We're Governed by Callous Children

The Wall Street Journal ^ | October 30, 2009 | Peggy Noonan

[estrogen]

We are governed at all levels by America's luckiest children, sons and daughters of the abundance, and they call themselves optimists but they're not optimists—they're unimaginative. They don't have faith, they've just never been foreclosed on. They are stupid and they are callous, and they don't mind it when people become disheartened. They don't even notice.

[estrogen]

When I see those in government, both locally and in Washington, spend and tax and come up each day with new ways to spend and tax—health care, cap and trade, etc.—I think: Why aren't they worried about the impact of what they're doing? Why do they think America is so strong it can take endless abuse?

I think I know part of the answer. It is that they've never seen things go dark. They came of age during the great abundance, circa 1980-2008 (or 1950-2008, take your pick), and they don't have the habit of worry. They talk about their "concerns"—they're big on that word. But they're not really concerned. They think America is the goose that lays the golden egg. Why not? She laid it in their laps. She laid it in grandpa's lap.

They don't feel anxious, because they never had anything to be anxious about. They grew up in an America surrounded by phrases—"strongest nation in the world," "indispensable nation," "unipolar power," "highest standard of living"—and are not bright enough, or serious enough, to imagine that they can damage that, hurt it, even fatally.

We are governed at all levels by America's luckiest children, sons and daughters of the abundance, and they call themselves optimists but they're not optimists—they're unimaginative. They don't have faith, they've just never been foreclosed on. They are stupid and they are callous, and they don't mind it when people become disheartened. They don't even notice.

[libertarian27]

They are Bored....

[Always Right]

When I see those in government, both locally and in Washington, spend and tax and come up each day with new ways to spend and tax—health care, cap and trade, etc.—I think: Why aren't they worried about the impact of what they're doing?

Isn't that what Peggy voted for a year ago??

[Ann Archy]

Well, then, Peggy, you should LOVE SARAH PALIN!!!

[Bobalu]

[stayathomemom]

...and are not bright enough, or serious enough, to imagine that they can damage that, hurt it, even fatally.

Ah, but that is exactly what they are trying to do!

[Slehn]

Bingo! Like so many others, she was seduced. A year later she’s feeling remorse for having allowed herself to be lathered up by the man child.

[Stepan12]

You're so brilliant you snob. You supported "the Messiah" over Sarah Palin.

Why don't you shut up and stop pretending you're a prophetess?

[Tax-chick]

Projection: Peggy haz it.

[Blueflag]

Wow, even Peggy Noonan is disillusioned?

[AmericanInTokyo]

That is because, amongst themselves, in their halls, and parlours when they caucus and plot, in their conference calls, at the Starbucks near Capitol Hill or the White House with their government ID badges proudly swinging from their necks so as to show off to tourists just in from flyover country, in meeting rooms and in their Oval Offices, there isnt a single, honest person who stands up and says, in a loud voice, "Hey, now wait just a damned second! Why this is The PEOPLE'S money we are talking about here. Do we really NEED this STUFF!?"

Liberals JUST DO NOT OPERATE THIS WAY in organizations, especially government. I have seen it from the inside.

You only generally hear these objections within Conservative power settings. Ronald Reagan comes to mind as someone who would say this often and unabashedly.

Herein lies our problem. They are no different than our colonial masters in Great Britain who lorded it over us from London. And look what eventually happened to THEM!

[Flintlock]

Whazzup Peggy??
Why is this news to you?
It seemed obvious to me EIGHTEEN MONTHS ago!

[9YearLurker]

Yep, time for Peggy to befriend Sarah on Facebook.

[AmericanInTokyo]

She knows what is going to happen tonight (US time) and she is just covering her ass about it, no doubt. (IMHO)

[AmericanInTokyo]

Dearest Peggy,

[kempster]

Let us not forget she must have at least one more book that she w!ill want us all to by. I can already see the title: Mea Culpa!

[Blueflag]

OK, I took the time to read the entire column.

I think Peggy had a personal meeting with Nancy Pelosi, and while not naming her, wrote this article about her.

Peggy is just standing there, figuratively, blinking her eyes in disbelief that anyone in power could be that stupid, out of touch, blind and obtuse.

[lonestar]

Is Peggy not one of the “luckies?” She sounds “real top drawer.”

[MortMan]

They are Buttholes...

Not all politicians are silver-spoon trust fund babies. But all politicians do seem to be convinced they are above it all - that they should never want for a single thing their entire lives, and that the rules they themselves write should apply to everyone except themselves.