PrintApril 14, 2011
The GOP Needs More Fortitude
There's a distinction between standing up against verbal assault on the one hand, and on the other hand giving your opponent's argument oxygen.
Whether you agreed with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's tactics or not, you've got to acknowledge that he was not easily swayed by union and media buzz. Capitol Hill Republican leadership could stand to take some notes on that subject. So here's a note: Please, stop fretting over the rhetoric that saturates the beltonian ether, and instead act primarily to the facts on the ground. Why you say, would one assume anybody is fretting? Why else would a reasonable minded servant allow an already watered down target of 61 billion to be further diluted another 37%? The very act of dialoguing with the "gentlemen across the aisle" only fuels their belief that you won't stand fast. How hard is it to say, "61 Billion, not one dime less"?
The left's narrative is always just another version of three-card monte, designed to divert focus from the real issue. Sadly, even though everyone knows it's coming, it just about always works. Until Republican leaders prove they can calmly absorb the onslaught of a negative PR blitz, Lucy will keep pulling the football away at the last second. In fairness, House Speaker John Boehner actually got a foot on the ball this last time -- squibbed the ball a few yards down the field. Some in the crowd cheered, as Lucy feigned disappointment.
The Republican leadership has been whipped at this game for so long they've now got themselves and some others believing they actually got the better of the Dems over the government shutdown issue. After-all, the Senate is going to debate and vote on a repeal of ObamaCare and defunding of Planned Parenthood.
And the 38.5 billion represents the first actual budget cut, ever. Big win for Boehner. Uh, technically America doesn't care about personalities. The cable news sources care -- they always care. What America really cares about, and is demanding, is that those representing the country's interest stand up unapologetically, state the case and defend it. Stop going wobbly. Stop settling for a "compromise," a half-truth. If we don't, we're going to compromise our way right into oblivion. Compromise at this point just lends credence to the liberal tortured logic, when it should be given none. When America wins, so will they. When they have lost, so has America. Whether or not a particular person is cast in a favorable light should be a relatively inconsequential news item you would think. Unfortunately for our country, it's that misdirection of the media and a large percentage of the ruling class which drives the conversation; emphasizes the trivial while minimizing the relevant.
And the 38.5 billion represents the first actual budget cut, ever. Big win for Boehner. Uh, technically America doesn't care about personalities. The cable news sources care -- they always care. What America really cares about, and is demanding, is that those representing the country's interest stand up unapologetically, state the case and defend it. Stop going wobbly. Stop settling for a "compromise," a half-truth. If we don't, we're going to compromise our way right into oblivion. Compromise at this point just lends credence to the liberal tortured logic, when it should be given none. When America wins, so will they. When they have lost, so has America. Whether or not a particular person is cast in a favorable light should be a relatively inconsequential news item you would think. Unfortunately for our country, it's that misdirection of the media and a large percentage of the ruling class which drives the conversation; emphasizes the trivial while minimizing the relevant.
The "politics of brinksmanship," we heard that a lot last week. It's difficult to take that one seriously. The only real brinksmanship going on was the really bad theater of feinting to the "war against women," "no more cancer screenings" and such like while our economy presses steadily toward the precipice of a real, not imaginary, default. The real or imagined costs/inconveniences of a temporary government shutdown won't be worthy of footnote status when the big cash register cha-chings for the last time. Our good leaders charged with righting the ship cannot afford to react to the childlike ravings of those who honor themselves, but dishonor the country. Obama, Biden, Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Pelosi, and the rest, they're the same. Take a big grease pencil, draw a circle around them, and move on. When they babble, listen if you must, as you would a petulant child. But disassociate a determined course of action from their lies. There's no direct correlation.
Obama and Reid were let off the hook this time, possibly for fear of what would be said and what images would flash across the internet. Republicans only control the House, that's true. But it's the House that controls the purse. It's OK to act like it, really. The fact that the sycophant media will paint you evil is a relatively known and fixed cost. Standing up doesn't mean you have to fan their sound bites, palaver with them, or get ugly in front of the camera. From time to time, just gently but firmly remind them that you won't be swayed by their scare tactics and acting out. Real America will back you. If 60 billion doesn't suit them say fine, we'll double it. If that doesn't suit them, double it again. Keep on doubling until they really start screaming. Then maybe, sit down with them. Maybe.
