'American Theocracy,' by Kevin Phillips Clear and Present Dangers

New York Times ^ | March 26, 2006 | Darkwolf377

[Darkwolf377]

Four decades ago, Kevin Phillips, a young political strategist for the Republican Party, began work on what became a remarkable book. In writing "The Emerging Republican Majority" (published in 1969), he asked a very big question about American politics: How would the demographic and economic changes of postwar America shape the long-term future of the two major parties? ...(clip)...A stronger Republican Party, he believed, would restore stability and order to a society experiencing disorienting and at times violent change. Shortly before publishing his book, he joined the Nixon administration to help advance the changes he had foreseen.

Phillips has remained a prolific and important political commentator in the decades since, but he long ago abandoned his enthusiasm for the Republican coalition he helped to build. His latest book (his 13th) looks broadly and historically at the political world the conservative coalition has painstakingly constructed over the last several decades. No longer does he see Republican government as a source of stability and order. Instead, he presents a nightmarish vision of ideological extremism, catastrophic fiscal irresponsibility, rampant greed and dangerous shortsightedness. (His final chapter is entitled "The Erring Republican Majority.") In an era of best-selling jeremiads on both sides of the political divide, "American Theocracy" may be the most alarming analysis of where we are and where we may be going to have appeared in many years. It is not without polemic, but unlike many of the more glib and strident political commentaries of recent years, it is extensively researched and for the most part frighteningly persuasive.

[Darkwolf377]

Not sure if I can post the whole thing, but I'll sum it up: The New York Times has found a Republican writer to like--one who slams the Administration as a "theocracy" and the WOT as a "war for oil". Interesting how they mention the looting of the Iraq art museum, although I could have sworn that story was overplayed and much of it retracted.

[MNJohnnie]

The only real danger to our Republic currently is the in the closet fascists like Kevin Phillips who would gleefully deny the civil rights of anyone who does not agree with his far far Left wing viewpoints. Kevin Phillips is just another example of the rabid intolerance the American Left has for anyone who does not march in lock step with their emotion based political opinions.

[Always Right]

Typical ant-Christian fear-mongering from a Rino/leftist. As if our country had not been based firmly on Christian values since our inception.

[Stepan12]

Typical ant-Christian fear-mongering from a Rino/leftist. As if our country had not been based firmly on Christian values since our inception.

The Liberal MSM used Kevin Phillips to bash the Republicans. They used him so much that National Reivew used to joke that his real first name was even. As in even Kevin Phillips thinks this or that Republican idea is stupid.

[Fzob]

The American press in the first days of the Iraq war reported extensively on the Pentagon's failure to post American troops in front of the National Museum in Baghdad, which, as a result, was looted of many of its great archaeological treasures. Less widely reported, but to Phillips far more meaningful, was the immediate posting of troops around the Iraqi Oil Ministry, which held the maps and charts that were the key to effective oil production.

If I had a choice between protecting one of the other, there is absolutely no contest. Send troops to guard Iraq's most valuable resource - oil.

[BenLurkin]

"It is not without polemic"

No kidding -- just start with the hysterical title.

[Grampa Dave]

Phillips needs to come out of his Log Cabin Republican facade and admit that he has been a pseudo Republican for the MSM for over 20 years.

http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?fr=ybr_sbc&p=Kevin%20Phillips%20+%20Log%20Cabin%20Republicans

[NutCrackerBoy]

Clearly red meat for the typical New York Times subscriber. Any respectable writer would shun Paul Krugman and Kevin Phillips.

[SnuffaBolshevik]

Kevin Phillips is NPR's favorite "Republican". Case closed.

[Darkwolf377]

Thanks for the links--funny how the NYT didn't mention THIS Philips title in their opening paragraphs:"American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush,"

I guess they figured that wouldn't give readers a clue as to his political allegiances. Just some obscure book about a minor figure, eh?

[Darkwolf377]

They used him so much that National Reivew used to joke that his real first name was even. As in even Kevin Phillips thinks this or that Republican idea is stupid.

LOL That's perfect!

Isn't it amazing how this article would have the casual reader think Phillips was some kind of rabid rightwinger up until he decided to write this book?

[Unam Sanctam]

Another hatemongering anti-Christian in the John Danforth mold.

[Grampa Dave]

Whenever any maggot is the token Republican for NPR or the Ny Slimes, it is a safe bet re their reality versus their MSM image.

How many years has Patty Buckwheat Buchanite posed as a republican on tv?

[Jim_Curtis]

one who slams the Administration as a "theocracy" and the WOT as a "war for oil". Interesting how they mention the looting of the Iraq art museum, although I could have sworn that story was overplayed and much of it retracted.

PBS used to have this guy on during the 2004 Presidential Race to try to persuade its viewers into believing that Bush arranged things at the DC airport for the 9/11 terrorists to board the airplane unchecked.

[Darkwolf377]

How many years has Patty Buckwheat Buchanite posed as a republican on tv?

I have a theory that they give Pat a call every time Noam Chomsky doesn't return their invites.

[Darkwolf377]

PBS used to have this guy on during the 2004 Presidential Race to try to persuade its viewers into believing that Bush arranged things at the DC airport for the 9/11 terrorists to board the airplane unchecked.

Amazing. I've never heard of Phillips, and I sure didn't know about that. The NYT would have people like me believe the guy was as hardcore as they come until now.

[advance_copy]

Kevin Phillips told Tim Russert last night in an interview that he is not registered as a Republican. If he were, it would be of the RINO variety. But he is a joke, and the GOP is better without him.

[Grampa Dave]

One of our younger relatives called last week and while laughing said that one of tv's morning left wing pr show hosts introduced Patty as a Republican.

[Valin]

No longer does he see Republican government as a source of stability and order. Instead, he presents a nightmarish vision of ideological extremism, catastrophic fiscal irresponsibility, rampant greed and dangerous shortsightedness.

And do we get any thanks for this.....NOOOO.
When Jerry Falwell becomes king of America....Phillips will get his.

[bkepley]

Nuts.