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Cocooning Is the Wrong Solution for Conservatives
The American Thinker ^ | James G. Wiles

Posted on 01/06/2013 11:44:14 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife

.......... the United States needs its conservative leaders and activists in the public square now more than at any time in our lifetimes. If we hold on, we'll win. Blue State America is doomed, and the blue-staters represented by President Obama and his party cannot save it.

...... we red-staters must remain fully involved and fully engaged in American politics and culture.

This is especially true after a year like 2012 -- when we lose. Better to quote U.S. General Joseph Stilwell after the loss of Burma to the Japanese. "I claim," Vinegar Joe said, "we took a hell of beating[.] ... [I]t is as humiliating as hell. We need to find out what caused it, go back and re-take it."

The biggest mistake we can make is to stay in our own echo chamber and to talk only to each other. There was already too much of that in 2012......

....... We need to read -- and refute with facts -- the other side's stuff as well.

And engage with it.

Facts are bullets in the war of ideas. And to find facts, we have to look everywhere for them -- not just our own outlets. Winning the 2014 elections and beyond means we have to recruit and proselytize young and/or disaffected or unregistered voters.

It is necessary to go out and engage the culture. Join Democratic FB pages. Visit Progressive websites. Proselytize and organize, registering conservative voters, recruiting conservative candidates, joining in canvassing and GOTV efforts. If you live in a safe red state, go volunteer or donate in an adjoining blue state.

If you live and work in a blue state, fly your colors proudly. Every day......

Above all, let us project confidence. Take joy in the battle. And finally, let us prepare diligently for next time.....

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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 113th; activism; bho44; defeatism; factsarebullets; gingrich; information; isolation; leader; leadership; redstates
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To: darrellmaurina

Yes! Heartening words, brother.


21 posted on 01/07/2013 4:23:39 AM PST by Springfield Reformer (Winston Churchill: No Peace Till Victory!)
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To: TheWriterTX

I’m done with um to. Bachman will get my vote for now. But shes about the only reason I will come out of the bunker for anything political.

The GOP is dead. Someone just forgot to tell them.


22 posted on 01/07/2013 4:51:30 AM PST by cableguymn (The founding fathers would be shooting by now..)
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

You mean like the conservatives in congress? It’s hard to fight a battle when your own troops are shooting at you.


23 posted on 01/07/2013 4:54:00 AM PST by cableguymn (The founding fathers would be shooting by now..)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

It seems the most favored course is to pray. Is that cocooning?

t’s easy and very inexpensive


24 posted on 01/07/2013 5:05:28 AM PST by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 .....The fairest Deduction to be reduced is the Standard Deduction)
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To: DH
Corruption is the name of the game and the people have lost

Abandoning belief, true, life-changing belief in the God to whom all souls must give account, is the root of all corruption. We live among and have for leaders those who have lost their capacity to blush at any evil. Half a century ago, when I was just a boy, a corrupt leader could be shamed out of office. The people of his constituency could be duped for a while, but once the truth was out, the game was up.

But no more. Now they have contests to see how long they can continue to parade their brazen, godless exploits, because the longer they can hold out, the more likely the voting public will just shrug and move on. These are people behaving as if there is no day of reckoning for evil deeds, as if there is no Ultimate Arbiter of right and wrong. These are people who have accepted the godless premise of the so-called "Will to Power," the belief that the only true moral arbiter is success in imposing your will on everyone else. And this dark cynicism that leads to corruption is the very reason our founders have warned us that we cannot hold this republic apart from belief in God. At so many levels, we rely on individual honor, keeping faith to promises when all earthy motives have failed, for this system of ours to work.

Therefore, we must work on multiple fronts. We must take action, yes, and men and women of faith have always been bold to act, because they believe they must do what is right, even when the price is high, because that is our duty before God. But we must also foster the knowledge of God as the one whose blessing we must have if we are to truly succeed at anything, who will hold us to account for our lies and cheats and self-seeking. Without that sentinel of God-fearing honor posted in the heart of our leadership, there is no hope of escape from either corruption, or the bondage of tyranny that is corruption's natural child.

But I remain optimistic. Why? Because I have seen God reinstate honor, and the ability to blush, in hearts you'd have though were impossible to redeem. I have seen God do wonders. His arm is not so short that he cannot save us. He can turn this country around without even breaking a sweat. We must act, yes, but all our acts will be empty gestures if he does not grant us his blessing. You cannot win without God in your caucus.

25 posted on 01/07/2013 5:30:36 AM PST by Springfield Reformer (Winston Churchill: No Peace Till Victory!)
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To: TheWriterTX

No thanks.

I’m just waiting for the rioting to start.

The GOP doesn’t deserve my support.

&&&
Ditto.

My contribution is to increase my prayer efforts.


26 posted on 01/07/2013 5:32:07 AM PST by Bigg Red (Sorry, Mr. Franklin, I guess we couldn't keep it.)
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To: darrellmaurina

While I appreciate your enthusiasm and your ideals, I see the writing on the wall; getting involved with my local GOP is pretty much a waste of my time.

The Rats stole the election. The fix is in, and I do not foresee another fair national election in my remaining years here on earth, and I am nearly 66.

Understand that I say all this as a long-time political junkie, as someone who has attended many demonstrations, and as a person who was the county co-ordinator for a US Senate candidate during the GOP primaries.

I’m done. All I can do now is concentrate on my Faith and my family.


27 posted on 01/07/2013 5:42:15 AM PST by Bigg Red (Sorry, Mr. Franklin, I guess we couldn't keep it.)
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To: AdaGray

Leadership? Leadership?

Surely, Lord willing, there are a number of leaders in the wings getting ready to forge ahead.

Remember what RR said, “I suppose it’s the scriptural line, ‘I look to the hills from whence cometh my strength.’ I understand it a little better when I am up here.” Ronald Reagan said this when at the hills on his ranch. He was quoting from Psalms 121.

Yes, he got strength from God’s Word. And never doubt that he was instrumental in the dismantling of the old Soviet Union.


28 posted on 01/07/2013 5:43:51 AM PST by YepYep (Build the America you want at your address, and keep looking up. --Sarah Palin)
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To: KGeorge
Isn't our whole life a battle between good and evil ? It's my raison d'etre. Can't quit, nor sleep well until this particular evil is defeated.

As doomed as it seems, we have a 'get out of jail' card in the energy sector. Freedom is issue number one, but it's being infringed in part by economics>healthcare, and the hopelessness of poverty, and widespread unemployment.

Unleashing our new energy technologies can generate massive amounts of employment, income, royalties, salaries, and taxes to the tune of erasing Obeyme's deficit. IF WE STOP IT NOW. Vibes are coming from our leadership that they can concede no more. Either cut spending or shut it down. That's what's coming. I love it.

29 posted on 01/07/2013 6:47:52 AM PST by chiller (Do not consume any NBCNews;MTPTodayNightlyNewsMorningJoeMSNBCBrianWilliams sts)
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To: chiller

I know what you mean- literally. (lol Not so good for me. This is men’s work, imo)

I don’t *feel* like we’re doomed if we can get out from under the obstructions. We have so much (& we *are* so Blessed). A blog I visit often, Original Dissent (& his new site, Confederate Renaissance) has laid out the numbers for energy, agriculture, manufacturing. There’s no reason for us to be where we are. The federal government has & is thwarting all of this production. It’s like we’re being held hostage.
You’re right about the deficit.

I hope & pray that you’re right about the leadership. They know what’s going on. I’m not sure what they’re waiting for.


30 posted on 01/07/2013 7:04:07 AM PST by KGeorge
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To: darrellmaurina
Remember, the gates of Hell, i.e., the works of Satan, are supposed to be attacked and broken down. It is the liberals, not us, who are supposed to be on the defensive.

Wanting to reduce inequality brought about by market and political failures should hardly be classified as "works of the devil."

Why does it seem to me that many conservative christians would side with the rich, young ruler in Jesus' parable?

31 posted on 01/07/2013 7:53:06 AM PST by ksen
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To: ReaganGeneration2
I do not think this author read Atlas Shrugged. Agree with it or not, by reading it you have to think through the question: whether, by staying in the fray, economically or politically, we perpetuate the tyranny.

Conservatives in the House had their chance, but blew it by re-electing Boehner as Speaker. There must be something in the water in DC.

I'm torn, but I'm leaning toward the approach of Francisco d'Anconia:

If you saw Atlas, the giant who holds the world on his shoulders, if you saw that he stood, blood running down his chest, his knees buckling, his arms trembling but still trying to hold the world aloft with the last of his strength, and the greater the effort the heavier the world bore down upon his shoulders -- what would you tell him to do? I don't know. What could he do? What would you tell him? To shrug.

32 posted on 01/07/2013 8:36:54 AM PST by Night Hides Not (The Tea Party was the earthquake, and Chick Fil A the tsunami...100's of aftershocks to come.)
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To: VermiciousKnid

During the ‘60s and ‘70s I read every Heinlein book.
Even belonged to ‘The Science Fiction Book Club’ back then.


33 posted on 01/07/2013 8:38:03 AM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

I knew it! You know, I met RAH once. He complimented me on my red hair and made me blush.

I often wonder what he would have thought about the current state of affairs here in th U.S., and what he would have written about it.

Regards,


34 posted on 01/07/2013 8:46:16 AM PST by VermiciousKnid (Sic narro nos totus!)
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To: darrellmaurina; Hildy

Thank you very, very much for the link to the awesome write-up about HILDY in the AP article! She’s going to have to remember to mention her best friend me and FR, in one of her future write-up’s...LOL.

I LOVE this article!


35 posted on 01/07/2013 8:59:34 AM PST by onyx (FREE REPUBLIC IS HERE TO STAY! DONATE MONTHLY! IF YOU WANT ON SARAH PALIN''S PING LIST, LET ME KNOW)
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To: darrellmaurina; Lakeshark; RedMDer; humblegunner; TheOldLady; penelopesire; Marcella
B T T T ! ! ! ©

36 posted on 01/07/2013 9:03:14 AM PST by onyx (FREE REPUBLIC IS HERE TO STAY! DONATE MONTHLY! IF YOU WANT ON SARAH PALIN''S PING LIST, LET ME KNOW)
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To: Springfield Reformer
You cannot win without God in your caucus.

Praise the Lord AND pass the ammunition.

37 posted on 01/07/2013 9:14:50 AM PST by going hot (Happiness is a momma deuce)
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To: muawiyah; onyx
“Registration and Get Out The Vote programs are vital ~ we can win every election if we get out more Republican oriented voters.”

No, The Republican Party won't win as it is now liberal based - the conservatives left when the Party basically kicked them out. And, it doesn't matter who is president now as the economic collapse cannot be averted. That is reality.

I'm in Texas and that is my focus now as this state is healthy in state spending and cannot by state constitution spend more than they take in. Businesses are moving here and conservatives are moving here from debt ridden blue states with few jobs. We have jobs here.

When the economic collapse happens to this country, we will be hurt less than other states.

And, Texans will never give up their guns no matter what president Hussein does - a pox on president Hussein. I'm buying another rifle with 25 bullet magazine, so there, Hussein, chew on that. Long live Texas.

38 posted on 01/07/2013 9:31:46 AM PST by Marcella (Prepping can save your life today. Going Galt is freedom.)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife; onyx; C. Edmund Wright; Servant of the Cross

A worthwhile read, thanks.


39 posted on 01/07/2013 9:47:42 AM PST by Lakeshark (!)
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To: ksen
Wanting to reduce inequality brought about by market and political failures should hardly be classified as "works of the devil."

Why does it seem to me that many conservative christians would side with the rich, young ruler in Jesus' parable?

Ah, another straw man set up by an Alinskyizing leftist. Congrats.

First, people such as yourself (leftists) don't ever actually reduce inequality, you simply try to change who is unequal (four legs good, two legs better), while pretending you're doing something. Inequality has risen more in the past four years than any other time, and who has been in control, hmmmmmm?

Second, survey after survey, poll after poll, shows conservatives actually give money and time and help to the poor, while leftists vote and pretend to stand with them, while actually not giving to them (see: Tax returns of AlGore, John Kerry, and John Edwards). Once again: Congrats. Pretending you side with one of Jesus' sayings, while your opponents are rich young rulers: Priceless (and yes, transparently silly and totally false, reversing what is actually true).

40 posted on 01/07/2013 9:59:16 AM PST by Lakeshark (!)
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