Congressman tells angry constituents the idea that they pay his salary is ‘bullcrap’
A poster boy for the political class. I understand his point, but he is the political equivalent to Oscar at United. Whether you like it or not, you are elcted and represent ALL the people of your district, even the snowflakes and Democrats, until they find a way to toss you out. But you do not tell them they are irrelevant because you graciously pay enough in taxes to fund yourself....
My congresswoman is a Democrat, and in no way does she represent me. Nor do I expect her to.
What we have really lost in the past 60 years or so is temperance and tolerance of differing viewpoints. Those especially on the left are unwilling to allow the "live and let live" mentality which has dominated political discourse in our nation since its Founding (see the First Amendment). Those who aren't willing to adopt the mindset - or at least the laws - favoring lefting ideology are persecuted in the Court system and society in general. And as a result, the right raises its hackles and strikes back.
The scary thing is that I've been reading about our nation's political discourse from 1830 to 1860 and it seems that we are headed the same direction: toward an ideological civil war. As Abraham Lincoln observed (during the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates) with regards to the difference in opinion regarding the extension of slavery into the new territories of the West, the various parties of the nation were not willing to keep the same policies that had allowed both to live if not precisely in harmony at least in tolerance of the other. And eventually the partisan rancor on both sides grew to the point that the Southern States decided to secede and instigate military conflict with their assault on Fort Sumpter (South Carolina). I hope that our nation does not come to this, but unless ideologically people are willing to find common ground, my fear is that they will allow these partisan antagonisms to drive them to open conflict.
The division now, is not so much the states as with in most urban vs rural areas. The fighting approach today will be more the way of the IRA. Frightful because the division is almost 50/50 and in many cases households and families.
- The Princess Bride
Discontent can be expressed with tolerance, however. Sadly, what most people are turning away from is polite political discourse and sharing of ideas. I look at the recent Town Hall meetings many Representatives try to hold only to turn into a complete fiasco of organized shouting. That's not productive for anyone.
It would be great if there were more people who actually engaged their grey matter on their issues instead of solely their emotions and zombie parrot skills. I think that it is a telling part of our nation's future course that things have been agitated to this level. At some point a correction is going to happen and unfortunately I don't believe it is going to be a peaceful one.
I think that three factors contributed to the present "climate" of political discourse.
1. There has been a long creep of collectivist socialist ideology, in part a price for the "original sin" of allowing slavery in this country.
2. The enormous increase, based on technology, in the overall volume ("loudness") of "conversation" and the enabling of huge numbers of poorly educated people, and thus poor thinkers, to be heard.
3. The fact is that the collectivist socialist ideology is a failure became understood by ever increasing number of people. That made the "losers" emotionally disturbed, as they thought that they won the future. So, they scream their emotions.
Just my thoughts, respectfully submitted.
For a businessman, he is not very smart.
He needs to be more conscious of his Delusion of Grandeur.
Another thought is the Soros organized left will organize to disrupt their opponents. I am thinking of the $6 million or so spent to take down the Arizona Sheriff. when that type of election normally a small fraction of that amount is spent. Right now I have a sense that a big plan is underway for civil disobedience in the future with the minions on standby for the next we gotcha moment.