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Victor Davis Hanson: Our Battered American [gets angrier - Must Read Rant]
pajamasmedia.com ^ | February 20, 2009 | Victor Davis Hanson

Posted on 02/20/2009 11:07:45 AM PST by Tolik

I am meeting a few battered Americans these days. There are not many left, but those that are seem to sound alike. Yes, I think I am beginning to understand Mr. Battered American, and he sounds tired and a bit like this.

“I’m sorry Mr. President, but we are just not dictatorial in the Middle East. You said the Saudis, not America, showed courage over there. But, Mr. President, the Saudis, they live under Sharia law! And my God!—they once engineered crippling oil boycotts against our nation. And wasn’t it they who produced 15 of the 19 killers on 9/11? So no, Mr. President, those Saudis—they simply are not courageous. Now Mr. Biden, there is no reason to set the reset button on foreign policy, as you promised all those Europeans. None at all. Tell that resetting stuff instead to Ahmadinejad, Chavez, that Korean nut, Putin, and all the other thugs who kill and cause misery, but not to our America that saves and feeds and helps. Mrs. Clinton, it’s now your turn. We are not impulsive as you told the world. So you can stop apologizing for America’s recent behavior—unless you think the world would be a better place with the Taliban, and Saddam and his two boys in power. Or maybe Europe should have Schroeder and Chirac back, or Libya with nuclear weapons, or Khalid Sheik Mohammed freed from Guantanamo. Or maybe America shouldn’t have given that $15 billion for AIDs relief in Africa, or helped with earthquakes in Pakistan and tsunamis in Indonesia. Now all that was sorta impulsive.”

As he thinks about this apology business, the battered American always gets a little angrier,

“And another thing. Mr. Holder, I’ve never said or done a racist thing in my life, not one. Always supported equal opportunity, always will. So don’t call me a “coward” or my countrymen “cowards,” not when you’re my Attorney General. You are The Attorney General of the United States of America, so please, no more playing Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson, leveling the latest shake-down charge on television. That’s not really in your job description to call your own countrymen “cowards.” When I was in high school I was taught that name-calling like that might be what they said was “projection.” So maybe, just maybe, you have been cowardly—and arrogant too—but not those whom you accused of all that. At least if someone asked me to help pardon a fugitive on the FBI’s most wanted list, I would have said “no.” Always, no exceptions, period! Anything else? That would be cowardly.”

Our battered American I noticed gets even more riled up and would say to our new energy secretary,

“And another thing Mr. Chu, California isn’t going anywhere. What’s this dry up and blow away nonsense? You’re our Energy Secretary, not Jimmy Carter in his cardigan sweater or Al Gore doing interviews on that private jet. So Americans aren’t going to “vanish” in rural California. We’re proud that we created, by blood, and hard work, and suffering, the richest agricultural valleys in the world. They won’t disappear soon—at least not if you allow us to have the water that our great-grandfathers tapped and brought down from the Sierra, instead of letting it run full blast into the sea so that Speaker Pelosi’s mice can live more nicely in the bay than we do on our farms.”

I think this battered American would also say,

“Mr. President, I passed on buying that bigger house. When I wanted to refinance and put in that extra room, I also backed out, since I couldn’t meet that additional $400 a month on the debt. I never flipped a house; I never missed a mortgage payment; and I never took out a second, third, or fourth mortgage either. I didn’t even know there were such crazy things. So please don’t tell me that the 93% of us that played by our grandfathers’ rules are obligated to come to the rescue of the 7%, who did the exact opposite. At one of your town meetings, just one, instead of pandering to those who defaulted, ask one of us to stand up for paying our debts and then say to the crowd, “Give a hand to Mrs. Battered American. She pays her mortgage, so the rest of us don’t have to!” Try that just once.”

Mrs. Battered American would go on,

“I have two credit cards, and only use one, and it is not maxed out. And when I hear the radio blaring to renegotiate my mortgage, to renounce my credit card debt, or stick it to the IRS, I turn it off. I was raised to pay what I owe—or not to borrow the money in the first place. I never thought what I make today I would necessarily always make tomorrow, and so I did not go into debt on the chance that our government—other Americans—should pay off what I charged.”

“I tried to put away a little away for college, Mr. President. Just a bit for tuition and such. But when I did, my kids no longer qualified for loans, and scholarships and federal help. So, yes, I want more education. But we are in debt for over a trillion dollars this year, and maybe, just once, you might advise us to pass on that big-screen television, that digital camera, and instead put a tiny bit away for our girls’ tuition, or our boys’ books, so others won’t have to.”

“And Mr. President,” the battered American would add,

 “When I add up my federal income tax, my state income tax, my Medicare, and my Social Security taxes, I am paying half my income to the government. Wait— far more than half my income, when I figure in my sales and property and car taxes. My accountant, when I can afford one, tells me to pay, not dodge, what I owe. And, oh, Mr. President I am so tired of all those taxes, so tired, but I am so lawful as well. And so I pay the bill, all of it. Every dime. Unlike your Treasury Secretary, who runs the IRS, I never cheat. I don’t write off my kid’s camp as a business expense—hell, I don’t even send him to camp in the first place. And unlike your cabinet nominee Mr. Daschle, I don’t have a limousine. And if I got a free one, I would think someone had to pay for it. If used it every day, why shouldn’t I pay taxes on it? And unlike your Labor Secretary nominee, I have no liens on my property, Mr. President. But if I did, I’d pay them off before you nominated me—or bow out if I didn’t.”

This battered American would remember all that—I’ve seen it happen—and get angrier,

 “Mr. President, I have never been nominated for much, but when I did serve someone or something, I never bowed out like Mr. Richardson, because the government was never investigating whether or not I was a crook. Sorry, never happened.”

Finally, Mr. Battered American would snap back to Mr. President:

“I played by the rules, and put a little away in my 401(k). I knew the risks, not because the broker, the bank, or the firm told me all the risks, but because I never shook hands with any of them or even knew those who took my money and promised it was safe—and so I was never sure it really was. And I lost 30% of it. I will live by that too. But please, don’t tell me I must pay for AIG, and the state of California, and all those who charged too much on their VISAs. Just take more of my money in taxes to do all that—but, again, please, no more lectures that I have to, that I must, that I am obligated to. And no more of your team’s lecturing me about being patriotic in paying my taxes, and unpatriotic in not wanting to borrow more trillions that my kids’ kids will have to pay back.”



TOPICS: Editorial; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: obama; porkulus; socialism; stimulus; taxes; vdh; victordavishanson
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To: Tolik
I know I have been away. I am a Battered American serving in the US Army in Afghanistan. I have been ridiculed, lied about, and betrayed by the left for the entire US offensive portion of the GWOT (we were on the defensive/ignore it until 9-11-01). That is 7 years of being slandered and having the enemy propaganda reported by the left as “fact”.

We are now facing a resurgent Taliban that thinks since they “won” the US elections that they will “win” the war and destroy us. I am seeing the surge in Afghanistan CUT IN HALF even as the new administration lies about it and says they are doing what president Bush did not (Bush wanted 30k troops to go, Obama is at 17k).

I am watching, with a heavy heart, the rapid implementation of a National Socialist totalitarian police state in America under the leadership of the SAME people who projected and mislabeled conservatives like myself “NAZIs”.

I have seen a White House that goes after critics BY NAME during press conferences and doing who know what else with federal level investigators into those critics. I have seen an administration who tells gun owners that they have nothing to fear and already has several bills in place to eradicate civilian gun ownership and violate the 2nd Amendment.

I watch in horror as the left pushed a totally unqualified person into power based on race. A person whose character and connections disqualify him from obtaining a security clearance through normal channels. The left slanders MLK’s “Dream” of men being judged by character, not color. I see Lincoln slandered by totalitarian socialists who forget that Republicans put into place the first minority and female 4 Star Generals, the first black Chairman JCS, the first black and black female Sec of State (who the left call all sorts of racist and hateful names), the first Hispanic AG, had more than a few primary Presidential candidates (that the left slandered) and several other ‘firsts’ that the left spit on. I watch a totally unqualified, shady, Chicago political machine operative use a cult of personality to push his dreams of absolute power and quell ALL dissent. I see a national socialist President who says that people who work hard, save, and desire to keep their earnings are “making a virtue out of selfishness”!!!

I watch “patriotism” change from the conservative view of “defend you fellow people against aggression and not giving aid to our barbaric enemies nor stabbing our defenders in the back with lies” to the left’s view of “pay your taxes and shut up (or else)”.

I read the “news” (opinion) coming from the media as they gush about how great the new President is and how the Sec of State is going around bashing the former US President and “apologizing” for freeing millions and standing up for liberty. She then goes to such bastions of liberty like Indonesia (where Christians are burned and have acid poured on them) and China to promise closer ties and holding those nations up as virtuous!!!! The complete LACK of character and maturity from the left as they quest for absolute power is disgusting!!!!

I have heard these leftist cult followers with their “tingles up their leg” feelings (not thoughts) as they compare this President to one who served in the 1930s. Well, they are partially correct in a few ways:

1. FDR's policies failed and put us on the road to dependence and socialism. Likewise, lawyers who sued banks and forced them to loan money to those who could not/would not ever pay, took money from Freddy Mac/Fanny Mae and several other banking companies, and then BLOCKED all attempts by republicans to fix the problems, are NOW IN POWER and will soon control those banks. The socialists are going to “nationalize” the banking and then other industries. FDR's failed dream come true.

2. But Obama, his corrupt ilk, and his cult followers DO remind me of a socialist government in the 1930s. They remind me of Germany and reinforce my tag line. The tag line that has not changed in almost a decade of being on FR. The tag line that the left goes out to prove daily.

Back to being a Battered American before the “Civilian National Security Force” starts asking questions.

61 posted on 02/25/2009 12:36:01 AM PST by M1Tanker (Proven Daily: Modern "progressive" liberalism is just National Socialism without the "twisted cross")
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To: M1Tanker

There is no way I can Thank You enough for what you do to keep us here safe. Thank You!

You Nailed It here. I’d love to see you post this as a separate thread. Ping me when you do, please.

Thank you!


62 posted on 02/25/2009 6:37:49 AM PST by Tolik
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To: Tolik
Thanks, but I do not know quite how I will do that. I have not posted on FR in a long time and have a weak Internet connection here.
63 posted on 02/25/2009 6:45:46 AM PST by M1Tanker (Proven Daily: Modern "progressive" liberalism is just National Socialism without the "twisted cross")
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To: M1Tanker

It’s no problem, I can do it for you, if I have your permission.


64 posted on 02/25/2009 7:15:01 AM PST by Tolik
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To: Tolik

You have my permission.

What more can Obama do to me anyways? The Left’s Taliban friends had their chance last week but they used a “made in China” cheap 107mm rocket and it dudded out.


65 posted on 02/25/2009 7:21:36 AM PST by M1Tanker (Proven Daily: Modern "progressive" liberalism is just National Socialism without the "twisted cross")
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To: M1Tanker

Done:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2193700/posts?page=1

Thank you
All the best to you and all the guys out there.


66 posted on 02/25/2009 7:50:19 AM PST by Tolik
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To: JenB987

Just call me a Battered, Bitter Clinger.

If it were not for guns and religion, I’d have no hope for change at all.


67 posted on 02/25/2009 8:16:28 AM PST by Jen (The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.)
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To: Tolik

Put Sarah on television and let her read that letter. I guarantee you it will be the talk of the nation and her voice will be heard around the world.


68 posted on 02/25/2009 10:48:05 AM PST by mojitojoe (None are more hopelessly enslaved, as those who falsely believe they are free.)
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To: JenB987

Battered here too. Never asked the government for a single penny, just give them almost half of what we make. It’s insane.


69 posted on 02/25/2009 10:49:54 AM PST by mojitojoe (None are more hopelessly enslaved, as those who falsely believe they are free.)
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To: ClearCase_guy
There's a lot of dry tinder out there. And sparks are flying.All we need is a little breeze to fan those sparks and this whole party is going to get real hot.

I am doing MY best to fan these damn flames! Your tagline says it all.

70 posted on 02/25/2009 10:55:51 AM PST by Jackknife (Chuck Norris grinds his coffee with his teeth, and boils his water with his rage)
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To: M1Tanker

“I am a Battered American serving in the US Army in Afghanistan.”

Thank you for your selfless service, my Liberty, and defense of our Constitution.

Your service will never be forgotten by those of us whom truly appreciate the sacrifice made by you and your family.

Those in the military, present and past, are THE best among us.

thaDeetz
el Cid’91


71 posted on 02/25/2009 11:12:32 AM PST by ebiskit (South Park Republican ( I see Red People ))
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To: Tolik
I am just trying to keep the government from battering my wife and kids. I am afraid I'm getting too used to the beatings.

Mr. Obama, have you stopped battering your citizens?

72 posted on 02/25/2009 12:04:24 PM PST by Never on my watch (Barney's frank luvs Freddie's fannie)
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To: Tolik

It was an okay article. I say that because it’s not angry enough, and doesn’t take enough shots.


73 posted on 02/25/2009 12:22:57 PM PST by wastedyears (April 21st, 2009 - International Iron Maiden Day)
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To: kabar

Nobody was there to represent Miller in 1938.

Didn’t he die before his trial?

All government’s fault

Why didn’t Conservatives raise hell before Reagan signed FOPA? An M60 would go for $2500, rather than $25,000. Same with an M4A1.

He is correct; nobody stood up and said “no.” We have ourselves to blame.


74 posted on 02/25/2009 12:45:16 PM PST by wastedyears (April 21st, 2009 - International Iron Maiden Day)
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To: JDoutrider

Put me in front of a microphone, and you’ll hear VDH after a cold shower, divorce hearing and alimony hearing. All from somebody who was too young to care that Slick Willie signed the AWB in ‘94.


75 posted on 02/25/2009 12:47:44 PM PST by wastedyears (April 21st, 2009 - International Iron Maiden Day)
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To: Tolik

Never better or more right on!


76 posted on 02/25/2009 12:47:52 PM PST by AmericanVictory
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To: maica

I firmly believe that Liberals never developed logic skills to begin with.


77 posted on 02/25/2009 12:52:04 PM PST by wastedyears (April 21st, 2009 - International Iron Maiden Day)
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To: Calusa

“Deep sigh... What was this battered american doing on Nov. 4 ‘09”

You’ll have to wait about 10 months and ask.


78 posted on 02/25/2009 1:10:34 PM PST by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: M1Tanker

We’ll do our part holding the line here so that when you guys get back, it’s not a different country.

God bless you


79 posted on 02/25/2009 1:14:21 PM PST by wastedyears (April 21st, 2009 - International Iron Maiden Day)
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To: PetroniusMaximus
We conservatives, by our quiet acquiescence over the past 70 years, have allowed this to happen.

Exactly! Yet, there are still those among us who say we should be nice, be polite, be respectful, be peaceful, work within the system...blah, blah, blech!

I've heard about the silent majority for more than 25 years. They got us no where! They changed nothing with their silence. As you said, they allowed this to happen.

80 posted on 02/25/2009 1:24:46 PM PST by Just A Nobody (I *LOVE* my Attitude Problem - NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)
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