I fancy myself a life-long conservative. I once belonged to the John Birch society when very young. In my youth I belonged to the NRA. Because of age I missed the opportunity voting for Barry Goldwater by one day.
Honest, responsible conservatism is no more. Rational thought seems quite limited. Millions of Americans are enthralled by wild, radical and decidedly unworkable ideas and promises.
Our span of attention, consideration of our future is measured in months rather than decades.
Civil discourse has been replaced by bullying and name calling and hands thrust in the air.
We seem unable to focus on the serious basic issues we face both domestic and international. Rather, we act like child in the school year. Johnny did it, no Mary did it.
I watched a political TV ad yesterday about Social Security and Medicare – subjects I know something about. The ad included six outright lies, not opinion, intentional lies trying to scare seniors. There is no excuse.
Nationalism and isolationism sound deceivingly patriotic. They are the opposite and rather the breeding ground for totalitarianism. Ask the folks in Italy, Spain and Germany.
Lower taxes, raise taxes, spend more, cut this or that?
Have you ever heard the message that we need to pay for all the things we have and those we want? There is none.
No, there is silence when it comes to our collective debt, deficits, solvency of major obligations like Social Security and Medicare.
We have lost our way and our collective ability to be easily manipulated, to fail to seek the facts, and accept only what we want to believe is true is not helping.
Our collective ignorance about our government, our social programs, economics and international relations is appalling.
We happily move forward with our heads buried in the sand.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
You speak of collective ignorance about governmental matters yet everyone brags about our literacy rate and college attendance by the majority of high school graduates. What has everyone learned?
Economically we have improved the lot of everyone but socially we have turned to the lowest common denominator. Hear a few rap lyrics, watch a few tv programs. Those things wouldn’t have been allowed 60 years ago.
Where all this goes is anyone’s guess.
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Well said.
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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It will, as I have said,so many times here take a crisis to bring us to our senses.
We all allowed the big lies to happen over the years. Did the expert on health care warn folks that the promises made were far too unrealistic to be kept? Or the big lie would cement the program and move us closer to a one payer system.
I could go on and on but all I know is lower taxes on corporations and people have helped create an economy that has generated more revenue no matter how you measure it. Spending is out of control and until good folks like you bring forth some ideas, like a 1%, across the board cut in spending then we wait for financial Armageddon.
John Birch? Yikes! Connie must have awakened you to your better nature.
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