Month: January 2010

Jon Stweart addresses DNC/DNP failings, almost cries…and I’m right there with him

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http://www.indecisionforever.com/2010/01/19/jon-stewart-on-the-massachusetts-senate-election/

I have been a longtime fan of Mr. Stewart, and have quoted him several times in op-ed pieces.   I have found his observations and capacity to look the country in the eye and tell us the truth without varnish but with a laugh far more refreshing than any flashy graphic on MSNBC or FOXNEWS.

Hero worship aside, Mr. Stewart makes a fantastic observation about the insane hammering of loss coming down the pipeline from Democrats about losing the 2010 elections, the healthcare bill, and the 2012 elections if Brown wins today.  How the political bodies in DC believe that an 18 vote majority isn’t enough to get things done.  The point raised by Stewart about the Massachusetts legislature changed the rules six years ago to prevent Mitt Romney from appointing a Republican replacement.  It’s an old piece of information that has floated around for a while, and is now getting a second look.  It is always enjoyable to see machinations coming back to bite people, especially politicians, in the ass.  Last class for the evening closes out at 10pm.  Looking forward to interesting analysis of the days events.

J.P.

Fear and Loathing in Massachusetts

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/17/brown-takes-lead-campaign_n_426679.html

The legions of the two political parties have descended upon Massachusetts like a murder of crows, all cawing and braying in the name of their select candidate.  I hope the lessons of NY-23 are fresh in their minds.  Granted, the Republicans and Conservatives are not serving up two different candidates to split the vote, but I still worry.  A campaign that has, for months, worked diligently, and slowly clawed its way from fifteen points down to a five point lead should remain wary of any outside influence.

Don’t get me wrong.  I am certain the candidates appreciate the long overdue money and attention.  The influx of support is a relief for tired phone bank operators and station workers who stump for their candidate endlessly.  However, the fear, my fear, is that the big guns will roll in, and those that are the national darlings of the Republican party will take center stage versus the real candidate.  I don’t care for Sarah Palin standing up, and giving a long-winded speech about the national trend of attacks on conservatism, and the impact this election will have on the national forum.  Candidate Brown must be center stage, telling his constituents what he is going to do for them when he gets to DC.  Nationalism will have its fair share of his time when he gets to DC…should he get to DC.

I apologize, my bias is showing.

My concern is national.  I want Massachusetts to pick the representative that they feel reflects the needs and values of their state and IS GOING TO REPRESENT THEM ON A NATIONAL PLATFORM.   Not another glad-handing yes man or woman, that will roll over and offer up the nation on a plate with a harried and rushed vote on a topic that, I feel, has not had so much a serious discussion, but serious plotting.  I look forward to tomorrow, and what it brings.  Regardless of the result, the dance on the national level is frenzied and a bit worrisome.  I have found it quite disconcerting that the future of this tremendous bill lies on the shoulders of one election.  The notion that steps are being taken to hasten the bill and not allow the elected representative of the people to vote on it is bothersome to say the least.  That the strength of the bill is not measured by a simple majority, or even by consensus of the members of congress, but by a matter of procedure.  parliamentary procedure is being used to circumvent discussion, debate, and, something I have never been fond of, filibustering.  The fact that now that parliamentary procedure may fail the majority, they are seeking out other tactics upon which to pass this legislation in a harried attempt to prove some value to their constituents before they are to return home and ask to return to DC to represent us for another two, four, or six years.  One could almost say the fear is palatable, and when their fear is tied to such a monumental piece of legislation, one cannot help but be just a little frightened by proxy.

J.P.

Another voice in the dirge

oldjeffersonian

Salutations to all those who find this wee corner of the political market we call the blogosphere.  I have, for several months now, tried to post commentary on sites such as Huffington Post and Politico with little response, or some very colorful questions being raised about my mother and the nature of her work.  I will clear the air now and say that I am one of those oft reviled Republicans.  Notes should be made that I will not call myself a conservative.  Conservatism, as far as I am concerned, is a movement that seeks to divide the Republican party along lines that, if followed, will alter the structure of the party, and the political landscape.  I’m not out to hold a religious sword of damocles over anyone’s head, to judge them and harangue them due to shortcomings that a book, a preacher, or my parents saw as counter-agent to their specific cultures.  Nope, not coming from me.

I’m old school Republican.  Jeffersonian Republican.  Small central government, minimal interference in business dealings but the capacity to act and make sure that a fair market practice is obtainable in a fair market.  Legislation dictating how we think, believe, or who listens to our phone conversations are generated out of fear for fear’s sake, not for the great good of the masses.  So, here is where I’m going to stand.  I’m not going to make a lot of Republican friends here, and I believe that a central government is necessary to the functional dealings with a massive number of people, so I am almost certain Libertarians will find me wanting.  Here I stand, here I will write, and here I will remain.   None-the-less, I look forward to posting thoughts and news articles that I find of interest, as well as some of my own.  I welcome debate and discourse.  You can disagree, but do bring facts and information.