David Brooks......The Vigorous Virtues

[rsmith6621]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/02/opinion/brooks-the-vigorous-virtues.html?_r=3&hp



There’s a specter haunting American politics: national decline. Is America on the way down, and, if so, what can be done about it?

The Republicans, and Rick Perry in particular, have a reasonably strong story to tell about decline. America became great, they explain, because its citizens possessed certain vigorous virtues: self-reliance, personal responsibility, industriousness and a passion for freedom.

But, over the years, government has grown and undermined these virtues. Wall Street financiers no longer have to behave prudently because they know government will bail them out. Middle-class families no longer have to practice thrift because they know they can use government to force future generations to pay for their retirements. Dads no longer have to marry the women they impregnate because government will step in and provide support.

[hifiguy]

1. The Perry memes are being catapulted already

and it must be said that David Brooks, in addition to being incurably smug and pompous, is ten gallons of concentrated liquid shit in a quart bottle.

[Octafish]

2. Exactly. And he's a Moonie.

Small world.

Cooooncaaaaave and cooooooonnnnnnnnvex!

And filled with very weird, small people.

The Republican Right's Moonie Problem

David Brooks, being small among them.