COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Monday, September 16, 2013

The political class world is crumbling. That’s something to celebrate. 



Biggest Loser of 2013: the Political Class
By Scott Rasmussen - September 14, 2013


2013 has been a tough year for the political class. 
The most recent evidence comes from Colorado. 

Earlier in the year, the political elites in Washington were certain gun control would be enacted following the horrific massacre at a Connecticut elementary school. When nothing passed, they expected politicians who refused to support more gun restrictions would face consequences for their actions.
There were consequences. Just not the one’s the political class expected. 
After Colorado passed its own version of gun control legislation, two state senators were targeted by a grassroots effort for removal through a recall vote. It was the first time in the state’s history that the recall process had even been attempted. Outside money poured in, and gun control advocates outspent the NRA and its allies by a 6-to-1 margin. Despite the tremendous financial advantage they enjoyed, both state senators were removed from office because of their support for gun control legislation.


This wasn’t the first time the political class totally misread the public mood this year.
An early sign of trouble for the elites came with public reaction to the so-called sequester. More precisely, the D.C. panic was caused by the lack of public reaction.
Politicians, mainstream media organizations, defense contractors and others did everything they could to scare the public. President Obama himself used his State of the Union address to say, “These sudden, harsh, arbitrary cuts would jeopardize our military readiness.” To make sure voters understood his concern, he added, “They’d devastate priorities like education, energy and medical research. They would certainly slow our recovery and cost us hundreds of thousands of jobs.”
But it didn’t work.
People didn’t rise up in revolt and demand that Congress stop the sequester.
Instead, voters recognized that the politicians were crying wolf. The so-called cuts were not harsh and devastating. They were embarrassingly modest. In fact, all the sequester really did was reduce the growth of federal spending a bit. So, when the sequester went into effect, there was no revolt. Instead, hardly anybody noticed. Only those who work for the government really felt any impact.
Then there was Syria.
The political class has long been much more enthusiastic about military interventions than the American people. Some among the elite like it for humanitarian purposes, some for prestige, and some because they believe the U.S. should be the global policeman.
Voters think we should take action only when our vital national security interests are at stake.
Still, when the president was forced to seek approval from Congress, the initial expectation was for easy passage in the Democratic controlled Senate and a close vote in the Republican controlled House. Instead, public reaction to the president’s request was so negative that it became a rout.
It was stunning to see what happens when Congress actually listens to voters rather than following the insiders.
On gun control, the sequester and Syria, the political class showed how little grasp it has about the attitudes of mainstream America. Other issues are likely to reveal the same cluelessness as 2014 approaches.
The political class world is crumbling. That’s something to celebrate. 




45 comments:

  1. A Record Number of Abortion Clinics Closed this year:

    Federalism @work, despite The Feds.

    ...I still fear The Roberts Court will find a way around.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ted Nugent on Travon

    ...geeze, I figured Ted/w his tee totaling, organic wild game eating ways would look like a million bucks.

    Instead, he looks worse than Degenerate Doug.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Politicians, mainstream media organizations, defense contractors and others did everything they could to scare the public. President Obama himself used his State of the Union address to say, “These sudden, harsh, arbitrary cuts would jeopardize our military readiness.”

    To make sure voters understood his concern, he added, “They’d devastate priorities like education, energy and medical research. They would certainly slow our recovery and cost us hundreds of thousands of jobs.”
    "

    ***

    Hey! POTUS Deserves full credit for
    "bringing down the deficit!"

    ...in RufusWorld

    ReplyDelete
  4. The funny thing is, Patty Murray and Obama were the ones who rammed sequestration through, on the theory that the GOP considered defense sacrosanct. They were holding a shit and and got their ass called. Twenty-two days of furlough ended up being six.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So, how are they 'sposed to feed their families?

      Delete
  5. Me?

    I like wealth.

    It's allowed me to help my niece through her time of troubles.

    I'm also going to fund her PhD.

    What's wrong with this?

    Maybe she can give me a milkshake in my old age.

    bob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the government is going to give me in my old age is death panels.

      I'd rather have the milk shake.

      Delete
    2. And one of her 'sloppy kisses'.

      Thank you very much.

      Delete
  6. "They were holding a shit and got their ass called."


    Pure classic pristine Teresita.

    Our English bard could have done no better!!!!!!!!!!!

    bob, the English Major

    :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good God Miss T, is this formal dinner time. or what?

      Delete
  7. With Median Income down approx. 13% in 13 years, people are very much in a "fuck the government, and the horse it rode in on" frame of mind.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What in the hell are you bitching about?

    You actually VOTED for his sucker.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You fucking moron, Median Income has been dropping since 1999, and completely tanked when Bushco damned near put us into Great Depression II.

      Delete
    2. This sucker, sorry.

      I must have been thinking of something like "blow me".

      Delete
    3. You are really hung up on sex.

      I'd just ask -- where's the beef?

      Rufus I may be a moron, but I am not fucking moron.

      I hardly get any sex anymore at all.

      Language, dude.

      Delete
  9. As for the deficit, dumbass, ending the war in Iraq cut way more from the red than did the "sequester."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will go your way.

      You are a fucking half breed Mississippi red necked fool who is being taken 'for a ride'.

      Fucking moron, dumbass.

      So there!

      Delete
    2. I will go your way.

      You are a fucking half breed Mississippi red necked fool who is being taken 'for a ride'.

      Fucking moron, dumbass.

      So there!

      Delete
    3. "Fuck You You Old Fool"

      Wander off to Doyle's.

      Have a drink with 'the boys'.

      Fart, bitch and complain.......

      Delete
    4. But never do a goddamn thing.....

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. Send some more money to the little hindu hussy, and blow yourself (that's the only "blowing" that's going to go on, because She's sure as hell never going to blow you.)

      Delete
    2. I guess the old german dude wised up, and got out of the race, eh? Germans always were smarter than Swedes.

      Delete
  11. .

    From

    AnonymousMon Sep 16, 11:46:00 AM EDT

    Our English bard...bob, the English Major



    ...................


    1. AnonymousSun Sep 15, 12:35:00 PM EDT
    Look how I have lowered our 'Master of Critical Thinking'.

    He is now just a heartbeat away from a big --

    "Fuck you, Bob, and you too Rufus."


    -----------------

    AnonymousSun Sep 15, 03:16:00 PM EDT
    Shoot them all, the bastards

    1. AnonymousSun Sep 15, 04:00:00 PM EDT
    Now The Mad Crapper will come in. Charging me with failing to do my duty, which duty I did not know I even had until about two weeks later, by which time it had been reported by the hospital to the police.

    Fuck you, Crapper.

    1. AnonymousMon Sep 16, 04:22:00 AM EDT
    You see Sam how he can't fuck her at the end?

    1. AnonymousMon Sep 16, 12:18:00 PM EDT
    "Fuck You You Old Fool"

    1. AnonymousMon Sep 16, 12:13:00 PM EDT
    I will go your way.

    You are a fucking half breed Mississippi red necked fool who is being taken 'for a ride'.

    Fucking moron, dumbass.

    So there!



    You can't make this stuff up ladies and gentlemen. You can't make it up.

    :)

    .


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      From: Bollyann, la coquette de bobbo

      "Gee, Uncle Gob, I am really impressed with your overall knowledge of literature and with the facility with which you use the English language. In fact, now that you have agreed to pay for my PHD, I may also take some additional classes in English literature in hopes of following in your footsteps. Of course PHD's in 'Brain Science' and 'English Literature" (and possibly Astrophysics) may get a little expensive but we can worry about that later. In the meantime, do you think you could spare a couple more c-notes for cab fare? It's expensive getting to my 'Kama Sutra' class. Also I have to keep up with my yoga classes. Wait until you see how flexible and supple I have become.

      Oh, and I hate to ask but do you think you could send me some emergency funds. For some reason, my breasts seem to be getting larger and I am busting out of all my blouses. Which reminds me, you never did tell me what you think I should wear on our camping trip. I was thinking maybe a short plaid skirt with white sailor top and anime schoolgirl shoes. What do you think, Uncle Gob.

      Love and sweet sloppy kisses and great big bear hugs

      Your niece, Bollyann

      .

      Delete
  12. .

    Maybe she can give me a milkshake in my old age.

    Hmmm.

    Milkshake?

    Is that Swedish code?

    If so, I think you'll probably have to end up settling for a 'hand' shake.

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Maybe she can give me a milkshake in my old age.


      Bollywood dreams.

      :)

      .

      Delete
  13. When I saw the name Bollyann, it reminded me of a term the English use:

    Bollocks

    A highly flexible term commonly used by the English.

    1. something rubbish
    2. a falsehood or series of lies
    3. something great
    4. the best possible
    5. testicles
    6. exclamation on making a error.
    1. That Mel Gibson movie was a load of bollocks.
    2. That Tony Blair is talking bollocks.
    3. That curry was the bollocks!
    4. That your wife is the dog's bollocks when it comes to cooking!
    5. Then she kicked him in the bollocks.
    6. Bollocks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is Rufus Bollocks, or Bollocked?

      People west of the Mississippi want to know.

      Delete
  14. English comedy is the best ever.

    Gets the belly shaking even more than thinking about Quirk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meanwhile Quirk-O she is working at the Max Planck Institute of Brain Research in Hamburg, Germany and is accepted to the PhD program at Washington State University while you are still trying to sell candy on the street corner, with a cardboard sign that says:

      "God Loves You Please Help"

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    3. OK I went a little too far, Deuce, but I don't want anyone putting down my Niece.

      Delete
    4. She's not your niece, idiot. And, keep your personal life over at Dear Abbey's. you embarrass us all with such inanity.

      Delete
    5. OK I went a little too far, Deuce, but I don't want anyone putting down my Niece.

      Delete
    6. OK I went a little too far, Deuce, but I don't want anyone putting down my Niece.

      Delete
  15. Naval Yard shooter's friend described him as a "mild-mannered Buddhist guy." :) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd hate to see what a "Ill-mannered Buddhist man" would do. :) :)

      Delete
    2. Them Buddhist is such "peace-niks."

      Delete
    3. Radical Buddhist monk accused of inciting riots that have killed hundreds of Muslims

      http://nypost.com/2013/06/21/radical-buddhist-monk-accused-of-inciting-riots-that-have-killed-hundreds-of-muslims/

      Delete
    4. 'No water for him. Let him die': Horrifying moment Burmese Buddhists set fire to Muslim man in riots which left 43 dead

      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312807/Burma-riots-Horrifying-moment-Buddhists-set-Muslim-man.html

      Delete
    5. Bloody battles in Burma kill TWENTY: Muslim and Buddhist rioters including MONKS burn neighbourhoods to the ground in worst sectarian violence since election

      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2297378/Burma-riots-kill-TWENTY-Muslims-Buddhists-MONKS-burn-neighbourhoods-ground.html

      Delete
    6. Official death toll rises in Tibet riots

      http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/official-death-toll-rises-in-tibet-riots-1.720214

      Delete
  16. "Survivors reported an attack with shelling, followed by the onset of a common range of symptoms, include shortness of breath, disorientation … eye irritation, blurred vision … [and] vomiting," among other symptoms, the report said.

    Nine nurses and seven doctors interviewed said they saw shortly after the attack "a large number of ill or deceased persons lying in the streets without external signs of injury."

    Weather conditions kept the gas close to the ground, maximizing its effectiveness, the report said.

    ReplyDelete