Posted on 10/06/2004 12:40:24 AM PDT by neverdem
Try, if you can, to screen out the memories. Forget the cover stories, the "Angriest Man in America" profiles, the revolutionary rhetoric, the million-dollar book contracts. Whether you loved him or hated him, forget how he infuriated you. Look at him now as neutrally as you can and I think you'll come to the obvious conclusion: Seen from the perspective of the 108th Congress, which is stumbling to the end of its ignominious session this week, Newt Gingrich is a towering historical figure.
By that I don't mean Gingrich was a paragon of virtue, or that Gingrich was a great unifier of men. I mean that Newt Gingrich, as speaker of the House, tried to do what no one has done before or since. Ten years ago this autumn he set out, quixotically, to control Congress's apparently insatiable urge to spend the nation's money. He tried to limit the terms of the all-powerful committee chairmen, who had so skewed the appropriations process to the advantage of their constituents. He assailed what he called the "East German socialist" farm subsidy programs that had gone unchallenged for a half-century. He even managed to pass a line-item veto, which would have allowed then-President Bill Clinton to cut pork from the then-Republican Congress's legislation, had it not been declared unconstitutional.
Never mind his methods or his style: At least he made an effort, which is more than can be said of anyone in the current congressional leadership. Back in the last decade, Gingrich's rants against the Democratic congressional establishment and its penchant for spending were perceived as partisan Republican attacks. But nowadays, the Republicans themselves -- in control of the House, the Senate and the White House -- bear the greatest responsibility for the apparently unstoppable expansion of government.
Just look at the numbers.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
early morning ping
Sadly, massive government Republicanism is here to stay. Those who want to take a stand for limited government have no option but to vote Libertarian.
You may not stop the train from going over the cliff...but at least you won't go quietly.
like a mouse giving the finger to a pouncing cat...
Ping.
I dearly miss Newt.
There's also the Constitution Party which would be my personal preference.
No kidding. I thought We Won when Der Slickmeister had to ape conservatism with his "The era of big government is over. Since it had gotten to that point, what is the excuse for W? The NEA is appalling to me even when the "good guys" are in charge.
It also calls to mind the fact that we must figure out what to do about the dilemma posed when a "fallen" man,trying to persuade mankind to support systems that will benefit the common good,promote domestic tranquility and encourage individual freedom to pursue truth,is "outed" as less than perfect himself,and thereby judged by the opposition to be unfit for public office.
What a quandary!! Any thoughts?
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