"Make a move just to stay in the game"

In 1985, Joseph Sobran wrote in his Notes for the Reactionary of Tomorrow:

The conservative is bewildered by the comprehensive dissatisfaction of people who are always heedlong about "reform" (as they conceive it) or are even eager to "build a new society." What, exactly, is wrong with society as it is already?

This isn't just a defiant rhetorical question; it needs an answer. We don't have the power to change everything, and it may not be such a bright idea to try; there are plenty of things that deserve the effort (and it is an effort) of preserving, and the undistinguishing mania for "change" doesn't do them justice--isn't even concerned with doing them justice.

What we really ought to ask the liberal, before we even begin addressing his agenda, is this: In what kind of society would he be a conservative?

==========================
I haven't read through the complete Pensees yet, but the "undistinguishing mania for 'change'" caught my attention early given it's the centerpiece of Obama's rise to stardom. And the concluding question here is important. When would Obama be a conservative? In a completely socialist society, I'm betting he'd be somewhere in the middle.

How comforting.
==========================

“Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America.” he told a fundraising crowd in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday. “Remember I said it standing here if you don’t remember anything else I said. Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.” -- Joe Biden 10/19/08

Sounds great for the country.

==========================
A few other thoughts:

• I'm definitely pulling content backing -- and perhaps helping to solidify -- my opinions about Obama. That being said, I definitely don't want these things to be true. If Obama wins, I hope he decides not to implement his current plans.
• Speaking of Phil's comment, here's a Bible verse I find peace in during the election season: "...the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will." -- Daniel 5:21
• I don't know what to think about the polls...some have it pegged for a landslide to Obama. From others (including AP) I'm hearing that it's neck and neck.
• Regarding Par's socialism link: 1) Great that McCain was around before 2004. 2) Obviously, this is not the platform he's adapted for 2008...but Obama has.
• Regarding the tax on small businesses link: I'm glad to see the tax is on "net profit" rather than revenue. Still don't like the idea.
• Regarding the McCain/Palin links, I'm guessing there's some crazy stuff on there that will undoubtedly make me want to link to the 1-hour special run on Fox News titled "Barack Obama and his radical friends." But of course that's Fox News...can't be credible. We've got to go to MSNBC to find out what's really going on. Seriously, I'll try to check out more of the links tomorrow.
• Not all of my posts will always be about politics...but that's three in a row. Getting bored?

"It's all a falling through"

I figured I'd start with the best line...perhaps Greg Tipton quite intoxicated said it best in May: "Anyone with a dollar in their pocket should be voting Republican."

Read on for like-minded opinions and considerations.
============
"When you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." -Barrack Hussein Obama talking to Joe T. Plumber.

"...If Mr. Obama's plan becomes reality, it could well turn into an economic nightmare by punishing the most productive in order to reward the least productive in our society.

Spreading the wealth doesn't sound all that different from Karl Marx's famous dictum: From each according to his ability to each according to his need."

Feel free to read the entire op ed by Linda Chavez here: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/20/spreading-the-wealth-around/

This touches on perhaps a very big concern of mine about Obama being president...and frankly one of the reasons I'm generally in agreement with conservative thinking.

As Russel Kirk suggests with his 7th principle:

"Conservatives are persuaded that freedom and property are closely linked. Separate property from private possession, and Leviathan becomes master of all. Upon the foundation of private property, great civilizations are built. The more widespread is the possession of private property, the more stable and productive is a commonwealth. Economic levelling, conservatives maintain, is not economic progress. Getting and spending are not the chief aims of human existence; but a sound economic basis for the person, the family, and the commonwealth is much to be desired."
- http://www.kirkcenter.org/kirk/ten-principles.html

I bolded the three middle paragraphs, which really get to the heart of the matter. I'm quite concerned that Obama is not the right man when it comes to tax policy. 1) I may be taxed at a higher rate so others can be rewarded. 2) I'm perhaps more concerned about the taxes on businesses. I've heard a lot of talk recently about businesses not paying taxes, but simply raising prices for their customers. Makes a lot of sense to me, and frankly, I think I pay enough taxes.

Wake up, paid taxes on my house in Detroit and on electricity overnight -- go to work, paid taxes on gas -- work, pay income taxes and my company pays social security taxes for me (I do too, but I'll count that as an investment in my future -- or at least my parent's future) -- buy dinner, taxes -- buy anything, taxes -- invest in a 401(k), taxes later.

All in all, a pretty darn big chunk of my income is taxed. It's already bad...let's make it worse? Do we really have to let the Bush tax cuts sunset? Do I really need to pay more taxes so the government can get bigger and offer me and my neighbors great social programs (e.g., $4,000 to everybody so everyone can afford college)? Have they run Social Security well? Why would we expect them to run other social programs well?

How about people get jobs and go out in pursuit of that great American Dream and use their own money to pay for their own education, healthcare, etc...But wait, jobs are getting to be hard to come by...unfortunately that isn't going to get any better if small business taxes increase.

Every day I'm compelled to opine on this, but then get too busy/tired...since I got started it was hard to stop. Sorry for the rambling. More to come...

"We might not be here tomorrow"

ONE REASON TO NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA

(if for no other reason, this should suffice)

Obama: Friend of an unrepentant terrorist

• In 1995, During Obama's First State Senate Campaign, William Ayers And Wife Bernadine Dohrn Hosted A Meeting Of Chicago Liberals At Their Home For Obama, Which One Attendee Said Was Aimed At "Launching Him."
• From March Of 1995 Until September Of 1997, Obama And Ayers Attended At Least Seven Meetings Together Relating To The Chicago Annenberg Challenge.
• In 1997, Obama Praised Ayers' Book On The Juvenile Justice System.
• From 1999 To 2002, Obama Served With Ayers On The Board Of Directors For Woods Fund Of Chicago.
• During The Time Obama And Ayers Served Together On The Woods Fund, Ayers Was Quoted Saying "I Don't Regret Setting Bombs ... I Feel We Didn't Do Enough."
• While Obama And Ayers Were Serving On The Woods Fund Together, Ayers Posed Standing On An American Flag For An Article In Chicago Magazine Entitled "No Regrets."
• Ayers was a founding member of The Weather Underground. The group Produced A Manual Which Begins, "We Are A Guerrilla Organization. We Are Communist Women And Men, Underground In The United States For More Than Four Years."

Give me numerous reasons why Obama would make a great president...Give me numerous reasons why McCain would be a bad president...As I am pleased -- and proud (gasp) -- to be an American, I could never vote for a man to be our president who has or had any kind of ongoing relationship with a terrorist like that described above.

But then again, I haven't guzzled the Obama kool-aid that seems to have been the drink of choice for the past year for many in my generation. It's sad.

"More than I could chew"

My last post was number 666, and I must say it was up there all by it's lonesome for way too long, so it's time to move to 667 with a short list of songs for this fall. I'm looking forward to seeing it grow since fall's only a week or so old. Ray LaMontagne's going to have to provide something for this, right?

• Free Fallin - John Mayer (what a great cover)
• Flume - Bon Iver (it's got that fall feel)
• Hip Hip Hooray - Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos (first impression pick)

Stuck in a busy, busy week. It's felt like a day later all week meaning tomorrow should be Friday. But it's not.