General Discussion

DirkGently

(12,151 posts)

89. But the "small gov't" rhetoric is just a successful lie.

Mon Jul 28, 2014, 09:54 AM

Jul 2014

It's rhetoric that's been working, true, but it's disingenuous from the start. Republicans and conservatives don't want "small government." They want weak regulation of business and low taxes for the rich.

Then they want pinpoint, iron-fisted control over what women can do with their reproductive systems and a huge prison system to lock up the poor for minor drug offenses or prostitution. A defense industry the size of the next 10 nations combined, and an aggressive military presence to pave the way for U.S. - friendly regimes the world over.

It's just code for a resource battle that's been sold successfully after decades of drum beating and deception, but at its core, it mostly just resonates because people hate to pay taxes.

And this is where conservative Dems want to lead. Rightwing rhetoric that pleases monied interests and resonates well enough with the populace to slip by, because no one successfully challenges it. It's an easy road, paved with big paydays for professional pundits and campaign strategists.

The whole is piece is a chunk of cognitive dissonance, trying to make an implausible leap from "Dems now see themselves as more liberal" to, "But we can't go that way because the 'small government' rhetoric from the right works too well."

It's nonsense. B does not follow A. This is a scared member of the status quo throwing chaff into the air hoping to head off a liberal turn in the party that apparently scares the crap out of him.

GOOD.

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"How the left took over the Democratic Party" -- sez beltway hack [View all] nashville_brook Jul 2014 OP

Bingo. Dems talk about "change;" then seem to expect things DirkGently Jul 2014 #1

True. Dems need to be a clear alternative. Louisiana1976 Jul 2014 #7

but, the sad fact is it WILL beat the repubs IF the choice is Clinton v Anything nashville_brook Jul 2014 #17

Depends on how the stew cooks out. DirkGently Jul 2014 #26

we'll have a progressive-styled Clinton during primaries followed by a Centrist nashville_brook Jul 2014 #41

That would be the playbook. I think it's DirkGently Jul 2014 #43

maybe the incoherence in the article belies the fact that they know it's wearing thin nashville_brook Jul 2014 #52

PLUS ONE, a whole bunch! Enthusiast Jul 2014 #51

+1 Scuba Jul 2014 #80

They did? coulda fooled me. hobbit709 Jul 2014 #2

+1 n/t n2doc Jul 2014 #3

yeah, that's what smacked me upside the head too --> also check this out nashville_brook Jul 2014 #10

Read the piece? DirkGently Jul 2014 #18

Can't help wondering if that's because the RW has managed to move the center so far right that Dark n Stormy Knight Jul 2014 #109

That is absolutely possible. DirkGently Jul 2014 #110

Yep. Just look at the fact that mild-mannered, centrist President Obama is considered Dark n Stormy Knight Jul 2014 #113

for some career Dem politicos, there's also something to be gained from nashville_brook Jul 2014 #120

Right. Most can't get elected without the financial support of special interests who want favors. Dark n Stormy Knight Jul 2014 #122

the push for public funding of elections is one of the few issues that appeals across the board nashville_brook Jul 2014 #125

I hope so. But I fear that as soon as it begins to gain real traction, the Right will spend Dark n Stormy Knight Jul 2014 #126

Be a struggle, but money doesn't always win. DirkGently Jul 2014 #127

Yeah, the insidious, stealth propaganda truly is the aspect I fear most. The stuff no one notices, Dark n Stormy Knight Jul 2014 #131

+1 N/T Bonhomme Richard Jul 2014 #47

Me too. Enthusiast Jul 2014 #53

+100 HooptieWagon Jul 2014 #57

Fantasy TT_Progress Jul 2014 #79

Well, 2016 will tell that tale. The jury is still out. But, it sure gives one hope. nt silvershadow Jul 2014 #135

Excellent post. I'm all for progressives and populists taking over the Democratic Party. Louisiana1976 Jul 2014 #4

trying to follow his logic, i feel like he's split between nashville_brook Jul 2014 #25

I'll second that thought packman Jul 2014 #65

I wish. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jul 2014 #5

It's where all the energy is. Obama may have taken DirkGently Jul 2014 #14

I think Obama's race had a lot to do with the obstructionism from the other side, CrispyQ Jul 2014 #93

They haven't paid much for doing nothing but obstruct. DirkGently Jul 2014 #96

Their Base Will Believe ANYTHING the Tee Vee or the Preacherman Says AndyTiedye Jul 2014 #132

The path to long-term electoral victory... elzenmahn Jul 2014 #76

yep -- government small enough to drown in a bathtub -- Grover Norquist nashville_brook Jul 2014 #84

Must be a joke of some sort Doctor_J Jul 2014 #6

Did you actually read the whole post? scarletwoman Jul 2014 #12

i suck at subject lines :) nashville_brook Jul 2014 #21

Nah, using the title of the article was fine, especially since you used quotes. scarletwoman Jul 2014 #37

love it! wonder if i can still edit :) nashville_brook Jul 2014 #49

Yes, you can still edit. scarletwoman Jul 2014 #50

"the left lining up around a Clinton candidacy" enough Jul 2014 #8

Obama and Markos are considered lefties. betterdemsonly Jul 2014 #13

so here's the scariest part --> people listen to this guy nashville_brook Jul 2014 #15

Actually co-author with Matthew Dowd (advisor to Bush), not Maureen Dowd; and with Ron Fournier muriel_volestrangler Jul 2014 #136

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #9

he did co-author a book with Maureen Dowd -- maybe he ate a whole brownie too nashville_brook Jul 2014 #28

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #30

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! vi5 Jul 2014 #11

Isn't it amazing... elzenmahn Jul 2014 #77

i kinda wish i had originally read it with that in mind nashville_brook Jul 2014 #107

Most Excellent Post !!! - HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Jul 2014 #16

thanks willyT! nashville_brook Jul 2014 #38

Anytime... nashville_brook, Anytime... WillyT Jul 2014 #40

Excellent deconstruction of Sosnik's idiotic argument about "small government"! scarletwoman Jul 2014 #19

honestly, i wouldn't want to shut them out of power, per se -- i'd rather have them nashville_brook Jul 2014 #23

I want them to get over themselves. scarletwoman Jul 2014 #27

it's such a poll-driven piece, but the analysis of the polling is disjointed and incoherent nashville_brook Jul 2014 #44

"democratic activists will need to reconcile the public’s desire for smaller government with their.. NRaleighLiberal Jul 2014 #20

first principle of marketing and advertising, and Steve Jobs was a messiah of it nashville_brook Jul 2014 #24

I hope the economic activists are successful... conservaphobe Jul 2014 #22

First we need an organized left nadinbrzezinski Jul 2014 #29

i believe the author is on the giving end of building progressive infrastructure nashville_brook Jul 2014 #33

It's about damned time. Bill Clinton was the best republican president ever, but round three at mother earth Jul 2014 #31

+ 1,000 cantbeserious Jul 2014 #63

^this^ L0oniX Jul 2014 #94

thank you ME nashville_brook Jul 2014 #103

I hear you, believe me, I'm sick to death of it too. We aren't freepville, but some days I wonder. mother earth Jul 2014 #134

+1 leftstreet Jul 2014 #119

We could only wish the left took over the Democratic party. BillZBubb Jul 2014 #32

yes! that is exactly where we're falling down. if both Dems and Repubs cater to Wall St., nashville_brook Jul 2014 #35

Wow I honestly get the take he's scared and nervous by motivated people that ARE indeed taking riseabove Jul 2014 #34

and it's a natural progression. it's actions of our party that have made many stand up and say... nashville_brook Jul 2014 #36

I hope this prediction is accurate. n/t Laelth Jul 2014 #39

President Obama describes himself as a 1980's Republican MannyGoldstein Jul 2014 #42

it's the fear that 3rd Way funders have -- they're starting to see nashville_brook Jul 2014 #46

Yup. and if it is the bloodbath they fear Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jul 2014 #102

precisely. and they like scape their goats early, do they not? nashville_brook Jul 2014 #104

three points wyldwolf Jul 2014 #45

it's number 3 that i think is the most intractable nashville_brook Jul 2014 #48

Let's discuss wyldwolf Jul 2014 #56

valid points -- i was thinking more in the sense of compelling voters nashville_brook Jul 2014 #81

the Blue Dogs aren't fighting the last war--they're still surrendering to the Walking Dead GOP yurbud Jul 2014 #54

so long as one Republican is left alive anywhere, Blue Dogs will continue their tireless pursuit of yurbud Jul 2014 #55

"keeping that powder dry," "taking it off the table," = Triangulation nashville_brook Jul 2014 #58

I hated that "keep your powder dry" meme so much I wrote a poem about it: yurbud Jul 2014 #59

this is amazing and spot on -- the whole poem, but i love this line... nashville_brook Jul 2014 #86

thanks! And we have to die quickly before the GOP beats us to it. yurbud Jul 2014 #108

anyway to create instability. Phlem Jul 2014 #60

There was considerable teeth-knashing from the DLC/Blue Dogs when Obama supported marriage equality bluestateguy Jul 2014 #61

Fuck, don't i WISH! Scootaloo Jul 2014 #62

the rehabilitation of Reagan has to be coming from people who didn't live thru it nashville_brook Jul 2014 #67

I figure the opposite Scootaloo Jul 2014 #70

i'm nostalgic for the 80s too! nashville_brook Jul 2014 #74

Let me paraphrase something I said here about ten years ago Jack Rabbit Jul 2014 #64

Yep. Full-on cognitive dissonance. DirkGently Jul 2014 #71

Activists change public perception; we don't chase it. calimary Jul 2014 #66

When I saw the headline . . . markpkessinger Jul 2014 #68

even more Onion-y, he claims there's currently no progressive vs "moderate" tension in the Dem party nashville_brook Jul 2014 #73

The Left took over the democratic party? workinclasszero Jul 2014 #69

I think it's more important to shrink ... JEFF9K Jul 2014 #72

"fraudcasting" -- love it! nashville_brook Jul 2014 #75

Excellent OP, nashville_brook! Thanks! nt Mnemosyne Jul 2014 #78

After Hillary's terms, Demographics will be such that any 'D' will win. That will be the time for stevenleser Jul 2014 #82

seems like that should be our post-Obama mantra? nashville_brook Jul 2014 #83

It would be if the demographics supported it. I am not sure they do. nt stevenleser Jul 2014 #92

pffft L0oniX Jul 2014 #95

Doug Sosnik is a third rate hack. blackspade Jul 2014 #85

he hops from one foot to the other nashville_brook Jul 2014 #87

Exactly. blackspade Jul 2014 #88

But the "small gov't" rhetoric is just a successful lie. DirkGently Jul 2014 #89

+10000000000 (this post wins the thread) nashville_brook Jul 2014 #99

Agreed. blackspade Jul 2014 #111

it's an easy issue for us to take back. nashville_brook Jul 2014 #124

DO eet! n/t DirkGently Jul 2014 #133

So when is that happening? Looking forward to it! nt TBF Jul 2014 #90

i want some of what he's smoking. nashville_brook Jul 2014 #100

Thanks vor this insightful piece, Nashville. Jackpine Radical Jul 2014 #91

"motivated cognition" explains a LOT in his column… also, magical thinking. nashville_brook Jul 2014 #98

Seeking a rationale for why liberals can't win? DirkGently Jul 2014 #117

Whoever wrote this piece has no idea how small government works in local communities. Baitball Blogger Jul 2014 #97

Awesome news. Socialized medicine is on the way! Orsino Jul 2014 #101

You, sir, are worth your weight in GOLD. closeupready Jul 2014 #105

aw shucks! nashville_brook Jul 2014 #106

Smaller govt, with better outcomes; cut big war 50%, expand social programs with half of that. grahamhgreen Jul 2014 #112

lots can be done without spending a cent -- regulate business to provide sick days, living wage nashville_brook Jul 2014 #121

Another Third Way acolyte, perhaps? "Former Clinton political director." UGH blkmusclmachine Jul 2014 #114

He's clearly hucking for that wing of the party, anyway. DirkGently Jul 2014 #116

K&R. The Republican wing of the Democratic Party is losing. JDPriestly Jul 2014 #115

The powers that be are scared DonCoquixote Jul 2014 #118

i so totally agree that there's likely going to be a Charlie Crist-style "meh" for Clinton nashville_brook Jul 2014 #123

to be fair and honest DonCoquixote Jul 2014 #129

i was at the rally in nashville when he introduced lieberman -- felt like a punch in the gut n/t nashville_brook Jul 2014 #130

I hate it when fredamae Jul 2014 #128