Dr. Gina Loudon
September 19, 2012 at 7:31 pm in Blog, Debt, Fiscal Responsibility by Phillip Dennis 9 Comments
“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.”
Little did Benjamin Franklin know that his warning would be picked up by the left as the most successful political tactic in recorded history. That part of the Democrat playbook is even more popular than the “Call Your Opponent a Racist” section. Potentially productive Americans have been convinced that they deserve part of the earnings of those who are more “fortunate.” That mindset has nearly brought down the economy of the entire Western world.
The entitlement class will always vote for the candidate who promises them more money. These people will always be the left’s solid voting base. Conservatives can say nothing to convince them to vote for a candidate who will give them less free money.
We believe the right has a solid base, also. But is anyone immune from this warning that Franklin gave us about basic human motivation? The left is making a bold play for a voting bloc that has always been safe and taken for granted by the right: The military.
At the Democratic National Convention they touted their support for the military. How could the Obama Administration de-fund the military, apologize to military enemies for the sacrificial actions of our heroes, and then pretend to be a friend to our military members? Despite my years as a student of human behavior, I find myself bewildered by the cavalier audacity I see in politics today. Moreover, I find my self awed that the voting public often laps it all up like they were served ice cream, instead of a load of hooey. After a recent discussion, I realize again that no matter how audacious, their tactics are working.
I was taken aback when speaking to a group of people consisting of a married couple who met years ago while stationed together in San Diego. After listening to me rant about President Obama and his failed progressive policies, these two retired Navy veterans spoke up. “We can’t complain. Obama has taken care of our family.” They went on to explain how the government is now paying for their kids’ college tuition and they attribute that to the President and the Democrat congress.
What kind of morally depraved politician would attempt to “buy off” our military heroes? Surprisingly, these military veterans who disagree with Obama on almost every issue from abortion, to foreign enemy apologies, to second Amendment rights, fall thankful to an administration that takes credit for giving them stuff that Republicans would simply never give.
The Navy Veteran I spoke with was right. Republicans would be cutting programs, if they had the power to do so, and putting the money back in the hands of the taxpayers so that the economy can recover, as it did under Reagan after Carter. So Republicans must ask themselves what they have to offer those who have learned to look to the Democrats for free stuff in these tough times. Who can blame a dad who has served his country, put his life on the line, found himself in a horrible economy and could not otherwise afford to put his kids through college? How do Republicans message the depravity of a country that hands out free stuff to enslave its people? It sounds so extreme. It is extreme. That is why it is difficult to message, regardless of its validity.
Do not dismiss this play for military voters as a useless exercise as I did at first. The Democrat playbook works. It never changes and is totally predictable. They will continue to buy votes with our money because it works.
Luckily, our playbook works, too… when we use it. How do we counter this play by the left? Speak boldly and call out their dishonorable tactics. That rule is on page one of the “how to win” playbook that the Republicans will have to be vocal about if they want to win in November.
But it is a tougher sell that must be delivered in doses.
Teaching the American public that they have their head in a guillotine as they try to reach for the free stuff offered them by those who would control them is heady stuff. It’s a hard sell. It will require the Republicans man up and deliver a manly message about sacrifice, tough love, fearless confrontation of lies, blood, toil, and tears, and not taking the easy way out.
This is further complicated by the fact that Romney has demonstrated he is not willing to have these tough talks with American people. That leaves it on the backs of those who “get it.”
Our book, “Ladies and Gentlemen: Why the Survival of Our Republic Depends on a Revival of Honor” discusses in depth how to approach those who might be resistant to a message they don’t want to hear. Avoid commiserating with others who agree with you, and accept that you will make enemies, both liberal AND conservative, in this journey. Count them jewels in your crown! Next, remember to “speak the truth in love,” but to speak to those who might not want to listen at first. Last, always remember all that has been sacrificed so that we could have this great Country in the first place, and start there. The important thing is to start.
Time is waning, and the GOP establishment is not going to do it for anyone. The next election is in the hands of patriots who know their history, and are willing, like our Founders to sacrifice life, fortune, and sacred honor for all that is American.
Originally posted at Politichicks
Very interesting, except the author is trying to make funding the military a democrat versus republican arguement. Only a few short years ago, George “W” started the longest war in American History, Iraq, costing us about 12 Billion dollars a month.
This war was started by the President convincing Americans it was worth it because of 3 factors
1) Developing Nuclear weapons
2) Weapons of Mass Destruction
3) Impending attack on US interest.
None of those turned out to be true. Most were based on an Italian report that the Itilians said was flawed and could not be trusted.
Then, we had soldiers saying they had to use Plywood to reinforce the hummers, we had VA hospitals run down and not able to take care of returning vets. We also have 10s of thousands of brave men and women coming back with serious issues and not get proper treatment from the Bush Administration.
The current president caught Osama Bin Laden and ended the war in Iraq. Not a bad thing.
As President Reagan said, when the times are tough is when people need to come together.
It is not the time to use incorrect data, lies etc etc to promote you own agenda. (Like Fox news etc)
it is hard to know where to begin to refute the absurd arguments you make. and you complain about those who do now know their history? and you lionize reagan’s effect on the economy? wow. how about honoring our military by deciding to never again use them as mercenaries in the service of corporate colonialists? the way you allow yourself to be used as pawns by these charlatans and carpetbaggers would be hilarious if it were not so tragic. as an unwilling draftee and semi-survivor of the homage to defense contractors in southeast asia, i would like to beg you to quit pretending to care about those foolish or desperate enough to swallow the line and VOLUNTEER to do their bidding in these ever-more transparent schemes. you make me sick to what’s left of my stomach.
The problem with you is that you wouldn’t recognize the truth if it was dumped on you…keep promoting your liberal propaganda and will you get exactly what you deserve. The USA will become just like other socialist nations that have fallen to dictators just like the one you voted into office. Just wait and see what happens…and I would like to know if the war is so bad, why hasn’t Obama stopped it..if Obama is so smart…why hasn’t he closed Gitmo, why hasn’t he spent his time creating jobs instead of just talking about it, why didn’t Obama call the Fort Hood shooting a terrorist attack instead of a “workplace violence attack”..why did the white house cover up fast and furious, why don’t you watch some news organization that will tell you the truth..you’re just.another one of the ignorant 80% of the liberal democrat party.
It is obvious from your simple minded reply that you have never served in our armed forces. The majority of people who serve don’t join to kill people or be used as pawns by politicians in Wasington, they join our of pride in America and want to protect the freedom we have here in the United States. All wars are bad and very few are ever necessary. The Vietnam war was not necessary, nor the Iraq war nor the Afghanistan war we are presently engaged in. They were all based on lies told to the American People who like sheep believed the politicans (no matter what political stripe). The war in Afghanistan wasn’t necessary to get Osama Bin Ladin. We were allies with the Mujahadin and Taliban AND Osama Bin Ladin against the Soviet Union. The Mujahadin and Taliban lost a lot of men and war making materials because Osama Bin Ladin and the small band of mercenaries he lead wanted to fight a war with “bankers hours” i.e. go home at night and start again the next morning. This concept infuriated the Mujahadin and Taliban but not enough for them to refuse his support because he had money that they needed in additiion to his little band off mercenaries. Because the Soviets stopped and their war with Afghanistan had ended and they didn’t need Osama any more, the United States probably could have had Osama’s head on a platter for the paultry sum of 40 to 50 million dollars. Instead we spend billions upon billions of dollars and thousands of American lives and finally get Osama. Now how smart was that?? That is the kind of leadership we have from both the democrats and republicans, one or the other gets us involved in a war and the other perpetuates the mistake by continuing the folly. If we want real change we need to band together with the Libertarians and not vote for the lesser of two idiots and their agenda of “businesss as usual” and vote for sweeping change in leadership. If we can accomplish this by electing a president, congressional change would come along as the sheep that have been following the two major parties will see that change under a Libertarian or Tea Party president is good for the country and what we really need and the people will change Congress as well.
sorry – that should read “do NOT know their history”. but it won’t make any difference to you anyway.
Selling a book? Looks like an ad to me.
The problem with articles like this is they speak the truth and the only ones that reply is the liberal/progressive voices..who wouldn’t care if they did read the truth as they will continue to deny facts until this country can no longer support their selfish self centered wants; these people continue to spew their propaganda hate on any website they can. When people continually insist that the problem with this country is always somebodys elses fault, the left has managed to instilled nothing in our society about pride for the country, but the next generation of people that feel they’re owed a living just by existing
Someone (a democrat check it out on Thinkexit dot com) said something about democrats that I find very true:
“Ideologies aren’t all that important. What’s important is psychology.”
The Democratic constituency is just like a herd of cows. All you have to do is lay out enough silage and they come running. That’s why I became an operative working with Democrats. With Democrats all you have to do is make a lot of noise, lay out the hay, and be ready to use the ole cattle prod in case a few want to bolt the herd.
Eighty percent of the people who call themselves Democrats don’t have a clue as to political reality.What amazes me is that you could take a group of people who are hard workers and convince them that they should support social programs that were the exact opposite of their own personal convictions. Put a little fear here and there and you can get people to vote any way you want.
The voter is basically dumb and lazy. The reason I became a Democratic operative instead of a Republican was because there were more Democrats that didn’t have a clue than there were Republicans.
Truth is relative. Truth is what you can make the voter believe is the truth. If you’re smart enough, truth is what you make the voter think it is. That’s why I’m a Democrat. I can make the Democratic voters think whatever I want them to.”
End of quote…
You are a brilliant one! “Truth is relative” Actually truth is not relative. You should reread the Constitution you supposedly endorse. When you quote give references and make sure the quotes are enclosed. That’s why I’m a Democrat. I can make the Democratic voters think whatever I want them to.” You are obviously a liar, too. Now go back to your own propaganda machine to get some more soap on the brain.
I find it baffling,to say the least,that Americans can’t(or won’t) see the chains of slavery that are being forged for them. When confronted with the facts of what is being done to them(us) all too often the response is,”Can I help you pump the bellows Master?” I believe in the principle of a”social safety net.” But it should be administered at the State and local levels. Social safety nets should be a hand-up not a hand-out . I don’t recall which of the Founders said it,but, he said it well. “Wear your chains lightly,and don’tforget to lick the hand that feeds you.”