Articles tagged as

Statism

The End of the Beginning of the End

When not caused by war, nations decay slowly and gradually (e.g., modern day France, Italy, Spain, Greece etc.).

Alas, now, it seems ours is no different. Its exceptionalism is dissolving into the ordinary. It’s a choice made by the people. They fore-go liberty and self subjugate themselves under ruling political and administrative classes of which they’ll never be a part.  They’ll never rise to those classes because they’re taught apathy, complacency, and their place since birth.  They are relieved of the burdensome onus of everyday decisions.  Decisions that were proudly made by preceding generations that were not a bother or an onus at all to them.  To them, it was life. Deciding what to do, how to live, and how to be was essential and culminated in traditions, virtues, and mores.

That became too onerous for the generations that followed, they blithely go about taking direction and surrendering thinking and creativity to others in the elite political classes.

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“Just vote Republican.”

This man has an appointment with destiny....

Regarding the Presidential election…it’s over. There’s little question now that Obama will lose the election. Even with  the news blackout by the mainstream media, the truth is emerging: It is becoming clear that our President left Ambassador Stevens and other Benghazi consulate personnel to die in the Al Qaeda attack on September 11th.

Whether it was a cold calculation by the President, or merely fearful and incompetent dithering, the cover-up is unraveling…disastrously so for Obama and the Democrats.

The only question now is how large Romney’s victory will be, and whether he will have “coattails” to boost other Republicans across the finish line to victory. I here and now predict he will. If I am right, then President Romney will have the White House, and the Republicans will have majorities in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

The question is…

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Skip, Freedom Is The Symptom, The People The Cause

Skip, true. It is about freedom, but there’s more to it than that. I would suggest that state encroachment on individual liberties is a symptom of the problem and not the problem itself.  It’s about the people. It’s about people willing to cede their liberty and freedom to a faceless bureaucrat in exchange for the illusion of safety, for a handout, or both. It’s the values that people hold that they place themselves as a pet of the state; they willingly devolve themselves into the Burkean “flies of a summer”.

We’ve raised generations steeped in state dependency, and now we see the result of this societal mistake when there’s a problem. When there’s a problem or a challenge, the first reaction of too many people is to call in the Department of Personal Responsibility Absolution to handle it. They believe that they themselves are uncapable of handling the problem, that it’s somebody else’s responsibility.  If there are poor people, the government should handle it.  If there are sick people, government should handle it. Elderly, the government should care for them.

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Notable quote: The horror of Leftist statism.

Some of history's communist dictators: Enslavers and murderers of MILLIONS of human beings.

This is a quote from Peter Hof, an historian and author of “Our Century,” discussing the human attraction of otherwise sane human beings to statism in the form of the political Left:

The rhetoric of the Left is always beatific, romantic, and idealistic. But when we look around the world, whether at present or historically, the Left is consistently our worst nightmare — a horrific collection of all-powerful, centralized governments. Beginning with the Soviet Union…

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Selective Intolerance

“National day of intolerance,” glibly chided Shepard Smith of Fox News a few days ago in reference to the latest in the culture wars: the national Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day–geez, they’re so biased at Fox.  For those of you that pay more attention to the throwing of badminton matches, swim meets, or flies collecting on your dog’s latest masterpiece than to the culture wars, I’ll provide a little background. The Chick-fil-A issue revolves around remarks about gay marriage made by the president of that company, followed by a response by some mayors around the country, then followed with people in support of the restaurant with Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.  (This is still unfolding at the time of this writing, but I heard a “kiss-in” is to occur at some point. Stay tuned.)

To summarize the Chick-fil-A president’s opinion on gay marriage: he’s not for it, and for saying so, two notable mayors sounded off and said Chick-fil-A can’t set up shop in their cities. Way to show tolerance, guys!

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The Free State Project says “Thank you, President Obama!”

Why? Because his policies are driving small businesses to New Hampshire. Why? Because Democrat (and RINO Republican) policies harm business and job-creation. It’s a simple as that. As a result, entrepreneurs and business-owners are considering moving to our state because our policies are increasingly free market oriented (and thus actually work). See for yourself in … Read more

A Fourth of July message to my fellow Groksters – and to our readers. And especially to those that just might be stopping by.

“I also wanted to mention the strange feeling that I awoke with today….and I share your sense of – not unease necessarily, but maybe  – resolve..?“

Words from my fellow Groksters that stirred me to write a message back:

My fellow Groksters,

There was a reason why each and everyone of you was chosen and asked to write for GraniteGrok.  I also believe that there was a reason why each and everyone of you said yes – you all realized that we ARE in a Cold Civil War, that “the strange feeling that I awoke with today” one that is “instinctive” and “palpable” are real.  I started this blogging schtick with Doug back in 2005 when it was just a novel way to get our rather opinionated opinions out there.  Now, I see that there was a Higher Purpose that yanked us into this place, and what we do now as the ‘Grok is probably far more important than what I ever thought.  Liberty and Freedom.

This July Fourth, we realize we are at a tipping point – a very important one.  We are in a fight for our Country’s future; the line has been drawn, and we either are those that just drift along or we respond that that “instinctive” and internal sense that something is awry.  If not us, then who?  Who will run to the ramparts to defend our Shining City on a Hill?  Who will stir themselves from the easy life and the easy way?  Who will say “I will put away the couch, the tv, the toys, and my family” and look deeper into their core to say “There is more; I am a descendent of our Minutemen – if not by blood but by that same love of country and Ideals”.  I will stand, not for the Old World based failed reasons that motivated my ancestors to leave the Old Country, but for the Rights given to me by my Creator.  I am that new Minuteman that refuses to give in to the Progressives that not only defend the Statism of that Old World but wish to entrench it here.  Millions have died to defend the philosophy expressed in the Declaration of Independence – yet, Progressives are fighting to redefine those words and ideas, turn them upside down, and say that they are the Patriots and we are the extremists.   They are the Fifth Column, the Trojan Horse, spreading rot within all of our institutions and Society.

But all of you Groksters and others that join with us in spirit (TEA Party, 9-12, constitutionally aware), are now are saying “You have gone far enough – and we will stop you”.  Some of you have already done your part; you took the oath, did the training, did the hard work, and literally fought for us.  We who stayed home did other things, vaguely aware that you were on the parapets standing guard and keeping us safe.  Yet, even with your tours long over, have come back to the fight once more.  Not with a gun (though you have such at the ready, with the spirit to lift it) but with keyboards, voices, and heart.  We who did not wear the uniform now join you in this different fight, side by side with you, ready to now do our part.

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Why you need to be ready to move to New Hampshire….

"The concept of ‘welfare’ has become an open, bottomless vessel into which every desire can be poured."

Is America a “welfare state”? No. It’s a “special interest state.”And James DeLong at the American Enterprise Institute has explained why in THIS ARTICLE. What it boils down to is that the permanent political class has gained permanent power in America, governing on behalf of ubiquitous and multifarious special interests, which increasingly exist solely to loot the public treasury. Worse yet, special interests have no regard to the long-term damages and ultimate destruction that their appetites engender. In short, the iron triangle of the permanent political class, the special interests, and the dependent voters who keep them in office will eventually destroy us. That’s because…

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The International Baccaluareate And Political Truancy

The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.   —Abraham Lincoln

Bedford students say issue is local control, reads todays’ Union Leader Headline. Over one-hundred Bedford High School students showed up at yesterday’s hearing to oppose HB 1403. Amidst cries of outrage over interference with, “local control”, leading the crowd was a young fellow named Michael Courtney, a Junior at Bedford High School.  The young master Courtney has undertaken the yolk of political activism and created a YouTube Video advocating the opposition of this bill.

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Long read regarding socialist statism and voting Democrat….

Kiddy Socialism: Obama Redistributes LegosI regularly get into political scrums with leftists in various venues.

What follows is one where I got set off enough to pen a major lecture to a local socialist (I’ll call him “Chuck”). He was going on about what a successful President Barack Obama is, and how he truly deserves to be re-elected, and how all the “minorities” and “groups” targeted by Obama will vote for him.

So it began like this. I told him….

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The Shrill Kathy And The Birthers

“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” —Benjamin Franklin

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Kathy Sullivan is not only dishonest, but she is also a rank charlatan. The Shrill Kathy is the epitome of moral bankruptcy when it comes to New Hampshire politics.  In the UL today she quips, Why does Speaker O’Brien not call out his birthers? placing responsibility for the less than savory behavior of a few legislators squarely on his shoulders. So, let’s be clear about this because whatever “this” is, amounts to nothing more than  another wanton pedestrian rant of the Shrill Kathy.

In prior writings, The Shrill Kathy calls out O’Brien alleging that he fails to respect the process and ignores long-standing rules. Yet here we see a circumstance where Orly Taitz asked for access and redress (due process) that our rules mandate must be provided.  And the Shrill Kathy takes O’Brien to task for not stifling that process. Make up your mind! Sulli-Shrill… Which is it? O’Brien squelches? or O’Brien observes?

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The statist game plan: It’s just so simple….

Victor Davis Hanson nails it, as always, with just a few words (from a column at PJ Media): [A]lways higher taxes fuel bigger government, which fuels an expanding recipient class which pays homage by reelecting more big-government statists who further fuel government for sympathetic dependent voters. For the conservative, who sees dependencies and overregulation everywhere, … Read more

MAGGIE “THE MARXIST” HASSAN IS RUNNING

“Ask anyone committed to Marxist analysis how many angels on the head of a pin, and you will be asked in return to never mind the angels, tell me who controls the production of pins.” ­—Joan Didion

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 Defeated Democratic state Senator Maggie Hassan made it official today that she will be running for governor in 2012. In her usual hokum, Hassan touted the typical big government solution to prop up the economy. As reported in the Union Leader, Maggie the Marxist, “stressed the need to create jobs by “investing” in education and job training programs and by fostering a business climate that attracts innovative small businesses and new technologies.” Translation: “investing” equals big-government spending and solutions…equals heavy taxation to raise such revenues. Such notions were brought with her as a carpet-bagging “massplant” to the Granite State. 

The Union Leader reported that “Maggie the Marxist” pledged to be a fiscally responsible governor who would veto any sales or income tax and commit herself to a balanced state budget.“  This is laughable given her extensive record as a State Senator.  My fellow Blogger Steve MacDonald absolutely nailed it on back October 5th when he wrote:

  Hassan is a left wing, government first, spend then tax Democrat who wants socialized medicine, supports abortion from conception to birth (also here), and was more than willing to trample on opponents with the “Sullivan/Hassan Hates Speech (the left can’t control) amendment.” (also here, and here, …)  She is also willing to lie about her opponents to get re-elected.

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The Shrill Kathy Spins the Early Primary Notion

“I think it’s your own choice if you turn from an angry young man to a bitter, old bastard.” —Billie Joe Armstrong

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In yet another Cacophonous rant from the “Shrill Kathy” The Union Leader gave her space and ink yesterday to tell readers “why” a December primary will benefit Democrats and hurt Republicans. But, the title is about the only thing she got right and the remaining 782-word pablum was her usual diatribe against the opposition: Those with an “R” next to their names.

The “Shrill Kathy” suggests that “mere insistence” by Florida and Nevada are the mechanisms driving a December primary and makes no mention of the New Hampshire statute (N.H. RSA 659:3) which states in part, “The presidential primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in March or on a date selected by the secretary of state which is seven days or more immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election, whichever is earlier … ” So Kathy…it is not “more likely” as you put it, but mandated by statute that the Granite State goes first.

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RHINO’S VERSUS “RINO’S”

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“A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation.” —Adlai E. Stevenson

Following my recent RINO OF THE WEEK report, an amused reader and friend inquired, “Isn’t the RINO one of the world’s deadliest animals? Or is that the hippo…”

 Pondering this for a minute, I juxtaposed the question concerning the herbivorious, odd-toed ungulate native to Africa and parts of Asia: The “Rhinoceros”.  versus Political RINO’s….an acronym for, “Republican In Name Only,”.  

While “Rhinos” are related to the horse, zebra, and tapir; are known for their bad eyesight, good hearing, and mud-rolling. RINO’s, on the other hand are ambiguous about who they are related to…some show a Republican-leaning while others a full out leftist Democrat leaning. RINO-eyesight is through rose-colored glasses and instead of rolling in the mud, they sling mud. That sums it up for me, Nevertheless my response was as follows:

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Democrats Want Lobbyists In DC

(Originally written September 13th but never posted –Blogger House cleaning.)

Anand Giridharadas, writing for the newspaper of record, took the time and column inches to suggest that when Sarah Palin spoke last week she had some useful things to say.

I know, shut the front door. 

While not flattering, coming from the New York Times, there is some measure of respect for the notion that Palin is capable of critical thinking.  But the left wing progressive memes still linger between the subdued high fives.

“Do you want to know why nothing ever really gets done?” she said, referring to politicians. “It’s because there’s nothing in it for them. They’ve got a lot of mouths to feed — a lot of corporate lobbyists and a lot of special interests that are counting on them to keep the good times and the money rolling along.”

Because her party has agitated for the wholesale deregulation of money in politics and the unshackling of lobbyists, these will be heard in some quarters as sacrilegious words.

Emphasis mine,

The end of the McCain-Feingold era of unconstitutional speech restrictions demonstrated one very important point.  It was wholly a left wing agenda item, and critical enough to the Democrats as a party that they would make total fools of themselves over its end. Almost every left winger who has spoken on the matter is off the rails and Giridharadas’ remarks are no different; that public corporate speech and backroom corporate lobbyists are a reflection the same problem when in fact restriction of the first is what necessitates more of the second, and that is exactly the point.

The left has no intention of removing corporate money from politics or political speech because no Democrat can survive without corporate money or its equivalents.  So the left wing narrative for controlling corporate speech has nothing to do with limiting corporate influence in politics it is about keeping the home field advantage.  It is about controlling the speech and controlling the narrative–free has nothing to do with it.

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RINO OF THE WEEK REPORT

     &nbsp  &nbsp “Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.” ~Barry Goldwater This Week’s RINO of the Week is Representative-elect Kevin Janvrin of Seabrook, Rockingham  District 14. Janvrin was not even on the radar screen until he spoke to WMUR’s James Pindell, … Read more

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