Monday, March 22, 2010

Nothing Concentrates the Mind...

While it may not be the end of the world, I do think we can see it from here. But that sight, please God, just might galvanize liberty loving Americans like nothing has before.

Make no mistake, the Democrat's legislative victory last night, the latest and greatest step toward their long-sought goal of European-style socialized medicine, changes everything. Over at National Review even Mark Steyn, who has played the role of Paul Revere as eloquently and energetically as anyone over the past year or two, sounds dispirited. But as sad as last night inarguably was, this morning is still the beginning of a new day. And this new day, like all new days, carries with it new hope and another opportunity for victory.

First, we should acknowledge the obvious. The Democrats exercised party discipline and a willingness to use raw power in a manner of which Republicans typically only dream. With every measure of public opinion against them, and with all the energy on the other side, they quite simply got it done. Guided as they are by an ideology that reliably informs them that the end always justifies the means, we were foolish ever to think otherwise, to hope against hope that anything like polls or rules or traditions would ever give them pause. For heaven's sake, they've effectively ignored the constitution for a hundred years now. Wasn't that warning enough?

To be sure, the GOP has remained solidly unified in opposition for over a year now and are to be congratulated for it. But when they last held the reins of power in Washington they were predictably timid, and just as predictably paid for it. Those days are over. The stakes are simply too high.

And what are those stakes? Our backs against the wall, we should no longer allow this debate to descend into quibbling over whether or not you can keep your current health-care plan or your doctor, whether it'll cost too much, who'll pay for it, or even the presence or absence in the plan of the public funding of abortions. THE stake in this fight is liberty. Nothing less. Is it possible to be anything more? The coming battles should always be framed in that light.

We can win. Yes, after last night, victory will be more difficult, much more difficult. But I, for one, will not go down without a fight, and the still great thing about this still great country, is that I know I'm not alone.

Fear not!

11 comments:

  1. Wow, I really needed this optimism today. Nicely said Sage.

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  2. I fear for our nation, and wonder what the aftermath will be from this decision. I am reminded of a moment in Jacob's life, who ad worked 7 years for Rachel, a woman he had chosen to be his wife. On their wedding night he went to bed believing he had all he'd hoped and worked for, only to find out after the marriage was consumated that he had been deceived by his father-in-law and had married Rachel's sister Leah instead. We too may be in for a nasty shock.

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  3. As I said Lavender, Fear not! We can win this battle and, in the process, win our country back as well. They represent a minority opinion. But they are a loud, organized, and determined minority, which explains their success. Let us hope, as the saying goes, they have awakened at last, a sleeping giant. Again, Fear not!

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  4. You're welcome Shannon. Now gird your loins!

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  5. Sage, I share your belief that the road ahead is a tough one but not an impossible one. Was not the situation a dire one when the founders banded together to seize liberty and freedom for a new nation? Liberty loving Americans have a duty today to pledge to each other..."our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor", in the effort to return this nation to the its station as the City on a Hill.

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  6. Well said David. Another founder, who actually came "four score and seven years" after the first, spoke of a "new birth of freedom". Perhaps the wailing and gnashing of teeth we are currently experiencing is labor pain instead. Let us work to make that not just a hope, but a reality.

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  7. Dear Wise Sage,

    I think your optimism is well placed, assuming the American economy can sustain last night's trillion dollar expansion of the federal government long enough to allow for major corrective surgery. However, I do think conservatives need to make the case not just for "repeal" but for tort reform and injecting some real competition into our current sclerotic system. "Repeal" is not enough - - the current system is hurting American competiveness around the globe. But my sense is that this day will be seen as a turning point in terms of energizing conservatives, re-focusing them on the need to reign in a runaway, ineffective federal government. As Alexander Hamilton wisely noted, the Feds should stick to international commerce, war, and foreign negotiation.

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  8. Thanks sf. "Determined" might be a better adjective than "optimistic" at this point. As tempting as it may be to simply curl up in the fetal position with our thumbs stuck in our mouths, we just can't. There's too much that is good at stake. I agree, repeal is not enough. But I'll take it as a starting point. Finally, Hamilton was right. But then, he mostly was, wasn't he?

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  9. Well said 'Sage'!!! Fear not, says it all..

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