August1991 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 (edited) She made three interlocking points. First, that the United States is now governed by a “permanent political class,” drawn from both parties, that is increasingly cut off from the concerns of regular people. Second, that these Republicans and Democrats have allied with big business to mutual advantage to create what she called “corporate crony capitalism.” Third, that the real political divide in the United States may no longer be between friends and foes of Big Government, but between friends and foes of vast, remote, unaccountable institutions (both public and private). NYT ColumnistThis article was published several days ago, based on a speech that Palin gave days before in Iowa. This is the first that I have heard of it - and the MSM is doing a grave disservice to American political junkies by not explaining Palin's viewpoint better. Palin's strategy is kryptonite. To understand why, I'll use the context of Quebec politics: many voters in Quebec are looking for a non-federalist/separatist/sovereigntist party. In the US, many American voters are looking for an alternative to the same old, same old gang. More fundamentally, Palin is touching on a popular nerve/theoretical cord that is central to America's success: federalism. All of the ten richest countries in the world - as measured by GDP per capita - are countries with small populations, except for America. And the reason the US is on the list is because it is really/sort of 50 small countries. Palin's on to something here. The link provides a good read. Edited September 9, 2011 by August1991 Quote
Smallc Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 (edited) Do you consider the Netherlands and Australia to be small? Or, if we use the World Bank numbers, is Canada small (the IMF puts Canada at 11, and the CIA World Factbook, at 13th)? Unless you're using the PPP numbers, rather than the nominal ones, in which case, I still have to ask about the Netherlands and Australia. Edited September 9, 2011 by Smallc Quote
August1991 Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Posted September 9, 2011 Do you consider the Netherlands and Australia to be small? Or, if we use the World Bank numbers, is Canada small (the IMF puts Canada at 11, and the CIA World Factbook, at 13th)? Unless you're using the PPP numbers, rather than the nominal ones, in which case, I still have to ask about the Netherlands and Australia.The Netherlands has a population of 16 million. Canada and Australia are 21 million and 30 million respectively - although they are federal states. (Ontario has 9 million and Victoria has 6 million.)The US is the exception but as I argue, it's a federal state too. When it comes to government, small really is beautiful. Quote
TimG Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 (edited) When it comes to government, small really is beautiful.As a recoving Trudeau Liberal I am often shocked at how far my opinions have changed as I got older. When I was younger I beleived that a strong central government would only do things I would agree with. As I got older I realized that it does not work that way and strong central government often do things in the name of 'greater good' which I don't agree with. For that reason I have become real believer in devolving power to as local as practical given the institutions and geography that exist today. Edited September 9, 2011 by TimG Quote
Smallc Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 Canada 30 million 34M actually. Quote
sharkman Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 So typical of the MSM. They bitched non-stop when Palin was doing her bus tour a couple of months(please note, that is only an estimate, kind of like saying Canada has 30 million. Those of you who have an irresistable obsession with correcting factoids might give yourselves a break and give this one a pass. Try cleaning the house again )ago. Palin didn't give them an itinerary so they had to actually follow her bus from event to event like a real reporter might do. They became quite bitter about having to do leg work and moaned about it, submitting stories complaining about the situation. So now she has something intriguing to say and they miss it? I am not surprised, they probably find locating the nearest Starbucks more important than reporting on Palin. I consider her entering the race to be a real longshot, but we don't need her to beat the likes of lame duck Obama this time around. She should round out her experience and maybe be available for an appointment from Perry after he takes back the White House. Quote
Smallc Posted September 11, 2011 Report Posted September 11, 2011 (edited) kind of like saying Canada has 30 million. 34M is over 10% more than 30M. That's not a very good approximation. A better approximation would be 35M at this point. I wouldn't have expected facts to concern you anyway. As for Palin, she doesn't have a strategy. She's unintelligent, as is this apparent campaign. She's already been upstaged by Rick Perry, and I don't see how she can change that. She's a bit player at this point. While we're at it though, Ontario has far more than 9M people. Edited September 11, 2011 by Smallc Quote
sharkman Posted September 11, 2011 Report Posted September 11, 2011 See, you couldn't resist with another comment, and I'm not surprised. Over time I've had associations with those of your personality type, pay no mind, I'm just noticing is all. And Palin will have some kind of part to play before it's all said and done. She could even have some sort of sacrificial lamb role as the MSM freaks out as Obama's imminent defeat becomes obvious to all but the deluded. She's like a red flag to a bull to them, they can't help themselves and are easily drawn off course by her. I always get a chuckle out of seeing that tired old ruse fooling them again and again. Quote
Smallc Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 See, you couldn't resist with another comment, and I'm not surprised. Over time I've had associations with those of your personality type, pay no mind, I'm just noticing is all. And you couldn't resist making a comment when there wasn't even a comment directed at you, so I'm not sure I see the difference. You then, by the way, responded to my comment. ]And Palin will have some kind of part to play before it's all said and done. Maybe she can put on a hat, and juggle. Rick Perry has stolen the thunder from pretty much everyone. Quote
Jack Weber Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) Maybe she can put on a hat, and juggle. Rick Perry has stolen the thunder from pretty much everyone. "I'm a Hackey Mam!!!...I'm a pitbull with lipstick!!!...I can see Russia from my front window!!!...I can juggle and I can wear a hat!!!" Edited September 12, 2011 by Jack Weber Quote The beatings will continue until morale improves!!!
jacee Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 Geez, next she'll be hollering "We are the 99 percent!" and occupying Wall Street! Quote
guyser Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 So typical of the MSM. Really? Ummm.......... ABC News NYTimes CNN CBS Washington Post.... Oh...did you mean the other MSM ? Quote
BubberMiley Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 She could even have some sort of sacrificial lamb role as the MSM freaks out as Obama's imminent defeat becomes obvious to all but the deluded. Intrade currently has Obama at about 50/50 for being reelected. Invest everything you can and double your money! Unless, of course, you don't think it's such a sure thing and are just talking out of your ass. Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Smallc Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 I think Obama will be defeated...but I don't think it will be Palin that will do it. Quote
guyser Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 I think Obama will be defeated...but I don't think it will be Palin that will do it. Put up Rick Perry and Obama is back in. He can pray for rain in Texas all he wantsd, he can discredit science all he wants, whacko. Especially good if Bachmann is the co runner. Hey at least it would be fun Quote
Smallc Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 Put up Rick Perry and Obama is back in. He can pray for rain in Texas all he wantsd, he can discredit science all he wants, whacko. I agree that he's a whacko...I think there's just something about him that Americans are looking for right now. Quote
BubberMiley Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) I think Romney has an excellent chance of beating Obama despite Romneycare and the Mormon factor. But Perry is too out there. Those treason comments about Bernanke were ridiculous and put a big question mark over his chances of ever becoming president. But if anybody felt strongly that there will soon be a President Perry, he's trading around 17. That's better than five dollars back to every one dollar risked. Maybe it's a good time for confident republicans to take out a second mortgage. Edited September 12, 2011 by BubberMiley Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
eyeball Posted September 12, 2011 Report Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) As a recoving Trudeau Liberal I am often shocked at how far my opinions have changed as I got older. When I was younger I beleived that a strong central government would only do things I would agree with. As I got older I realized that it does not work that way and strong central government often do things in the name of 'greater good' which I don't agree with. For that reason I have become real believer in devolving power to as local as practical given the institutions and geography that exist today. I don't know if shifting from left to right is necessarily the only route to this realization but to each his own I guess. I came to the same conclusion about 15 years ago due to the grotesque mismanagement of our wild salmon resource and how so many in the fishing industry and coastal communities that rely on it were left high and dry. Ms. Palin may be hinting at a new political alignment that would pit a vigorous localism against a kind of national-global institutionalism. I'm reminded of the threat John F. Kennedy is said to have posed to the military-industrial complex amongst others in the so-called establishment. Is she ethical enough to withstand a bribe or smart enough to avoid being co-opted? Edited September 12, 2011 by eyeball Quote I said now watch what you say they'll be calling you a radical, a liberal, oh fanatical criminal
Smallc Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 Perry definitely isn't the only Whacko up there tonight....wow. John Huntsman is way too smart to be up there, and I guess his poll numbers show it. Quote
sharkman Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 I agree that he's a whacko...I think there's just something about him that Americans are looking for right now. What They're looking for is anybody but Obama. The left is trying to read the tea leaves right now so as to paint the eventual Rep nomination as a whackjob. They know Obama can't run on the last four years so they're gonna try to character assasinate every single Rep in the race. But Americans simply vote with their pocket books in recession times, and Obama can't do a thing about it. Quote
Smallc Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) That may be, but he's still a whacko. I don't want Obama or Perry to win, as I don't think either will be good for the world, in their own way. BTW, Perry totally lost that debate last night. He was off of his game, IMO. Edited September 13, 2011 by Smallc Quote
BubberMiley Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 They know Obama can't run on the last four years so they're gonna try to character assasinate every single Rep in the race. Are you trying to blame "the left" because Perry said climate change is all a hoax and that social security "disrespects" the founding fathers? Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
sharkman Posted September 14, 2011 Report Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) Are you trying to blame "the left" because Perry said climate change is all a hoax and that social security "disrespects" the founding fathers? No. I'm not sure who will win the nomination though you seem convinced it's Perry. What if it's Romney? Have you prepared your list of Romney quotes? If not, just avail yourself of the many Dem or left wing sites, I'm sure they can update you. I don't bother with such sites from the right wing, Obama's said and done some jaw droppers, but it's not about quotes, it's about Obama's performance in office. No righty tighty or lefty loosey site can overcome that. Edited September 14, 2011 by sharkman Quote
BubberMiley Posted September 14, 2011 Report Posted September 14, 2011 I don't bother with such sites from the right wing, Pardon me... Quote "I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
August1991 Posted September 16, 2011 Author Report Posted September 16, 2011 (edited) Intrade currently has Obama at about 50/50 for being reelected. Invest everything you can and double your money!Unless, of course, you don't think it's such a sure thing and are just talking out of your ass. According to Bubbler, politics is merely a betting man's game. To me, politics is civil life. I think Obama will be defeated...but I don't think it will be Palin that will do it.Why can't Palin defeat Obama?---- Returning to my OP, or all things considered (as NPR says), there is a grave change afoot in western democratic countries. Unlike Mark Steyn, I'm a true populist - and an optimist. Edited September 16, 2011 by August1991 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.