Frum here to eternity
I just read a review on the Huffington Post of David Frum’s new ebook, titled “Why Romney Lost (And What the GOP Can Do About It.)” A lot of Republicans don’t care for Mr. Frum, who was a speechwriter for George W. Bush, and regard him as an apostate at best. But I have found a lot to like in his previous books, such as “Dead Right,” because I would like to see the Republican party move closer to the center. But I’m not sanguine about the prospect.
One of the most trenchant passages in Frum’s book is in the conclusion, cited by the reviewer:
After observing that the current conservative ideology is completely foreign to the next generation of Americans (and over half of those under 18 are non-white) Frum presents a strong note of caution: “To be a patriot is to love your country as it is. Those who seem to despise half of America will never be trusted to govern any of it. Those who cherish only the country’s past will not be entrusted with its future.”
This is exactly right. But Texas’s leaders will continue to shut their eyes and ears to such warnings.
Tagged: david frum
José says:
We might as well start working on a museum. The Grand Old Party, later known as The Stupid Party.
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JP says:
I disagree with Frum. There are no new issues in public discourse. The August 1885 Galveston Daily News (a business oriented conservative paper at that time) was writing about the need for a “Guest Worker” program. The ideological differences then and now are the same, but our conservative rhetoric needs to be updated. The mood of the country changes, and the ascendancy of left or right is cyclical. Conservatism will sell to youth if the R party can field a better and more adroit salesforce than the current one. The salesforce must have the cajones to tell the truth as well, instead of just preaching to the lowest common denominator of public misunderstanding of the role, and of course the limitations, of government. JP
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Vernon Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 11:39 am
JP,
I agree more with Frum. I also agree with you that most issues boil down to ‘how and to what degree should our government be involved?’ But while the basic differences in issues like “immigration” are nearly the same as they were 120 years ago (as you suggest), the landscape surrounding these issues has changed so much that often the old arguments simply don’t merit much credibility. I think that’s the point Frum makes.
However, I’d also suggest that in order to win support from future voters, it will require considerably more than just updated rhetoric and a more deft sales team. The product behind the pitch and the pitchman must be palatable and relevant to the modern audience.
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Common Cents says:
The 2012 election was for the Republicans as 1968 was for the Democrats. The Democrats had a choice afterwards…either move more to the center or go all the way out into left field. They chose left field and were not competitive for over a decade. Today the Republicans can choose to move toward the center or go into far right field. Since anyone who advocates moving more to the center is seen as not being a true believer, I can only assume that they will go even farther to the right. If so, 2016 will replace 1964 as their all time record defeat. I don’t always agree with Mr. Frum, but he is a pretty astute guy.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Common Cents, the GOP will get the White House back in 2016 and they might get the United States Senate back in 2014 IF they nominate good strong candidates.
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Anonymous Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 11:57 am
Will? Didn’t you say they would win in 2012. The GOP has a chance at the Senate with the 6 year itch.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Anon, the GOP lost their chances of getting the Senate this year because of HORRIBLE CANDIDATES in Akin and Mourdock, who costed GOP critical pick-ups.
In 2014, they will gain Senate seats.
Tom says:
Here is a snapshot of today’s GOP. Ready to send our troops into battle, no matter what the cost or consequences. But unable to stand up to Grover Norquist and Rush Limbaugh.
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retrocon says:
“To be a patriot is to love your country as it is”
“Those who cherish only the country’s past will not be entrusted with its future”
Sounds like psychobabble to me. How about “To be a patriot is to desire the best for the country and one’s fellow citizens”?
Romney’s campaign, by the way, was about the future. He wanted a brighter future. We can do better, he often said. His campaign was about a bright future built on recapturing the spirit of industry and economic activity. It was Obama who offered nothing new looking forward. Obama was stuck in platitudes of “I need more time” (for what?) and “THEY want to try the same old things that got us INTO this mess!” (which was simply a talking point without basis in reality).
The American patriot laments the erosion of the American spirit.
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Anonymoose Reply:
November 16th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Sounds like a lot of nostalgia to me.
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ghostofann Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 12:05 am
Wah.
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jerry only Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 1:12 am
This is a load of horse hockey if I’ve ever seen it. Romney had no ones interests at heart but his own ambition to take the office
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Romney lost because Obama & Co., managed to define him EARLY in the summer while the former MA governor was going through a long primary to win the GOP nomination.
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rw says:
I like Frum’s book but I think it really comes down to campaigning and candidates. The best Republicans stayed out because they knew Obama would be difficult to beat.
This election was really more like 2004 than 1980. The incumbent was vulnerable, but the opposing candidate was not able to connect with voters until it was too late.
The main issue is this campaign was personality.
We are on the edge of the fiscal cliff. In 2016, after we are pushed over, we will elect a fiscal conservative.
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jerry only Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 1:15 am
That fiscal conservative could easily wind up being a dem. they have a better track record over the past 20 years.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
There is no room in American for two liberal partys. The republicans only have to remain consistent and calm as President Obama marches toward the fiscal cliff to the delight of cheering crowds of taxNspend democrats.
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Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Two LIBERAL parties? That’s a joke. What we have in the USA between the two major parties is a Conservative party and a VERY Conservative party. There is no liberal party with any clout.
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I’ll drink to that!
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paulburka Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I agree. We have two conservative parties.
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retrocon Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Is the LGBT liberal party the same as the African-American liberal party?
Dave Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Is the homophobic Republican party the same as the racist Republican party?
Tornado Mc Fee Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 11:47 am
True. A central right party and a radical right wing party that is taking itself out of relevence. Texas is leading that charge.
Bill51 Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Who voted for the fiscal cliff? Some guy named Ryan, among others?
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ANONYMOUS Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@Dave – BRILLIANT.
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
We may go off of the fiscal cliff however a deal will be made quickly in January. We won’t go into a recession immediately. We will be fine with capital gains rates higher and the Bush tax cuts expired. Republicans say they want to reduce the deficit but they want just the middle class and working people to pay more and not the wealthy.
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Dave says:
It would be nice if Republicans had a plan beyond hoping America fails.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Dems have boxed themselves into a corner they can no longer point the finger and pass the blame.
We’re waiting dems you won and now you own it.
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Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 11:24 am
America’s failure is election gold for wily Republicans! Their only card to play is taking advantage of the fear and anger of the voters who will reflexively blame the party in power for all that goes wrong between now and 2016.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
With 15.9 billion dollars on losses the Post Master General was rewarded with a 33% increase in pay.
The dems are in charge.
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JohnBurnedallhisBooks Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Dim pendants at the lying Huffington Post:
“The Postal Service, an independent agency of government, does not receive tax dollars for its day-to-day operations but is subject to congressional control.
Overall, the post office had operating revenue of $15.6 billion from April through June, the third quarter of its 2012 fiscal year. That was down a fraction from the same period last year. But quarterly expenses this year climbed to $20.8 billion, up 10 percent, largely driven by the health prepayments. The Postal Service is the only government agency required to make such payments.”
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FLPD Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Congress in 2006 required the postal service to pre-fund its pension for 75 years–a standard not demanded of other federal agencies–and this accounts for at least $11 billion of its shortfall. The U.S. Postmaster’s salary is less than Phil Wilson’s almost $300,000 at TxDOT and the postmaster has many many more years of public service. Wilson will get a hefty pension, too, so don’t throw that at me. Finally, I am a big fan of door-to-door mail delivery and adamantly oppose Congressman Darrell Issa’s efforts to end it.
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donuthin Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
For the most part, I am satisfied with the service I get on 1st class mail. It is dependable and reasonably priced for delivery with confidence and reasonably quick. What I find interesting is the mountains of junk mail that I get, including many advertisements flyers, political mail outs, catalogues etc the cost of which are subsidized. The junk mail continues to increase while the 1st class mail is decreasing due to business and other correspondence taking place on the internet. While I must admit, I rather enjoy getting 2-6 Victoria’s Secret catalogues every week, not sure I enjoy it enough to subsidize the shipping.
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Dan Lungren got the heave ho in CA. Maybe Darrell Issa will bid us all farewell in 2014.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Issa could go for statewide office before then.
TrustbutVerify Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
The sooner he leaves the better. Encourage him, please.
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Bill51 Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Republican winning statewide in California? He could meet with some of the statewide Dems in Texas.
Stevie F. says:
Obviously, Frum’s argument trouble some Republicans and they are ready to dismiss such concerns without considering them. This is why so many young conservatives and moderates hold their party in low regard. As long as these Republicans live in the world of Leave it to Beaver they’ll never understand the lives and concerns of Americans today. It took Eisenhower’s popularity to push aside the isolationist old guard that stunted the GOP’s growth after WWII. The GOP needs someone with enough popularity and credibility to get some of these stubborn old Republicans to step aside.
Some of you seem to want our football teams running the wishbone offense and the Republican party building its future on the social conservatism of the last century. However, everything changes. The labels on the issues may stay the same but the dynamics behind them changes. It’s time to adapt or fade away.
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John Johnson says:
It would be nice if people like Jerry Only wouldn’t make asinine comments. Romney’s history of personally helping people away from reporters and cameras totally debunks his comments about his being a selfish, self-centered individual.
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jerry only Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 10:41 am
You consider jbb’s comments funny yet mine are somehow asinine? You’re as big an idiot as he is. And what i saud was true, regardless of Romney’s charitable giving.
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John Johnson Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
I guess it’s just the way you say it that sets you apart….and Romney comments are stupid. IMHO.
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Beerman Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Majority of Romney’s charity goes to Mormon church to protect his position in the priesthood. It is that simple. It is for personal ambition in the church only.
John Johnson Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Beerman, his church giving is over and above what I was addressing. There were plenty of examples given by recipients of his help, kindness and money during the campaign. You, and those with the same mindset will ignore them. You guys will keep up the “we good; they bad” broadcasts.
What sets JBB apart is the humorous way he baits all the rest of you into responding like thirteen year olds. There is also no humor in your retorts…just a bunch of pent up anger.
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
sorry jerry I’m funny and you’re not deal with it…
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José Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
From what I can tell, the vast majority of Romney’s charity went directly to the LDS Church, to the Tyler foundation, and to various right wing causes. (The Tyler Foundation then sends most of its monies to the LDS Church and right wing groups). Seeing as how so much of his donations go to self-serving causes, let’s not get carried away.
For someone with a net wealth of hundreds of millions, a few million dollars is not much of a sacrifice. Compare, say, to a kid fresh out of an Ivy League school taking a crap job helping out the disadvantaged and disenfranchised people of Chicago.
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Have the Romney’s ever volunteered at a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, tutored a kid from a poor neighborhood, helped build a Habitat house? Betcha not . . .
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paulburka Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I think we ought to view Romney as a decent person who was out of touch with modern America. And I don’t see the issue with giving a lot of money to his church. So what? What difference would it make if he gave it to United Way?
John Johnson Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Pearl…you would lose the bet. Obviously, you did not catch any of the people interviewed who had benefitted over the years by people aided by the Romney’s that was not carried out with camera’s rolling.
Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 8:01 am
Mr. Burka: I don’t see any problem with his giving money to his church, but most Christian churches require a tithe to be a member in good standing. He is required to donate to his church.
My comment asks: what charitable works has he performed that he wasn’t required to do?
Bill51 Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Pearl, I think you have a pretty warped view of Christian congregations if you think we are all “required” to tithe. Meanwhile, most churches spend a lot of their congregants’ treasure on mission work, locally and globally.
Tornado Mc Fee Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 11:50 am
Mitt who?
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John Johnson says:
I think this is an appropriate place to post comments passed on to me by Sherry at TLR after my email to Dick Trabulsi was received. I asked if I could quote her.
Part of my complaint in my email was the TLR’s giving $900,000 to Mark Shelton which was spent on ads attacking Wendy Davis’ integrity. I find it odd that conservative candidates touting Christian values stoop to approving ads that are all, or part, outright lies. I told them so.
Sherry told me that they did not approve of the ads, knew they were not working, and suggested a change in direction Eppstein obviously won the debate, and the TLR cut ties a few weeks before the election.
Perry’s last gubernatorial campaign used the same tactics against White. Maybe we will see a change in future races. Maybe not. Maybe the TLR’s research a few weeks out showed Shelton coming up short and they just cut their loses. I’m taking them at their word.
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jerry only Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 10:53 am
I dont think TLR is going anywhere, and neither are their tactics. Shelton lost because he was a weak candidate up against a dynamo. Perry and others have no problems with going negative and if Wendy runs for gov in 2014 it’ll be a whole different story, and I think TLR will do what they have to to beat her, including character assassination.
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TrustbutVerify Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 11:44 am
I don’t know if I would buy “Sherry’s” explanation. A quick check of TLR’s campaign reports shows they filed telegram expenditure reports in the final days of the campaign–all for Mark Shelton’s direct mail and on-line advertising. The 8-day report shows thousands more that they paid for in-kind research, travel, media and events for Mark Shelton after mid-October. I suppose you might tell me that all of this last minute stuff was simply portraying Shelton in a positive light.
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John Johnson Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Maybe someone from TLR will read this and respond. It is either one or the other. Maybe I’ll call her back for clarification. It can’t be both ways.
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TrustbutVerify Reply:
November 17th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
I also thought it was interesting that the Hispanic Republicans of Texas PAC (George P. Bush) gave Shelton $5,000 on Nov. 5, but then again, the HRT PAC’s biggest contributor is Bob Perry & Mr. Perry also gave Shelton $50,000 in October.
Tom says:
Many of us liberal socialist tax and spend democrats continue to emphasize the importance of actually paying for the government programs we support.
If Republicans don’t wake up, the GOP will be completely taken over by the wackos whose only purpose in life is to take control of women’s bodies.
And legitimate fiscal conservatives will be welcomed with open arms within the democratic party.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 5:01 am
deficit spending isn’t paying for what you support, its “charging” for what you want and letting someone else pay for what you looted.
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Kenneth D. Franks Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 8:58 am
You jut described the Bush years under the Republicans.
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texun Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Sure enough. We armed the Taliban and hill tribes in Afghanistan and taught them how to fight Russians. We armed and subsidized Sadam Husseim to carry on his war against Iran.
Then W made a total cluster-f by invading both countries to fight the folks we had armed. Only thousands of dead American men and women and trillions in debt to show for it. Yeah, what a great heritage JBB defends!
Willie Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Kenneth and texun: right you are!
Anonymous Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Johnnie,
It is so funny that you are so wrong and laughably wrong on so many things. I pray that you never stop being who you are. Your side LOST. You are a shrinking minority. The worst part for you is that you are irrelevant. The best you can be is an irritant. That is all you are. A bug. A bother. To win, your Republican buddies have to ignore you. Disregard you. Welcome to nothingness.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Lost? We won the House and we own Texas you call that losing. Why are dems always wrong?
Anonymous Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
LOST. Lost. Lost. You lost. Sad little JBB.
Anonymous Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
JBB you lost 15 seats in the US House. If it weren’t for redistricting Pelosi would be speaker.
BCinBCS Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
JBB,
Besides deficit spending being the order of the day for the last Republican administration, it is also the current Grover Norquist and his Republican obstructionist’s solution for continued increases.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
we call dems the taxNspend dems for a reason. Its why no dem has a statewide race in Texas for over 20 years.
Dems own defict spending and it will eventually catchup. Dems mortagaged their future by making this election about entitlements. short therm thinking.
Not an editor.... Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
JBB….you won TEXAS. Therefore, you lose.
buy a clue Reply:
November 18th, 2012 at 11:45 pm
Wait, didn’t you say Dems would lose the election because it was about entitlements? You’re as consistent and trustworthy as your hero Mitt the twit.
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 5:56 am
Yexans have low unemployment, low taxes and no democrats in office so why would anyone see Texans as losers?
How about them Texans/Aggies?
Vernon Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
When Yexas dangerously under funds essential health services and neglects basic infrastructure (costing Yexans even more money down the line)…people tend to think that makes Yexans losers.
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 5:01 am
Wait till you see the fat the Dew and Gov Perry has planned to cut out of the budget this lege session. The “losers” will be whining as their bored state worker positions are eleminated. No more getting paid to post on Burka’s blog is the criteria for budget cuts this year.
I love it.
Reagan Republican says:
“so let us go forth and lead this land we love, asking His help and His blessing knowing that God’s work is truly our own.”. So said John Kennedy as he pointed out that the nation was being passed to a new generation.
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Jorge says:
I totally agree ! There is much sadness and handwringing today on the R side;they simply cannot believe the election returns. And there’s a sense of fear. Fear about the consequences of changing demographics. (Someone on the Meet The Press panel said as much.) And Yes it’s also about taxes…but it’s more about fear. Expect talk radio to fan these flames but at the end of the day it will not work—just like it didn’t work in this election.
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Blue Dogs says:
I do NOT expect Susan Rice to be confirmed as Secy of State because Senate Republicans will block her nomination for a long time and force Obama to pick US Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) as a second choice.
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Anonymous Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Ayotte, Corker, Alexander, Heller, Burr, Kirk, will be the likely ones to vote to confirm Rice blue dogs. Not saying they all will but I would be surprised if five of the six will at least vote kill the filibuster.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I mean there are those in the Tea Party like Cruz who will filibuster Rice’s nomination for long as they want until she caves and withdraws.
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TrustbutVerify Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Do you anticipate that the Swiftboaters will be back in action if Senator Kerry is nominated for Secretary of State? Or was all of that disgusting, disrespectful garbage funded by rich Republican (and also Texan) donors applicable only to the position of President of the United States?
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Rice will be SWIFTBOATED and she will CAVE like the sorry Florida State football team has been doing for 12 years.
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TrustbutVerify Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
I was asking whether you would swiftboat John Kerry again not Susan Rice. You remember, the trashing of the military service of a man who actually went to Vietnam that was funded by a bunch of men who never went.
JohnBernardBooks says:
how to get your welfare on
http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/18/homeland-security-promotes-welfare-to-new-immigrants-in-government-welcome-materials/
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buy a clue Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
step away from the kool-aid dude.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 5:06 am
freebies for all and all you have to do is vote dem.
“Are services free?
Yes! All WIC services are free to those who are eligible.”
“Live in Texas. WIC clients usually receive services in the county where they live. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.”
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/gi/eligible.shtm
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 23rd, 2012 at 10:53 am
Where does it say they have to vote Democratic?
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 6:46 am
for the uninformed who missed it the HiSpansics voted 71% democrat.
retrocon says:
Indiana Pearl, José and others have questioned Romney’s charitable giving and charitable service, going so far as to claim Romney has done nothing charitable but selfishly protect his good standing in his church by paying tithing.
Now, either these guys are knowingly and deliberately bashing Romney or are relying on such for their information. There are ample testimonies from people whose lives have intersected with Mitt Romney describing how willing Romney has been — not only with his money but with him time — to offer his service to others.
There are probably a whole lot of little reasons why Obama won reelection despite his abysmal record on jobs and the economy — but herein is one of those reasons: the false perception many perpetuated about Romney’s character.
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José Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
It’s not bashing to ask who received the donations and for what purpose. Not every charity is equal in terms of its value to society.
Nor is it bashing to ask whether Gov. Romney was particularly remarkable in his service to others. A lot of other people have done a lot more good with far less recognition. Retro thought that Romney’s work was a big enough deal to brag about. I don’t see that is the case here.
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texun Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Not even close, retrocon. What we learned about Romney during his race for the nomination was that he would say anything, do anything, to push ahead of the pack. How’s that for moral leadership.
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 23rd, 2012 at 10:57 am
I’m asking whether Romney has done anything for anyone other than a Mormon – has he donated his time to a soup kitchen, built a Habitat house, volunteered at a homeless shelter? Those are activities many consider to be the true measure of charity – “Whatver you do for the least of these . . .”
From what I have read, Mr. Romney’s charitable efforts are dorected at his co-religionists.
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Tom says:
This is hilarious. If you Google “list of Mitt” it adds the words “Romney lies” before you can finish typing. And the list is long, including this gem:
“Romney’s lying is so pervasive, so ever-present, that one starts to wonder if it is pathological.
There is a mental illness characterized by habitual lying. It goes by the name of Pseudologia Fantastica. Here are some of the characteristics of this ailment:
The lies told “are not entirely improbable” and “upon confrontation, the teller can admit them to be untrue, even if unwillingly.” In other words, the liar is aware that he or she is lying.
The lies told cast the teller in a favorable light.
The tendency to lie is a long-lasting one and not the product of the moment. It reflects an innate trait of the personality.
Well, Romney fits this pattern when it comes to the first two traits. It is hard to tell about the third. We will have to await the in-depth biographies that are certain to hit the market in short order. However, there is no doubt that the man has an easy facility for lying. One doubts if it keeps him up at night.”
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retrocon Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 8:46 am
You can find about anything you want on the internet, can’t you Tom? Try typing in “Obama lies” and see if anything comes up. Shall I presume you’ll believe everything you find there?
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George Costanza says:
Remember, it’s not a lie if YOU believe it’s true.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 5:07 am
as LBJ said “if you tell the same lie enough soon the dem voters will believe you.”
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Anonymous Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 10:36 am
JBB,
You ever stop to think (I know, funny, right?) that the rest of the country is more than happy to take some time off, kick back, collect unemployment insurance and welfare, while Texans are working two and three jobs, without health insurance, and paying taxes to a federal government while rejecting its fair share of the return money. You may be too much of a chump to realize it, but the rest of the country may be gigling, more than happy to let Texans kill themselves by overworking, so that everyone else can live the easy life.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:55 pm
exactly thats why Texas is such a great place to live the freeloaders live elsewhere.
WURSPH says:
It is also not a lie if you say it enough times…..
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 23rd, 2012 at 10:59 am
JBB: You DO KNOW that Texas receives more from the federal government than it pays to said government in taxes?
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 6:47 am
actually Texas does not get back more than it pays but why let a good lie go to waste. It’s the dem way.
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
JBB : Take away the space program and govt. supported oil revenues. Come back after you do the math.
Willie Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 11:53 am
JBB, you make Texans and Texas look like a joke. And politically it is.
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Texas is a great place! Not all Texans are like JBB.
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Blue Dogs says:
Alabama will likely win the BCS National Championship over Notre Dame in the BCS title game because Saban & Co., will figure out Golston’s gimmicks just like Jefferson at LSU.
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Pat Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Shut your mouth. My Irish are going to crush the Bulldogs in Miami. Besides, this blog is supposed to about unimportant things, like politics.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 9:33 am
Pat, the Bulldogs will CHOKE to Alabama because you guys are overhyped and overrated and haven’t won a national title since 1980.
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Pat Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 11:46 am
Actually it was 1988, Mr. Internet.
Dave Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Blue Dogs watches the end of the Bama/Aggie game:
http://youtu.be/M2dlE1CQgVc
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Pat, Georgia has NOT won a national title since 1980, 32 years ago and Notre Dame hasn’t done damn squat since 1988 when Lou “the stuttering” Holtz was coaching.
Alabama will WIN the national championship, their 15th overall in school history regardless who goes up against him (heck, Florida could sneak into the BCS title game if Notre Dame chokes).
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
Romney lost. As for football, Notre Dame, will not be the National champion.
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Texian Politico says:
The Dems didn’t gain 15 seats in the U.S. House as someone previously claimed. The net was nine seats, far short of the “Drive for 25″ that Pelosi touted. The Dems gained four seats in IL due to redistricting and successfully gamed the system in CA and AZ to off set GOP redistricting gains made in places PA and NC. It’s pretty wild to see states like PA and OH have 13-5 and 12-4 R to D delegations and vote for Obama, while AZ went easily for Romney and yet the Dems have 5 of the 9 CDs. The GOP knew it would lose seats after gaining 63 last time. Giving up only 9 was a victory for them. The odds historically seem likely that the Dems will lose some seats in 2014, especially in districts like McIntyre’s in NC and Barrow in GA. There were just enough Democrats that came out in this presidential election to pull them through. Murphy in FL will have a tough time in that district without Obama on the ticket and a firebrand opponent like West to run against. Tierney in MA just barely survived and was doubtless saved by the Obama strength in MA. Matheson may have another tough time in UT in 2014.
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Pat Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 11:48 am
You’re correct, we’re likely looking at a “new normal”, in which midterms are dominated by the Republican coalition (older, whiter) and presidential elections are dominated by the Democratic coalition (youth, minorities, women).
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Dave Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Yeah, when the House gives the GOP a 30+ seat lead despite the Dems getting more votes, it’s going to be hard to get the gavel back to Pelosi.
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Anonymous Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Funny Texian, even Charlie Cook and Larry Sabato projected between R+2 to D+5 so D+9 seats is pretty good. When Obama wins Virginia and there are only 3 Democratic seat out of 11 that’s pretty clever redistricting. OH and PA were similar.
Pat is correct. The Dems will have a turnout problem in midterms if there is a D in the white house, whereas the GOP will have problems getting to 270 unless they can lock down Florida or Ohio.
Dave, the blue dogs are dead pretty much. I don’t see the GOP picking up 30 seats in 2014.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Texian, will Mia Love run against Matheson again in 2014 or will she run for something else ?
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donuthin says:
Politics are kinda like the stock market. Success is measured against expectations. Republicans clearly did not meet expectations. It was a wake up call and it seems that the GOP got the message as a whole, but not in Texas. I think the message was the same in Texas, but not many got it.
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Spiro Eagleton Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
What do you think the expectations were for the House? That the GOP would gain even more seats? That’s nuts. I don’t think anyone believed that. Giving up less than 10 seats is a victory for the GOP in the House. The great irony is that the VRA has helped cement the GOP majority in the House. There may have only been one or two districts that gave Romney more than 80% of the vote (both in UT), but there was something close to 30 that did so for Obama. Republican votes are far more spread around, while Dems have a lot of votes packed into minority-majority districts. Until that changes the GOP has a built-in advantage for US House races, just as it appears the Dems may have a structural advantage currently for the presidency. That’s the reverse of what is was like for a very long time.
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Dave Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Not quite. The GOP had nine House seats without even third party opposition, while the Dems only had four. Looking at 44 seats where the winner got 80%, Dems won 32, Reps 12. Of the 32 for the Dems, only 4 were in VRA states.
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Spiro Eagleton Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Dave,
You did not understand me. I’m talking about districts that Romney and Obama carried when I refer to the 80% mark. Go back and read it again. I’m not talking about how many congressman got over 80% of the vote.
Do you not think the VRA and the packing of minorities into districts has hurt the Democrats at large?
Dave Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
OK. I assumed you meant House votes rather than presidential as I haven’t seen any source breaking that down by district.
Based on only 4 districts in VRA states breaking the 80% threshold for the Dems, no, I don’t think it hurts. The argument could be made that minority packing in non-VRA states is more of a problem.
Tom says:
This bulletin went out before, but apparently some are still in denial.
The House Democrats elected (two weeks ago) received more total votes, than the House GOP members.
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Spiro Eagleton Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Yes, thank the VRA for that, as well as the more spread out nature of Republican voters.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 20th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Now that Obama has been re-elected, will the Obama Justice Department tell the GOPers to get over their bitterness and keep the VRA in place ?
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JohnBernardBooks says:
Will you be happy and celebrate Thanksgiving as most capitalists do, or will you be angry and bitter that others have more than you?
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
We will most likely have a good Thanksgiving lunch until politics comes up. My family is like the country about evenly divided politically. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
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mandude says:
once more
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Jed says:
burka, has my other email address been blocked?
my posts are not showing up.
was it something i said (surely there are more problematic posters than me here!)?
thanks for clarifying.
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John Johnson says:
Paul, you are an absentee owner of this blog site. You need help. I think this is the best poltical forum in the country, but it has gone downhill for lack of contribution from your end.
Are you and TM just going to let it become a staid also-ran?
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jerry only Reply:
November 24th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
If you’re dissatisfied with Paul’s efforts here, I’m sure fortbendconservative.org and its 3 other readers would be pleased to have you….
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JohnBernardBooks says:
I delete all bored state workers for my site does that bother you?
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
I only delete offensive comments and spam. It is a Holiday weekend. Some of the national blogs and many newspapers aren’t publishing much the last three days.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
Question of the day are you thankful that taxes will go up?
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Anonymous says:
Waaa! I’m JBB and I’m always wrong and now I’m upset because I had to eat my turkey with a TV dinner in front of my computer screen at 6:00 am this morning because my Momma didn’t cook for me. Waaa. Dewhurst by 6-8 points.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 25th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
so you are thankful your taxes will go up
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Art Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 11:55 am
Since your party put us in this position I think you should pay my share, chump.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
if you’re a 47%er that voted for Obama I already have.
Jerry Only Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 1:14 am
what about a 47%er who voted for romney?
The Mustache That Dare Not Speak Its Name says:
Never fear, Burkablog readers. I have it on good authority that Paul is simply taking a well-deserved Thanksgiving break, part of which was spent at a posh spa in the Hill Country.
And on another (completely unrelated, I assure you) note, I have been brushed and shampooed during recent days with the finest poultices, lotions and instruments imported from the four corners of the world, including Nepal. I am ready for the Christmas season!
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JohnBernardBooks says:
Yawl don’t get it do you. this is a political blog there’s nothing to report. Dems won so taxes will go up.
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
I’m not predicting a deal on the fiscal cliff if that is what you mean. As I have read somewhere, Republicans are saying, “Okay you won now here are our demands.” You can be sure if taxes go up automatically because they are set to expire, there will be some compromise to lower some taxes and legislation soon after the first of the year. I mean who would be against tax cuts then even if they don’t include big new tax cuts for the very wealthy?
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JohnBernardBooks says:
Don’t most bored state workers take vacation the last two months of the year?
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Kenneth D. Franks Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 9:51 am
I’m not a bored state worker however it is time to check on the family business the livestock. Most importantly this is not a state computer.
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Texian Politico says:
Move along folks. Nothing to see here. This blog is defunct.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 26th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Texian, maybe you should tweet Burka and tell him to put new posts on TX Monthly’s Burkablog.
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Anonymous says:
It’s about time for Roy and Dale to sing “Happy Trails to You” to this blog site.
Maybe old Paul is too busy storing up nuts for the winter to insure he maintains his strength during the upcoming session.
Maybe he is in rehab.
Maybe he is going to work for someone else.
Maybe he is vacationing with Robert M.
Maybe he is having trouble with his new dentures.
Maybe he is just tired of this.
There are too many “maybe’s” to keep on listing.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
It’s hilarious watching the bored state workers frothing because they don’t have a new post to bash the producers.
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Gabby Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 8:00 am
All you produce is hot air. Gotta be an aggie.
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
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John Johnson says:
Please forgive my being so bold as to venture forth an opinion on a topic unrelated to this aging thread.
I just scrolled through this morning’s Quorum Report headlines list. I see where none of our heralded Texas reps in D.C. have withdrawn their “no new tax” pledge to Grover.
It would be interesting to know how they plan to balance the fed budget without an increased tax
base. We all know that this is impossible without cutting out services that will make even the far right, straight ticket, MQS acolytes squeal like little pigs.
Please don’t tell me that it can be done in the same manner that the Texas budget was balanced last session. There are not enough dedicated accounts to rob, and the rest of the U.S. knows that add-on “fees” are actually a tax in sheep’s clothing.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 9:04 am
JJ you mis-estimate democrats they can squeeze blood out of a turniup. The producer’s taxes will go up, government will continue to grow, and bored state workers will get another post to bash the producers on.
My question to dems, “you won what are you so angry about?”
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CLOSING TIME says:
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS. THE PARTY’S OVER. VIA CON DIOS BURKABLOG AND ADIOS MOFOS.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Is Texas Monthly going a cleaning house period because Burka hasn’t posted any new political developments in the state such as changes to the statewide judiciary branch and the way they’re elected for example.
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John Johnson says:
Will agree with you about one thing, JBB. O got elected by union employees, their families, single women and those groups who have grown to love freebies that the rest of us are paying for…like the free cellphone program that is rife with fraud because of no oversight.
Dem’s do like freebies…almost as much as the Big’s like subsidies and loopholes.
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buy a clue Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
wow, you and jbb really work hard trying to out-stupid each other.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
dems do like freebies, yep they sure do. Some dems work harder at cheating and stealing so they can get freebies than if they had a regular job.
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I'm Pavlov. Ring a Bell? says:
“Dem’s do like freebies…almost as much as the Big’s like subsidies and loopholes.”
The problem is that Dems don’t understand that there is no such thing as “freebies.” Someone is always going to pick up the tab. Usually, it’s the taxpayers, but more and more it’s savers and consumers as the Fed increasingly prints money out of thin air to pay for these ridiculous programs, leading to a depreciation of the dollar via inflation. At least with the “Bigs”, it’s their money in the first place. No harm in letting them keep what they actually earn. At least, not in the old America that we all used to live in.
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John Johnson says:
A loophole is a way around the intent of the law. It is no better than a freebie.
Look what ethanol subsidies did for the farmers and what the rest of us pay in increased food costs because of them. How is it that the General Electric’s of the country pay such a disproportionately small amount in taxes when compared to income? It is pay for play.
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