If On the Wrong Track, Why Go Left?

**bpmartyr** · 05-16-2008, 07:15 AM

If On the Wrong Track, Why Go Left?
Dennis Prager
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Today's most widely accepted political belief is that because an unprecedentedly high percentage of Americans -- 81 percent -- believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, the Republicans are headed for a major defeat this coming November.

If this is the case, it can only be because the American voter translates "headed in the wrong direction" as "because the Republicans have had their way, so it's time to let the Democrats have theirs."

That should not be the case. I count myself as one of the 81 percent who believes America is headed in the wrong direction, and that is precisely why I am voting Republican. Moreover, I suspect I am not alone among the 81 percent in ascribing the wrong track to the leftist, not the conservative, influence on American life.

But if "headed in the wrong direction" really does mean for most Americans that voting Democrat will put our country on the right track, it is hard not to conclude that America has begun the decline that has ended all great civilizations. For if the Democratic Party -- given how far left it has become -- comes to control Congress and the presidency, America's values will soon stray so far from what they have been since its founding that it is difficult to imagine ever being able to undo the change.

Given that "on the wrong track" is defined as unhappiness with the economy, with President George W. Bush, and with the war in Iraq, let's analyze all this.

First, are the 81 percent unhappy with their own economic status or with the economic direction of the country? They are obviously not the same things. But whichever it is -- and it may well be both -- why do most Americans believe the Democrats' prescriptions are going to help? Why will a huge tax increase on all Americans earning over $200,000, on capital gains for all Americans and on social security (if Barack Obama is elected) help the economy?

When have tax increases ever helped an economy? Why will America almost alone among the industrialized democracies move in the direction of higher taxes? Are all these other countries that are lowering taxes harming their economies?

Furthermore, the economic plans of the Democrats to have the government take over health care and increase taxes will expand the power and reach of the state more than ever before, and will therefore make more Americans dependent upon the state than ever before. These are earthquakes in the American value system. If there are any values that can meaningfully be called "American," self-reliance and limited government are among them. The movement from self-reliance to reliance on the state is truly "un-American." For those who recoil at the use of this term, it must be noted that it in no way implies less love of America, let alone lack of patriotism. It simply states the obvious truth that self-reliance, individualism and limited government have been basic and distinguishing American values, and the Democrats and the left aim to undo those underpinnings of American civilization.

Second, regarding the unprecedentedly low popularity of President Bush, this, too, needs explaining and may not reflect well on the current state of Americans' values.

George W. Bush has passed legislation -- such as prescription drug benefits for the elderly -- that Democrats would pass; he is a personally decent and honest man who has led perhaps the most scandal-free eight years in modern American history; he has kept America free from terror since 9-11 -- something no one, left or right, expected; pro-American leaders have been elected in European countries most identified with anti-Americanism -- Germany and France; and until the sub-prime loan-induced credit crisis, the economy has been among the most robust in American history.

Now, undoubtedly the left will respond that this man is neither scandal-free nor decent since, in its view, he is a liar. "Bush lied" has been repeated by Democrats and the liberal media so often that they have both come to believe it. But it is the charge that is the lie. President Bush's claim that Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) was a mistake, not a lie. President Bill Clinton said the same thing when he was president, as did every major Western intelligence agency at the time of America's invasion.

It is hard to believe that "Bush lied" is the primary reason for his low popularity ratings. If it is, we are in deep trouble. It means Americans have been irrationally influenced, almost brainwashed, by the media.

Assuming, then, that "Bush lied" is not a primary reason for the president's unpopularity, the overwhelming explanation is presumably the Iraq War. But if so, that, too, represents an unfortunate decay in Americans' values. Whatever misgivings an American has about invading Iraq and removing Hussein, the facts are that America is winning now; that Iraq is becoming the first free and democratic Arab country; that Islamists are losing what they themselves call their most important war; and that, as a result of their barbaric cruelty in Iraq and their losing the war now, their popularity among Muslims (except Palestinians) is in decline.

Do most Americans really prefer Obama's and the Democrats' pledge to leave Iraq to the Republicans' pledge to win this war? No matter how horrific, even potentially genocidal, the consequences would be to Iraqis? No matter how adversely it would affect potential U.S. allies who will no longer trust our commitments to them? And no matter how much it would weaken America's domestic security, given an Islamist victory in Iraq? If so, we are in deep trouble as a nation.

If the answers to all these questions are that, by "wrong direction," Americans think we are too Republican and conservative and that a radically leftward turn -- the Democrats never had a leftist (as opposed to liberal) candidate win the presidency -- is what the country needs, we really are in decline.

On the other hand, perhaps most of the 81 percent think that "wrong direction" means, among many other things, the following:

-- Forty years of left-wing control of the news media, of Hollywood, of the public schools, of the universities and of nearly every big city government have nearly ruined those institutions.

-- Forty years of a litigation explosion has had terrible social and economic effects.

-- Children are being prematurely sexualized through early sex education.

-- A generation of children is being frightened about too much -- from seesaws to dodgeball to ring-a-levio to secondhand smoke to the destruction of the world caused by global warming.

-- The left's war against Judeo-Christian values as the bases of American values is leaving us morally rudderless.

-- Redefining marriage to include people of the same sex for the first time in history, while compassionate to gays, will be disorienting to young people when forming their sexual identities.

-- Multiculturalism is destroying the concept of an American culture and people. Obama and the Democrats even opposed declaring English as America's national language.

So 81 percent of Americans are right. We are on the wrong track. But the future of America entirely depends on what track it is most Americans think is wrong, and if they really believe that the radical "change" Obama and the Democrats advocate will be the right track. If so, it may mark the beginning of the end of the America that our parents and their parents and their parents back to America's founding lived in. The left, given its demonization of America's history, would welcome that. Would the American people?

**DougMan** · 05-21-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpmartyr

When have tax increases ever helped an economy?

When you are running a 500 billion dollar account deficit and you refuse to cut spending on anything.

You wanted your war, you got it, now let's all pay up. Inflation is spiralling out of control. Domestic spending won't slow down until the Iraq war is over. Look at all the riders they attach to the war funding bill to get it through.

Inflation is the number 1 killer of empires. I think we are entering our death spiral if something does not change on both the domestic and home front in terms of spending. Democrats want big government, and Republicans want big military, so lets pay for it now rather than pass the burden onto future generations. I am all for low taxes, but inflation is out of control right now. I am not a big fan of CPI either. How many families do you know that don't spend money a lot of money on food or energy?

Bum Mahoney · 05-21-2008, 12:10 PM

The way to curb spending is to cut taxes. Prager is right on.

Nole1 · 05-21-2008, 03:29 PM

What? You don't think Gov't run Healthcare is a good idea? I mean, look what a fantastic job the Gov't has done running the Social Security program!!!

Dems/libs will never admit that Clinton had many of the same ideas that Bush had when it comes to Saddam, but was just too weak to do anything more than verbal threats. When the WTC was bombed in 93 - BC made idle threats. When Sudan offered up OBL - Clinton didn't act to eliminate him. Now that Saddam's prison diaries show actual ties and relations with Al-Quaida, the media is ignoring that fact, as are the Dems.

Tax cuts work - look at the economy from 00-05. The sub-prime mess has nothing to do with tax cuts, but instead everything to do with irresponsible people living beyond their means and being assisted in doing so by greedy banks/mortgage companies.

Take a look at the $300B Farm Bill that Bush vetoed today (it'll pass anyway) and all the BS that will irresponsibly get thru thanks to our "democratic" Congress who can't stop giving away the milk.

EasyEJL · 05-21-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpmartyr

So 81 percent of Americans are right. We are on the wrong track. But the future of America entirely depends on what track it is most Americans think is wrong, and if they really believe that the radical "change" Obama and the Democrats advocate will be the right track.

Whats sort of interesting about this piece is that its something I have to remind my wife of in a way (and sometimes remind myself) in dealing with our 11 year old daughter (12 this month) very often I hear her telling the daughter "you are doing xxx wrong", but not follow up with how she should be doing it. When you are 12, knowing how you are supposed to load the dishwasher for instance isn't something you are born with. So saying the way its being done is wrong doesn't really help the situation, as it doesn't give her the tools to make it right.

I very much worry that we will make a change just because we're unhappy with today, only to find that the change makes things far far worse. gas prices near $4 a gallon? Poor us, in the netherlands its nearing $10 a gallon, and you'd be hard pressed to find it less than $8 a gallon anywhere in europe. Ask those residents how well their socialist policies are working to keep their fuel prices down....

Many things are far more affected by a global economy than the majority are willing to hear.

Rogue Drone · 05-22-2008, 01:52 AM

Cutting Revenue/Taxes is a great economic stimulus, but if a Government never balances it's books by compensatory reductions in spending , you end up as the US is now, functionally bankrupt, living on Asian and Middle East Loans to keep our fiat currency afloat.

Not for much longer can the world subsidize an economy that's being ripped apart with the dual forces of deflationary assets and inflationary commodities.

Nole1 · 05-22-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyEJL

Whats sort of interesting about this piece is that its something I have to remind my wife of in a way (and sometimes remind myself) in dealing with our 11 year old daughter (12 this month) very often I hear her telling the daughter "you are doing xxx wrong", but not follow up with how she should be doing it. When you are 12, knowing how you are supposed to load the dishwasher for instance isn't something you are born with. So saying the way its being done is wrong doesn't really help the situation, as it doesn't give her the tools to make it right.

I very much worry that we will make a change just because we're unhappy with today, only to find that the change makes things far far worse. gas prices near $4 a gallon? Poor us, in the netherlands its nearing $10 a gallon, and you'd be hard pressed to find it less than $8 a gallon anywhere in europe. Ask those residents how well their socialist policies are working to keep their fuel prices down....

Many things are far more affected by a global economy than the majority are willing to hear.

Bingo to what you stated in Bold above. But everyone out there looking for "Change" refuses to hear any of that logic. They want "change" but have no real idea what they want changed or how to get there.

**DougMan** · 05-22-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nole1

They want "change" but have no real idea what they want changed or how to get there.

Incorrect. One major thing I have pushed to be "changed" is for the passage of PAYGO as rule of law. Reduced deficits strengthen the dollar which makes commodities such as oil cheaper.

EasyEJL · 05-22-2008, 11:44 AM

taxation is less than 5% of the price of gas, and a defecit at the federal level only affects taxes, not oil companies and not OPEC.

Vtaper · 05-23-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyEJL

taxation is less than 5% of the price of gas, and a defecit at the federal level only affects taxes, not oil companies and not OPEC.

Hey Easy, I think were gonna have to wait till after memorial day for Doug Man's Poli-Sci professor to come up with a response to this.

**DougMan** · 05-24-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtaper

Hey Easy, I think were gonna have to wait till after memorial day for Doug Man's Poli-Sci professor to come up with a response to this.

Naw son, but my response will be more of the same.

Here is a chart which somewhat explains my line of thought: http://www.kitco.com/ind/Turk/images/feb252008_1.gif

This is the price of oil in terms of gold. Now that chart is slightly out dated as it is from February.

But my basic argument is this: the economy is slowing and the feds wants to ease monetary policy and flood the market with dollars. This would allow banks to restore their balance sheets, and provide much needed liquidity to the real economy. The problem the dollar was already having problems because of the deficit, so this flood of dollars has destroyed our currency.

The result is that the market is now seeking a hedge against a weaker dollar. Oil happened to be their commodity of choice.

Also, remember that the market builds in expectations. I believe the market is guessing the fed wants to dump the dollar and inflate their way out of this mess. This building of expectations has lead to speculation and has now taken on a life of its own.

This brings me back to my original point. We need to strengthen the dollar. The best way to do this is to return to a balanced budget. Spending is not coming down as I mentioned. Democrats love domestic spending, republicans love military spending. So the only way to change the expectations is to raise taxes to show we are serious about a strong dollar. I would love for reduced spending, but show me either party that is committed to it.

A professor? Hardly. But you can be damn sure I am not going to fall for cheap gimmicks like suspending the gas tax when I cast my vote this November.

EasyEJL · 05-24-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougMan

The result is that the market is now seeking a hedge against a weaker dollar. Oil happened to be their commodity of choice.

I disagree, and believe that oil's price climb is more due to realization of the true shortage (the finite length of supply being under 60 years at current rate of use), as well as the huge increase in car sales + usage in china and india. China is now using exponentially more fuel as they were 5 years ago, even Buick sells 2x as many cars in China a year as they do in the US..... supply vs demand, has nothing in particular to do with the US dollar.

Mind you, I don't disagree that we need to strengthen the dollar, but I don't believe it will affect gas pricing globally if we do

**DougMan** · 05-24-2008, 07:16 PM

I see quite a bit of correlation in this chart:
http://charts.barchart.com/chart.asp...BSTKIC&org=stk

Up until a couple months ago it was pretty steady. Markets go through periods of inefficiencies for sure.

As for China and India, they do play a role

Showing latest available data. Rank Countries Amount (top to bottom)
#1 United States: 20,730,000 bbl/day
#2 China: 6,534,000 bbl/day
#3 Japan: 5,578,000 bbl/day
#4 Germany: 2,650,000 bbl/day
#5 Russia: 2,500,000 bbl/day
#6 India: 2,450,000 bbl/day

They are growing at about 7%/year. Neither use dollars as their primary currency, which further adds to my argument of a weaker dollar reducing the buying power of US consumers.

**DougMan** · 05-24-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyEJL

we need to strengthen the dollar, but I don't believe it will affect gas pricing globally if we do

The logic behind this statement is inaccurate.

Just pulled off a random article from Yahoo! search:

Oil rises on weak dollar, supply worries - Yahoo! News

A majority of the articles you will see in the news on high oil prices begin in a similar manner.

"Oil prices have climbed by around a third since the start of the year as investors seeking a hedge against inflation and the falling U.S. dollar pile into commodities."

But that article does quote an analyst as saying that supply and demand factors as the main driving factors. My counter argument to that is just what I stated above, that a weak dollar makes oil relatively cheaper for people living in other countries, which in turns drives up demand in those countries. So I guess we will see. I am certainly not arguing that there are not supply/demand issues, but I do not believe they are the primary reason for the dramatic rise in oil seen in the past few years.