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We Could Be In for a Lurch to the Left
Wall Street Journal ^ | November 4, 2008 | Fred Barnes

Posted on 11/04/2008 7:45:47 AM PST by reaganaut1

There's an old saying that politics in America is played between the 40 yard lines. What this means, for those unfamiliar with football, is that we're a centrist country, never straying very far to the left or the right in elections or national policies. This has been true for decades. It probably won't be after today's election.

For the first time since the 1960s, liberal Democrats are dominant. They are all but certain to have a lopsided majority in the House, and either a filibuster-proof Senate or something close to it. If Barack Obama wins the presidency today, they'll have an ideological ally in the White House.

A sharp lurch to the left and enactment of a liberal agenda, or major parts of it, are all but inevitable. The centrist limits in earlier eras of Democratic control are gone. In the short run, Democrats may be constrained by the weak economy and a large budget deficit. Tax hikes and massive spending programs, except those billed as job creation, may have to be delayed.

But much of their agenda -- the "card check" proposal to end secret ballots in union elections, the Fairness Doctrine to stifle conservative talk radio, liberal judicial nominees, trade restrictions, retreat from Iraq, talks with Iran -- doesn't require spending. And after 14 years of Republican control of Congress, the presidency, or both, Democrats are impatient. They want to move quickly.

Democrats had large majorities when Jimmy Carter became president in 1977 (61-38 in the Senate, 292-143 in the House) and when Bill Clinton took office in 1993 (56-44, 258-176). So why are their prospects for legislative success so much better now?

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: democrats; liberals; lurch; obama
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To: reaganaut1
But much of their agenda -- the "card check" proposal to end secret ballots in union elections, the Fairness Doctrine to stifle conservative talk radio, liberal judicial nominees, trade restrictions, retreat from Iraq, talks with Iran -- doesn't require spending. And after 14 years of Republican control of Congress, the presidency, or both, Democrats are impatient. They want to move quickly.

You forgot gun control there Fred.

21 posted on 11/04/2008 8:04:23 AM PST by umgud (In a crisis, dump gold, buy lead)
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To: ZULU

Even Kraut, seems as if he’s been caving lately! WTF?


22 posted on 11/04/2008 8:04:46 AM PST by aquarianrealm
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Comment #23 Removed by Moderator

To: reaganaut1
...we're a centrist country, never straying very far to the left or the right in elections or national policies. This has been true for decades>

What has been true for decades is that the 50 yard line has been creeping toward Socialist territory, to the point where the goal post is in the d@mned parking lot.

Shift to the left? CRAP! The alleged conservatives in this race are left of Jack Kennedy, for pete's sake!

The only thing decent about this election is that there is a fairly Conservative Vice Presidential candidate in the mix, better than we have had in a while.

24 posted on 11/04/2008 8:05:59 AM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
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To: lib-fascist-feminazi
Keep as much of your money out of their hands as you can. Reduce your tax liability, especially at the federal level, as much as possible. Look at your economic activity and try to replace taxable transactions with those that aren't taxable (barter, etc., be creative). Don't buy as much.

If there is one thing 'Rats crave, it is other peoples' money. They love taking other peoples' money almost as much as they love abortion. Deny them as much of your money as you can. Talk to your financial adviser and tax accountant. There are ways that ordinary working stiffs can shelter their income and investment gains from the greedy hand of the tax man.

25 posted on 11/04/2008 8:10:53 AM PST by chimera
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To: ZULU
The Ten Cannots’ by Abraham Lincoln. (Bush must have missed this)

1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

2. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.

3. You cannot lift the wage earner by by pulling down the wage payer.
4. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.

5. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

6. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.

7. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

8. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.

9. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.

10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

26 posted on 11/04/2008 8:11:25 AM PST by Camel Joe (liberal=socialist=royalist/imperialist pawn=enemy of Freedom)
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To: reaganaut1
The old adage..."be careful what you wish for"...could be very true if the Democrats gain the White House and solid control of Congress. Barnes is very correct that the majority of the US electorate is more centrist than left and in this election has likely been hoodwinked by an empty suit promising vague change supported by a sycophant mainstream media and a poorly run McCain campaign.

However if the Democrats get their filibuster proof Congress, gain the White House and commence with an orgy of new spending, new taxes and a lurch to the left it will be to their detriment. The promises they have made cannot be fulfilled without pushing the US economy over the edge. The voters will quickly become disillusioned when gasoline is $5 per gallon, unemployment and inflation are in double digits and the government becomes even more intrusive into their pensions, bank accounts and personal lives. In two years there could again be a new demand for change and a pull back toward less leftist policies. If an Obama/Pelosi/Reid triumvirate persists in pushing ever leftward it could mean in 2012 the virtual end of the leftist Democratic party as a majority in Congress or in control of the White House for decades.

27 posted on 11/04/2008 8:13:55 AM PST by The Great RJ ("Mir we bleiwen wat mir sin" or "We want to remain what we are." ..Luxembourg motto)
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To: reaganaut1

You rang?

28 posted on 11/04/2008 8:14:52 AM PST by MissCalico
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To: reaganaut1

Maybe next time, Fred Barnes won’t dismiss the blogging community and spend an hour after a debate putting down our own candidate.


29 posted on 11/04/2008 8:15:56 AM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: lib-fascist-feminazi

“I think organized boycotts are the best tool available.”

Hit the nail on the head - unfortunately many conservatives like Rush etal. dont believe in it but it works very very effectively. We need to march to assemble to boycott and let our voices (and money or lack thereof) be heard.

After this election let us work together to build a force bigger and stronger than moveon.org and let us stand united - we must come up with a set of principles that we will defend no matter what and we wont back down like the RINO party- come on freepers what do you say?


30 posted on 11/04/2008 8:18:42 AM PST by sasafras (Dont be fooled - the DIVERSITY MANTRA - is the left's tool to incite hate, racism and division)
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To: reaganaut1
The Fairness Doctrine will be used to stifle dissent as broadcast on radio. However, it is only due to the public nature of the broadcast spectrum that the Fairness Doctrine can be made to apply. The secret to getting around the censorship the Demmcrats will institute with the Doctrine is... Internet radio. While the public may own the radio airwaves, the backbones and routers and cables of the Internet are privately owned, and may not be censored in the name of government-defined "fairness".

If I were in the talk radio biz, I'd be planning a move to Internet broadcasting in a big way.

31 posted on 11/04/2008 8:22:38 AM PST by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: The Great RJ
Chris Plante (local talk radio in DC) has been playing an audio clip of VA Congressman Jim Moran saying "Republicans have the simplistic idea that the wealthy are entitled to keep their money."

I kid you not.

32 posted on 11/04/2008 8:33:25 AM PST by workerbee (If you vote for Democrats, you are engaging in UnAmerican Activity.)
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To: reaganaut1

One thing that never gets mentioned is prosecutions for Bush and Chaney, Rummy, or anyone else who the liberals have a hatred for.

I fully expect to see President Bush get perp walked should the democRATS win the WH and get their 60 seat majority in the senate.


33 posted on 11/04/2008 8:37:52 AM PST by Ouderkirk (Your "right" to healthcare at the expense of taxpayers means that they have become rightless serfs)
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To: xcamel

Fred Barnes....a Vichy Republican.


34 posted on 11/04/2008 8:39:32 AM PST by Ouderkirk (Your "right" to healthcare at the expense of taxpayers means that they have become rightless serfs)
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To: Ouderkirk

I expect the rat bastards better be prepared for some serious opposition if they try to come to Texas and pull some BS. That could be the start of another war between the states.


35 posted on 11/04/2008 8:40:46 AM PST by RVN Airplane Driver ("To be born into freedom is an accident; to die in freedom is an obligation..)
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To: reaganaut1

Curse Republicans for not being conservative once they got in office.


36 posted on 11/04/2008 8:43:28 AM PST by FightThePower! (Fight the powers that be!)
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To: sasafras

Specific and positive action for American principles.

Here are some that I pursue:

1. Do business with conservatives. Ask about political opinions or affiliations then choose or balk. I am looking for an accountant currently that fits my expectations. I keep a mental record of companies that work against Americans. For example, Sara Lee many years ago gave an award to Sarah Brady—I don’t buy Sara Lee products to this day. The same goes for many of the new age flaky tech companies. Many of them are leftist in part because they don’t suffer as much from environmental or other regulatory pressures. I don’t own anything made by Apple, for example.

2. Educate others about American principles in the simplest ways possible. For example, if someone at the grocery store says “the price of milk has sure gone up”, just say, “gotta pay for that increase in minimum wage.” Often, a simple question will do wonders. “I know you always wanted to run your own business. Won’t it be impossible now that O is making it so hard?” Another, “I wonder how much more money I’d have for retirement if O hadn’t depressed my 401k earnings so much?” “There are lots of jobs in China—I wish it was like the old days before O when you could find good paying jobs here in the US? Now, you have to have college and even then its hard to find a job that covers the taxes.”

Little comments like that don’t put folks off but plant a seed of intelligence in them. Of course, there are lots of people who won’t ever grow a thought but for those who have at least a little intelligence, you can unobtrusively plant logical thoughts in their minds and gradually shift them toward some sense.


37 posted on 11/04/2008 8:43:31 AM PST by iacovatx (If you must lie to recruit to your cause, you are fighting for the wrong side.)
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To: bailmeout
“Nope. Fred, you're in for the shock of your life. You need to get out of the DC bubble and check out flyover country.
The GOP base and conservative Dems are more motivated to vote than in years. McCain will win handily.

I'm looking forward to seeing some talking heads explode tonight.”

Get a grip, you are completely dilusional.

38 posted on 11/04/2008 8:45:39 AM PST by FightThePower! (Fight the powers that be!)
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To: reaganaut1

We lurch to the left, we lurch to the right, this is discombobulating, I feel nauseous.


39 posted on 11/04/2008 8:49:42 AM PST by Peter Horry (Mount Up Everybody and Ride to the Sound of the Guns .. Pat Buchanan)
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To: FightThePower!
>Get a grip, you are completely d[e]lusional.

Nope. Just willing to look at facts and think outside of the box.

Do you think the potential for higher than expected GOP/conservative Dem turnout is unreasonable?

If this happens, all of the polls that give Obama a big lead by assuming a large Dem vs. GOP turnout advantage are way off.

40 posted on 11/04/2008 10:51:30 AM PST by bailmeout ("During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" - G Orwell)
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