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DeMint's resignation speaks volumes

Faster horses

Well-known member
DeMint's Resignation Speaks Volumes

Colorado Springs, CO Dec. 06, 2012
AFF Sentinel Vol.9#49

Don't forget our industry blog, Freemarketcarnivore.

News that conservative Sen. Jim DeMint was leaving the Senate next month with four years left on his term shocked Washington and sparked, "Why?" questions.

We think -- in the context of the current, sad spectacle going on in Washington -- we know why. DeMint is totally disgusted with the so-called leadership -- especially of the Republican and also the Democrat party -- and given the election results, he fears for the future of the country if something isn't done to arrest our fall. Sadly, DeMint's opinion is apparently that operating in Congress right now is useless.

From the beginning of this term in Congress in 2010, we said that as much as we liked John Boehner, we questioned whether he was tough and politically canny enough to battle Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and David Axelrod's crew. Lost in all the banty rooster strutting and crowing now is this reality: Republicans -- and taxpayers by representation -- are in this tight spot of holding essential ground while being pushed over the cliff, because the Republican leadership got out-maneuvered.

This situation, wherein free-spending Democrats get a win/win if we do go over the cliff or if we don't go over the cliff, is too much a trap of the Republicans' own making. They agreed to this sequestration deal -- purposely structured so that it was so terrible Republicans would never let it happen. Democrats knew that Republicans care about defense above all else because-- call 'em crazy -- they believe that still having a country is a priority over expanding spending programs. Planning to prevent a situation where they were under pressure to finally pass a budget or cut spending, Democrats maneuvered so that it was Republican priorities on the chopping block.

And as it has been for over a decade in Washington's political climate, the fights are so polarized and the stakes so high not because of petty politics, but because the issues are so fundamental, so critical to either side's goals. Those goals being the survival and prosperity of the country for Republicans and the continuation and expansion of the big government juggernaut for the Democrats. Principles for conservatives ridiculed as partisan politics by Democrats.

We opened DeMint's book at random, and read about his public defense of 2009 Tea Party rallies amid "extremist" and "racial" charges from the media, his opposition to taxpayer-funded bailouts, his championing limited government and free markets and being blamed for Arlen Specter's leaving the Republican party:

"Not one Republican in the Senate came to my defense. Disappointing, though not surprising." *

Evidently, what DeMint is seeing behind the scenes in Washington right now is not encouraging short term. DeMint insists that the "organizing principle and the crucial alternative to the Democrats -- must be freedom." "If the American people want a European-style social democracy, the Democratic Party will give it to them. We can't win a bidding war with Democrats."

More telling was DeMint's story about how the Senate primary race was shaping up in a key state in 2009. The Republican leadership was happy to have a governor run in this state -- popular and a good fund-raiser -- but who embraced Obama's stimulus and proved to be "fluid" on key positions, "considered by many a political opportunist rather than a principled conservative."

On the other hand, DeMint met for the first time with another declared candidate, one whom not many people knew about. DeMint knew in just one meeting that this was the kind of leader America needed -- one who could articulate the American dream and not be cowed by the liberal media. But the Republican leadership didn't even want to talk to this candidate, much less encourage him to run.

Who was the Republican leadership's chosen candidate? Charlie Crist, who crashed and burned in the primary, left the GOP and ran against the Republican candidate as an independent. Who was the candidate the leadership ignored and snubbed? Marco Rubio. We can see echoes of DeMint's frustration and disgust then in his decision today.

Meanwhile, Obama refuses to negotiate, proposes (unConstitutionally) to wrest control of the debt ceiling from Congress (Article 1-Section 8) and imperially warns Congress they should not even think he will negotiate with anyone about anything when he wants to raise the debt ceiling. He is striking the pose of an imperial Bonaparte: you will raise tax rates on the rich -- a "reality" he termed it, you will give me the debt ceiling I want and if anything goes awry, I and the media will blame Republicans for any untoward consequences.

An exchange between Charles Krauthammer, Kirsten Powers and Steven Hayes neatly and starkly encapsulated Obama's take-no-prisoners tactics of delivering ultimatums. He disdains negotiating with lesser bodies (Congress).**

Krauthammer believes Obama is out to break the Republicans, to create civil war amongst the House Republicans, to make them go back on their no tax rate increase pledge and break them. He noted that everyone agrees there are other ways to raise revenue.

"This is all about politics. It is not about economics," he said.

The liberal Kirsten Powers said Obama won the election and polls say the majority of people are okay with raising rates over $250,000 incomes. Powers does not believe there will be any compromise on that issue.

Bret Baier asked Powers then if Obama "wants the scalp of the rate?"

"Yes," she replied.

Does Obama care if we go over the cliff? These three made up a split decision. The real decisions are up to the Republican leadership. How much courage and how much savvy do they have? Does it matter if they get blamed or will they get blamed no matter what anyway?

Bottom line: when liberal ladies serve notice that it's scalp-hunting season in Washington, we're in for a bumpy ride.

*"American Awakening," B&H Publishing, Nashville, 2011.

**"Special Report," Fox News, 12/05/12
 

Steve

Well-known member
or will they get blamed no matter what anyway?

that is my take.. I say represent the people and hold the principles.. at least then you can go out proud that you at least tried..

as for DeMint.. I would like to see him as RNC party chair..
 

Steve

Well-known member
The Washington Post’s Capitol Assets blog estimated DeMint’s wealth at just over $40,000. That compared in 2010 to a Senate median of $2.6 million.

DeMint ranked as the fourth poorest senator with an estimated net worth between $16,002 on the low end and $65,000 on the high end, according OpenSecrets.org. His average estimated net worth placed him above only Democratic Sens. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah.

it seems as if money was not his motivation in the past.. either that or he missed the usual congress/Senator gravy train..
 
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