Columnist.
Winston Churchill, who made a better case for alcohol consumption than all the beer commercials ever produced, is well known for having observed that democracy is the worst form of government…except for all the others. But, in a less avuncular state of mind, he also pointed out that “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Even Alexis de Tocqueville would have a tough time arguing with that bit of cynical truth. It is especially true of liberals, a group numbering in the millions, who are of the opinion that their compassionate intentions out-weigh logic, honesty and principles.
Liberals like to lay the blame for Islamic terrorism on one of two causes; namely, the poverty in most Muslim nations or American foreign policy. Sometimes, just for variety, they’ll mention both items. And, as usual, they’re dead wrong on both counts. If the cause was actually poverty, you wouldn’t find world-wide terrorism funded by Saudi Arabia, and waged by such wealthy individuals as Osama bin Laden and young Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Nor should we forget the various Islamic doctors in London and Fort Hood’s Major Hasan, none of whom were charity cases.
This is the time of year when most people are busy resolving to do better in the future. Some people vow to go on diets or exercise more, some promise to give up smoking or booze. But, year in and year out, I vow to cut liberals more slack and give them the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, just as with other people’s good intentions, my own rarely last until nightfall. The difference is that the reason mine die on the vine, as it were, has nothing to do with my own lack of character, but everything to do with the failings of liberals.
These days, as we see Obama’s approval rating plummeting in the polls and we hear more and more people expressing buyer’s remorse, it occurs to me that the only two areas of advertising in which blatant lies are permitted are movies and politics. And I, for one, would like to know why we can get our money back if we buy a toaster that burns the pumpernickel, but not if we’re tricked into seeing a Will Ferrell movie the ads insisted was a laugh riot. And why is it we’re not allowed a do-over if it turns out we voted for a devout Marxist only because he swore he was a centrist during the campaign?
When Barack Obama was campaigning -- not that he’s ever stopped -- back in 2008, he made a number of promises. As we all know, like a cad on the make, he was only trying to get us in the sack. Once he had his way with us, he barely remembered our name, let alone his various vows. Some of the things he swore to included keeping lobbyists out of his administration, providing five days for the public to review pending legislation and a bi-partisan approach to problem-solving. Instead, lobbyists, particularly those representing unions, have freer access to the Oval Office than Michelle and the kids.
