Turning Voter Anger into a Republican Mandate
by Thomas Del BeccaroThree times in the television era, voter anger has led to midterm losses approaching or exceeding 50 seats for the President’s Party. In 1966, 47 seats were lost, 48 seats were lost in 1974 and 52 seats were lost in 1994. In only one of those cases, however, did the Party that gained seats turn that voter anger into a long term mandate: 1994. The question this year is whether Republicans will follow the successful model of 1994 or make the same mistakes the Republicans made in 1966 and the Democrats made in 1974.
Voter Anger Equals Election Losses. In 1966, despite an economy growing at over 6% per year, Democrats and Lyndon Johnson lost 47 House seats. They managed that feat, in defiance of the “It’s the economy stupid” theory, by angering a significant portion of the voting populace with noneconomic policies on the Vietnam War, Civil Rights and the Great Society. That dynamic deflated Johnson’s approval rating to just 49%. In 1974, voter anger arose over an ethics backlash against the Republicans, i.e. Watergate, and a bad economy. Combined with Ford’s post pardon approval rating of 47%, the Republicans lost 48 seats. In 1994, despite a growing economy and 5 million new jobs dating back into the final year of the Bush Administration, Clinton’s approval rating was 46% and the Democrats lost 52 seats. Clinton gaffes and his decision to push through the largest tax increase in history – despite his promise to enact a middle class tax cut – fueled voter anger that year.
Anger Does Not Equal A Mandate. Obviously, voter anger, even with a good economy, can lead to poor Presidential approval ratings. Those Presidential approval ratings below 50% resulted in an average midterm loss of a staggering 49 seats. Even so, the combined elections of 1966, 1968, 1970 and 1972 did not bring a Republican majority in Congress. Despite big gains in 1974, the Democrats barely won the Presidency in 1976, lost seats in 1978, and lost the Presidency by a wide margin in 1980. In other words, those big election gains were not transformed into enduring mandates.
There is an obvious reason why.
Elections are often reactions. So if a party in power performs poorly, the pendulum often swings back the other direction; the midterm loss effect. Mandates, on the other hand, occur when a political party accentuates the pendulum swing by crafting a clear agenda that successfully addresses existing voter anger. Potential mandates can be squandered when the cause of voter anger is ignored.
For instance, the Republicans under Nixon increased federal spending, raised tax rates to try to pay for it and continued the Vietnam War inclusive of “secret bombing.” That hardly represented a marshaling of the voter anger into a different direction. True, the Republicans could not just walk away from the Vietnam War; but they missed a chance at a potential mandate and never took back the Congress when they embraced tax and spend policies.
By the end of Ford’s presidency, the nation had endured tax and spend policies, 9% unemployment and inflation that topped 12%. In the years following their 48 seat gain in 1974, however, the Democrats failed to capitalize on voter distrust of government (Pentagon papers/Watergate). They failed to craft a significant ethics agenda and proceeded to tax and spend even more under Carter. In other words, another potential mandate went down the drain.
By 1994, Republicans truly capitalized on voter anger over tax and spend policies (1) by voting en masse against Clinton’s tax bill, and then (2) by offering a new direction reform package in 1994 – the Contract with America. That contract was part of a sustained and clear narrative of government reform which led to the Republicans taking over the Congress.
Beginning in 2005, voters anger began building over tax and spend policies. Obama, rather than build on that anger, which began to foment again in 2005 and led to Republicans losses in 2006, blew the deficit wide open with a spending splurge. Now voters are angrier than ever and Obama’s approval rating is 45%. Republicans can choose to simply ride that voter anger into winning many seats in the Fall – or – they can learn the lessons of 1966, 1974 and 1994, by offering a sustained and clear new direction of government reform this Fall – and turn voter anger into a Republican mandate.
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76 Comments
Republicans would be wise not to mistake voter anger as "blind rage" toward Obama policies. The voters are angry at liberals and their policies that will collapse our economy. They will turn on liberal and moderate Republicans just the same as Democrats. Republicans better get the conservative house in order. It's not business as usual this time around.
When politicians think they have a mandate they always go way beyond what the people want. Just give us the few services to keep us safe and then get out of the way!
I would rather view it as motivation than anger.
Remember your history! America was doing very well until the Democrats took over in 2006…then it all went to hell and Obama has accelerated the journey to destruction!
"Americans are the dumbest people on the planet".
This from somebody spouting off about "teabaggers", who no doubt cast his vote in 2008 because he was dazzled by a bunch of ridiculous focus group slogans.
I look forward to helping bring bring about real change to Congress. Star Parker is running for the seat currently occupied by Laura Richardson (CA-37). I think with this coming election, we will see a significant swing to the right in both houses. However, the biggest change will be the profile of the movement to the right. I think we'll see a more diverse group on the right side of the aisle.
The Democrats will loose the majority in one or both house. What needs to be done is to stem the damage the Democrats are causing, so over time, it can be reversed.
Defunding Obamacare is probably the first thing which will be done, so the Republicans having the majority in the House is more important. No one can force a tax cut, but future taxation can be halted, and again, money can be saved by House republicans by defunding programs and agencies, even the EPA can be defunded.
The president could use the discretionary spending he has access to to fund agencies; but ultimately, he has to go hat in hand to the House, that’s where the money comes from. Basically, the president’s agenda can be kill just by cutting of the cash, or rather keep the president from creating even more debt.
Care to substantiate how, in your opinion, Bush and the GOP dropped the tree? The current economic crisis is a direct result of Democratic mismanagement of the housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. People like Frank and Dodd opposing federal regulation, and continuing to support the risk laden sub-prime mortgage industry. In the words of the lefties, you can have your own opinion, but you can't have your own facts.
Also, for someone claiming the other side is angry, you sure like sticking to the sophomoric epithet tea baggers.
There are three areas that I believe have to be implimented immediately after the blood bath that is coming in November. All are inter-related. First, cut spending. This doesn't mean shrinking the size of the annual increases in the budget. It means speanding no more then is taken in in revenue. Balanced budget. Second, reducing regulation. This means that all of them must pass constitutional scrutiny. This will lessen public and private sector costs, especially in reducing the size of the bureaucray. Fewer people will be needed to impliment the laws that congress passes. Finally, get rid of all unions for public sector employees. This is the biggest rip-off we have ever endured. Look to the lack of parity between public and private sector employees to find proof of the legalized thieft that has been going on for decades.
Smaller government, less spending and slashing the number of and compensation for the bureaucrcy.
I will not vote for anyone who does not swear to change this country back to the way it is supposed to be! We DO NOT want socialism, a dictatorship, nor tyranny! We want our FREEDOM back, and special interest groups go to the back of the line!!
I think an overwhelming majority of Americans still perceive massive spending and unwieldy entitlements as bad ideas, as indicated by polling for Obamacare. Separate the goodies from the costs, and sure, lots of people who have been told their whole lives that government is the answer will support government "solutions." Start talking about paying for it and people get uneasy, especially with Greece burning because of decades of unchecked spending!
After the Contract with America, GOP senators made the same mistake that all politicians seem to return to: promise more and more goodies and let someone else sort out the cost. The GOP needs to focus on legislation that will ensure lasting transparency and stomp out pork spending, in addition to promoting free-market alternatives to Obama, Pelosi, and Reid's seemingly endless pile of statist policies.
Obama talked a big game about change, transparency, a "new kind of Washington," and nearly everyone has realized the emperor is streaking. Reminding voters of that while maintaining a positive tone and promoting real, immediate corrections sounds like a winning strategy in my book.
There is an citizen's mandate for a constitutional, limited government.
If the Republicans chose to ignore it, they will do so at their political peril.
We, the folks that normally have our heads down, working hard, raising the family, etc. have been shown that apathy is no longer an option. We will never again just go down the ballot, checking the names with an "R" next to them.
In other words voter anger is just one half of the equation, the other need being politician anger, ala Peter Finch in Network…."I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" The ouster of Senator Bennett was a good start, but should be only a start. The status quo in the Republican Party is NOT an option.
"Care to substantiate how, in your opinion, Bush and the GOP dropped the tree?"
Sure. $1 trillion for an unnecessary war. All borrowed.
$1 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. All added to our debt.
Trillions stolen by Goldman Sachs, Lehman Bros, Bear Stearns, Country Wide, and countless other Wall Street crooks. All paid for by the taxpayers and added to the debt.
The most expensive health care system in the world. Thanks to killing HilliaryCare in 94.
And a trillion dollar giveaway to Big Pharma. All of it added to the debt.
And Obama is fixing all of it. In spite of the GOP obstruction.
Cleanup costs! If Bush "dropped the tree on our house," Obama is running around like the Cat in the Hat – assuming the Cat in the Hat had a bulldozer and a coke habit.
I thought the "cleaning up Bush's mess" meme was dead outside of the White House Press Room, but clearly I've underestimated the duration of Bush Derangement Syndrome.
I hope and pray that if the GOP wins they don't go pu$$y again.
Once again, I am not angry. I am determined. Having said that, this article makes perfect sense. I worry about the Rinos who are going off Party in their attempt to remain in power. In every one of the polls the Rinos who have become Independents are taking votes away from the Republicans. We need to make it clear that those Rinos who do that have absolutely NO chance of winning. Right now the GOP should be concentrating on this.
The GOP lost big in the last two major elections because they didn't act conservative enough. Here we are and the general populace is willing to give the GOP a chance again and the RINOS/Independents are putting that in jeopardy. What are they thinking?
We need to rid ourselves of Rinos and life long incumbents. If we don't take our country back in the next 2 years, it is going to be too late for you, your children and their children. Is that what we want for our future. Obama is but one step in a one world government that has been in the works for along time. And a lot of democrats, republicans and independents need to wake the hell up and decide if they want to continue to be Americans or give up their birthright and be oppressed citizens of the world!
Nearly every instance of major tax cuts in the last 50 years have resulted in higher revenue for our government due to more spending and hiring by those evil rich people. You lie almost as well as our current president. All added to our debt my A$$.
The trillions stolen by the banks had HUGE help from a democratic congress that would not allow regulation of the mortgage lending laws once it became obvious they were a problem. The dem congress helped the banks far more than Bush did, though he was somewhat complicit.
Where do you get the idea that Obama is fixing all of it? He made the most expensive health care system….more expensive…
He didn't do anything to Big Pharma but tax them, and that will just be passed on to the consumers. He actually helped them out quite a bit in the Health Care bill. They won't care about the tax, they'll just charge more, but they'll love all perks they get out of the bill.
He isn't trying to do crap about your war issue by the way, in case you didn't notice.
Anon… Not to worry my friend. The dems. are getting your new bill for services not rendered together as we speak.
And you are correct Americans are the dumbest people in the world. Just look at how we elected an empty suit with no verifiable credentials.
"Unnecessary war"?
Tell that to the millions of Saddam Hussein's murder victims!
You are a real ass-hat.
Real conservatism, austerity, remove the parasites from the dying host, and victory in the elections are guaranteed. Slip back into liberal light an apathy will set in again, or perhaps the anger manifests itself into open defiance of the Imperial Federal Government! …the enemy is inside the wire!
Team MacDaddy is keeping America's anger level high…let's hope he doesn't let-up. Over the next few months, expect this Marxist crowd to energize the black/Mex vote in a very divisive way that offends just about every American.
MacDaddy will soon put to use all of his community agitation (shiit-kicking) skills.
Republicans would be wise to remember that this is NOT a mandate FOR them. Rather it is a mandate to return to the CONSTITUTION and TRUE fiscal responsibility!
The RINOs are NOT wanted and will be rejected. (Ask Bob Bennett in Utah.)
Which unecessary war are you referencing? Are you the blind, head in the sand denialist type that thinks Iraq and Afghanistan are unecessary, or do you support one and not the other? If we do not confront and defeat the sponsors of terror, the attacks will continue. Ask Europe how surrend worked for them.
Document the trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. 47% of Americans pay taxes, so while your liberal interpretation of "wealthiest Americans" is intended to portray Bush as favoring the rich, everybody that earned enough to pay in taxes got a tax cut. Nice try slick.
I agree that the Wall Street bilked investors, but democrats share an equal amount of blame on that topic.
Your views on health care are uniformed. What is your source? I would ask if you have lived abroad and used the health care systems of other countries? Socialized medicine is ineffective, unsustainable, and subpar to the health care available in the US.
Substantiate your trillion dollar claim of a giveaway to Big Pharma.
Mandates only apply to Republicans! Lets become the one party Tea Party Republican American state fuck the rest of America/society and anyone who thinks differently! It is treason otherwise! Angry hating minority mob rule ftw……
You actually state the root concept, but you fail to accept the implications.
Anger does NOT equal a mandate.
However, in a two party system, it may well mean a change in the party in power.
The two are NOT synonymous, especially in a two-party, winner take all, system.
This is the mistake Gingrich made in 1994, and it is the mistake Pelosi is making this Congress.
If the Republicans, or anyone else, treats a massive shift in the makeup of Congress in 2010 as more than a rejection of the current course of government without considering the wishes of their constituents such as with the healthcare destruction bill, all they will do is ensure yet another wild shift in power in 2012, which could well mean another 4 years of Obama.
I agree and see no value in anger. Cooler heads must prevail but that in no way means turning tale. What is required, in my opinion, is a change or a strengthing of the public perception toward what the role of government should be in our lives. As well as a firm grasp of the consequences, which, will soon be realized no matter how many seats conservatives win this round. If this is not followed by quiet and determined 'revolution' of sorts to the strict following of the doctrine of our founders after the victory laps are taken, well then nothing will be accomplished.
But anger itself is not a solution. And sure, I'm pissed. But look at the anger in Greece. While they have bought themselves a temporary reprieve, those not willing to change their outlook are financial dead men walking.
Return of the moron.
What we'll need in this country is a change of mindset; a change in the narrative. We need at least a majority who understands that in America there ARE NO SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. How can the concept of EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL exist in the same space as any groups that consider themselves "special?"
All that you claim occurred with a democrat majority in congress. Try as you may the democrats carry the brunt of the blame.
We are dumb because we tolerate YOU ! You MUST be working for the White House, no Truth comes from you just the "usual " talking points. Say hello to your boss Cass Sunstein you cheap shill……..
And filled the congress with elitists and ambulance chasers.
True, we not only must change Congress but we also have to FIX Congress forever.
OP misses one part of the "Anger Equation".
There are many out there, like myself, who are also angry at the Republican Party… We see them as part of the problem, not the solution.
Being forced to vote for the Lesser of Two Evils, is still a vote for evil, and for some reason Evil grows once in power. Washington seems to spread Hubris… to anyone given power.
Please leave these sites and go back under your bridge. Do you think anyone takes you seriously? If you weren't so pathetic you would almost be humerous.
We don't want to slow down the Progressive (Marxist light) movement, we have to STOP it.
methinks you need to adjust your dosages
No more "offers" from the Republicans. I do not wish to be mollified and placated with rhetoric and good intentions. I would like to see some action. I would like to see a republican party that is resolute in it's convictions and that stops pandering to those left of center. If 70% of the nation considers themselves conservative then it's a pretty safe bet that conservative principles will all but guarantee victory.
I used to be of the opinion that only Nancy Pelosi and Bawney Frank's seats were safe, but today I'm not so sure. As the downward spiral continues, the people in charge are correctly seen as the one's to blame.
The axe will fall, heads will roll, and mending will begin, if, a steel spine replaces the linguini one in place now….
That's just the way it should be in a Republic
Anon, good to see you back, I see you found a new batch of Kool-aid. History is a pesky little termite to your thesis concerning the Bush years……His largest errors involved reaching across the aisle in that vuanted practice of be "bi-partisan" only to have his hand cut off by those on the left. No child left behind was the co-brainchild of none other than the Lion of the Senate, Ted Kennedy . From the 2nd year of the Bush Presidency on he dealt with a Democrat House and Senate Majority, just a foot not anon, George W. in all eight years never lifted the veto pen to anything the House or Senate passed. So anon, go back and brew another batch of Kool-aid, you see "Tea" has a much longer shelf life, it isn't always taken with sweets and sometime can be quite bitter, but those who imbrace it learn to love the taste, Oh! and by the by anon, in this case I ain't talking about the beverage Tea, I am talking about "T" being TRUTH!
Even if the GOP wins big in November, we are still in for some powerfully tough times. What we'll have is not a Conservative turnaround, but a standoff. The administration of barack obama is too radical to surrender their takeover. So even if the GOP stands strong for fiscal discipline, there's every reason to believe that obama will veto anything coming from Congress and we will be facing the shutdown of the federal government (not necessarily a bad thing), but can you imagine the domestic violence that will ensue when the leftist groups are momentarily cut off from the government teet? You can bet that obama will try to use the "crisis" to enact his "civilian national security force" to quell the "violence."
Obama has a whopping 45% approval rating? Why? Let's see…..add up the unions, government employees, entitlement recipients, leftist organizations, the MSM, and the rest of the lunatic fringe is equal to 45%? America is in bad shape.
RINOs will pay the price too. Just ask Bennett.
True that Bush did cause this mess, but a big part of it was from the democrat controlled Congress in 06 to. You simply cant ignore that fact, and mind you that both Reid and Pelosi were there along with many of the bad actors we have now.
Besides, even if Gore was in office, we still might have gone off to fight. What else do you think would happen when ones country came under attack.
With as much as the war has cost, its only a mere fraction to what Obama is doing and that is within 1 year in office. Obama himself has outspent Bush within 1 year where it took Bush 8. On top of that, it was mainly democrats that had special deals with Goldman, Lehman, Fannie/Freddie, AIG and others. Did you know that Goldman was one of Obamas biggest supporters during his election campaign to.
Just to top everything off, Obama hasnt fixed anything. If he has done anything, he just made a bad situation worse and going about it the worst way possible to. Since, if Obama wants to be better than Bush, he should not have pulled the same moves and is spending with no means of savings.
One last thing, How has Obama fixed anything?
Do you think the videos onhttp://www.BorderInvasionPics.com are cause for voter anger?
I agree…..When the chips start falling in our favor…….Obama will just "Release the Krakan"…..Civil unrest and general anarchy….I hope it doesn't come to that…..but I am preparing for it…
You sound a bit delirious friend. What makes you think that the Tea Party wishes to forsake any who think different? I believe that's the liberals, not the conservatives, that make it a point to persecute those who think differently than they do. As for treason I can think of a few politicians in Washington who are guilty but by no means are people guilty of treason for disagreeing with the Tea Party or the Republican Party.
Your last statement in particular troubles me. The U.S. is a democratic republic. Democracy is the rule of thumb here. Don't like it? Move! It's that simple. Stop bitching about something that is completely your choice. It's like those idiots that complain that they are somehow forced to work in casinos and bars with all the smokers. Don;t like working around smokers? Get another job! No one is forcing you to live under "mob rule" any more than they are forced to work around smokers.
Additionally, if you wish/plan to change our country into something else you'd better be prepared for the fight of your life. Most Americans do not take for granted the sacrifices made over the centuries to safeguard our freedom and damned if we are going to roll over at the mere protest of the minority.
There's a quote that pretty much covers this. "You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time".
You are not a Tea Party member if you believe a democracy is "mob rule". You also seem to believe the "mob" is angry with and hates the minority. You couldn't be farther from the truth. Perhaps you should just slither back to the Media Matters forums and leave us to discuss the serious issues without distraction. You are not fooling anyone into thinking you are an actual Tea Party supporter.
Repubs should refrain from becoming smug. America is NOT running to the Republicans they are running AWAY from the Dems!
Part 1
You do not have any clue what you are saying. Not wanting to completely insult you but you sound exactly like Obama himself with the self-delusional success story. Maybe you are the psychotic mayor of Frisco…who knows.
Government intervention in the healthcare industry in the 1960s is the absolute, known, undeniable fact for the rise in health care cost. Now, with the taxpayers being stuck in the heart with this wonderful new entitlement program, the misery will run even deeper and the costs unbelievably higher.
I own a small business and have worked on medical devices. Well, thanks to Obamacrap, no more. All of my clients stopped their R&D due to the legislative entanglements created in this unpolished turd called a law. Tell me why should Medicare pay $1500.00 for a simple pump? Especially when the TOTAL COST of the pump from imagination to final packaging is $12.00. I’ll tell you why…it is due to the retarded dysfunctional government system that arbitrarily placed a price on a “pump”.
Part 2
”. It is in their handbook and being interpreted by union workers right out of the movie “Idiocracy” whom cannot think for themselves. Inversely, if a pump cost more to design, manufacturer and produce, the same $1500.00 applies. If ALL healthcare across the board was privatized, less people would be denied service, efficiency WILL increase and costs be lowered.
Simply put, read the Constitution. I am still trying to find the Article and Section that says something about Healthcare being mandated and force on We the People. Maybe you can point this out to everyone here without attempting to imply a poorly translated version from Roosevelt, Wilson, FDR, Carter, Obama? Boy, misery sure does follow these guys.
Bush and the “progressive turd republicans” did radically screw up and they WILL BE PUNISHED severely come November. Cutting taxes and not cutting spending is stupid no matter what economic school of thought one comes from.
Well said, and I concur. I'll go a step further and suggest that the only people angry are the conservatives who never voted for BHO in the first place. As a result, unless there is a true conservative platform put forth, the dems will maintain control for years to come.
Thank you , I would have said that but thought it might get deleted.
Homophobe? Stick your chin out for your teabag and ride it to november.
Americans just want constitutional government, fiscal responsibility, national security, and limited government.
If that's radical then I'm a radical, the left is just going to have to put their tolerance hats on and learn how to get along with others. Fact is, since the left finds those things so objectionable, it just shows how radical they are and how they've pushed the narrative and agenda so far left. The reckoning is overdue.
Unfortunately, until someone invents a cure for Potomac Fever, I just don't see it happening. Strange disease, it seems to only affect about a 4 block radius of the city. Must be the prevailing winds from the tidal basin, past Pennsylvainia up the mall to the Hill.
In 1978 I became a Reagan Democrat and have been voting solid Republican ever since,……………
Thank God the Tea Party movement came about just in time to salvage the Republican Party,………
and hopefully the political games will be held in the Constitutional confines of,……….
Center Right Field.
If the R's are not careful going about dissembling the monster that our fed gvt has become they
will suffer a backlash in 2012, and oHugo jr will be reelected.
Immediate de-funding of certain programs will be important, however we will need to circle
this bloated bitch, probing and examining for a good while before we attempt dis-assembly,
lest the thing has been booby-trapped to explode in our faces. This will require much patience,
especially on the part of conservatives, who by the time the 112th Congress is seated will have
had a belly-full of Leftism.
The beauty of the Lefts plan is to create a wildly swinging pendulum, that may take them out of
power in 2010, but could very easily put them back in, in 2012. They don't mind a 2 year break
in their 80 year plan, what is 2 years? They've had many of these setbacks, but like the jihadist
they never lose sight of their goal.
Xactly 100% correct, MacDW…………the recent speeches and big protests around the beginning
of May were a test run to see how big the crowds he could raise, and test their hot buttons or
flash-points. o plans on using the Hispanic/ Black populations to attack the TPM, or anyone
else who crosses him. They will be his little 'army within'. If we can be intimidated into behaving
as he wishes we won't be in danger, but if not all bets are off. Although he may be effective in un-
leashing them they will not be easily controlled.
no one axed me but here is my advice…do not vote along any party lines…why???…POLITICIANS ARE SCUM…the incumbent is the problem ALWAYS!!!…sounds silly but it's true…quit returning dumbasses to their offices…
DRIP, DON'T RETURN INCUMBENT POLITICIANS…that's term limits, right there at the end of your arm…not real complicated…
one mo' thang…don't give a welfare rat a ride to the polls…or loan them your jumper cables.
There is NO Republican Mandate…..
IT's a Different Animal, the Donkey and Elephant are Through for EVER…
What Animal will Appear to Govern FOR THE PEOPLE by the way of the Constitution?????
[...] Turning Voter Anger into a Republican MandateBig Government (blog)Clinton gaffes and his decision to push through the largest tax increase in history – despite his promise to enact a middle class tax cut – fueled voter … and more » [...]
True and all the anger is NOT reserved for the spend-and-tax Democrats. Much of it is reserved for the tax-and-spend REPUBLICANS, too, who forgot who it was that elected them and thought they could maintain their jobs by acting like Democrats and doling out "goodies" to their constituents in exchange for financial "support." Democrat lite never won an election–except a few on the east coast among the other elitists there. The Rockefeller Republicans are on their way out, too.
Actually, a true democracy is the closest thing to mob rule you're ever likely to experience here. You'll notice that NONE of the founding documents even mention the words "democracy" or "democratic." There's a reason for that. It was the reason Franklin answered "A Republic…if you can keep it," when asked what sort of government we'd been given at the Constitutional Convention. We are a representative republic….NOT a democracy. Democracies almost all degenerate rapidly into the very Tyranny of the Majority that the Bill of Rights was intended to prevent. In a Democracy, if the majority decides that some obscure religious sect should be excluded from the country, they COULD be. Under our Constitution, they can't.
Actually, we need to REVERSE it.
The question is, do you feel like you are being effectively represented? In my mind the people who are supposedly "representing" us are merely voting as they wish without consideration for the will of the people. At this point I'd settle for a little democracy if it would return some of that authority back to the people, even at the risk of a greater "mob" influence.
Regardless what title is given to our form of government, at the end of the day, we are still watching our government shift from a representative form into a more authoritarian form. Our "representatives", despite being elected, are more often than not serve at the whim of one of the two political parties.
There is much that needs to be addressed if we the people are to wrest control of our nation and our futures from the bureaucrats and aristocrats.
Add to that the misinformed and yes you get about that percentage. Many of these people polled are completely oblivious to what is going on politically and willingly accept anything the MSM, their friends or family tells them. This is how Obama got elected and this is how he and the democrats plan to stay in power.
It's Bawney Fwank. It and N. Psychosi are "safe". Otherwise more poignant observations from the Drifter…
GF
N.Psychosi MAY be safe, 60/40 safe, but BF is histoire, 80/20 out…
Just speculation at this juncture.
LiO
All good points….Steel spines needed…Linguine out…
Tough getting rid of the Unions…We need an "AirTrafficControler" Reagan to do that job.
With the economy the way it is and getting worse, more will be on board for the necessary "tough love"…
With a better future in return
Yer pretty! Nice revolver… You can "speculate" with me anytime gorgeous… Lovin' the French! -"histoire", nice touch…
Can't say that I disagree at all, Leadfingers. The "flaw" in our system is that we allow Democrats and their sycophants in the MSM to define who is and who is not "conservative" and what the GOP (for one) actually believes…usually dead-bang WRONGLY. What we need to take back, more than anything else, is the flow of information, concentrating on truth instead of spin.
Mr. Del Beccaro, Your article is articulate and comprehensive, defining the problems and suggesting some solutions. However, it would be helpful to itemize some specific steps to implement your ideas. For those of us not totally immersed in the political world more concrete measures would be helpful.
Perhaps you do that in other writings.
One of my fears is that many Republicans and conservative thinkers will assume victory in November, and will be in for a rude awakening the day after the election. Democrats and those in Obama's world will not give up easily or without a major fight!
Be prepared – and stay resolute, voters!
For sure, Star Parker is bringing real change to D-37. Thanks for supporting her and we are working on the bumper stickers!!
http://www.starparkerforcongress.com/
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