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3/29/2010
Ok. Now I’m angry.
Yes, of course it’s uncivil behavior. Serious, harsh threats and violence. Abusive epithets. From all sides in the debates going on today. It’s reckless and wrong and I denounce it – no matter the quarter from which it comes.
(I cringe at the fringe left’s treatment of George W. Bush – not so uncommonly hanged in effigy – and even a Bush-assassination movie produced. Abhorrent.)
But here’s the thing. Regardless what you believe about President Bush’s policies, compare the rhetoric of our two most recent presidents. Listen to it. President Obama is a street fighter – and it shows. Did we hear this kind of stuff from President Bush?
The tenor is set at the top. More often than should be, I’m shocked by the provacativeness of Obama’s words – and not in a constructive way. Crowing to an Iowa crowd last week about how the sky didn’t fall and Armageddon wasn’t here. Was that constructive? No. Just minutes from a meeting with top bankers, and Obama strikes up the anti-Wall Street populist rhetoric. Does that help the situation?
And then there’s Speaker Pelosi (on the, shall we say rich?, stimulus bill): “We won the election. We wrote the bill.” Yeah, that encourages bipartisanship, don’t you think?
Yes, you can find several Republican leader-provocateurs – Tom DeLay comes to mind. But Dennis Hastert and George Bush don’t. And neither does renowned statesman and Democrat Daniel Moynihan.
There’s a difference. In this day of deeply differing philosophies, principles, values – not to mention a 24/7 news cycle, the Internet, bloggers and talk radio – do we need a voice from the top that incites populism, class envy, whatever he thinks he can get away with, whenever he thinks he can get away with it?
No.
On a positive note, I like to think I’m beyond angry – and taking action. That’s what FoxPolitics News is all about – providing a rich, convenient source of policy and politics news for Wisconsinites – every weekday morning. Knowledge is power (not anger)!
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
Yea, but I think the division is (sort of) good for the country. Dick Armey's Tea Party was the first to get loud and obnoxious (Green Bay) but soon to follow were the left wing fringe. Guns have been carried and soon shots will be fired, but that's the kind of society corruption at the top is bound to generate. We do not have people working together to solve our joint problems, it's us against them and it lead to a second civil war.
Indeed I'd like to see it tempered, but as long as political reform threatens cash flow at the top we'll not see change.
Jack Lohman (Mon Mar 29 07:42:45 2010)
Read this first and remember it ALL THE WAY TO THE END ... and if anyone takes what follows out of context (not including what I'm saying at the top) you're little more than a liar and character assassin.
I denounce violence and believe our political differences should be resolved through civil discourse.
Remember that as you read the rest.
Do you seriously think the discussion between the colonies and the crown was always polite when we were in the throws of the American Revolution?
Certainly history tells the story that this was NOT a non-violent uprising. Blood WAS shed. This is entirely relevant in our current day.
Those in power now treat running the nation like a pickup basketball game - complete with in-your-face slam dunks and ALL THE TRASH TALKING from the majority leaders of both the house & senate, from the Cheif of Staff, and yes ... the President himself.
These are not individuals who can comprehend bipartisanship much less execute it. There are notable partisan leaders on the right who also have difficulty with the concept. And I don't necessarily believe we should compromise away our principles for the sake of "all getting along".
So where does that put this nation? In a place where the "loudest voice" controls the conversation.
Unfortunately, as the volume increases so does the tension between the sides and likelihood of escalation beyond words. Our founders never expected that our current form of government would last as long as it has. They wrote it was likely that our 'civil servants' in Washington (many would argue there's nothing civil about them anymore - nor do they serve us ... more like 'we the people' are 'we the servants') would grab more power than they should have and the masses would rebel and fight to take back control. In fact, I believe the number was more like every 100 years or so this would happen.
So here we are. I fear that either of the two major parties has the interest or will to make peace with the other and we're coming down to the last 2 minutes of the Championship game. Tensions WILL run higher and it's likely someone will 'foul out'. We shouldn't be surprised when this spirals up.
All we can pray for is an outcome that will provide freedom for future generations just as those who died for our freedom did.
Jeff Riedl (Mon Mar 29 08:11:51 2010)
Super Editorial Jo! Now if we can get Reid, Pelosi and Obama to read it! It seems they are not aware of anything going on in the Heartland. Sad and scarry!
John Hyland (Mon Mar 29 08:49:00 2010)
Jeff, it is not bipartisanship that has trashed the country. It is a simple truth that the party in the majority rakes in more cash than the minority, and thus they fight each other to win the majority position... rather than simply running the country in its best interests. So each side makes up strategies that attract cash.
Can you imagine how this country would be run if special interest cash did not flow? The "loudest voices" are those with the most cash, and they get louder as they share that cash with the politicians who are willing to write laws to get them more of it.
Yea, I think we are on a downward spiral to rebellion and another civil war, but we could reverse that if we'd reform our corrupt political system.
Jack Lohman (Mon Mar 29 08:53:01 2010)
I'd like to comment at length, but I have to be at a funeral in less than an hour. Keeping it brief for me is like telling our temporary Moonbat Messiah to stop spending our tax money like it belongs to him.
Jo's right - take your anger to the polls next November and return some defensive linemen to the game before the second half. Give money to Sean Duffy so he can remove the liberal committee chairman who wrote the biggest spending bill in U.S. history; work calling and stuffing envelopes for whoever shakes out as the person who send's "Doktor Millionaire" back to the practice of making rich people beautiful again, and help us keep Tom Barrett in the sewer he's filled with state funds in Milwaukee.
There will always be diametrically opposed ideals between good and evil; between conservative and liberal, and between those of us who support our country and it's economy and those who see themselves as saviors of the victims they have created.
In November the same thing will happen to the Democrat Party that happened to the Whigs and others before them. They will be consigned to the ash heap of history by an angry mob that will converge on the voting booths of America.
Duke (Mon Mar 29 09:19:34 2010)
Good comments above.
Congressman Dr. Ron Paul observed the other day, "The two parties only fight over power, not philosophy."
President Obama's health controls are deathly similar to not only Romney's but also what Nixon asked Congress to pass.
When Gang A gets to have its way with Gang B, no wonder they get cocky and swagger a bit. The answer isn't to rally in November and hope Gang B gets back into power to return the favor. Instead understand the root problem is abusive government (at all levels) without constraints or consequences. We need to speak, act, encourage, and vote accordingly.
Brian Heyer, CPA (Mon Mar 29 09:34:56 2010)
Hadn't heard Paul say that but he's absolutely right. If I had two managers fighting for power rather than running my company I'd fire them both. And that's what we must do in November.
I voted for McCain but often wish I'd have voted for Paul instead. He's got his head screwed on right.
Jack Lohman (Mon Mar 29 10:01:45 2010)
I am angry. Why is anyone surprised? Democrats just leveled the most destructive legislation in decades at American citizens. They refused to listen, would not show up at town hall meetings. They would not take phone calls and limited their e-mails to only their own constituents. They berated the tea parties as Bible-thumping red-necks. The Dems should count their blessings that the vast majority of angry citizens are holding back until the November elections. When did the House of Representatives decide that they didn't need to represent? Why was the oath of office taken with a wink, for the ploys and favors they would barter instead, to the detriment of their constituents? Why is fiscal responsibility not even given a thought? They are as audacious and uncaring as the tanks in Tianamen Square.
Janice T (Mon Mar 29 11:40:23 2010)
Two things. First, Dr. Kagen doesn't make people beautiful. He cures allergies.
What's this about Dick Armey's Tea Party in Green Bay? Dick Armey doesn't run a Tea Party in Green Bay to the best of my knowledge. All Tea Parties are run locally.
And please, don't try to tell me that the Tea Partiers started all the hollering. This is simply ongoing from the George W. Bush years when nothing was too vile to say, write about or photoshop him.
I'm just glad to see people who have never taken part in politics before out there and standing up for "themselves and their posterity".
The frustration level is going through the roof. It's a pity that too many of those in political power right now don't recognize it for what it is and are too ideologically driven to do anything about it even if they did.
C.R. Stevenson (Mon Mar 29 11:43:17 2010)
To think that the Tea Partiers in Green Bay did it all without Dick Armey's inspiration is rather frightening. Should I have included Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh?
And Janice, after watching Green Bay I likely would pull out of giving town hall meetings to. What do they accomplish other than giving the fringe a soapbox? Democracy was ruined on that day. I wrote about this when it occurred. We got what we asked for. We lost a little bit of Democracy on that day.
And for the record I support the Tea Partiers right and actual protests, but not the destruction of town hall meetings.
Jack Lohman (Mon Mar 29 12:21:32 2010)
Barack Obama hurt your teentsy weentsy fragile feelings?
I thought conservatives were tougher than that. I stand corrected.
Northern Pike (Mon Mar 29 12:41:31 2010)
No Mr. Anonymous, feelings not hurt. You misinterpret the written word. I'd say the emotion is disappointment - in lack of civility at the top.
Jo (Mon Mar 29 14:30:26 2010)
So this is when you get angry? As the church lady might say, How convenient? You were silent until your allies started getting called out for bufoonery and worse, and now you speak?
Now you speak? Clowns on your side have been saying vile crap since the election by the way, but now that your pals are threatening and carrying out violence you wanna whine about the words Nancy Pelosi said about the rich?
That is rich.
They are called crocodile tears. But thanks for the transparency.
Matt (Mon Mar 29 22:05:38 2010)
Jo, you did not actually quote anything that was said, only vague referances. Please quote the utterances that make you so angry. I have not seen anything that might be so terrible.
Dean Weichmann (Tue Mar 30 07:24:13 2010)
Well Dean, you can start with this. It's ancient history now. Obama's utterances are all over the landscape, but if I have to, I'll endeavor to get YouTube clips. You can find his Iowa speech from a week ago Monday yourself. That's a good one to start with.
Jo (Tue Mar 30 09:43:43 2010)
None of that at the site you provided were of Obama, Pelosi, or any elected congressmen. You were complaining of what Obama said ", I’m shocked by the provacativeness of Obama’s words " not by what some fringe people say.
"the sky didn’t fall and Armageddon wasn’t here." That's it?? That's gonna incite people to riot?
He criticized wall street... and you don't think they deserve it?
Pelosi called for higher taxes on the rich. Is that what is unforgiveable?
Dean Weichmann (Tue Mar 30 10:08:53 2010)
Well as you suggested I found Obama's speech from Iowa. Here is a link;
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100325/NEWS/100325025
Could you read it and show me what is so offensive to you? Just copy and paste.
Dean Weichmann (Tue Mar 30 13:49:52 2010)
Who are you trying to kid? Limbaugh? Beck? Armey? They were way behind the curve when it came to the Tea Parties.
May I also point out to you that none of the above have anything to do with government. They're citizens of the United States and there isn't one thing they can do but talk on the radio or TV.
If that is supposed to be some kind of an argument to make the Tea Party movement inconsequential or "Astro-Turf" it's not even logical. I suggest you follow a timeline on it. It's not worth more than 3 minutes of my time to look it up for you.
C.R. Stevenson (Tue Mar 30 18:44:00 2010)
Uh, can you say "Freedom Works?" Do you think we are all really that stupid to realize that thousands of people around the country didn't spontaneously just up and get mad as hell? And I support their ire, though not the carrying of guns to the rallies or their drowning out democracy at town hall meetings.
Jack Lohman (Wed Mar 31 08:16:28 2010)
Here's the question Jack: Could it be wise for a POTUS to set an example of equanimity, inquiry, wisdom, bipartisanship? Just one of those? What does the oratory of our President and our Speaker of the House sound like? The question is not about Freedom Works. The question is about the president of the United States.
Jo (Wed Mar 31 09:17:45 2010)
Jo, I think Obama is as controlled as the R's, and at the moment I'm not a big fan of his. But to deny that Freedom Works had anything to do with the invent of the Tea Party, as CR essentially has, is ludicrous.
Jack Lohman (Wed Mar 31 12:54:15 2010)
I just read this op-ed. Jo, you should read it too. Perhaps it will give you some perspective.
Dean Weichmann (Wed Mar 31 21:08:04 2010)
I read it last weekend Dean. I disagree with many of Rich's supposed observations, the article's tenets, its tone and its conclusions. I'm very concerned about our America, as are many in the U.S. You and I disagree Dean. Let's leave it at that.
Jo (Thu Apr 1 03:37:45 2010)
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