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Why So Serious? Is Conservative Despair Justified?
PJ Media ^ | 1/8/2013 | Andrew Klavan

Posted on 01/08/2013 8:16:06 AM PST by Lakeshark

So last week, in what was perhaps a moment of madness, I posted a request on my Facebook page: Tell me your political predictions for the year. Among the more restrained answers: “Hyperinflation,” “Civil War,” “financial collapse,” “terribly awful things.”

Optimist though I am, I can’t help feeling there’s something to this downhearted consensus. After living through the most peaceful and prosperous half century that any nation has ever experienced in the history of humankind, it seems impossible to believe we would re-elect a mediocre reactionary out to “fundamentally transform” our success into failure. But we did, and that’s — well, let’s call it “less than cheering.”

On the other hand…

(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012; fear; hardtimes
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To: Biggirl

Yes, Parents and Children. Parents provide, and Children consume.

Spare the rod and spoil the child.


21 posted on 01/08/2013 9:20:23 AM PST by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: Lakeshark

The best reason for optimism I can think of is that our way has never been really tried.

Even Reagan had to deal with Tip O’Neill. Bush had a Republican Congress but not the political will to do what had to be done.

The rest of Baraq I’s reign will be ugly. But I have to believe that if we ever get a chance to govern again, we’ll be proven right. If not ... well, maybe the next country will be better.


22 posted on 01/08/2013 9:20:34 AM PST by Colonel_Flagg ("Don't be afraid to see what you see." -- Ronald Reagan)
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To: oh8eleven

We’re still too comfortable. Someone on FR posted a line from the Declaration of Ind that I must have glanced over: Something to the affect of “good people will put up with a lot before springing into action.” As long as we have guns we can put up with a lot. We still have good food, comfy beds, go to church wherever and whenever we want, homeschool, etc. We still have it pretty good. Once the come for the guns, everything is off the table: we will never be able to right the ship.


23 posted on 01/08/2013 9:20:37 AM PST by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: Lakeshark
Forget everything and rise!

Despair is not an option!

The power of hitting rock bottom: Inspiration and Desperation Can Motivate

Romney was weak, not conservative, and uninspiring. He ran a terrible campaign. And despite this, JUST 333,000 VOTES IN 4 SWING STATES WOULD HAVE GIVEN ROMNEY THE PRESIDENCY (perhaps the trending WhatHappenedToMyPaycheck has already switched 333,000 ignorant votes)

3. Reality is on our side.

This is Klavin's point that mostly covers it for me. The current path is unsustainable. Eventually it will all come apart even if the blind low information American voters don't right the ship themselves with a 'do-over' in 2014.

While I still retain some optimism for the continuation of America post-0bama, my main optimism is beyond this realm. The earthly world is not our home. Have an eternal perspective and this earthly 'blip of time' seems not so serious.

24 posted on 01/08/2013 9:23:35 AM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Lakeshark

I can’t help but grieve for the cost of this Obamanation. An expense we will have to bear until that day (and long after) we can yank the reins from the hands of the imbecile fraudulently acquiesced to the leadership position of the most powerful Nation this World has ever known.

Such a waste.


25 posted on 01/08/2013 9:27:33 AM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: oh8eleven

Also, all the things you mentioned affects us, and all of it is interrelated, I disagree with the writer when he says they’re not connected. But those things don’t greatly hinder us from doing the things we REALLY want to do.


26 posted on 01/08/2013 9:29:26 AM PST by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: Servant of the Cross

The current path is unsustainable.


We are nowhere near European levels of taxation. Unfortunately, it is sustainable for quite some time.


27 posted on 01/08/2013 9:38:09 AM PST by lodi90
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To: Lakeshark
Where Are We Now?
28 posted on 01/08/2013 9:46:52 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Lakeshark

I’d have to place THE MEDIA at the top of the list of reasons we are screwed. It is 100% Alinsky all the time. Propaganda was a useful tool for the Nazis and communists and is likewise useful for the ‘rats. Sure, Reagan faced a hostile media, but they were not as brazen then in their bias as they now are. They are basically free airtime for ‘rats 24/7.


29 posted on 01/08/2013 9:53:14 AM PST by Sans-Culotte ( Pray for Obama- Psalm 109:8)
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To: Servant of the Cross; C. Edmund Wright; onyx; rockrr; demshateGod; listenhillary; Tax-chick; ...
Agreed, despair is not an option! But I still have to fight it every day now, much like Zig......

One of the positives in the article was about fracking. I learned about this miracle last winter, Klavan does not do it justice with his small paragraph. Think about this: In spite of the insane energy/green policies of this administration, we as a nation are likely to be totally energy independent by the year 2017, all because of this non governmental process of fracking. We've talked about this since Carter, and in spite of all the nonsenes it's about to happen. In the midst of economic ruin, we are being given a gift of monumental proportion, and it's still under the radar. It's a gift to begin to rebuild an economy with, God's sense of humor is working overtime here.

The other thing he forgot to mention: the power of prayer, the power of God, and that in light of the story of Elijah. This guy ran away, depressed, totally giving up, totally down and out, totally blown away with his own incapacity, simply asking to die. Is this a story for us right now? Have we, like Elijah, simply forgotten?

30 posted on 01/08/2013 10:00:23 AM PST by Lakeshark (!)
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To: Lakeshark

“A new generation is already on the rise that understands entitlements are unsustainable and that freedom works.”

There is some truth in that.

Still, IMO the only thing that will kill Versailles on the Potomac is the same thing that killed the Politburo. Sovereign bankruptcy, and desertion by the rough men with guns. At that point, I can see elected officials trying to flee the nation in disguise.


31 posted on 01/08/2013 10:04:07 AM PST by Psalm 144 (Capitol to the districts: "May the odds be ever in your favor.")
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To: Lakeshark

“A not so convincing attempt to cheer us up.”

The article misses the point - at least for me.

Establishment republicans jettisoned their principles to run what was essentially a democrat pretending to be a republican. The republican’s betrayal of conservatism is the cause of my dispair.

I registered out of the party in the 90’s because the republicans lied then, but I always had hope that conservatism would prevail. This election crushed all hopes of that. I didn’t vote for their pretender and will never do so. I’m 100% done with lying republicans.


32 posted on 01/08/2013 10:05:28 AM PST by Owl558 ("Those who remember George Satayana are doomed to repeat him")
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To: Lakeshark

Inflation is almost inevitable. Deflation possible. Probably not because Fed/Gov. fear deflation more than anything. Trouble is their tools to prevent deflation are few at best. Hyperinflation possible but less than 50% chance.

Continued recession? Inevitable. Will get more severe.

All bets off if major world event occurs: war in ME, Iran or NKoreans doing something suicidal...etc.

Best reads available - all 3 chart what has happened in history when governments have been in the very situation we are now in (all include some history before Christ):

Endgame - John Mauldin
Hyperinflation & Deflation - John T. Reed

For the truly intellectual:

This Time Is Different - Eight Centuries of Financial Folly - Reinhart & Rogoff


33 posted on 01/08/2013 10:06:10 AM PST by Arlis (.)
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To: Lakeshark

>> in light of the story of Elijah.. Is this a story for us right now?

In general, “all scripture... is profitable” — but IMHO your calling to mind Elijah is right on the money, and I’m grateful to be reminded of how the LORD worked through him.


34 posted on 01/08/2013 10:06:44 AM PST by Nervous Tick (Without GOD, men get what they deserve.)
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To: Colonel_Flagg

“But I have to believe that if we ever get a chance to govern again, we’ll be proven right. If not ... well, maybe the next country will be better.”

I agree with you. Whether we improve will depend on what emerges as the ‘next country’, or countries.

A post-United States America has good odds of recovery and excellence.

A post-America United States will be more soulless and suffocating than the Soviet Union.


35 posted on 01/08/2013 10:11:04 AM PST by Psalm 144 (Capitol to the districts: "May the odds be ever in your favor.")
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To: wardaddy
baring cataclysm or a 5-10% shift amongst white voters in PA, OH, VA, FL , CO, NV and MN, it's over as we know it

We can't win a national election again for a while, if ever.

But they have to rule. Which means they have to endure the mockery that comes with their stupid policies. Which means w,e in turn, have an obligation to laugh at their incompetent idiocy loudly, publicly, and at every opportunity.

The Gentlemanly GWB GOP has been destroyed, as it deserved. Truth and ridicule are our weapons, now. Let's start using them, and stop treating Obama and the Left with reverent horror. They are dumbass grifters who are in over their heads. Let's start showing that to America, and see what happens.

36 posted on 01/08/2013 10:11:43 AM PST by Mr. Jeeves (CTRL-GALT-DELETE)
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To: Lakeshark
totally energy independent by the year 2017

A very good thing, but will not accomplish as much as many people think.

Oil prices, and therefore gasoline prices, are determined by the world market, not the US market. Since nat gas is usually distributed by pipeline, it's somewhat isolated from world energy prices.

So while producing all our oil in North America doesn't necessarily mean gasoline prices will go down, it does mean OPEC can't turn off the tap.

37 posted on 01/08/2013 10:12:58 AM PST by Sherman Logan
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To: Psalm 144

’ “A new generation is already on the rise that understands entitlements are unsustainable and that freedom works.”

There is some truth in that.’

SOME, but the problem is that in the generations brainwashed for 16 or more years by our Marxist/gov. educators, this new generation to which you refer is a small minority, and vastly outnumbered by those who believe in Santa government and their entitlements......


38 posted on 01/08/2013 10:13:05 AM PST by Arlis (.)
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To: Owl558

“The article misses the point - at least for me.

Establishment republicans jettisoned their principles to run what was essentially a democrat pretending to be a republican.”

I don’t even consider them at this point. They are merely the Menshevik also-rans to the Bolshevik victors.

Except as a continuing drain for conservative and libertarian money, votes, and enthusiasm, the Geriatric Old Plotters are irrelevant.

We need a second party.


39 posted on 01/08/2013 10:16:23 AM PST by Psalm 144 (Capitol to the districts: "May the odds be ever in your favor.")
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To: lodi90
We are nowhere near European levels of taxation.

Actually, that's not true.

Total government spending is actually considerably higher in US than in many European countries, including UK and France.

40 posted on 01/08/2013 10:16:29 AM PST by Sherman Logan
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