"The Right Angle"

Heidi Parent

Random Thoughts

On California, Liberal inconsistency, and the economy

by Heidi Parent
10/16/03

California: Democracy in Action or Embarrassment?

One of the many complaints voiced liberal pundits against the California recall was how embarrassing they found the whole situation to be. In their elitist view, any system that allows washed up child stars, borderline celebrities, porn kings, used car salesmen and the like on the same ballot as "professional" politicians must be a disgrace. To that I say Harry Truman was a farmer, Ronald Reagan was an actor, and neither Washington nor Lincoln attended college. Meaning, this is America; one's occupation shouldn't prohibit him from running of office. What is important, however, is an electorate taking the time to look at a candidate's background and positions in order to make an informed vote. I think we can all agree that doesn't happen often enough; a fact that brings a smile to the face of many Democrats. After all, they're the ones who will pick up any wino or half-wit off the street, take him to a polling place, tell him who to vote for, and give him $5, a fifth of hooch, or a pack a cigarettes for his troubles. The electoral process in action - Democrat style!

Inconsistency: Part I - The Double Standards Just Keep on Comin'

I've written before about the incredible double standards exhibited by the left, but this one pretty much takes the cake.

A few days before the recall election, Arnold Schwarzenegger was accused of crude behavior by a seemingly endless parade of woman. Feminists and other like liberal groups expressed sufficient outrage. Katherine Spillar of the Feminist Majority Foundation labeled them "outrageous acts." Feminist attorney extraordinaire Gloria Allred bleated, "I am disgusted, appalled, revolted, sickened, disturbed and troubled." When asked if a candidates' sexual history is relevant Allred replied, "The answer is absolutely. Who a person is, their character, their history, their treatment of women matters because, although a person can change, we have a right to know what their behavior has been in the past."

Wow. Kinda makes you wonder where these people were during the Clinton years, doesn't it? When similar claims were made against Clinton they were discounted by these same groups as the tall tales of trailer trash tramps and other attention seeking hussies. But the award for the biggest one eighty has to go to the liberal group Moveon.org. In a last minute effort to beat Governor-to-be Schwarzenegger, Moveon had this posting on their website:

This is an emergency. Polls in California show Schwarzenegger pulling ahead, while the truth about his character is only now starting to get out. We have just a few days to make sure everyone in California knows who this man is. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Times published the stories of six women who were physically abused by Arnold Schwarzenegger as recently as three years ago. The stories are shocking, but they fit a pattern of previous reports from throughout Schwarzenegger's life and career.

Where's the inconsistency, you ask? Moveon.org got its start during the Clinton impeachment years. You remember. That was when we're all told that inappropriate sexual conduct was no big deal and we should all just "move on."

Inconsistency: Part II - The Travesty of (some) Cuban Prisons

Liberal groups are complaining about the supposed "mistreatment" of prisoners (i.e. suspected terrorists and enemy combatants) being held at Guantanamo Bay by U.S. forces. Makes you wonder (again) where they have been. For the last 40 odd years these same liberal groups have conveniently, not to mention willingly, turned a blind eye to the treatment of prisoners held in prisons on the rest of the Communist controlled island. But that, of course, would require violating Liberal Commandment number 23 - finding fault with Castro.

Inconsistency: Part III - "What's the Hurry?" Has Quickly Become "Hurry Up!"

In an effort to stop - or at least delay - the war in Iraq, Democrats wondered aloud about the President's "rush to war." Now a mere six months after major combat operations have ended, Democrats are demanding an exit strategy. Yep, it's true. There are three things you can count on in life - death, taxes, and the inconsistency of liberals.

Perfect Anti Tax cut Strategy

With the latest economic figures going the President's way, Democrats are eager (not to mention desperate) to reverse the trend. They know the tax cut must be stopped before it continues the positive effect it is having on the economy, and completely dooms their presidential chances. To that end they have come up with the perfect strategy: proposing that the tax cut for the top one percent - you know, The Rich - be postponed in order to pay for the $87 billion the President has asked for to help rebuild Iraq and continue the War on Terror. It really deserves to be lauded as a stroke of political brilliance: give the President what he wants but at the expense of his tax cuts. Having said that, it must be stopped. Postponing - or worse, repealing - the tax cuts would have devastating results. History shows us that if we stay the course, good things will happen. Such as…

1983 vs. 2003

In 1983 Ronald Reagan was in his third year as President. 1982 had been a terrible year economically for the country and the President was taking the blame (his approval ratings in early 1983 were at 35%). Despite Reagan's advice to "stay the course," Republicans in Congress were wringing their hands and wondering aloud if the tax cuts were a mistake. Well, we all know what happened next. 1983 brought about the beginning of the greatest economic recovery in our nation's history. Interest rates and unemployment rates began to fall and the country was moving again. Reagan was reelected in a landslide winning 49 states.

Fast-forward twenty years to the third year of Bush's term. The economic reality of 2003 is not as rosy as the President would like, but it is nowhere near as dire as it was 20 years ago, despite what Democrats try to tell us. However, the Bush tax cuts are beginning to have an effect. Consumer spending is up and unemployment rates are coming down. What will this mean for the President? One can only hope.

This is Poverty?

Poverty: noun 1. The state or condition of being poor. (American Heritage)
Poor: adjective 1. a. Having little or no wealth. b. destitute. (American Heritage)

Each year the Census Bureau issues a poverty report. Their report for 2002 indicates the poverty level rose from 11.7% to 12.1%. But if you read the accompanying supplemental report, it reveals a little more about how they define "poor." Of those they considered poor, 91% own color televisions, 74% own microwave ovens, 55 % own VCRs, 47% own clothes dryers, 42% own stereos, 23% own dishwashers, 21% own computers, and 19% own garbage disposals. Makes you wonder exactly what it is the rich must own to be labeled as "rich."