Winger (Powerline): We are no longer a center right country

[cali]

Yesterday was a comprehensive disaster. Here in Minnesota, to add a local perspective, not only did the state go for Obama–no surprise there–but the Democrats recaptured both houses of the legislature, and voters defeated two ballot initiatives, one on gay marriage and one on voter ID. Similar losses were sustained across the nation, although there were a few bright spots here and there. So yesterday’s defeat was not about a flawed presidential candidate or presidential campaign.

What lessons can we draw? To begin with, conventional political wisdom was upended in a number of ways. When a president runs for re-election, the campaign is a referendum on his performance; undecided voters break against the incumbent; it’s the economy, stupid. These and other familiar maxims can be consigned to the dustbin.

But there is a much more important proposition that, I think, was proved false last night: that America is a center-right country. This belief is one that we conservatives have cherished for a long time, but as of today, I think we have to admit that it is false. America is a deeply divided country with a center-left plurality. This plurality includes a vast number of citizens who describe themselves as moderates, but whose views on the issues are identical or similar to those that have historically been deemed liberal.

<snip>

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/11/the-meaning-of-yesterdays-defeat.php

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. Well, yes, but his other assumptions around this idea are wrong...

The American left does not believe in that old Canard about voting ourselves stuff, a favorite talking point of old monarchists and totalitarians.

[democrat_patriot]

2. I agree on many points.

Center-left plurality indeed.

I talk to conservatives once in a while and they all agree on:

Polluting less (unless you say 'global warming' or 'climate change').
Having a level playing field (mostly - unless you say Affirmative Action').
Less $ in politics.
Balanced budget.
Less debt.

What we disagree on is how to fix it....

[GitRDun]

3. This is where it goes off the rails

"Decades ago my father, the least cynical of men, quoted a political scientist who wrote that democracy will survive until people figure out that they can vote themselves money. That appears to be the point at which we have arrived. Put bluntly, the takers outnumber the makers."

If he can't figure out that the 1% are the real takers, he's learned nothing.

Put bluntly the 99% have begun the process of extricating the country from the real takers....

[GiaGiovanni]

4. YES

"Put bluntly the 99% have begun the process of extricating the country from the real takers...."

That's exactly what is happening.

[JHB]

5. Accurate, only if you replace "people" with "the wealthy" and "vote" with...

..."lobby".

[JHB]

6. That was Ben Franklin

I note that Ben didn't exactly have the chance to witness the New Deal.

Let's also note one of his, applicable to "privatizers":

There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and more frequently fall than that of defrauding the government.

[librechik]

7. that was just a lie started by the envious minority back in the 70s

They have less people in their party, they just do. When you ask people about the issues, they poll very progressive. But when you use the demonized word "liberal" they forget about principles.

So they started playing tricks to get more power as a minority, or to somehow get in a majority position despite the demographics. They are not in favor of popular government. they can't be. They are not popular and their programs are hateful and don't help anyone.

yes it's a self righteous lie and we have to call them on it.

[hifiguy]

8. Poor old AssRocket.

I had the misfortune to work at the same firm as this asshole when I was first out of law school back in the late 1980s. He and a reichwing buddy took me out to a Twins game and started talking politics. I politely stated that they had misread me badly as I was a Ted Kennedy Democrat. They looked at me like I had three heads.

Also worked as a temp on a project of his years later, after his blog was up. Still the same old shithead.

I delight in your suffering, AssRocket. I fart in your general direction and I blow my nose at you.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

9. I can't believe I read that.

That whole essay was a straw man wrapped inside another straw man.

And the comments were insufferable.

Socialism blah, blah, socialism, blah, blah.

They're not even creative enough to find a new boogie man - at least, that'll be entertaining. Same boring old drivel from people who just simply cannot think. I'm sick of it. If anything is going to pose a danger to America, it's people like the author of this turd.