Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan't Ride the Beast
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/6/17/102027/550Can't Ride the Beast
by BooMan
Mon Jun 17th, 2013 at 10:20:27 AM EST
Former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson grows uncomfortable with the tone on the right:
Questioning the legitimacy of our government is the poisoning of patriotism. It is offensive for the same reasons it was offensive when elements of the left, in the 1960s and 1970s, talked of the American regime. Because it distorts the United States into something unrecognizable in order to advance a partisan ideology. Because this is still the last best hope of earth, not a police state. Because Americans have fought and died for this country, and to turn on it in this way is noxious. It is dishonest. And it is dishonorable.
He's responding to people like Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, and Rand and Ron Paul. It's true that rather extreme things are being said about the tyranny of the federal government in light of recent revelations about the IRS and the NSA, but demonizing the federal government has been at the core of the conservative movement ever since the New Deal. I've always thought that conservatives "turned on this country" in a noxious, dishonest, and dishonorable way. Gerson never particularly cared until the base of the party started attacking the Intelligence Community.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 679 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (4)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Can't Ride the Beast (Original Post)
babylonsister
Jun 2013
OP
Our Blessed Saint Ronnie said that government was the problem, not the solution
Arugula Latte
Jun 2013
#3
Hekate
(90,690 posts)1. The GOP took the far-right to bed with them, married them, and spawned with them
Now maybe the saner elements of the GOP would like to dump the wingnuts, but instead the party is at risk of being eaten alive by a swarm of said spawn.
Good luck with that.
I would feel more Schadenfreude if the situation were not so dangerous for the country.
kentuck
(111,097 posts)2. Wow!
Speechless!
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)3. Our Blessed Saint Ronnie said that government was the problem, not the solution
Where have you been, Mikey?