The State Of Our Union

[Kathianne]

I needed this today:

http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/05/05/the-state-of-our-union/


The State of Our Union
WALTER RUSSELL MEAD (http://www.the-american-interest.com/byline/wrm/)The biggest deficits in the United States these days are not the ones grabbing the headlines.

The state of our union can be summed up pretty easily: Democratic policy ideas don’t work, and the Republican Party is melting down.

...

The more “Democratic” an institution is these days, on the whole the less well it is working. What institution in the United States has been under Democratic control longer and more thoroughly than the failing public school systems of major cities? Or their police departments?

Yet against the backdrop of failing Democratic policies and institutions, the collapse of the Republican Party into political and intellectual incoherence is all the more striking. The Democrats, for all their inability to achieve their stated end of social progress through their chosen means of good governance, are clearly more competent at the essential business of party management than their GOP rivals. The failures of Democratic governance are so apparent, and the public unhappiness with the cronyism and inequality of interest group liberalism so deep, that organizing an effective opposition should be a fairly easy task—but even that basic objective has eluded the contemporary GOP.

...

But they are not the prime cause of our troubles. They are symptoms of an underlying deficit of social and intellectual vision (http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/04/11/a-drought-of-ideas/). Our society has grown too big, too complex and too diverse for the ideas and institutions on which it runs. This is partly a religious and cultural problem. American culture was originally shaped by a set of Christian and Enlightenment ideas, sometimes in tension with each other, that nevertheless provided a framework for common social and political discussion. We’ve moved away from this classic American synthesis without finding an effective replacement—if indeed a replacement can be found—and both the spiritual and intellectual roots of American life are growing more and more attenuated.

Up until now, at every similar crisis in American history, a wave of religious revival like the colonial-era Great Awakening, the Kentucky Revivals of the early Republic, and a series of successor movements has renewed and refreshed this source of national coherence and strength. Without something like this today, it’s not clear that American culture will continue to support the kind of republic that we’ve come to think of as eternal and unchanging.

...

Against this grim background, we have three presidential candidates still standing. Two, Trump and Sanders, are reactionary. They stand for a rejection of the present in the name of an imaginary alternative: a blue socialist utopia in Sanders’ case, a braying ethnic and nationalist triumphalism in Trump’s. Hillary Clinton, by contrast, is the status quo candidate: she aims to keep the ship on as steady a course as possible while water continues to pour through the hull breach. None of them have a platform or represent a movement that can solve the problems that perplex and frighten us.

There has been and will be much frustration in this bitter campaign, and a Trump-Clinton campaign will be one of the ugliest—and most unpredictable—in American history. November will not be the end of the bitterness, the division, and the frustration; the next President of the United States will have a difficult job. The consequences of unsolved problems will proliferate, the international challenges will become sharper, and public unhappiness with the status quo will likely continue to rise. Political passions will run high, and the polarization will run deep.

But the message of 2016 should be clear: the answers to America’s most critical problems lie at the moment beyond the realm of electoral politics. We have plenty of partisans; what we lack are platforms. People who care about the United States, and about the world that desperately needs a strong and forward-looking America, need to think a lot less about the partisan choices of 2016 and a lot more about how to ensure that in 2018 and 2020 there are better ideas to run on—and a stronger society in which those ideas can be debated.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I needed this today:

http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/05/05/the-state-of-our-union/


The State of Our Union
WALTER RUSSELL MEAD (http://www.the-american-interest.com/byline/wrm/)The biggest deficits in the United States these days are not the ones grabbing the headlines.

The state of our union can be summed up pretty easily: Democratic policy ideas don’t work, and the Republican Party is melting down.

...

The more “Democratic” an institution is these days, on the whole the less well it is working. What institution in the United States has been under Democratic control longer and more thoroughly than the failing public school systems of major cities? Or their police departments?

Yet against the backdrop of failing Democratic policies and institutions, the collapse of the Republican Party into political and intellectual incoherence is all the more striking. The Democrats, for all their inability to achieve their stated end of social progress through their chosen means of good governance, are clearly more competent at the essential business of party management than their GOP rivals. The failures of Democratic governance are so apparent, and the public unhappiness with the cronyism and inequality of interest group liberalism so deep, that organizing an effective opposition should be a fairly easy task—but even that basic objective has eluded the contemporary GOP.

...

But they are not the prime cause of our troubles. They are symptoms of an underlying deficit of social and intellectual vision (http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/04/11/a-drought-of-ideas/). Our society has grown too big, too complex and too diverse for the ideas and institutions on which it runs. This is partly a religious and cultural problem. American culture was originally shaped by a set of Christian and Enlightenment ideas, sometimes in tension with each other, that nevertheless provided a framework for common social and political discussion. We’ve moved away from this classic American synthesis without finding an effective replacement—if indeed a replacement can be found—and both the spiritual and intellectual roots of American life are growing more and more attenuated.

Up until now, at every similar crisis in American history, a wave of religious revival like the colonial-era Great Awakening, the Kentucky Revivals of the early Republic, and a series of successor movements has renewed and refreshed this source of national coherence and strength. Without something like this today, it’s not clear that American culture will continue to support the kind of republic that we’ve come to think of as eternal and unchanging.

...

Against this grim background, we have three presidential candidates still standing. Two, Trump and Sanders, are reactionary. They stand for a rejection of the present in the name of an imaginary alternative: a blue socialist utopia in Sanders’ case, a braying ethnic and nationalist triumphalism in Trump’s. Hillary Clinton, by contrast, is the status quo candidate: she aims to keep the ship on as steady a course as possible while water continues to pour through the hull breach. None of them have a platform or represent a movement that can solve the problems that perplex and frighten us.

There has been and will be much frustration in this bitter campaign, and a Trump-Clinton campaign will be one of the ugliest—and most unpredictable—in American history. November will not be the end of the bitterness, the division, and the frustration; the next President of the United States will have a difficult job. The consequences of unsolved problems will proliferate, the international challenges will become sharper, and public unhappiness with the status quo will likely continue to rise. Political passions will run high, and the polarization will run deep.

But the message of 2016 should be clear: the answers to America’s most critical problems lie at the moment beyond the realm of electoral politics. We have plenty of partisans; what we lack are platforms. People who care about the United States, and about the world that desperately needs a strong and forward-looking America, need to think a lot less about the partisan choices of 2016 and a lot more about how to ensure that in 2018 and 2020 there are better ideas to run on—and a stronger society in which those ideas can be debated.


Against this grim background, we have three presidential candidates still standing. Two, Trump and Sanders, are reactionary. They stand for a rejection of the present in the name of an imaginary alternative: a blue socialist utopia in Sanders’ case, a braying ethnic and nationalist triumphalism in Trump’s. Hillary Clinton, by contrast, is the status quo candidate: she aims to keep the ship on as steady a course as possible while water continues to pour through the hull breach. None of them have a platform or represent a movement that can solve the problems that perplex and frighten us.

^^ Here is where he shows his true colors-- by misrepresenting both Trump and hillary's campaigns/promises and base in beliefs..
Sanders he nailed dead on(although softly), the guy is a damn communist.Tyr



Hillary Clinton, by contrast, is the status quo candidate: she aims to keep the ship on as steady a course as possible while water continues to pour through the hull breach.
Poppycock-- far too kind and far off base--she does not intend the maintain the status -quo but instead intends to revamp and re-energize he obama destructive agenda(which the author omits to mention).
Clearly this piece makes hillary look like the better choice in her brave attempt to right a sinking ship--a ship that she and obama both help to
knock holes into--yet this clown cleverly leaves that part out --as if she has just now just arrived on the scene!

^^^^ Sorry, but This guy and his disregard for TRUTH/ACCURACY and his propagandizing does nothing for me except make me want to vomit...
His hit on trump was not nearly as bad as was his obvious attempt to give hillary a better image and a softer look than the damn stinking witch deserves.

The obama socialist agenda --which this loon ignores in his hit piece is a product of hillary and obama.

Only way I can see it is that this clown is writing to make hildabeat look like the sane moderate between TWO insane extremes, Trump on the right and Sanders on the left..
WRONG IN MANY WAYS BUT MAINLY BECAUSE HILLARY IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO OUT SOCIALIST EVEN SANDERS.
NOTHING MODERATE AND LEVEL HEADED ABOUT HER PAST--RATHER INSTEAD CORRUPTION , SOCIALISM AND STUPIDITY ARE HER HALLMARKS.

If I missed the good part enlighten me please.
As I openly acknowledge seeing black and white in my world view.
Never been one to latch onto that million shades of gray philosophy that the dems/libs so dearly love..

Thats my view on that article, in no ways does it translate to you personally my friend.
We see differently on things and thats ok by me...The world would be a damn dull place if every human agreed on everything .
I just give my honest thoughts as I always do.. -Tyr

Edit--ok . I just raced away and researched him and read the entire wiki listing on him.
Seems to me I pegged him correctly--a far left moderate, recent books , awards and associations given in Wiki bears that out to me..-Tyr

[Kathianne]

Ok, Tyr. Communist he isn't. Well informed on politics, foreign affairs, he is. Easy enough to find his bona fides. In any case, it pretty much does state where we find ourselves today, IMO. You don't agree, I can live with that.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Ok, Tyr. Communist he isn't. Well informed on politics, foreign affairs, he is. Easy enough to find his bona fides. In any case, it pretty much does state where we find ourselves today, IMO. You don't agree, I can live with that.

Exactly, I saw past good in his stands but seems he changed since the Kissinger years--evolved as the libs so love to say.
Evolve to lean into their way of thinking which is how careers, bona fides , fame and greater wealth is acquired in Washington D.C AND THIS GLOBALIST WORLD.
Sad to say, many people sell out for wealth, and fame..-Tyr

[Kathianne]

Exactly, I saw past good in his stands but seems he changed since the Kissinger years--evolved as the libs so love to say.
Evolve to lean into their way of thinking which is how careers, bona fides , fame and greater wealth is acquired in Washington D.C AND THIS GLOBALIST WORLD.
Sad to say, many people sell out for wealth, and fame..-Tyr

:laugh2: Ok, he suddenly became wealthy and changed. Right. Where did he gain all that fame and wealth, from American Interests?

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

:laugh2: Ok, he suddenly became wealthy and changed. Right. Where did he gain all that fame and wealth, from American Interests?

The wealth and power in D.C HAS BEEN CORRUPT BEYOND ITS USUAL STANDARDS SINCE THE GREAT CHANGES ENGINEERED IN THE MID/LATE 60'S MY FRIEND.
REWARDED TODAY AND HEAVILY FOR THE LAST 25/30 YEARS ARE THOSE THAT KISS ASS AND PLAY THE GAME AS ITS INTENDED TO BE PLAYED BY THOSE PULLING THE SHOTS..
AND THOSE ARE NOT ALWAYS ELECTED OFFICIALS ..

THE GLOBALISTS DIDNT JUST APPEAR ON THE SCENE IN THE LAST COUPLE DECADES MY FRIEND..

So he went for the gold--whats wrong with that--selling out is the new norm and highly praised in this rapidly changing liberal world
we now find ourselves becoming peasants in..
Remember, a turtle moves very slowly but even it arrives at its destination.. -Tyr

[Kathianne]

The wealth and power in D.C HAS BEEN CORRUPT BEYOND ITS USUAL STANDARDS SINCE THE GREAT CHANGES ENGINEERED IN THE MID/LATE 60'S MY FRIEND.
REWARDED TODAY AND HEAVILY FOR THE LAST 25/30 YEARS ARE THOSE THAT KISS ASS AND PLAY THE GAME AS ITS INTENDED TO BE PLAYED BY THOSE PULLING THE SHOTS..
AND THOSE ARE NOT ALWAYS ELECTED OFFICIALS ..

THE GLOBALISTS DIDNT JUST APPEAR ON THE SCENE IN THE LAST COUPLE DECADES MY FRIEND..

So he went for the gold--whats wrong with that--selling out is the new norm and highly praised in this rapidly changing liberal world
we now find ourselves becoming peasants in..
Remember, a turtle moves very slowly but even it arrives at its destination.. -Tyr

Ok, it's a conspiracy, all is explained. Crazy way to avoid a discussion, but effective. :thumb:

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Ok, it's a conspiracy, all is explained. Crazy way to avoid a discussion, but effective. :thumb:

No conspiracy, just explaining the D.C. CULTURE.
Had I wanted to avoid a discussion I'd not made the first reply and I'd logged off to do other things here at home--as I may do shortly.
They havent made the person I would run from in exchanging ideas or offering my opinions to, if I so felt inclined to do.. :beer:

However, to me when others dismiss my speaking about the globalists as conspiracy talk, I have to reappraise if its worth continuing the conversation -simply because the GLOBALISTS are out in the open now with their --one world government, no nations no borders crap.
Such info is easily found on the Internet , the rest of my comment were about D.C AND ITS CHANGES SINCE THE 60'S-AGAIN NOT CONSPIRACY.
ONE CAN TRACE THE LIBERAL INFESTATION INTO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TO THAT ERA.
AND IF PERCEPTIVE CAN SEE SINCE THEN WHERE MOST OF THE SOCIALIST CHANGE HAS ORIGINATED- AGAIN NOT CONSPIRACY..

Do note- that I've never attempted to belittle you in such a way my friend..
I hope and trust you will not do so again to me..-Tyr

[Kathianne]

No conspiracy, just explaining the D.C. CULTURE.
Had I wanted to avoid a discussion I'd not made the first reply and I'd logged off to do other things here at home--as I may do shortly.
They havent made the person I would run from in exchanging ideas or offering my opinions to, if I so felt inclined to do.. :beer:

However, to me when others dismiss my speaking about the globalists as conspiracy talk, I have to reappraise if its worth continuing the conversation -simply because the GLOBALISTS are out in the open now with their --one world government, no nations no borders crap.
Such info is easily found on the Internet , the rest of my comment were about D.C AND ITS CHANGES SINCE THE 60'S-AGAIN NOT CONSPIRACY.
ONE CAN TRACE THE LIBERAL INFESTATION INTO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TO THAT ERA.
AND IF PERCEPTIVE CAN SEE SINCE THEN WHERE MOST OF THE SOCIALIST CHANGE HAS ORIGINATED- AGAIN NOT CONSPIRACY..

Do note- that I've never attempted to belittle you in such a way my friend..
I hope and trust you will not do so again to me..-Tyr


How you went from Mead, about as far from a globalist as can be, to what you wrote? What am I to think? I wasn't belittling, I felt your response very belittling, so perhaps we're just not communicating clearly?

I actually feel that has been one of the typical responses to anything brought up that isn't in line for what is being sold as 'the new GOP.'

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

How you went from Mead, about as far from a globalist as can be, to what you wrote? What am I to think? I wasn't belittling, I felt your response very belittling, so perhaps we're just not communicating clearly?

I actually feel that has been one of the typical responses to anything brought up that isn't in line for what is being sold as 'the new GOP.'

I openly tell you, I made no attempt to belittle you my friend in any way.
This Meade guy has apparently greatly changed his stands on issues etc., to try to be far more Centrist but with a little more left twist in that.

To me , a Centrist is a damn fool. Somebody not willing to stand on any issues with the needed convictions or the higher costs in the needed sacrifices..
My father warned me as kid-- son always take a firm stand once you make up your mind which side of the fence to stand on""...
I take that advice and I will never abandon it..
I took my stand on Trump from day one despite the medía, government and world deluge casting him as a devil incarnate.
I've not wavered a bit since that stand was taken..
The Rock of Gibraltar doesn't have crap on me my friend....
My family notes rightly,that trait in me, only they call it being as stubborn as a damn Missouri mule. - :laugh:


How you went from Mead, about as far from a globalist as can be, to what you wrote?
I went from Meade to the globalists by way of Washingon D.C. because thats were he operates as do they.-Tyr

[Kathianne]

I openly tell you, I made no attempt to belittle you my friend in any way.
This Meade guy has apparently greatly changed his stands on issues etc., to try to be far more Centrist but with a little more left twist in that.

To me , a Centrist is a damn fool. Somebody not willing to stand on any issues with the needed convictions or the higher costs in the needed sacrifices..
My father warned me as kid-- son always take a firm stand once you make up your mind which side of the fence to stand on""...
I take that advice and I will never abandon it..
I took my stand on Trump from day one despite the medía, government and world deluge casting him as a devil incarnate.
I've not wavered a bit since that stand was taken..
The Rock of Gibraltar doesn't have crap on me my friend....
My family notes rightly,that trait in me, only they call it being as stubborn as a damn Missouri mule. - :laugh:-Tyr

I respect your right to be immovable, I mean I certainly can't if you are closed to that. Not a problem, but really with that there is no possible discussion. No matter what I might bring up, right/wrong/in between will be irrelevant to you.

I hope you are feeling good and enjoying Spring.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I respect your right to be immovable, I mean I certainly can't if you are closed to that. Not a problem, but really with that there is no possible discussion. No matter what I might bring up, right/wrong/in between will be irrelevant to you.

I hope you are feeling good and enjoying Spring.
Doing ok. Spring here finds me very busy. My daughter bought a fine second house out in the hills of Tennessee..
We are selling this house to move there. Getting this house ready to sell after the flood repairs and engineering the moves and my wife's new schedule as a respiratory care specialist in her new job has me busy trying to rearrange my daily schedule and my life...
as has my own recent med issues.
And my weekly contribution to caring for my mother in her illness and old age never stops.
Thanks for asking..-Tyr