centralized Government……. Meet Department of Homeland Security. Today’s ‘conservatives’ talk a good game, but they are no more conservative than any liberal. I thought this country was founded for the sake of free speech and expression, and no taxation for both liberals AND democrats. Which supposedly makes this country so great. Reagan and Bush I raised taxes, Bush II expanded government and raised the federal deficit. Don’t pin ‘centralized’ government on democrats alone. ‘Conservatives’ had an equal hand in where we are today. Free markets with no regulations got us here, and that same thinking won’t get us out. Find a ‘conservative’ in Congress now, and I’ll show you someone that is comfortable with the status quo. Their performance from 2001-2006 is all the proof I need.
Cutty
October 28th, 2009
1:33 pm
And if ‘Conservatives’ were so enthralled with small government, free markets, and low taxes, they would’ve acted upon contracting government while they were the majority.
Kyle Wingfield
October 28th, 2009
1:35 pm
JF McNamara: Most of those countries never had a system comparable to what we have had in this country. I’m generalizing here, but their markets weren’t as free and their governments weren’t as democratic. So it’s not as if they somehow evolved faster than us; they took a different course all along. Most of them also built the health systems we may now emulate amid the rubble of World War II, and they now are looking for ways to change those systems because they aren’t sustainable. To the degree that they haven’t, it’s because no one has the political will to make a change.
I would never suggest to anyone in those countries that they now adopt the employer-based health insurance system we implemented in the 1940s. For the life of me, I can’t understand why we would embrace their 60-year-old models rather than developing something new.
Kyle Wingfield
October 28th, 2009
1:37 pm
Cutty: “Free markets with no regulations”? Where? When? It’s been the better part of a century or more since anyone in this country could make such a simplistic statement about our economy with a straight face.
JF McNamara
October 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
Thanks for the reply Kyle, and sorry for being so sarcastic.
My point was that if people really thought that wholesale conservatism was the key, we would likely have one country (including America) that would have chosen that path. Furthermore, developing nations that have tried pure democracy from scratch have been utter failures and gone towards a European model.
People want their government to provide things for them and in many ways government does so more efficiently (even though no Republican would ever admit that). The Republican Presidents understood that the ideology was just that and have governed accordingly. The leaders of every other country understand people’s desires and they govern accordingly.
Not only that, but they understand that a society based on conservative ideals would likely fall into anarchy because privatization of everything would lead to excess expense, monopolism, and an established ruling class. African disaster nations where everyone is simply out for self are basically run by conservative principles. You earn what you keep, so lawlessness and violence aren’t far behind. The “earners” run the government because they have the money and supress everyone else.
Furthermore, they would rebel strongly against the religious overtones. You have to agree with that because religious freedom is what led to America in the first place.
Given human nature and the history of the world, I still believe that the reason you have no country to move to when the super liberals take over is because it simply won’t work. Its failed when tried and the more mature nations in Europe have gone against it.
We have a good dynamic here. Being on either extreme would be much worse than where we are now.
Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
The old, traitorous, moron Reagan should have been executed for giving arms to the Iranians when he knew they had killed hundreds of Marines by blowing up their barracks. The detestable scum bag put the United States into horrible debt with his economic policies to protect and further enrich the already wealthy. His deregulations opened the doors for government sponsored cheating in all sorts of industries. The best that can be said of this insect is he’s dead!
Chris Broe
October 28th, 2009
2:58 pm
Reagan gave that speech non compus mentis, Stuntwit.
jt
October 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
I miss you Mr. Reagan.
lmno
October 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
So the freedom that you are talking about is basically, free market capitilism?
It has nothign to do with freedoms like speech, assembly, and privacy from what I can tell.
No one cared if the government took away our freedom to talk on the phone unmonitored.
It seems to me the real thing conservatives are talking about is freedom from taxes. Keep the taxes low and they could care less if they strip search every brown person who enters and airport.
sane jane
October 28th, 2009
3:18 pm
Hi Kyle,
How about a comment on Bookman’s description of Reagan from a few days back:
Signed 3 major tax increases.
Cut & ran in Lebanon.
Ran up massive deficits.
Granted amnesty to illegals.
Secretly traded arms for hostages with Islamic terrorists.
Isn’t Reagan The Lionization different from Reagan The Actual President?
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
Well, the consevatives can always go to Iraq or Afghanistan. Don’t they claim Bush liberated tens of millions there?
Kyle Wingfield
October 28th, 2009
1:37 pm
And for good reason. Fraud and greed eventually bring capitalism to a halt. Big Business runs wild with a Republican in the White House.
Kyle Wingfield
October 28th, 2009
1:35 pm
The only thing wrong with the employer based system is it prohibits our corporations from competing fairly in the global market place. Doctors embraced it in the 40s because at least then they would eventually get paid. We need to get all federal taxes off of the employers and on to the employees and consumers who are paying them anyway.
As for health care reform, why should minimum wage workers and small business people be paying for my health care when they can’t afford it for themselves? Surely we can give them the same deal we senior citizens have.
Reagan had an opportunity to be a change president, but he compromised it away in order to increase defense spending to protect us from the Evil Empire. Instead of reducing the size of government as he campaigned on, he allowed the Democrats to greatly increase it.
sane jane
October 28th, 2009
3:32 pm
Algonquin, why do you resort to namecalling & all sorts of personal attacks? It completely deflates and distracts from whatever (legit) point you might otherwise be trying to make.
This kind of invective helps NO ONE. We are all still Americans, right? We’re never going to improve or elevate discourse if we’re always too busy smearing the other side.
Make your point, state your case. But leave the taunting for the schoolyard, huh? You’re giving liberals a bad name. (not to mention giving conservatives a real example of disgusting lefty behavior)
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:33 pm
Algonquin J. Calhoun is a sad piece of scum who deserves to be deported back to her native land of North Korea. There Ms. Calhoun can bask in the glow of her master Kim Jong Il.
What a dumb a$$.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:36 pm
TnGelding, at least when a Republican is in office everyone has a job.
Obama = Jimmy Carter part 2
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
sane jane, no president has been perfect. But stating that Reagan ran up massive deficits is interesting since liberals always overlook Carter, Clinton and Obama.
Obama has outdone Bush Sr, Bush JR, Clinton, Reagan and Cater combined.
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
booger
October 28th, 2009
12:26 pm
Loved the non quote. Ain’t it the truth!
But what planet have you been living. Many of the draftees in WWII were so malnourished they had to be sent back home.
HDB
October 28th, 2009
3:42 pm
Don’t forget…..Reagan also brought forth a new age of racism….by declaring his support for “states rights” in Philadelphia, Mississippi…the place where three civil rights workers died, his non-support for Affirmative Action, his firing of the Air Traffic Controllers…..and the cuts in the social safety net! Unemployment rose under Reagan…….and the rich got richer! Iran/Contra….arms for hostages…..
Reagan was really good for the nation!! I’m STILL trying to recover from him!!
Reynolds Pitts
October 28th, 2009
3:42 pm
I love that you conservatives are yet again rehashing Reagan. He’s been out of office for over 20 years now, though he was “out of it” well before his term ended. It is like ‘Bama fans who can’t let go of the Bear. Folks, it is high time for you to have some fresh ideas relevant to today’s realities. If not, you’ll remain out of power for a long time to come. How about coming up with something new instead of living in the past?
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
List of Obamas accomplishments:
………………………………………..He bought a dog for his kids.
…………………………..Nope. Nothing else. That’s all that Obama has accomplished in 9 months. Nice.
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:36 pm
It was 3 years into both the Reagan and Bush administrations before jobs were being created. And it only cost $10 trillion in deficit spending to create them. Clinton created jobs and reduced the deficit each and every year. And then along came the Unmentionable!
Carter’s fiscal policy was superb. Monetary policy is the Federal Reserve’s responsibility.
sane jane
October 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
Axelfraud (great name, by the way), that misses the point – of COURSE Carter and Obama ran up deficits (not sure about Clinton though – didn’t he balance the books and even leave a surplus?), because that’s what you would expect a lib/Dem to do.
My point (Jay’s point, actually) was that Reagan wasn’t the rock-ribbed conservative he is now portrayed as.
(in the same way that Obama is FAR more mainstream and centrist than the “radical, leftist, marxist” meme conservatives try to pin to him)
(agreed that Obama has pretty much been all talk thus far, and no action – not the “transformative president” as advertised; he’s FAR more business-as-usual from what I can tell)
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
HDB, so, you’re recovering from Reagan making MLK a national holiday? Wow, that must be horrible. I mean, all those beatings blacks took in Alabama under a racist Democrat named George Wallace must not even register with you.
Bottom line: Go sell stupid somewhere else, Jesse Jackson.
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
The deficit was projected to be over a trillion dollars before Obama took office. Let’s see what it is when he leaves.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:51 pm
sane jane, if Reagan was not such a great president then why did Obama bring up his name and run a similar campaign during last year’s election?
Also, yes, Clinton ran up deficits. Oh yeah, Clinton magically balanced the budget. Just like he didn’t have sex with that intern.
Obama is a centrist????????????????? Wow, I didn’t know moderates wanted total government control over every aspect of their lives. Huh, all these polls showing Obama losing every independent voter must be a sham. CALL UP CNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:54 pm
TnGelding writes: Carter’s fiscal policy was superb.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!! That’s the best joke I’ve heard in weeks! Thanks for the laugh TN!
Carter brought about a massive recession. Reagan tax cuts brought America back to life. Clintons second term ended on a recession. Bush had 911 to deal with. Hmmmmmm, guess you forgot about that one.
Publius
October 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
Reagan raised taxes – Yes, but he is also responsible for conprehensive tax reform – the true desire of conservatives (1986 tax code). Temporary tax cuts – as well as stimulus spending for that matter – do very little for the economy because the American citizen cannot rely on long-term increased standard of living. Tax reform gives people confidence that they will be able to maintain increased standard of living, and as a result they adjust their lifestyle accordingly. They invest in the economy and this brings real economic prosperity.
Furthermore, the minor tax hikes that can be attributed to President Reagan pale in comparison to how far down he brought taxes during his tenure as president (Top bracket of 70% down to 28%).
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
TnGelding, Obama has already ADDED 3 trillion to the national debt. His projected total is 11 trillion.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:58 pm
sane jane, Bookman believes that Ford was the best Republican president we’ve ever had. FORD!!! His words. Ask him if you don’t believe me. Jay Bookman has Rush Limbaugh and Neal Boortz ding dong envy. I would say pe**& but Kyle would get upset at me.
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
11:53 am
Great speech…for Goldwater. Too bad he didn’t live up to it himself. But he was 12 years younger then. He had a lot of stamina for his age, but he became too old while in office to be the president he could have been.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
TnGelding writes: The deficit was projected to be over a trillion dollars before Obama took office. Let’s see what it is when he leaves.
Um, by the time Obama Hussein leaves office, unemployment will be at 25% and we will have lost both wars.
lmno
October 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
If we had a true free market capitalist system, the river would STILL be on fire in Cleveland.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
TnGelding, Goldwater is a respected conservative who paved the way for people like Reagan. He paved the way for Rush Limbaugh, VDH, Reagan, Sowell and many many other bad a$$ conservatives.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
lmno, ever see that funny Cleveland tourism video on youtube?
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
Ok, I’ve got you on record. We’ll see.
The Unmentionable only had 7 1/2 years to “win” the wars.
Publius
October 28th, 2009
4:03 pm
Alright, this debate is descending rather quickly into a juvenile smartassathon. Thanks for the thoughtful arguments (liberals and conservatives). I’m out.
lmno
October 28th, 2009
4:03 pm
“Um, by the time Obama Hussein leaves office, unemployment will be at 25% and we will have lost both wars”
Unemployment will begin to improve by Christmas. We lost the Iraq war the day we started it. We lost the afghanistan war the same day.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:06 pm
TnGelding, at least Bush, the unmentionable to your kind, kept us safe and killed a bunch of worthless jihadist.
Obama Husseins plan: Uh……mm……..uh…………..
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
lmno, do you have a magic 8 ball? Must be nice being able to see into the future.
Just like a lib to declare defeat before a war is over. You would have served France well.
Ghetto Grandpa
October 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
My ouija board says that Reagan ran up huge deficits, catered to military contractors and the extremely rich. Ignored the AIDs epidemic, did nothing to help those in poverty better their situations (he cut student aid drastically for example), spent billions on a Star Wars missile defense that still cannot hit a target (unless that target conveniently includes a tracking beam that we installed) and basically ignored the plight of ordinary Americans.
In other words, typical conservative hypocrite.
Oh, to Mr. Axelfraud, if George Wallace were alive today, he’d be a Republican. A party that owes its growth and national standing to racial polarization. (Check LBJ’s quote when he signed the Civil Rights Act in ‘64 about the dems losing Southern Whites for a generation over that legislation.)
jconservative
October 28th, 2009
4:08 pm
“The contrast between his beliefs and those of the current Whitehouse occupant is striking.”
This would be better stated as follows: The contrast between his beliefs and what he actually did as President is striking.
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:09 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
Obama has added about #300 billion for FY2009. The FY2010 appropriation bills are still winding their way through Congress. $8 trillion of that projection is a holdover from the previous administration. If it ends up being half of that I’ll be surprised, and deeply disappointed. But get ready to pay more in taxes.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:10 pm
Ghetto Grandpa, if MLK was alive he would be a republican.
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:11 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:06 pm
According to Cheney he implemented his plan.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:12 pm
Ghetto Grandpa, you failed US history right? More Republicans voted for the Civil Rights Act than did Democrats. Fact Ghetto!
Also, George Wallace was a Democrat. HA HA HA!
Oh, and your democrat party has an active member of the KKK.
MR ROBERT BYRD!!!!!!!!!
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:12 pm
Ghetto Grandpa, don’t you have taxpayer money to steal?
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
TnGelding, HA! You just admitted that King Hussein will raise taxes. What is it about libs and loving to pay taxes for stupid government projects?
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:15 pm
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:11 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:06 pm
According to Cheney he implemented his plan.
Ahhhhhh, a Cheney joke! Hey, if you try hard enough maybe you can get a Palin or Limbaugh joke in there somewhere!
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:15 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
Better to tax and spend than borrow and spend.
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:16 pm
Tummy ache. Got to go. RIP Gypper.
Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 28th, 2009
4:18 pm
Plain Jane, save the lecture for someone who gives a damn for what you think. I don’t! Reagan was a moron, he was a traitor and he was the worst president in history until we suffered the insult of George W. Hitler. I don’t mind you calling me a liberal at all. I hope you don’t mind if I call you a fascist.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:18 pm
Can any of you Obama cult followers please tell us clueless conservatives just WHAT it is that Obama has accomplished since becoming president?
Here let me help you all:
1: 10% unemployment
2: 2 wars in which he has no clue as to how to run
3: Europe still hates us.
4: Muslim countries still hates us
5: Allowed Russia to bend him over a table
6: Left our allies high and dry in Poland
7: He still thinks he’s campaigning against Bush
8: He’s helped destroy his own party
9: He helped destroy a once great auto industry
10: Waged war on a news channel………and lost.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:19 pm
Algonquin J. Calhoun, ah, did you stay home today from your Hitler Youth meeting? Poor whittle nazi!!!
Ghetto Grandpa
October 28th, 2009
4:20 pm
Glad to see that Mr. Axelfraud agrees that the GOP’s growth in the south among southern whites is a result of a democratic Congress and President passing Civil Rights legislation.
And Mr. Axelfraud you are wrong about MLK. He would not join a party that is so steadfast in its opposition to health care for those than cannot afford it. He believed that we all need to help those less fortunate, not just those that can afford it, which is the GOP way.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:20 pm
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
4:15 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
Better to tax and spend than borrow and spend.
You could not be more right!!!!!! I hope every democrat repeats your honesty! If so, we will never see another democrat elected ever again!!!!!!
saywhat?
October 28th, 2009
4:21 pm
minor correction: For almost 75 years, the start and end dates of recessions have been set by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private non-partisan research group based in Cambridge, Mass. They say the Bush recession started in March of 2001.
Also, the only reason Bush had 9/11 to deal with is because he didn’t prevent it. Neither he nor anybody in his administration took the available warnings seriously enough. Perhaps you have noticed we haven’t been successfully attacked during the current administration ( and 45 days further into the term, too).That is how its supposed to be done.
As for Reagans conservative ideals, he also predicted that Medicare would cause massive oppression and loss of freedom in America. Go ask today’s seniors how oppressed and un-free they feel. I shudder to think what the end of life would look like these days for most American seniors had Medicare not been passed. As for Reagan himself, I always think of him when republicans trot out the tired old “empty suit”, or “sure he gives a good speech, but…” memes against Obama.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:24 pm
Ghetto Grandpa, can you not read? Seriously, lay off the crack rock old man. You are either an idiot or you have chosen to ignore the last 20 years of the south. Georgia was a democratic state from the 80s up to the late 90s! Look at the list of governors.
Oh yes, MLK would be a democrat! That’s right, MLK loves people like Jesse and Al who race bait and call Jews Himmie Town and Diamond Merchants!!!! Yes, that MLK was such a white hating black man. He wanted government to control the black man.
Wrong Ghetto!!!!! MLK wanted blacks to be treated equally and have their own lives outside of government. Your democrat party has kept black people down for over 40 years. You can’t blame dead beat baby daddys and baby mommas on white people or the GOP! Your own race needs to get their act together and quit blaming their problems on everyone else.
Jesse Jackson has done more harm to the black community than the entire history of the GOP combined.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:25 pm
saywhat?, soooooooooooo after 5 attacks on America during the Clinton years?????????????
Oh yeah, if its a democrat they can’t be wrong!
Democrats = Perfection Republican = Evil
dbm
October 28th, 2009
4:40 pm
JF McNamara
October 28th, 2009
1:26 pm
It’s not so much stupidity as being led astray by mistaken fundamental ideas. This is why religion leads to socialism and why we need the ideas of Ayn Rand.
lmno
October 28th, 2009
4:41 pm
“lmno, do you have a magic 8 ball? Must be nice being able to see into the future.”
You JUST made a prediciton about unemployment yourself.
Mine is at least based on historical evidence that the dow jones is a leading indicator and employment is a lagging indicator. Generally, employment begins to improve 6 to 9 months after the Dow. The Dow bottomed early March. Add 9 months to that and you have Christmas. Thats what I based my prediction on. I am sure your 25% is based on just as sound logic.
Also, there is no victory in Iraq. There is no possible outcome that will have made it worth it.
Afghanistan was a winnable war until we invaded Iraq. Any success that comes in Afghanistan after 8 years is not worth the trouble it caused.
Marcos
October 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Please! There are plenty of fascist states operating around the planet that conservatives — who think that the country should be run JUST THE WAY THEY WANT IT — would feel at home.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:44 pm
dbm, religion leads to socialism? Never heard that one before.
Fang1944
October 28th, 2009
4:45 pm
“[Evolution] has in recent years been challenged in the world of science and is not yet believed in the scientific community to be as infallible as it once was believed. But if it was going to be taught in the schools, then I think that also the biblical theory of creation, which is not a theory but the biblical story of creation, should also be taught.”
How did this country elect somebody this dumb and misinformed?
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:47 pm
lmno, are you really that pathetic? You would have made the French very proud. Hell, I bet the democrats just love you! You can’t stand the site of victory unless it involves our country being defeated. Nice.
And, no Elmo, I don’t pretend to see the future. But from what I can from history, America has never done well when government controls everything.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Fang1944, I wonder. If you truly believe in evolution then anyone could just come up and kill you. You know, since you don’t believe in one true God or morality. Just saying.
jconservative
October 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Re national debt. Some are coming up with bogus figures on the national debt. From the Bureau of the Public Debt:
Day 1 of Reagan’s 1st FY budget the debt was $1.142 Trillion
Day 365 of Reagan’s last FY budget the debt was $2.857 Trillion
Day 1 of Bush 43’s 1st FY budget the debt was $6.215 Trillion
Day 365 of Bush 43’s last FY budget the debt was $11.921 Trillion
Obama is in the 1st month of his first FY – FY 2010. And if he does not do something to slow the trend after FY 2013 the debt will be approaching $18 trillion per his figures.
Lesson: if you cut income and do not reduce expenses, deficits are created and the deficits continue to get bigger until the problem is resolved. Business people have known this since, at least, the days of Hammurabi, 1780 BC.
The national debt – $290.5 billion in 1960 — $11.9 trillion is 2009.
Now does anyone really think the USA has had a conservative president since Eisenhower?
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
Fang1944, Marx was an atheist and so was Mao. Yet they killed millions of their own people.
How could a country be so dumb as to have leaders like that?
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:51 pm
Fang1944, I’d rather have someone who puts the American people first before they put their own inflated ego and cult like status ahead of them.
Cutty
October 28th, 2009
4:52 pm
Wingfield, I speaking in a figurative sense. Being that if there were any robust ‘regulations’ the debacle of 2008 would never have occurred. Bankers making bets with pension money, then insuring those bets so they’d get paid regardless.
But hey, at least ‘conservatives’ are for small government. Good that you picked the comedic part of my argument to refute and left the facts on the table.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:54 pm
dbm, if religion leads to socialism then explain China, Russia, North Korea and Cuba. I don’t remember Christianity leading those countries to communism which is the next step after socialism.
America was founded on Biblical believers who escaped England and tyranny. America was and still is, until President Dope and Chains destroys it, a free country.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:55 pm
Cutty, yeah, just like a liberal to leave out facts. You must not remember the housing meltdown that led to this. Hmmm, talk about selective amnesia.
Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 28th, 2009
4:57 pm
Axelchump, you are the fascist! It’s hilarious to hear you bulbous bumpkins blame Obama for the idiocy, regression and crimes that Bush is responsible for. You are probably a third grade dropout that gets his opinions from Limburger and crying Beck. You’re an idiot without the intellect to understand you are just another Nazi stooge. Don’t presume yourself to be capable of giving advice to anyone on any topic. You are a racist, war monger who has never been more than an armchair patriot. Shut the hell up!
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
Hey libby liberals out there, ya know how all you morons are always making fun of FOX and saying that they employ Bush cabinet members? Well, explain to me why its ok for CNN to employ a former Clinton member AND Obama campaign worker.
It’s hilarious that the GORE VP candidate is now the most hated man in the democrat party. I mean, former democrat. LOLOLOL
This is too good!!!!!!
Traitor Joe
The ex-Democrat now says he’ll join the GOP in a health-care filibuster. Paul Begala on Lieberman’s latest and most shameless betrayal.
It’s journalistic shorthand to note a politician’s party identification and state after his or her name. For example: Jane Doe (D-NY). And so Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is identified as (I-CT). But the “I” does not stand for “Independent.” It stands for “Insurance Industry.”
Lieberman says he will join a Republican filibuster against President Obama’s health-insurance reforms. You could see this coming from a mile away—actually from 15 years away.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-27/traitor-joe/?cid=bs:archive7
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
5:03 pm
Ms. Algonquin J. Calhoun writes: Axelchump, you are the fascist! It’s hilarious to hear you bulbous bumpkins blame Obama for the idiocy, regression and crimes that Bush is responsible for. You are probably a third grade dropout that gets his opinions from Limburger and crying Beck. You’re an idiot without the intellect to understand you are just another Nazi stooge. Don’t presume yourself to be capable of giving advice to anyone on any topic. You are a racist, war monger who has never been more than an armchair patriot. Shut the hell up!
HAAAAAAAAAA! She calls me a nazi AND a fascist YET is telling me to shut the hell up!!!!! Yeah little girl, you libs are all about free speech, huh?
OH, AND…..DUN DUN DUN………SHE CALLS ME A RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF OF ME BEING A RACIST, THIS LITTLE TURD CALLS ME A RACIST!!!!!!
Well Calhoun Buffoon, here is what I think of you.
Um….mmmm…..let me clear my throat! You’re a pansy little trailer trash piece of scum, who lives off her mom’s social security checks!!!!!!!
Now, why don’t you cry to Jay Bookman and tell him to make me shut up.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
5:05 pm
Algonquin J. Calhoun, you also state that I am “without the intellect to understand that I am another Nazi stooge.”
Hmmmmmm, well, I do have two degrees and I did go to Duke University. You had better have gone to an Ivy League school like Harvard…….or else………….that…….would…..make…….you……..a moron.
HAAAAAAA! If you want to compare degrees and universities, lets do it!!!! Bring it on comrade!!!!!
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
5:07 pm
Algonquin J. Calhoun, just like your other troglodyte college drop out friends, you may want to actually think before you throw out the word nazi etc.. to other bloggers. Moron.
dbm
October 28th, 2009
5:13 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Let us leave aside the people who believe in both evolution and God.
It is possible to have morality, including not killing people, without religion or God. If you don’t believe me, read Ayn Rand’s The Virtue of Selfishness.
dbm
October 28th, 2009
5:16 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:54 pm
China, Russia, North Korea and Cuba were religious before they were Communist, and religion paved the way for Communism.
Some of the colonists in what later became the United States came here for religious FREEDOM. Some came for other reasons. When we became a country, our founding documents emphasized freedom a lot more than religion.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
5:21 pm
dbm, I was just making a point about evolution. I have read every single Ayn Rand book.
Now, as far as the founding fathers go, if you read documents from them you will find religious pieces in a lot of the writings. Letters and other documents.
Now, I don’t really understand your remark on China and the other communist countries. The point of communism was to ELIMINATE religion altogether. So……….
Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 28th, 2009
5:57 pm
Marx argued that capitalism, like previous socioeconomic systems, will inevitably produce internal tensions which will lead to its destruction. Those internal tensions, stemming from unrepentant greed are at work right now and capitalism is on its way to the dumpster of history.
As for you Axelchump, you are intellectually inferior and your claiming degreed status doesn’t make it so. If I were you, I wouldn’t be telling anyone you went to Duke. Your grasp of history seems a bit too lacking, even for one who dropped out of high school.
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
Fang1944, Marx was an atheist and so was Mao. Yet they killed millions of their own people.
Whom did Marx kill? Are you speaking of Karl or Groucho? How many of our people have been killed by our government? A war death equates to a purge.
Now listen racist douchebag, anytime a white person presumes to tell black people that they are responsible for the racism that is wielded against them I know I’ve just heard some racist garbage. Save your tough guy stuff for your boyfriend because I’ll stick a jackboot up your rear end if you mess with me!
samuel
October 28th, 2009
6:12 pm
David Axelfraud (Ad naseum), If you would do your research, instead of ranting and raving on this blog, you would find that the highest annual unemployment rates in the last 60 years, 9.7%(1982) and 9.6%(1983) were under Ronald Reagan. Also, Jimmy Carter’s last budget(FY 1981) contained a 78 billion dollar budget deficit. Reagan’s last budget(FY 1989) contained a 152 billion dollar budget deficit. No Republican president since Eisenhower has presented a budget with a surplus. The previous Democratic president, Bill Clinton, ended his presidency with 4 budget surpluses in a row. David Axelfraud, you’ve been posting repeatedly for almost 6 hours now. I would say that you’re a psychopath on a keyboard, if you were not such a sad man. The next time you post on this blog, as I’m sure you will (over and over and over again) please state some facts, instead of regurgitating every bit of rhetoric and generalization you’ve ever heard. You are yet another bitter, white Southern man who still cannot get over the fact that we have a black President.
Fang1944
October 28th, 2009
6:14 pm
Reagan illegally sold arms to Iran so that he could arm and support the Contras in Nicaragua. Some of the Contras’ cute little activities:
Rosa had her breasts cut off. Then they cut into her chest and took out her heart. The men had their arms broken, their testicles cut off. They were killed by slitting their throats and pulling the tongue out through the slit.[15]
Americas Watch – which was subsequently folded into Human Rights Watch – stated that “the Contras systematically engage in violent abuses… so prevalent that these may be said to be their principal means of waging war.”[16] It accused the Contras of:
targeting health care clinics and health care workers for assassination.
kidnapping civilians.
torturing civilians.
executing civilians, including children, who were captured in combat.
raping women.
indiscriminately attacking civilians and civilian houses.
seizing civilian property.
burning civilian houses in captured towns
And they smuggled drugs into this country.
Let us all pray we never have another president like Reagan.
Jefferson
October 28th, 2009
6:38 pm
He raised my taxes, was the 1st of the big spenders, hung North out to dry (his rank was way too low to be calling the shots), started this tzar crap, called out the guard at Berkey, changed parties (I didn’t like him when he was a “D”) was the original Neo-con and was a hell of an actor(how could you tell when he wasn’t).
He was the Pres. of the US and I respect that, because that the way the system works.
Ace
October 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
It was his turn.
LPC
October 28th, 2009
6:52 pm
Is it just me, or does the loudest and most frequent “conservative” voice on this blog sound exactly like the noise generated by the right wing during the last presidential election, both in tone and content? Hmmmm. I seem to recall a landslide victory for the Democrat that year. Hopefully, this gal and her like-minded buddies will never shut up, ensuring Democratic victory after Democratic victory in the future. Keep up the good work!
number1ninja
October 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
Reagan, Kyle? He and Nixon are the only reasons George W. isn’t the worst president in the last hundred years.
number1ninja
October 28th, 2009
7:53 pm
Ayn Rand is watered down Nietzsche for idiots. And it was his narcissistic “philosophy” that justified the Holocaust. Congratulations, nazis.
Michael H. Smith
October 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
JF McNamara
October 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
You must definitely be a hard left liberal as I take it?
I certainly don’t want government providing anything for me that I can provide for myself. Many of the things government now provides are not needed. In that respect Reagan was completely right: Government is the problem, not the answer.
Furthermore, don’t confuse economic “Conservatism” with “Classical Liberalism” laissez faire in regards to regulating market capitalism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_liberalism
I personally don’t believe anything is free in this life, which applies to market capitalism as well. The concept of Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” working to the benefit of all, only happens so long as the greed or aspirations that provides the benefits does not in fact bind the “invisible hand” in manners that would deprive others the efficacy of its’ providence. Therefore, all regulation is not abominable rather it is admirable in defense of sustaining market integrity from the evils of such things as monopoly and the heretofore known “Too Big To Fail” economic conundrum. However, regulation that discourages or prevents creativity in the marketplace, can if not checked, be no less devastating than the forces of an unruly commerce in manipulating or binding the “invisible hand” from delivering economic providence that promotes the general welfare of all.
Which is totally different from government generally providing welfare.
“Fettered Capitalism” is a balancing act between the good and evil; and on the balance of all comparative economic systems, whether as speaking to laissez faire (Unfettered Capitalism) or Socialism, “fettered capitalism” is the kinder gentler version among the three given economic systems that rewards the participating individuals the most wealth, freedom and liberty in the pursuits of individual happiness.
Unfortunately, as the rest of the world moves towards our once “fettered capitalism”, we have moved away from it ,as the warring factions of Neo-Con/Neo Lib Laissez-Faire and the now pressing liberal Socialism attempt to claim the soul of America.
If religious intolerance exist a suggestion may boldly assert the intolerance is more notably present from those apposed to religion, in particularly Christianity, as evidenced on these AJC blogs. Whereas some who left Europe to immigrate (or invade) America did so for religious purposes, many others fled to be free of religion altogether in oppossition namely a State imposed Church, as particular to England at that time.
Though, if religious overtones bother you extremely you might want to consider buying a private island somewhere or start an atheist commune in some godless desolate area of this country, given the majority of this nation’s people which identify themselves with Christianity, their “religious overtones” and religious influences upon our governance will likely be around for a good number centuries to come, as it was from the very beginnings of this country which included Deist.
dbm
October 28th, 2009
9:47 pm
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
5:21 pm
Religion paved the way for Communism by teaching people that they must subordinate their interests to something else, by elevating helping others into an obligation or a primary virtue, and by undermining reason. Of course Communism turned on religion, just as the Frankenstein monster turned on Dr. Frankenstein.
Diane
October 29th, 2009
12:39 am
This country so desparately needs another President just like Ronald Reagan.
TnGelding
October 29th, 2009
6:12 am
David Axelfraud
October 28th, 2009
4:18 pm
That’s a lot of responsibility for 9 months. He’s a miracle worker!
Have we been attacked…yet?
TnGelding
October 29th, 2009
6:31 am
jconservative
October 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Jimmy Carter?
Kyle Wingfield
October 29th, 2009
9:31 am
Just a note that all comments are going to moderation for now…I’m trying to see if we can limit that to only the post about the mayor’s race. In the meantime, thanks for your patience.
David Axelfraud
October 29th, 2009
9:53 am
TnGelding writes: That’s a lot of responsibility for 9 months. He’s a miracle worker!
Have we been attacked…yet?
Nope, Bush made sure that the military would take out as many Islamic Jihadist as they could before a democrat got in office. Just wait though, we were attacked 5 times under the last Democrat administration. It will happen again.
David Axelfraud
October 29th, 2009
9:54 am
dbm, your thoughts on religion turning in to communism is a bit retarded. Religious people do not look to government for control of their lives. They turn to GOD.
David Axelfraud
October 29th, 2009
9:56 am
samuel must be psychic since he assumes that I am a white southern man who hates black people. Nothing like an idiot liberal who lives off his parents money! You gals are great. You can’t make your own living so you live off mommy and daddy.
JF McNamara
October 29th, 2009
10:18 am
Michael H. Smith,
Please re-read what I wrote. You didn’t fully comprehend it.
1. I only mentioned religion because Republicans tend to be intolerant of any religion other than Christianity. They want it included in schools and some want to teach it in schools. The Pilgrims came to America to flee religious persecution and the founders made sure we have religious freedom. Would religious freedom really exist in a country run the Republican way, or would you only be free to worship Christianity?
Frankly, I could care less if you worship Zeus. I’m more religiously tolerant than most Republicans I know.
2. If you read what I wrote without bias, you’ll clearly see that I don’t want left or right. In fact, I even state that I want a mixture of both ideas.
dbm
October 29th, 2009
10:35 am
number1ninja
October 28th, 2009
7:53 pm
You obviously don’t understand Ayn Rand.
dbm
October 29th, 2009
10:38 am
David Axelfraud
October 29th, 2009
9:54 am
There are different kinds of religious people. There are also people who are influenced by religion without being religious.
TnGelding
October 29th, 2009
3:39 pm
David Axelfraud
October 29th, 2009
9:53 am
Bush left the military much weaker than when he took office and for every Jihadist he killed at least 10 more came alive.
samuel
October 29th, 2009
6:16 pm
David Axelfraud, I repeat everything I said in my previous post except that you’re a bitter white Southern(probably) WOMAN.
Michael H. Smith
October 29th, 2009
6:57 pm
JF McNamara
I fear for religious freedoms more so under this now Democrat ran country than I do under the Republicans. Though I’m not a Republican, certainly a conservative and like many others realize the only way my religious beliefs can ever be assured is for all the religions, which I may even strongly disagree with, can exist in a peaceful plurality. I say again, Christianity in this country suffers by far more public scorn unjustly than any other major known religion. If some of the things that appears on these blog were said of Islam or Judaism the hue and cry would be deafening and the AJC censors would move immediately in removing the bigoted content.
The intolerant bias is on your part from what I read of your writing not the on Republicans.
Nevertheless I remain committed to, as my comment states, not only a mixture of both but a plurality of all religions including the right of absence thereofas the first amendment of the U. S. Constitution so mandates, which requires no political parties. In speaking to political parties Jefferson said it best: If I could not go to heaven but with a [political] party, I would not go there at all.
As to the left or right of it, as Reagan once said there is no left or right, only up or down. Though I can’t agree entirely with Reagan’s understanding of the political latitudes resting in his statement I certainly agree completely with his view of longitude applied to all things.
David Axelfraud
October 30th, 2009
10:21 pm
samuel, if I’m a bitter old southern white woman then I can assume that you are a two headed albino Pakistani heroin dealer.