At a time when Ferguson, Missouri, has been under siege, the president unilaterally brought millions of illegal immigrants out of the shadows, the so-called Islamic State beheaded another American, an architect of Obamacare admitted the law was conceived and birthed in deception, and the secretary of defense was unceremoniously dumped, its no wonder that a speech by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. -- the Tuesday before Thanksgiving -- didnt get the coverage it deserved. But for political junkies, Schumers speech at the National Press Club is a marvel to behold. It is at once one of the most impressive acts of political truth-telling from a major politician in our lifetimes and a sophomoric explication of political philosophy. Lets start there. Democrats must embrace government. Its what we believe in; its what unites our party, Schumer explained. If we run away from government, downplay it, or act as if we are embarrassed by its role, people wont vote for our pale version of the Republican view. Somewhere, a straw mans ears are burning. Barack Obama is the most pro-government president since FDR and Woodrow Wilson. Throughout his presidency so far, to the cheers of the news media, he has passionately made the case for the state as the cure for whatever ails us. His greatest hits are familiar to anyone who has paid attention. From you didnt build that to government is us, Obama has cast government as the engine of progress. His 2012 campaigns Life of Julia ad was a tech-friendly updating of Wilsons progressive vision of getting the individual to marry his interests to the state. Obama laid out that vision in great detail in his second inaugural and countless other speeches. More important, he has pushed policies -- from Obamacare to tax hikes -- to back up his rhetoric. In Schumers telling, however, the Democrats must embrace government. What movie was he watching? This is the essence of ideological liberalism: Government is always the answer. It would be fun to see Schumer as a contestant on Jeopardy responding to every category, What is proof we need more government?
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 13:53:23 +0000
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