President Obama’s inaugural address was eloquent and moving in parts. It was also deeply partisan and polarizing, something that is unusual for a day normally devoted to unity and common purpose.
But not in Barack Obama’s America. In his inaugural speech he did what he seemingly cannot keep himself from doing: portraying himself and his followers as Children of Light and portraying his opponents as Children of Darkness.
You are either with Obama–or you are with the forces of cruelty and bigotry. In Obama’s world, there is no middle ground. He is the Voice of Reason; those who oppose him are the voice of the mob. They are the ones who (to cite just one passage from his speech) mistake absolutism for principle, substitute spectacle for politics, and treat name-calling as reasoned debate.
In that sense, Obama is the perfect president for our current political culture. And for all of his self-perceived similarities with Abraham Lincoln, he is the antithesis of Lincoln when it comes to grace, a charitable spirit and a commitment to genuine reconciliation. Mr. Obama is, at his core, a divider. He seems to relish it, even when the moment calls for a temporary truce in our political wars.
Which leads me to my second point.
Mr. Obama’s speech was not a call to unity; it was a summons to his liberal base to fight–on global warming, for gay rights, for gun control, for renewable energy, and for a diminished American role in world affairs. And the president’s speech also signaled that he will oppose, with passion and demagoguery, anyone who attempts to reform our entitlement programs. He is fully at peace with running trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. He not only won’t lift a finger to avoid America’s coming debt crisis; he will lacerate those who do.
A final point: Mr. Obama’s speech was a highly ambitious one intellectually. What he was attempting to do was to link progressivism to the American political tradition, to the vision of the founders and the Declaration of Independence. “The greatest progressive arguments throughout the country’s history have been rooted in the language of the Declaration of Independence,” Michael Waldman, who was chief speechwriter for former President Bill Clinton, told the Washington Post’s Greg Sargent. “This speech was really rooted in that tradition.”
The key to understanding the president’s inaugural address, then, was this line: “Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words [from the Declaration] with the realities of our time.”
Mr. Obama views himself as America’s bridge, the modern-day interpreter of Washington, Madison, and Jefferson. Mr. Obama’s agenda is their agenda. Or so says Obama.
Mr. Obama is a Man of Zeal. He believes the currents of history are swift, powerful, and on his side.
What we are seeing is the authentic Obama, a liberated and fiercely committed progressive who believes he is an agent for social justice and fairness. He feels the election completely vindicated him and his agenda. He has sheer contempt for his opponents. And in his second term he will crush them if they stand in his way.
Call it the transmogrification of Hope and Change.
You had me until "the transmogrification of Hope and Change" . Please. Call it what it is: an evil attempt to steal America and its history and values. n nWe need strategies on how to defeat this destroyer, not more high falutten descriptions of where The One went astray. We know he is bad. Can we focus on how to stop him?
It is as much an America of liberals and progressives as it is for conservatives. Neither has a complete claim on it. But neither can deny the other side's claim either. It's a shared history and country. n nHe's not stealing it; he does appear to be trying to expropriate it solely for the left. n nBut it is interesting – citing that Waldman quote – that progressives like the Declaration but dislike the Constitution. Something to that observation, I think. n n
no significance n nhe is a liar n nall puff no substance
Let him destroy–the problem is how to let the left have the federal government as an empty husk and redistribute self-government to the state and local levels, at least in the red states and some parts of the blue. People will need to protect themselves from the onslaught on their lives, values and livelihoods–more home schooling, gated communities, concierge medicine, private accumulations of gun and gold, even bartered services will be the result. Try not to become an easy target, and to detach as much as possible from the failing state. Then, try to hang on and survive the wreck.
"…the problem is how to let the left have the federal government as an empty husk and redistribute self-government to the state and local levels, at least in the red states and some parts of the blue." n nSorry Adam, but this was settled in 1865 and confirmed many times since — e.g., when Ike federalized the Arkansas National Guard.
You're free to believe that such questions can ever be settled once and for all, but as we sink deeper into debt, inflation accelerates and taxes increase, the border is increasingly unprotected, regulation continues to strangle enterprise, unemployment goes up, the left succeeds in repealing the crime fighting strategies of the 90s, etc., etc., I doubt that too many Americans will be dissuaded from protecting their lives, wealth and families by the precedents you cite. But I'm sure those in the husk will deny it can happen even while it is happening. How dare reality violate their precepts!
There's a lot of this seditious talk on the right. They gun up, ready to fight a second revolution — against the US government this time. It will have no affect on anything but may be a problem for the GOP as it tries to present itself as a responsible party. People like Adam talk like traitors but no doubt think of themselves as good Americans. Poor Boehner!
There will be a lot more of it, but I'm just predicting, following out the logic of our current situation, not promoting anything except attentiveness to one's rights and violations thereof. The Republicans have become irrelevant, through little fault of their own–they are simply unequipped to deal with the dementia of the left. On the national level, anyway–on the state and local level, perhaps not. It is to be hoped that the break-up of America can be managed peacefully and consensually–over the next decade or so, a federalist movement can make the arguments for a radical reworking of state/federal relations, with secession as a back-up if the usurpation of rights by the feds is deemed irremediable. There's no point calling for revolution, sedition or secession, much less violence, now–it's better to form the relations, civil and political, that might be able to survive the coming crash. Stigmatizing such discussions certainly won't do any good.
"It is to be hoped that the break-up of America can be managed peacefully and consensually–over the next decade or so…." n nNo comment needed.
Yes, it will better if the discussions about how to negotiate collapse goes unattended, and uncommented on, by the left. It will help to keep such discussions as unpolemical and unacrimonious as possible, and the left will anyway be too busy accelerating the collapse to participate.
I feel like the Farley Granger character in the movie "Strangers On A Train," who suddenly realizes that he's talking to a crazy person.
I don't think anyone in the coming years trying to preserve their rights to engage in commerce (or not) as they see fit, keep themselves safe, maintain their property and its value, hold on to their rights to own guns, speak freely about, say, homosexuality or Islam, or arrange forms of currency that are worth something will care very much if the likes of you think they're crazy. In the way of ideas, it's pretty much all you leftists have. Well, at least Obamacare will stop all that crazy talk about spending problems and Obama's Islamic outreach means we no longer have those man caused disasters to worry about.
An army of 1, defending an ever-shrinking island of "I got mine." Good luck with that.
Thanks! You must be one of those who believe that meaningful cooperation can only take place through the coercion of the state–that is, you are the one who believes we are all little armies of one without state prodding. But every item on my very incomplete list would call for extensive cooperation and the creation of all kinds of "little platoons." But there's no doubt that they'll need some luck–conditions are bad and about to get much worse.
what's it like to be lost in your own little fantasy world?
A revolution fought may include elements of the federal government but will primarily be fought against the Won who wants take the place of King George the III. n nMolon Labe!
Yes, there's a lot of this seditious talk on the right. But unless we deny that recent history took place, there was a lot more even mre extreme seditious talk on the Left when Bush was pressident. n nIt's dishonest and hypocritical to say that it's free speech when you do it but that It's sedition when someone who you disagree with does it.
I am so glad that Israel's elections will change the news cycle away from the dissection of such a partisan speech. n nOne suggestion to his opposition: stop using the word "takers". That was the bit that stuck with me – how he rammed that word.
Obama The Bridge. To Nowhere. n nAfter the last four years one begins to understand the kind of passions that drove Americans to face off and kill each other with cold steel 150 years ago. If a government becomes tyrannical it is no longer seditious to speak of redressing that. We are a people with a government–not the other way around. n n
For cruelty & bigotry it would be hard to beat Obama's new CIA Director, John Brennan. Brennan you will recall is the architect of Obama's Kill List a.k.a. The Disposition Matrix. You could look it up: "The Disposition Matrix." The Obama Coterie are communists bent on consolidation of power. I am very glad to be living in the U.S. of A. where there are millions of people who understand and respect the genuine character of our blood-bought Liberty. The Obama Coterie will spill blood to inspire terror, not to win Liberty. Beware Obama.
So Obama, the bridge-builder, is the Pontifex Maximus?
Hey fellow conservatives: tone it down. Don't demonize Obama or the Democrats. We represent 48% of the electorate, and we, the people of this country, are the government, together with the 52% who are for Obama. Together we are the government: that is democracy. Not the other guy, but me, I am (part of) the government). What we need to do is not demonize the 52%, but, with charity and patience, spell out our values and vision. That takes time, that takes thought, that takes more than yelling in anger. We need to out-think and out-emotion the Democratic left. We can do it, drawing on the rich conservative tradition of the West, based, ultimately, on a Biblical view of man and existence. "We have been endowed by our Creator with… rights." What does this mean? That's the task of thoughtful conservatism in our day..
Kim – That is a lovely sentiment, but we are a shrinking 48% in a winner take all system. n nHow can we win a national election while 70+% of Blacks, Jews, Hispanics and Asians are firmly committed to the Democratic party?
It's hard to win election when one group, the dems is promising giving away free be's.
If conservatives would listen to you, they'd be in control right now. You are pragmatic and thoughtful, unlike almost all of your fellow travelers. Conservatives are still running around, saying stupid, back woods things about women and looking the other way when the NRA is out there spewing bile. I've never seen so many tone deaf people and their approval ratings reflect this, aka, in the toilet.
no, james, "conservatives" are not running around saying stupid things. TWO Republicans said stupid things about rape (and one of those was completely misinterpreted. I heard the actual quote. I bet you didn't.) n nyet to you, that's ALL conservatives. (and by conservatives, you mean people who oppose Obama.) n nthat's sloppy thinking and ad hominem BS. try again. n n
That you would parse or try to explain the likes of human tools like Akin, Murdoch and the Dr. man from Georgia reveals the exact reason why you got a foot so far up your rear this last November. You are completely tone deaf, sir. "And if another Republican man says anything about rape other than it is a horrific, violent crime, I want to personally cut out his tongue." That's a quote from Karen Hughes. I know she only won two presidential elections but she is on your team. Also, I said "conservatives" which means more than one. Todd Akin is one and Richard Murdoch is two. While the list is long, I never said "ALL conservatives, you did. And I'm the one guilty of sloppy thinking? I mean, it's not like I listed all the sponsors of the nearly one thousand laws/bills that have been proposed/passed in the last three years (locally and federally) bent on encroaching on women's health and reproductive rights. It's not like I listed all those guys. (And when I say "guys," I mean it literally.) nAt certain points in all of our lives, rulieg, we all get our a*s kicked. November, 2012 just happened to be when you got your ass kicked. While I'm sure there's millions of people in this country who agree with your way of thinking, when it comes to elections – try again.
with all due respect, Kim, Mitt Romney already "spelled out our values and vision" with "charity and patience"–and the sheeple went for the Obamaphones and "free" healthcare. n nas for demonizing Obama: he deserves it. he's been a disastrous president and he's about to get much, much worse. he has nothing but contempt for anyone who disagrees with him, he apparently thinks the constitution is just a suggestion, and he's in love with his own reflection.
Great post! Over the years conservatives have consistently taken the high road of appreciation for those with whom we disagree politically. To win more hearts and minds we need to continue to speak and behave as friends by affirming and embracing the freedom to vote for what we each believe best. Many Republicans have made the mistake of attributing the popularity of Ronald Reagan solely to tax cuts. There was actually much more. One reason he was so popular is because he seemed genuinely to care about each of us individually. The policies and legislation for which he advocated were consistently aimed at making life better for all Americans, not just those who contributed to his campaigns. He would never have thought, much less said, anything disparaging about 47% of us. When Republicans can successfully speak again without the "those people" undertones that turn off Asians and Jews (examples of constituencies not looking for government handouts) our ideas and solutions will start to look more attractive to those with whom we currently disagree.
Just a reminder for those tempted to raise the banner of secession–forget about including the Old Dominion state (well, all of it), proud home of Patrick Henry, birthplace of Robert E. Lee. The northern half is like so dependent on the Feds. Northern Virginians will line the Key Bridge and throw bouquets to the Yankees in the Humvees streaming over to occupy Reston.
But what about Southern VA?
Excuse me, but nobody is more dependent on the federal government than the South.
So, can we then agree to work towards a separation of the South and the other red states so that the fiscally healthy and economically flourishing states like NY, IL, CA, CT, MA and the rest can free themselves from this intolerable burden?
What makes this commentary partisan is the FACT that if a Repub was elected the speech would play to their base. Neither political party is representing effectively the American people. n nThe debt and deficits are primarily bipartisan, wars bipartisan, one of the main reasons for businesses outsourcing is the high cost of heath care. Universal health care efficiently managed only solution, but leaders unwilling to oppose special interests/lobbyists=money, future jobs, etc. Management skills to make health care efficient and effective MIA.
Those who would cut the foodstamp program in order to give more tax cuts to the rich are indeed Children of Darkness.
Obama Spends more on welfare in one year than Bush spent on the entire Iraq war…. nSo it seems your war on poverty is a lost casue… where is the protest? n n nLastly you may want to do some simple math.. you could tax the evil rich 100% and still not even come close to filling the debt hole.. n nSo go get your free obamacare lube and bend over.. the tax man cometh, to give it to you good and hard… n n
Those who give free food, housing, and toys to the unproductive are determined to keep them on the plantation, in other words, voting in perpetuity for the modern form of slavery.
Right. But who is proposing that policy specifically? Look, if the best you can do when attacking your opponents is to bring up some lame strawman then you probably need to reexamine the strength of your own position.
To what "tax cuts to the rich" do you refer? There haven't been any. Last time I looked taxes on "the rich" haven't been CUT, they've been RAISED! The last time anyone's tax rates were cut was when Bush cut the tax rates ACROSS THE BOARD. Obama extended the Bush tax rates because if they had been allowed to expire, there would be HIGHER taxes on ALL INCOMES. n nIf Obama had put half the effort into the economy as he did into advancing the progressive agenda with Obamacare, we wouldn't need a foodstamp program.
More fodder for wingnuts here. Peter Wehner appears to have as little appreciation of Obama as he does Lincoln. The election was a clear refutation of the dementia and vitriol that has taken over the Republican party, and of which the public is beginning to tire. n nI think the flirtation with sending cranks and obstructionists to Washington is just about over.
Yesterday, Obama sounded like a petty dictator that would make Castro and Chavez happy. Obama is cocky, arrogant and if you don’t believe in socialism and his misguided agenda, you’re part of the problem. Obama has done nothing but slip this countries into classes and groups that are at each other’s throats. I can’t wait till this petty, partisan hack is out of office.
As a retired soldier who took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign or domestic, n When the Pres of the US says "You are either with Obama–or you are with the forces of cruelty and bigotry" nThen based on the oath I took which is till in force, I mark myself as with the forces of cruelty and bigotry, as defined by the Bigot-in-Chief.
Hillel, the unorganized militia is expressly legal, regulated within any definition of the word,and as codified, separate from the National Guard. The beauty of that is that people, who care to know, know who they are. Others, who only want to whine and stomp, don't know. It is a matter of whether people want to uphold the highest law, or shun it in favor of collectivist notions. That is fine. Let them blog their fool heads off. As for something that you characterize as settled in 1865, you are aiming low. The topic is not sedition or secession; it is compliance with codified law. 10 USC § 311, 1903. Think of it as a safety net. Scenario: The Muscle Car Goat throws a rod pealing out on Pennsylvania Avenue, when the Bank offers a short sale, and the paperwork gets to be too confusing for this dork. Peddle to the metal. See ya, wouldn't want to be ya. Don't misunderstand. We know HE has a thankless job.But the pay and perks were good. No hard feelings. This can go for the rest of the Beltway boobs too. What are they going to do, ban tow trucks?
Obama's tax increases and spending spree will put all our children in the dark. He just proves how inept he is and how people are glad to legislate other peoples money for themselves.
I endeavored to eloquently state my opinion herein. So here it goes:r nObama is a disgusting POS, an evil entity, bent on destroying our great country. All good countrymen have the most important duty to rise up and rid America of Obama.
"…it was a summons to his liberal base to fight–on global warming, for gay rights, for gun control, for renewable energy." n nOh, no, the horror! Most Americans look at this, shrug, and say, "Well that sounds cool. Sign me up." Conservatives look at this and start screaming about how wind power and gay people getting married will be the end of America or something. Bizarre. n nThe Republican Party is shrinking because nobody wants to hang out with pessimists preaching doom and gloom all the time. There has never been a party more angry, negative, and down-on-America than the GOP is right now. Not Democrats during Bush or Reagan, not Republicans during Carter or Clinton. n nGays will get the right to marry, the U.S. will be less dependent on oil, gun owners will face the same regulation that car owners face and…*drumroll*…nothing is going to happen. Americans will go on with their lives, capitalism and democracy are not going to fall. Can't wait till that's all over with so Republicans can get off their fainting couches, take off the black clothes, and stop pretending like these rather benign steps forward will bend space and time.
Obama used so many "straw men" in his speech that I've started calling him "President Scarecrow".
Has Mr. Wehner been alive the past four years? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Every fault he assigns to President Obama (true enough) is at least equally present on the Republican side. r nr nDuring the prior administration, I would see victims of Bush Derangement Syndrome foam at the mouth and say to myself, “Republicans are better than that.” I was dead wrong. r nr nWhen I was young, I was a Democrat until the party left me. Now it seems the Republicans are running away from me, while the Democrats are getting no closer. As George Will said a couple weeks ago, “The problem in the country is a consensus that is broad. Republicans subscribe to it, too, which is that we should have a large, generous welfare state and not pay for it.”
And George W. Bush's "You are either with us or against us," was what exactly, then? n nSeems President Obama is doing just what Bush-Cheney said after its election in 2004: "we have political capital and we are going to spend it." n nOr did America just begin in 2008 for the purposes here?
Bush’s comment of with or against was to the international community – To OTHER Countries.
Obama’s declaration of war, and demand of fealty, is aimed at those within this country.
That’s the difference that you try to discount.
once a respected forum for Jewish and American policy discussions, Commentary has become a warmed over mimeograph of the RNC talking points as interpreted by Sean Hannity and fat Rush LImbaugh n nwow; what a comedown
well who said that? n nGrumpy?
You are wrong! This ""president"" was NOT elected by a majority of. He suckered 29% of the electorate, which put him into his position. And I salute `JimBob7' for his loyalty & his service, & if it comes to pass & you obumunists have sway, then may JimBob7 & I wind-up in the same one of your concentration-camps!