First Thoughts

History was forced upon the electorate, but not the way many may think. The Wall St rule was unsustainable. The agent of the most extreme change and reliable change emerged.

Divisions are more clear now. Urban vs. rural.   Educated  vs. less educated.  Well-off  vs. less well-off. Same pattern in state after state. Race, especially Hispanics figures in,  but unclear yet.

We don’t know the fate of American conservatism as it was not aired.  In many ways McCain had a remarkably successful campaign, but could not articulate a political philosophy.

The relevance and viability of both traditional parties is still an open question. Political candor has been sacrificed for “partisan-first” and  “team-player” dogma that has paralyzed political action.

There is little room for temperamental conservatives anymore. It is a fast track in a fast world. So many citizens are “tuned-out”.  The “life of Riley” has captured them with sports, other pleasures, and easy money.  As an example: Tennessee gave all of it’s House members another ticket for two years. All were re-elected with big majorities. They were not held accountable for economic problems or any other calamities. In fact, Sen Alexander, who voted for the very unpopular 700 billion Wall St. bail-out and accompanying 150 billion of pork was re-elected in some counties by 80%.  That is temperamental conservatism, “tuned-out” or worse!

No one should be naive enough to count on the promises and rhetoric of the campaign. Just embarrassing! An intellectual insult.  And, both campaigns were guilty. Of course, all the “give-away” rhetoric is the immoral equivelent of buying votes. But, we are a debtor nation, and do not possess the resources for a run on the treasury.

The bills are starting to come in on the “riverboat gamble” of 1981-82. The riverboat gamble analogy was comments from members of Congress when Reagan decided to cut taxes without commensurate expense cuts. At the same time we embarked on a big defense build up.  Incidentally, the defense build up contributed considerably to the demise of the Soviet Union. However, the accounting  was not right and the national debt exploded and remains. Reaganomics is now in the court of public opinion!

How will this generation of Americans confront the coming unavoidable lifestyle changes and personal sacrifices?  Scarcity is the future!  Do we have the moral construction of our parents and grandparents of the 30’s?