The job for Republicans between now and November of 2010 will be to elect opponents of ObamaCare—which means opponents of Barack Obama—and undo the election results of 2008 and what they wrought. A growing number of Americans believe they were sold a far-Leftist in “sheep’s clothing,” instead of a relatively-moderate centrist[2], so the task should not be a daunting one at all.
Independents comprise about 35 percent of the American electorate[3], and their ranks may grow even larger in the years to come. They do not care much about either the Republican or Democrat parties. Enough of them hated George W. Bush, and were not enamored with John McCain, that they gave the White House to Obama. Now, enough may turn against the Democrats and Obama to hand victories of a similar magnitude to the GOP.
Obama and the Democrats misread the election results of 2008. The price they pay in the future may be staggering—and reminiscent of the sea changes that took place in 1968 when Lyndon Johnson was effectively run out of the White House and prevented from seeking reelection, and in 1980 when the Reagan “Revolution” swept into Washington and threw out Jimmy Carter and his ilk.
For many Americans, Ross Perot’s candidacy in 1992 was a breath of fresh air; however, he turned out to be nothing more than a flash in the pan, and he failed to produce anything lasting. He seemed more enamored with himself than in building a viable and sustainable Independent movement. In the final analysis, all he accomplished was to deny George H.W. Bush a second term—for deep-seated reasons that are best known to Perot and Bush—and hand the presidency to Bill Clinton.
As the ranks of Independents continue to grow if not swell, it is unlikely that they will be driven by another “savior” like Perot. Most Independents do not have lasting allegiances to either party, albeit most have come from one party or the other—or perhaps both, as I did. They will be seeking like-minded candidates from the “Tea Party” movement or wherever they can be found; and ultimately politicians will not be afraid of running as Independents and defying both established parties.
Some day in the not too distant future, we will see an Independent president; and both houses of Congress will have more and more Independents who are proud to identify themselves as such. In turn, this may draw both the Republican and Democrat parties toward the center, as they vie for the support of voters, and jettison the extremist elements in their ranks.
First, we witnessed a turning away from the GOP because of Bush, the war in Iraq and the economy. Next, we may witness the abandonment of Obama and the Dems.[4] At some point, there will be a breakdown of our two-party political system; and ObamaCare may have served as an important stepping stone toward achieving that result, and thrusting Independents into the forefront of American politics.
© 2010, Timothy D. Naegele
[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass), the first black senator since Reconstruction after the U.S. Civil War. He practices law in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles with his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates (www.naegele.com). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA, as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He is a member of the District of Columbia and California bars. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years. See, e.g., www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles
[2] See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/
[3] See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_(voter)
[4] See also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/obama-in-afghanistan-doomed-from-the-start and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/barack-obama-america’s-second-emperor and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/emp-attack-only-30-million-americans-survive and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/the-end-of-barack-obama/
NaegeleBlog 
The Grand “Obama Experiment” May Be Finished Already
Barack Obama may be in the process of disappearing into history. The all-important Independent swing-voting block (i.e., approximately 35 percent of the American electorate)—of which I am proudly one, and have been for at least 20 years—is deserting him en masse.
See, e.g., http://www.gallup.com/poll/141131/Obama-Job-Approval-Rating-Down-Among-Independents.aspx (“Obama Job Approval Rating Down to 38% Among Independents”)
They swung in his favor to give him the presidency, and they are swinging against him now. He is “DOA” for most Independents, and that is only apt to get far worse during the balance of his presidency, which may not last beyond January of 2013. Obviously the GOP must find a standard bearer to run against him; however, for growing numbers of Americans—Independents, Republicans, conservative Democrats—the grand “Obama experiment” is finished already.
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While The Democrats May Be “Evil,” Is The GOP Establishment Full Of “Neanderthals”?
Newly-minted Republican Senate nominee Christine O’Donnell, who just won the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate in Delaware, condemned her Republican establishment critics. USA Today is reporting:
See http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/09/christine-odonnell-lashes-out-at-karl-rove-gop-/1?loc=interstitialskip; see also http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2010-09-14-tea-party_N.htm?csp=hf (“The ‘Tea Party’ movement struck another blow. . . .”)
Those who scoff at the help that Palin is giving to candidates like O’Donnell, and minimize the impact that Palin and the Tea Party are having on American politics, are looking more “out of touch” with every day that passes. The only people more out of touch are Barack Obama and his Democrats.
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Independents Reject Obama And Dems, And Swing To The GOP
In an ominous sign for Barack Obama and his Democrat Party members, Independents—who are the swing group in U.S. politics, and constitute approximately 35 percent of American voters—are abandoning Obama and his Dems, and switching to Republican candidates. According to an article at POLITICO.com:
See http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42625.html
In the not-too-distant future, the negatives with respect to Obama’s no-win Afghan War will weigh in too, along with his laissez-faire, blasé attitude about future terrorist attacks on Americans and the United States.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/are-afghanistan-iraq-and-pakistan-hopeless-and-is-the-spread-of-radical-islam-inevitable-and-is-barack-obama-finished-as-americas-president/#comment-756
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The Tea Party Movement Is Becoming A Major Force In American Politics
The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about the rise of the Tea Party movement in America, which is worth reading.
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882404575520252928390046.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories
What is most important to realize is that the Tea Party movement involves Republicans, Independents, and disenchanted Democrats, who are generally united against Barack Obama, his far-Left Democrats, and their agenda for America—and who want Obama gone from Washington permanently, and consigned to the dustbin of history.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/the-end-of-barack-obama/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/
I am a proud Independent, and have been for more than 20 years, after first being a Democrat and then a Republican. The Tea Party movement is refreshing, to say the least.
Please read (or reread) Obama’s “Dreams from My Father,” if you have any doubts about who he is or what he stands for, or where he is taking the United States. The book is shocking . . . but the “nightmare” is playing out for all Americans to see—and to suffer from until he is removed from office.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/
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Tea Party Participation Up As Election Nears
According to the Rasmussen polling organization:
See http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/october_2010/tea_party_participation_up_as_election_nears
This does not bode well for Obama and the Democrats in next month’s elections. 🙂
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Neither Political Party In Congress Represents The American People
The Rasmussen polling organization has found:
See http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/october_2010/43_say_neither_political_party_in_congress_represents_the_american_people
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Independents Break Sharply For The GOP
An excellent Wall Street Journal article entitled, “Swing Voters Are Flocking to GOP,” states:
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304879604575582472322281134.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond
Independents, Republicans and “disenchanted” Democrats—many of whom are members or supporters of the Tea Party movement—will prove to be a potent force in American politics!
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Republicans Will Send More To Congress Than At Any Time In The Past 80 Years
This is what pollster Scott Rasmussen has written in an important Wall Street Journal, which is worth reading. He adds:
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703708404575586063725870380.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop (emphasis added)
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Independents’ Triumph!
As a Wall Street Journal editorial states:
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704462704575590871101994524.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
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Obama And His Democrats Did Not Get The Message—Their Ranks Need To Be Thinned Even More, Starting With Obama
In the lame-duck session of Congress, the “Obama Tax Deal” has cleared its first political hurdle in the U.S. Senate, and now it is heading for passage by the House.
See, e.g., http://www.cnbc.com/id/40672357
As the Wall Street Journal points out in an important editorial that is worthy of repeating in its entirety entitled, “Harry Reid’s Holiday Jam”—which is subtitled, “What the Senate wants to pass while you’re not paying attention”—this is a travesty, pure and simple:
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019810447429074.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_opinion
Hopefully the legislation is killed in the House, and better legislation is written next year when the Republicans control that chamber of the Congress. Indeed, the idea that Obama and his Democrats—who were soundly defeated in last month’s elections—can continue to enact their agenda, is a travesty and a tragedy of unfathomable proportions. Apparently they did not get the message that American voters sent loud and clear.
The ranks of Democrats need to be decimated further, starting with Obama. If necessary, the ranks of the Republicans in Congress need to be thinned too—to remind them that it is not “business as usual” with the American voters.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/
. . .
Obama is using the same tactic that he did when the passage of ObamaCare was in doubt—because a majority of the American people opposed it, and still do—namely, he is telling lawmakers that not passing the tax deal could end his presidency. However, the sooner his presidency ends and he is gone from Washington, the better off America will be.
See http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/133909-obama-tells-lawmakers-not-passing-tax-deal-could-end-presidency-dem-says
The Republicans do not seem to have the courage or skill to kill the legislation, which is pathetic. Not only is this true of the tax deal, but it is true of Senate ratification of the New START Treaty and other measures.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1136) and http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/stop-the-start-treaty-and-senatorial-pork/ (“[B]ring down a Russia increasingly focused on domination and replace it with a democratic nation that lives at peace with the world“)
The Republicans have known for months now that the Democrats planned to ram through legislation during the 2010 lame-duck session of Congress, especially if the Democrats suffered major defeats in the just-completed mid-term elections, which they did. Nonetheless, the Republicans seem sufficiently inept and incompetent that they have no strategy developed—much less implemented—to counteract what the Democrats are doing.
How pathetic, how very pathetic!
The Democrats are “evil,” but the Republicans are weak and spineless. Both should be thrown out of Congress—in wholesale numbers, even more staggering than the mid-term election results—by Independents, “disenchanted” Democrats, and members of the Tea Party movement. It is time to sweep out of office existing members of Congress!
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/ and http://www.gallup.com/poll/145238/Congress-Job-Approval-Rating-Worst-Gallup-History.aspx (“Congress’ Job Approval Rating Worst in Gallup History“) and http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/right_direction_or_wrong_track (23% Say USA Heading in Right Direction, Lowest Since Obama Took Office)
. . .
Lastly, most American voters do not believe Obama will win reelection, or that he deserves to. Most see him losing in 2012.
According to Politico.com:
See http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46499.html
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Republicans Got Shellacked, And Cleared Obama’s Path And Sprinkled It With Rose Petals
This is the conclusion of the Washington Post’s Charles Krauthammer in his latest brilliant column entitled, “The new comeback kid,” which is set forth here in its entirety:
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/16/AR2010121604846.html (emphasis in original)
Again, the inept Republicans in Congress should pay a very heavy political price for what is being touted as “a huge victory for President Obama.” Granted the damage might have been even greater if the omnibus spending bill had been enacted too, but bad is bad however it is “sugar-coated.”
Democrats abandoned their efforts to push the omnibus spending bill, and said they would support a short-term, stop-gap measure instead. The Republicans had demanded the short-term solution since they will be the majority party in the House come January and have more seats in the Senate, and will be able to create their own spending plan.
However, exactly the same thing is true of the tax deal. There is no difference!
See http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/17/us/politics/17cong.html?_r=1&hp and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1140
. . .
Political pundit and former Bill Clinton adviser, Dick Morris, has a fine article discussing the tax deal and its implications entitled, “To Obama: Wimps don’t win,” which is worth reading. The only problem is that the Republicans proved to be bigger wimps than Obama.
They should have kicked over the tax bill to next year, instead of making any concessions to Obama at all. He has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, politically—or as Charles Krauthammer has written, he “fashioned out of thin air his return to relevance”—which did not have to happen, and may foretell the future.
See http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/to-obama-wimps-dont-win/
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The Inept Republicans Have Snatched Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory Again
Following their victories in the 2010 mid-term elections last month, the Republicans have been shamelessly outmaneuvered and disgraced politically by Barack Obama—losing in the 2010 lame-duck session of Congress. The Tribune Washington Bureau has reported:
See http://dailyme.com/story/2010121900003293/late-victories-boost-obama-electoral-defeats.html
It is time that Independents—who make and break American elections—join with members of the Tea Party movement, and “disenchanted” Democrats, to put some spine back into the GOP; to seize the initiative from Obama, and reject his agenda; and to insure that he and his far-Left and mainstream Democrats are not reelected in 2012!
See also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1149
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The Tea Party Rises!
According to the Rasmussen Reports:
See http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/december_2010/tea_party_at_year_s_end (emphasis added)
When the members of the Tea Party movement are combined with Independents—who constitute approximately 35 percent of American voters—and “disenchanted” Democrats, these three groups may constitute a potent force for change in U.S. politics. Granted, there may be “overlaps” of membership among the three groups; however, even discounting for that, Republicans and Democrats may find that it is not “business as usual” anymore, in 2012 and thereafter.
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The Great Republican Ascendancy Of 2010 Lasted Less Than Two Months!
This is the verdict of the Washington Post’s Charles Krauthammer, and he is correct. In the concluding paragraph of his latest column in the Post, he writes about the inept Republicans:
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/23/AR2010122303877.html
Krauthammer discusses the New START Treaty, the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy with respect to Gays, and other issues, and writes—in accurately summarizing where American politics stands on Christmas Day 2010:
See id. (emphasis in original)
In the final analysis, none of this would have happened without the complicity of the Republicans. They need to pay a heavy price; and their members must be targeted, as political pundit Dick Morris has suggested.
See, e.g., http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/which-republicans-sold-out/
Independents, members of the Tea Party movement, and “disenchanted” Democrats must unite to make sure that what just happened during the lame-duck session of Congress never happens again; and that Barack Obama is not reelected in 2012. Also, what has happened legislatively—and ObamaCare—must be rolled back in 2011 and 2012.
See also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1164 and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1149
The GOP has no backbone . . . or so it would certainly seem!
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Never Has An American Congress Done So Much And Been So Despised For It
This is the Wall Street Journal’s assessment of the Democrat-controlled Congress that just finished its work. The Journal added in its very important editorial:
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703909904576051803529108190.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
What is clear is that the American people—Republicans, Independents, members of the Tea Party movement, and “disenchanted” Democrats—must unite as they did last month, and throw Barack Obama and his “fellow travelers” (aka far-Left and mainstream Democrats) out of office once and for all, and repeal their legislative accomplishments entirely.
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Let The Investigations Begin—The More All-Encompassing And Far-Reaching, The Better!
There is little doubt that Barack Obama and other members of his administration, and the Democrats in Congress, have broken numerous laws. Now, investigations will begin to ferret out their wrongdoing, and expose it to the American people, so that—at the very least—they can be purged from their political offices no later than the elections of 2012.
Among other things, CNN has reported:
See http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/02/goper-calls-obama-administration-corrupt/; see also http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/01/02/new.congress/index.html
If members of the GOP like Issa are timid and weak, or they give in to Obama like they did during the lame-duck session of the 2010 Congress (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1186), then Independents, members of the Tea Party movement, and “disenchanted” Democrats should unite and throw the Republicans out of office too.
If the 2010 elections meant anything, they stood for the idea that it will not be “business as usual” in Washington anymore, for members of either political party, which is long overdue!
See also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/
If the congressional investigations into the Obama presidency uncover the depth of wrongdoing that might be expected, the House Republicans should begin impeachment proceedings against Obama, and at the very least force him to resign like Nixon did. For Obama to resign in disgrace would put a “dagger” through the far-Left and its agenda that might take them decades to recover from.
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Is There Hope For The GOP?
The Wall Street Journal has an editorial that is worth reading.
See http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704723104576061922890057168.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_opinion
The GOP failed miserably during the just-completed lame-duck session of Congress, and its members were pathetic. Based on this performance, they too should be driven from public office. They got shellacked.
Paraphrasing the words of Charles Krauthammer in the Washington Post, they cleared Barack Obama’s path and sprinkled it with rose petals. Indeed, Krauthammer probably said it best when he added: “Obama fashioned out of thin air his return to relevance,” thanks to help from the GOP—help, in the Journal’s words, for “the man who has added $4 trillion to the deficit in two years.”
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1149 and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1186 (“The Great Republican Ascendancy Of 2010 Lasted Less Than Two Months!”)
Never has an American Congress done so much and been so despised for it. Independents—who constitute approximately 35 percent of American voters—must join with members of the Tea Party movement, and “disenchanted” Democrats, (1) to put some spine back into the GOP, if that is possible; (2) to seize the initiative from Obama and reject his agenda, or his “abiding goal” (which is how the Journal aptly describes it) to reverse Reaganism permanently; and (3) to insure that he and his far-Left and Leftist Democrats are not reelected in 2012!
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/#comment-1217
Lastly, the Journal is correct: it would be political suicide if the GOP attempts to “gut” Social Security or Medicare . . . but this does not apply to ObamaCare, the signature legislation of the Obama presidency so far. Also, the strength of our military must be maintained and augmented to insure that the national security challenges of this decade are met and addressed from a position of unparalleled strength.
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The Current Financial Crisis Is The Second Great Depression
These are the words of American political pundit Ann Coulter in an article entitled, “Investigate This!”—which is worth reading.
Coulter adds:
See http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=41005
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Will Obama Win Reelection?
This is the issue discussed in a new article by political pundit and former Bill Clinton adviser, Dick Morris, which states in pertinent part as follows:
See http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/will-centrist-obama-win/; see also http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/dick-morris/154089-gop-chicken-run-fatal
Having made Obama “relevant” again in last month’s lame-duck session of Congress, after his stunning defeat and that of his fellow Democrats in the 2010 mid-term elections, the “Neanderthal” Republicans are fully capable of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They have demonstrated how skillful they are at that again and again.
If there were better alternatives, lots of Independents—such as yours truly—and members of the Tea Party movement, and “disenchanted” Democrats might never vote for a Republican again.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/#comment-1240
. . .
However, the Republican Study Committee’s “Spending Reduction Act” seems to be a step in the right direction.
See, e.g., http://rsc.jordan.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=220713 and http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/01/gop-lawmakers-unveil-25-trillion-spending-cuts-package.html (“GOP Lawmakers Unveil $2.5 Trillion Spending Cuts Package“)
. . .
Barack Obama is a far-Left, anti-war, naive, raving narcissist whose actions have saddled the United States with unprecedented debt. He spurned any notions of bipartisanship during his first two years in office, until last November’s election losses. Now, all of a sudden, he feigns having newfound “religion,” which falls on deaf ears. He is a demagogue, pure and simple.
Fortunately, the twin pincers of the economy and his failing Afghan War are likely to end his presidency in January of 2013, and send Michelle and him either to Hawaii or Chicago to write their memoirs and work on his presidential library full time. The sooner, the better.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/
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It Wasn’t The Fight Webb Dreaded; It Was The Prospect Of Another Victory—And Having To Spend Another Six-Year Term In The U.S. Senate
This is a political assessment of why Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) decided not to run for reelection. Having worked in the Senate for three and a half years, and having dealt with the Senate for many years after that, I understand.
Senators only have two basic duties: (1) make speeches, and (2) try to enact legislation. The speeches get tired after a while, very tiresome; and legislation is enacted, but seldom (if ever) is it taken off the books—long after it has outlived its usefulness.
Aside from that, senators have larger staffs than members of the House; however, the need to engage in fundraising to pay for vastly more expensive campaigns is almost endless. Many of them are forced to raise money year around, and it is not a lot of fun. I have helped raise money for Senate and House campaigns, and donated to them as well.
Lastly, as the article points out:
See http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-10/jim-webbs-senate-career-ends-peter-j-boyer-on-the-real-reason/
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Dear Sir,
I was just wondering about your comments on Russia in the Economist earlier, why America needs to replace Putin and impose a peaceful democratic system in that country.
While I disagree with this comment, I would like to ask you (whom I regard to be a very knowledgeable person) a few questions regarding democracy:
Basically, I come from a by and large highly democratic but for practical reasons a failed state (India).
So, I keep wondering if democracy (if I am not wrong, you seem to have a high regard for it) is really an effective system. As far as Asia is concerned, the four Asian tigers had more or less authoritarian governments (Taiwan and S.Korea by Generals until recently (1980s), Hong Kong by the British till recently (1990s) and Singapore, currently the wealthiest of the four is still ruled by a largely one party system). So, India with its multi party consensus driven politics seems a mess, which cannot really plan long term. China, which became PRC after India became a Republic has a per capita income 4-5 times higher, its government just gets things done.
Now, its not just democracy in India but also in other places. Say, California’s referendums seem to be always in favour of subsidies, building more prisons etc but always against any tax rises. How does that add up?
In democracies, I believe, politicians give you a feel good aura, they say something like sit back and relax, we’ll take care of everything! When they are just piling on debt which is will become some other governments problem after say 5-10 years!
Whereas authoritarian governments know that they’ll be around to clear the mess 10-20 years later. Then, as I note democracy is also kind of ridiculous, take Ireland’s debt package for example, despite the fact that others were kind enough to bail them out, the Irish voted against their debt restructuring! That’s fantastic that anyone can vote out of debt and the required restructuring just like that!
I believe that individuals act rationally but communities act rather naively. It’s weird but in my home state (Kerala), the electorate has a fierce anti-incumbency mentality. As a result long term planning is rare an political responsibility is low, say like, how more often the US only gives two terms or very rarely three terms continuously for one party to control the White House.
Do you think some form of authoritarianism would be great for India and less frequent elections be good for America as I believe. Please help me add more reasoning to my position.
Thanks.
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Thank you, Raj, for your lengthy and thought-provoking comments.
First, you seem to be in France now, or are using a French e-mail address, having come from India and having your comments center around India’s democracy. If indeed you are living on the continent—in France—how do you find its politics?
Second, I have nothing against the Russian people, but regard Putin as the thoroughly-repugnant moral equivalent of Stalin, Hitler and Mao—albeit a weaker and more incompetent version. Since his reign began, he and his thugs have usurped democratic forces in that country, which might have flourished in the absence of his authoritarianism. At some point he will meet a brutal end.
Third, you say: “India with its multi party consensus driven politics seems a mess, which cannot really plan long term,” and that India is a “highly democratic but for practical reasons a failed state.” I assume this is a function of its vast population, much of which has been impoverished, as well as its ethnic and religious diversity.
Is there a realistic need to “plan long term,” or isn’t that really at odds with the very essence of a democracy? Don’t democracies and capitalism go hand in hand, which means that central planning is not possible? Or as Adam Smith described it, doesn’t an “invisible hand” govern, namely the natural force that guides free market capitalism through competition for scarce resources? Isn’t this really preferable?
Perhaps like Russia’s multi-ethnicities, India is “ungovernable” to a certain extent. However, as it continues to improve economically, it would seem that its democracy will become stronger and flourish.
Fourth, I believe there is nothing inherently wrong with democracy, or capitalism for that matter; and indeed, democracies will prove to be the most successful systems of government throughout history. Yes, they can have inefficiencies and flaws that are numerous; however, on balance the acts of unleashing the human spirit is a marvelous sight to behold.
Fifth, America is a totally diverse culture, and the only true “melting pot” in the world, as I have written. Yet, I believe this is the very essence of its strength, stability and longevity. Also, I do not rule out the fact that it has been blessed by God.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/america-a-rich-tapestry-of-life and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god
Sixth, as far as China “just [getting] things done,” this was true of the Soviet Union too, until it collapsed. I believe authoritarian regimes have inherent weaknesses that ultimately sow the seeds of their own destruction. China is introducing capitalism, and democratic forces are being unleashed in that country, which may be sowing the seeds of its communist regime’s destruction. Only time will tell for certain.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/china-is-americas-enemy-make-no-mistake-about-that (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article)
Seventh, you describe California’s referendums as seemingly being “always in favour of subsidies, building more prisons etc but always against any tax rises.” More precisely, I believe what you are referring to is California’s “Initiative” process, whereby a ballot proposition enacted by the initiative process may alter the state constitution, or amend the ordinary laws of the state, or do both.
Those propositions that have been placed on the ballot in California through the Initiative process have generally represented attempts to curb government, which I believe is healthy. You may view this process as being “helter skelter,” but I believe it has a positive effect: it is truly the people speaking, directly.
See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_ballot_propositions (“Notable propositions”)
Eighth, you state that in democracies, “politicians give you a feel good aura.” Clearly, this is their goal; namely, to be reelected. However, in the case of the American democracy with which I am most familiar, the people have inherent wisdom—or so I believe—which means that over time they see through the hypocrisy, demagoguery and narcissism of their politicians, and throw them out of office. Indeed, I believe this is happening with Barack Obama now.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article)
Ninth, you state that “authoritarian governments know that they’ll be around to clear the mess 10-20 years later.” I respectfully disagree. Hitler and the Nazis weren’t around to “clear the mess” they created, and the same is true of Stalin and Mao. Most authoritarian regimes during the 20th Century fell within the 10-20-year time frame that you have described, if not sooner; and their destruction was unfathomable.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/the-silent-voices-of-stalin%E2%80%99s-soviet-holocaust-and-mao%E2%80%99s-chinese-holocaust/
Tenth, you state:
I have spent lots of time in Ireland, and have written about its problems, which really represent a microcosm of economic problems facing other global economies. Somehow the Irish will muddle through.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/the-economic-tsunami-continues-its-relentless-and-unforgiving-advance-globally/#comment-1451
Eleventh, you describe your home state of Kerala as having an electorate with “a fierce anti-incumbency mentality.” You equate that with the United States and our presidency, which is true—and by and large, I believe it is healthy. There is action and reaction in American politics; and the people elected Barack Obama and his Democrats in 2008; and last November’s elections marked the first step in throwing them out of office . . . two years later.
Twelfth, you ask whether “some form of authoritarianism would be great for India and less frequent elections [would] be good for America.” I do not favor any form of authoritarianism, period. Also, I believe America’s political system is not perfect, but I would not change it.
Lastly, the foregoing are my responses. They may in turn elicit additional comments by you; and with great respect, my time is limited and hence additional detailed responses may not be possible. I am sure you understand.
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Dear Sir,
I am very grateful for your reply.
And I used the French e-mail address to aid me in my study of the French language. I’m actually studying in Singapore right now. So how do I find politics in Singapore?
Great actually, there are going to be elections this year but everyone one knows the People’s Action Party (PAP) is going to win and the opposition, as always, will win, at the best four seats in Parliament. Singapore has a lot of restrictive laws to protests, free speech and fierce anti-libel laws used by government members to sue the opposition to bankruptcy. But when it comes to governance (hence the great comment even though its boring and authoritarian) , I find that the government has huge reserves (of money kind of like how China is sitting on trillions of dollars but smaller at a few hundred billion, I think), a very well run public service and great long-term planning. Long term planning as in medisave (the government top ups individual accounts), major infrastructure investments, coherent foreign policy and effective management of government spending.
Even though, the people here like to address Singapore as a republic, I would think it is quite hard to consider a country in which there is no real opposition and where you can only protest in a designated speaker’s corner with a police permit (issued after having approved the contents of your speech) as a real democracy.
But during the General election period (now), there is an ongoing debate about the value of the opposition and why Western style (read: American) ‘confrontational politics’ is bad for Singapore. The Singapore government cites the near shutdown of US government due to the budget crises and America’s piling debt as reasons why the opposition is a curse and the effective one-party rule should be maintained.
Which makes me wonder why authoritarian nations (especially Asian ones)are more fiscally prudent. Japan is sinking in debt but both Singapore, Hong Kong and China and the oil-rich states sit on huge amounts of reserves. Europe’s, America’s and India’s governments just seem very unable/helpless to control their debt levels. In the US, EU and India, the unions hold much power whereas in Singapore (also China) the government crushes non-sanctioned union protests and locks up activists. So, the retirement age in Singapore was raised by two years and government pension was banned without much of the mess you would see in the three places when the state’s financial health depended on it. Also, hiring and firing under-performing teachers and bureaucrats are much easier in Singapore. I can’t imagine entrenched bureaucratic privileges being so easily discarded in democracies.
Then about the Putin comment, I was just opposing a US intervention that’s all. I do see a highly corrupt and opaque Russia as being a damage unto itself and the world. But what I am actually thinking about now is not Stalinist or Maoist authoritarianism but what’s loosely referred to as the ‘Beijing consensus’ in which people sacrifice some personal freedoms in exchange for better economic prospects – in some ways a ‘new-age’ authoritarianism.
And regarding India, I believe you are right in pointing out to India’s ethic and religious diversity as well as the impoverished population. Principally, the caste system, the Hindu-Muslim rivalry and the ethno-linguistic rivalry have all affected India. But the government has a prominent role in it, in China or Singapore, religious disharmony is silenced rather brutally by house arrests, extended detainment. Whereas in India, a measure to introduce a common language (Hindi) as the sole national language failed spectacularly, in China, the government effectively crushed pro-Cantonese and other activists to introduce Mandarin as a compulsory language. Needless to say, a common language has many advantages. And I would accuse India’s politicians of playing vote-bank politics and heightening tensions (which is ever so typical in a democracy like Europe’s anti-Roma and anti-Muslim parties).
Then, I note that part of India’s impoverishment is due to the fact that the economy was closed until the early 1990s when the IMF and World Bank kind of forced open market reforms (undemocratic but ultimately good). The government of India had apparently been too concerned with the income gap and the wealth redistribution that it almost completely ignored wealth creation, analogous to what happed in post World War II Great Britain where in the Socialist but democratic governments succeeded in almost completely bringing the Empire Island to its knees when Britain also came to be known as the ‘sick man’ of Europe. There were definitely such disastrous episodes in China as well but the realisation of it created a ferocious desire for wealth and launched an extensive array of reforms not seen in Asia since the Meiji Restoration in Japan. In India, the government finds socialism hard to let go and continues to spend a vast amount of money on largely ineffective policies.
Then as far as planning goes, Soviet style central planning maybe kind of unthinkable in today’s complex economies. But as mentioned in the Singapore government’s case, a coherent foreign policy, good long-term budgeting and urban planning is necessary. And well, I notice that in India (or for that matter most democracies), things just don’t get done speedily. A major highway or infrastructure project will take years to be authorized by environmental agencies, to complete acquisition of land et cetera. Whereas in China or Singapore, these problems are kind of minor or non-existent.
And regarding California’s referendums, healthy as it maybe to engage the general public, people do tend to vote against anything that affects them adversely in the short term eventhough in the long term it may actually benefit the state. But I suppose limiting an over-bloated state is necessary as you said.
And I agree with your point of voters being able to see through the veil. But the damage as already been done. Some politicians just want to stay there for one term and make as much money as they can (East of the Balkans) or please corporations or unions which will help them in their retirement (west of the Balkans). In the US, a fairly well educated public is a good check against self serving politicians but what of countries with lower public education (like India), would democracy be the best system as I notice politicians frequently taking advantage of the public’s simple trust and faith and sell all kinds of false promises.
Then, I must say, I have been waiting for the Communist regime in China to fall for such a long time owing to their aggressive stance against almost all of their neighbours except North Korea. But being in East Asia tells me eventhough there maybe some dissent, the people here are overwhelmingly conservative politically and would rather spend their effort in wealth generation.
Also, regarding anti-incumbency, shouldn’t good custodians of the state be able to last multiple terms for a job well done?
Thank you very much again for your reply.
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Thank you again for your thoughtful comments, Raj.
I would simply add regarding anti-incumbency—in response to your question, “shouldn’t good custodians of the state be able to last multiple terms for a job well done?”—that American senators and congresspersons tend to have long terms of office. The voters generally vote in favor of those who serve them directly, but vote against national parties and national office holders, and change them with regularity, as you noted in your first set of comments.
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The American Political System Is Wonderful
The American people are wiser than they are given credit for—certainly by those people in other countries—and our political system works more brilliantly than most people believe it does.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/america-a-rich-tapestry-of-life/ (“America: A Rich Tapestry Of Life”) (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article)
We elected Barack Obama, whom lots of Americans hate today; and before him, we elected George W. Bush whom people hated too. He was preceded by Bill Clinton, whom people tried to impeach and remove from the presidency. Lyndon Johnson was hated too, and he was followed by Richard Nixon who was hated and forced to resign.
Clearly, our political system has “checks and balances,” and we elect presidents and then throw them out of office. Lyndon Johnson could not run for reelection; and it is not inconceivable that the same thing might happen to Barack Obama between now and next year’s elections.
We veer from conservatism to liberalism, and then back again. Reaganism was followed by Bill Clinton’s liberalism, which was followed by George W. Bush’s conservatism . . . and then by Obama’s liberalism.
MSNBC has reported:
See http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43385259/ns/today-today_news; see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1635 and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1636 and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1643 and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1644
As with this issue and so many others, Obama is America’s “Hamlet” on the Potomac. He is betwixt and between, unable to do what is right. He should be calling for Weiner’s immediate resignation in no uncertain terms on moral grounds, just as Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer—the Democrats’ No. 1 and 2 leaders in the House—and other party leaders have done.
See, e.g., http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2003475/Anthony-Weiner-fate-decided-Democrats-Huma-Abedin-flies-in.html (“‘You MUST go’: Pelosi repeats calls for Weiner’s resignation as wife flies in to confront errant husband”)
Instead, Obama equivocates. We can only assume that if he finds himself in a comparable or similar situation, he will do the honorable thing and resign like Richard Nixon did. Indeed, at some point in the future, he may be tested. Also, there is the possibility that Obama might not run for reelection, just as Lyndon Johnson decided during the Vietnam War.
Obama is in the midst of four wars, and an economic depression; and it is not beyond the pale to believe that he is reviewing internal polling that paints a bleak picture of the campaign ahead—or other factors might influence his decision not to run. If so, he will likely retreat to either Chicago or Hawaii prior to January of 2013, to write his memoirs and work full time on his golf scores and presidential library.
See, e.g., http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Analysis/de-Borchgrave/2011/06/13/Commentary-Half-pregnant-strategy/UPI-97361307964099/ (“Today, President Obama has got the United States involved in four wars: Afghanistan, Iraq (where U.S. troops are still being killed), Libya and Yemen (where the confusion of a civil war gave U.S. drones open skies to target al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula)”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1637 (“CNN Poll: Obama Approval Rating Drops As Fears Of Depression Rise”)
Indeed, the Associated Press has reported:
See http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110614/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_family_1 (“Obama: My family would be fine with just 1 term”)
Stay tuned, as the American saga continues . . .
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When A Giant Named Senator Bill Walked Through Washington
Having “trashed” our great nation’s capital and its politicians in the article above, and in many other writings that appear at this blog, I found it refreshing to reread what I wrote in January of 2006, as a tribute to former U.S. Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin. The article is not important because I wrote it, but rather because of the man whom it described.
I believe its contents are important enough to be read and reread by those who are interested in American government and politics at their best, devoid of the anger and hatreds that seem to dominate and mar public discourse today. Proxmire stood out, and he was special in an age when most politicians “blend in” or disappear, or are remembered for their rancor or petty partisan ways.
A few brief excerpts are worth mentioning, which hopefully will entice you to read more:
See http://www.naegele.com/documents/AGiantHasLeftUs.pdf; see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Proxmire and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/
Lastly, to be totally accurate, Senator Bill seldom “walked through Washington.” He literally jogged to work, and was always on the move. 🙂
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Paul Ryan
Yesterday I was hiking next to the Pacific Ocean, and I came across two young deer grazing in a field 15 feet or so away from me, and I stood there watching them spellbound for quite a while. They were majestic.
I saw a deer by the side of the road today as I was driving to where I hike, and it had been killed by a car, which was sad.
I have fished for many years, since I was a kid, but I remember being shocked when I saw a dead deer in the back of a pickup truck in Virginia one day, which had been killed by a hunter.
I have followed herds of deer with my camera in the lovely Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, south of Dublin, but I do not view killing them as a sport or being macho. In fact, hunters like Ryan may lack one or more cojones and be too stupid to realize it.
Only a coward pulls a trigger from some distance away and kills a deer. Hunters should be the hunted, quite literally.
If Mitt Romney was not at the head of the GOP ticket, I would vote against Ryan. Imagine being proud of killing the animal in the photo above.
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The GOP Saw The “Fiscal Cliff” Looming, And Drove Over It—Into A Fiscal Abyss
The “deal” is done, and Americans will suffer because of it.
See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/01/fiscal-cliff-deal-passed-_n_2394022.html (“Fiscal Cliff Deal Passed By Congress After Republicans Cave“); see also http://thehill.com/homenews/house/275295-boehner-tells-gop-hes-done-with-one-on-one-obama-talks (“Boehner tells GOP he’s through negotiating one-on-one with Obama”) and http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/01/02/inside-obamas-kailua-beach-vacation-homes (“Obama’s Hawaii vacation has cost taxpayers $7 million, due to the costs of flying Air Force One and an extensive security operation”)
After working on and with Capitol Hill for much of my adult life, I concluded many years ago that the Democrats are “evil” and the Republicans are “Neanderthals,” which is why I have been an Independent for approximately 25 years—having first been a Democrat, and then a Republican.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/
The latest madness in Washington is that the “loyal opposition,” the GOP, caved into Barack Obama to avoid the so-called “Fiscal Cliff,” and instead they drove over it and into a fiscal abyss of unknown depths. Now, the Republicans are fighting among themselves; and the only clear victors are Obama and his Democrats, who completely routed the hapless Republicans as they did in the 2010 lame duck session of Congress.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/#comment-1190 (“The Great Republican Ascendancy Of 2010 Lasted Less Than Two Months!”)
The Republicans are pathetic, which is among the many reasons why they do not control the White House today. African-Americans and Hispanics turned out in record numbers to reelect Obama, while large numbers of Republicans did not vote. Thus, they are getting what they deserve, with much worse coming, while Americans will suffer enormously because of their ineptitude, cowardice, and spinelessness.
See http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2012/president/2012/12/23/the-story-behind-mitt-romney-loss-the-presidential-campaign-president-obama/2QWkUB9pJgVIi1mAcIhQjL/story.html (“The story behind Mitt Romney’s loss in the presidential campaign to President Obama”)
. . .
As I have written in the article above, the economic tsunami continues its relentless and unforgiving advance globally, and will not run its course until the end of this decade at the earliest.
Hold on tight. Things will get much worse.
The human suffering will be unfathomable—in Europe, the United States, and globally. Governments are not part of the solution; they contribute to the problems, intensify them, and move us closer to the financial abyss.
Today, politics on both sides of the Atlantic is “fractured,” to say the least. While U.S. politicians and their counterparts in other countries have been trying to convince their electorates that they have the answers, they are simply holding out false hopes that real solutions are at hand.
See, e.g., http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/20601722/1-in-3-illinoisans-lives-in-or-near-poverty-level-report (In The Land of Lincoln—and Obama—1 in 3 Near Poverty)
. . .
There are at least three theories that are operating with respect to Germany’s future—which bears on the future of Europe: (1) the rest of the Eurozone will take down the German economy; (2) Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel will not be able to save the other countries, and Germans will retreat economically to “fortress Germany” and abandon the euro; and (3) Germans will achieve what they did not in World War II, namely to become the “masters of Europe.”
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/the-economic-tsunami-continues-its-relentless-and-unforgiving-advance-globally/#comment-1732 (“Will The Euro Crisis Will Give Germany The Empire It Has Always Dreamed Of?”)
Indeed, it must be noted:
(1) “Germany’s Bundesbank is to repatriate gold reserves held abroad to tighten control and combat currency crises in the future, pulling a chunk of its holdings from New York and all its bullion from Paris.”
(2) “Many analysts say the world is moving towards a de facto gold standard again as China, Russia and other reserve powers boost their holdings to diversify out of dollars and euros.”
See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/gold/9804444/Bundesbank-to-pull-gold-from-New-York-and-Paris-in-watershed-moment.html (“Bundesbank to pull gold from New York and Paris in watershed moment“); see also http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9789086/Brussels-fears-poverty-trap-for-half-of-Europe-as-North-South-gap-widens.html (“Brussels fears ‘poverty trap’ for half of Europe as North-South gap widens“) and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9809723/SandP-sees-deeper-house-price-falls-in-eurozone-as-slump-engulfs-core.html (“S&P sees deeper house price falls in eurozone as slump engulfs core”—”France’s house . . . sales collapsed by 24pc in September from a year ago, the usual precursor of price capitulation by sellers”)
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Google Is “Pimping” For Obama!
What appears directly above is a “screenshot” of a Google search page today—replete with an “ad” for Barack Obama; an American flag, just as he is trying to “gut” our military; and a link to another Web page touting him.
See https://plus.google.com/events/ck7p5i47e2pfqlq4bkk6lo8sml8 (“State of the Union: Fireside Hangout with President Obama”)
It is crystal clear that Google is “pimping” for Obama, which is outrageous and a travesty. Republicans, Independents, members of the Tea Party movement, and other political factions in the United States deserve and must demand equal time . . . and/or boycott Google+.
More and more Americans are tuning out Obama. Most of them refused to watch his State of the Union speech to Congress last night; and they change to another channel when his image comes on the TV screen, or that of Moochie aka Michelle “Marie Antoinette” Obama.
See http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/02/obamas-state-of-the-union-lowestrated-since-156993.html (“Obama’s State of the Union lowest-rated since [Bill Clinton’s final State of the Union address in] 2000“) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1172 (Michelle Obama: “Let Them Eat Cake!”)
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ANN COULTER: IF THE GOP IS THIS STUPID, IT DESERVES TO DIE
Truer words were never written. Indeed, Coulter opines:
See http://www.humanevents.com/2013/06/12/coulter-if-the-gop-is-this-stupid-it-deserves-to-die/
As I have written: “Once again, Democrats are ‘evil,’ and Republicans are ‘Neanderthals.’”
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/07/30/illegal-immigration-the-solution-is-simple/#comment-2484 (see also the article above, as well as the other comments beneath it)
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The Clintons: Corrupt As Always, But Better Than Obama
Writing for the UK’s Telegraph—in an article entitled, “The New York Times takes down the Clinton Foundation[, which] could be devastating for Bill and Hillary”—Dr. Tim Stanley has observed:
See http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100231113/the-new-york-times-takes-down-the-clinton-foundation-this-could-be-devastating-for-bill-and-hillary/; see also http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/14/us/politics/unease-at-clinton-foundation-over-finances-and-ambitions.html
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Record-High 42 Percent Of Americans Identify As Independents [UPDATED]
According to the latest Gallup polling:
See http://www.gallup.com/poll/166763/record-high-americans-identify-independents.aspx?ref=image
As I concluded in the article above:
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/ and http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/01/11/facts-figures-the-rise-of-independents/?_r=0 (New York Times, JANUARY 11, 2016: “Facts & Figures: The Rise of Independents”—”Last year was the fifth in a row in which 40 percent or more Americans described themselves as political independents, according to a Gallup poll. In 2015, 42 percent of those polled said they were independents; 29 percent identified as Democrats and 26 percent as Republicans”) and http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ken-walshs-washington/articles/2016-01-12/americans-are-abandoning-political-parties (“Americans Are Abandoning Political Parties”—”Poll finds more than 40 percent call themselves independents”—”Both major political parties are in trouble with the American people.The latest Gallup Poll finds that loyalty to the Democrats and Republicans is at or near historic lows. In 2015, for the fifth straight year, ‘at least four in 10 U.S. adults identified as political independents,’ a Gallup spokesman said. Forty-two percent said they were independent last year; 43 percent listed themselves that way in 2014, reflecting little change. Twenty-nine percent said they were Democrats and 26 percent said they were Republicans. The Democrats’ share was the lowest for that party in Gallup’s 65 years of asking about party identification. The previous Democratic low was 30 percent in 2014. The Republicans also have cause for concern. The 26 percent who identified with the GOP was just 1 percentage point higher than the historical Gallup low of 25 percent self-identified Republicans in 2013”) and http://news.investors.com/blogs-capital-hill/011316-789730-are-the-major-political-parties-doomed.htm (“Are Democrats And GOP On The Endangered List?”—”It is a significant shift, one that will affect election cycles for years to come”—”So, like it or not, ‘independent’ is now the de facto No. 1 political party in America”) and http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/number-of-registered-nebraskan-democrats-dwindles-independents-increase/article_5cbd2f04-e4dc-11e5-8625-9b69d276a41d.html (“Number of registered Nebraskan Democrats dwindles, independents increase“) and http://www.news18.com/blogs/india/ayushman-jamwal/independents-the-tipping-factor-in-the-us-elections-11302-1254861.html (“Independents: The tipping factor in the US elections“); but see http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/01/08/record-numbers-are-identifying-as-independents-why-it-doesnt-really-matter/
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American Leadership Is Missing
The New York Sun has an editorial that is worth reading, entitled “The American Option”:
See http://www.nysun.com/editorials/the-american-option/88603/ (emphasis added)
This is an excellent editorial. However, it flies in the face of everything that Barack Obama is and stands for.
He was raised in Hawaii and Indonesia, and only came to the American mainland when he attended Occidental College in Los Angeles. He does not believe in American exceptionalism. Rather, he believes in “global exceptionalism,” and the notion of a pan-global government, perhaps under the leadership of the United Nations.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/
After World War II, the United States achieved what this editorial is suggesting . . . and much of the world flourished. Obama is going in the opposite direction. He is not the American leader to achieve this. Paul Ryan is not either. After all, he could not even carry his own State for Mitt Romney in 2012.
Ironically, Romney might be the American leader whose beliefs and accomplishments come closest to emulating what this editorial is suggesting.
According to the latest Gallup polling: “Forty-two percent of Americans, on average, identified as political independents in 2013, the highest Gallup has measured since it began conducting interviews by telephone 25 years ago.”
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/#comment-3244 (see also the article itself, as well as the other comments beneath it)
Americans are thirsty for the type of leadership that this editorial suggests, but they are not finding it. And there is no question that the revolution in Ukraine presents considerable opportunities; the United States has a dysfunctional system of justice; Obama and his Democrats are waging their campaign to weaken our military; the EU has severe problems; the brutal Putin’s Russia is teetering economically; and China is challenging American leadership globally.
See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/#comment-3627 (“Ukraine Is On the Verge Of War And Putin Is To Blame”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/justice-and-the-law-do-not-mix/ (“Justice And The Law Do Not Mix”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/is-obama-the-new-nixon/#comment-3207 (“Barack Obama Is Gutting Our Military Forces, Which Will Affect Our National Security For Decades To Come”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/the-economic-tsunami-continues-its-relentless-and-unforgiving-advance-globally/#comment-3516 (“The Eurozone Crisis Is Just Getting Started”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/#comment-3541 (“How Long Can Killer Putin Figure Skate While The Ice Beneath Him Melts?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/china-is-americas-enemy-make-no-mistake-about-that/#comment-3651 (“US v China: Is This The New Cold War?”)
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As Long As A Democrat Sits In The White House, America Will Become A Much More Dangerous Place
This is the conclusion of conservative pundit Ann Coulter:
See http://www.humanevents.com/2014/03/05/crimea-river/ (emphasis added); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/john-f-kennedy-the-most-despicable-president-in-american-history/ (“John F. Kennedy: The Most Despicable President In American History”)
However, to be absolutely fair, the Republicans are not blameless either.
We have been through two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the American people are “bone tired” of wars, and rightly so. Our economic and human treasures have been spent in those wars; and we have led when no other country in the world was capable of leading.
I opposed the war in Iraq because, like so many others, I believed Saddam had WMDs that would be used against our brilliant and courageous military forces, like he had used them against Iran and the Kurds. I did not believe the cost was worth it.
In Afghanistan, we should have destroyed the poppy crops from Day One, which give rise to Heroin trafficking that funds the brutal Taliban. What the Taliban have done to women and young girls has been nothing less than savagery.
In the case of Putin, he is an “old school” Stalinist who learned his trade well as a KGB operative. He must be viewed in this context, not as some Westernized Russian democrat, which he is not.
He only understands raw power; and the niceties of diplomacy are a sign of weakness for him. Like Hitler and Stalin before him, he preys on weakness. To him, Barack Obama is a coward, who can be cowed.
Perhaps Putin has misjudged Obama; and finally Obama may rise to the occasion. Certainly, we have the capabilities to do so.
See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures#Chart_by_country_or_organization; see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/#comment-3765 (“The Defining Hour For Barack Obama And His Presidency“)
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