One of the great talents of the far-left is the ability to concoct a message, regardless of it's validity, and advance that message through the systematic and widespread use of talking points. Another great talent is the ability to control those talking points to shape the debate, and tell only half the story.
Case in point, the left's latest talking-points chant claims that the Republican party has become the party of “No”. In print, television, and electronic media, the message is that Congressional Republicans are the only thing standing in the way of (cue harp music) The Chosen One's quest to rectify all wrongs, heal the planet, and transform a more perfect union. We're constantly told that those Rascally Republicans have become nothing but obstructionists.
It's a catchy tune. It's got a nice beat and you can dance to it. But, that isn't the whole story. Here's what the far-left hasn't told you:
1. Republicans simply don't have the numbers to be considered obstructionists. Unlike the talking points, numbers don't lie. For the past year, Democrats have not only occupied the White House, but held overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress. Consequently, Republican votes have had little or no effect on the outcome. For all practical purposes, they could have taken the year off. Stop Obama's agenda? Republicans don't have enough members in Congress to stop a leaky faucet.
2. Blue Dog Democrats, on the other hand - members of the president's own party - have been the biggest obstacle to advancing his agenda. There has been a tremendous amount of discord - if not outright conflict - within the Democrat party. Watching their membership running around like Keystone Cops would have been humorous, if the stakes weren't so high.
3. Rascally Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats are not the only obstructionists at work here. The latest national polls put the percentage of voters, who still support the far-left agenda of Obama and Democrat leaders, at less than 40%. That means roughly 60% of the American public are saying, “No, no, no.” In other words, roughly 60% of the American public are...wait for it...obstructionists.
Besides, despite the lamentations of the left, the word “No” is not necessarily a negative thing. Many times, the use of the word “No” can be positive. Often it's necessary. When liberties are threatened by an out-of-control government, I want someone to stand up and say “No”. When our national economy is already on the brink, and a radical agenda threatens to plunge it further into the abyss, then I want someone – Rascally Republicans, Blue Dog Democrats, or the American public – to scream “No”!
One could envision other examples of the positive the power of “No”. If I'm about to step off a curb into the path of a speeding bus, I want someone – anyone – to shout “No”! Honestly, I wouldn't consider them to be obstructionists if they did that. If a woman wants to use the word “No” to ward off unwanted sexual advances, I want her to have that power. If I say “No” to drugs, does that somehow make me an obstructionist? The word “No” is a very powerful and positive thing.
In truth, though, Republicans deserve little or no credit for the derailing of Obama's agenda. On the other hand, if the far-left wants to give undue credit to Congressional Republicans as being the only thing standing in the way of transforming this country into something unrecognizable, then I'm OK with that. It's something they should wear like a badge of honor.
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One of the great talents of the far-left is the ability to concoct a message, regardless of it's validity, and advance that message through the systematic and widespread use of talking points. Another great talent is the ability to control those talking points to shape the debate, and tell only half the story.
Case in point, the left's latest talking-points chant claims that the Republican party has become the party of “No”. In print, television, and electronic media, the message is that Congressional Republicans are the only thing standing in the way of (cue harp music) The Chosen One's quest to rectify all wrongs, heal the planet, and transform a more perfect union. We're constantly told that those Rascally Republicans have become nothing but obstructionists.
It's a catchy tune. It's got a nice beat and you can dance to it. But, that isn't the whole story. Here's what the far-left hasn't told you:
1. Republicans simply don't have the numbers to be considered obstructionists. Unlike the talking points, numbers don't lie. For the past year, Democrats have not only occupied the White House, but held overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress. Consequently, Republican votes have had little or no effect on the outcome. For all practical purposes, they could have taken the year off. Stop Obama's agenda? Republicans don't have enough members in Congress to stop a leaky faucet.
2. Blue Dog Democrats, on the other hand - members of the president's own party - have been the biggest obstacle to advancing his agenda. There has been a tremendous amount of discord - if not outright conflict - within the Democrat party. Watching their membership running around like Keystone Cops would have been humorous, if the stakes weren't so high.
3. Rascally Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats are not the only obstructionists at work here. The latest national polls put the percentage of voters, who still support the far-left agenda of Obama and Democrat leaders, at less than 40%. That means roughly 60% of the American public are saying, “No, no, no.” In other words, roughly 60% of the American public are...wait for it...obstructionists.
Besides, despite the lamentations of the left, the word “No” is not necessarily a negative thing. Many times, the use of the word “No” can be positive. Often it's necessary. When liberties are threatened by an out-of-control government, I want someone to stand up and say “No”. When our national economy is already on the brink, and a radical agenda threatens to plunge it further into the abyss, then I want someone – Rascally Republicans, Blue Dog Democrats, or the American public – to scream “No”!
One could envision other examples of the positive the power of “No”. If I'm about to step off a curb into the path of a speeding bus, I want someone – anyone – to shout “No”! Honestly, I wouldn't consider them to be obstructionists if they did that. If a woman wants to use the word “No” to ward off unwanted sexual advances, I want her to have that power. If I say “No” to drugs, does that somehow make me an obstructionist? The word “No” is a very powerful and positive thing.
In truth, though, Republicans deserve little or no credit for the derailing of Obama's agenda. On the other hand, if the far-left wants to give undue credit to Congressional Republicans as being the only thing standing in the way of transforming this country into something unrecognizable, then I'm OK with that. It's something they should wear like a badge of honor.
