(I posted this on FB, and wanted it here also).
I wrote this last night in moments of long reflection. I'm only going to post once on this "macro topic", because I don't wish to torment my friends on the left or right with ongoing debates, etc.
But, I also feel I must be crystal clear on what I think there are some critical lessons we ALL must learn - left or right, from this election:
1) It is unfortunate, but apparent now (as further confirmed by yesterdays exit polling showing that the unemployed in majority voted for Obama), that America has indeed now crossed the Rubicon of having a clear majority whose life philosophy considers it moral and correct to continually and increasingly vote themselves ever more "stuff" at the direct expense of others... Call it social welfare, call it free healthcare, call it food stamps, college education subsidies, unemployment "insurance" (which it is not), free contraceptives (can't have a "war on women" you know) the list goes on forever and gets ever more surreal, and is ever growing
To you on the left: Mitt Romney was indeed wrong about his comment about the 47%... It was demonstrated yesterday it's now above 50%. Most voters now espouse a socialistic economic philosophy.
Many great philosophers of the 18th and early 19th centuries warned long and hard about this very issue with our Representative Republic; but to summarize: "Once the public discovers it can vote itself largesse out of the public treasury, the Republic is not long to survive"...
We are now there. The die is now cast. This majority of voters voted in a clinically insane fashion; returning almost precisely the same players: House, Senate and President, that have so demonstrably failed these last Obama years. As Einstein would say, "those who do the same thing over and over again and expect different results are insane"
2) Obama won, and now faces two possible paths:
2a) one would continue his rhetoric of "I", "Me", "My"... and assume he now has some 'mandate' to continue to refuse to compromise with the Republican house... This way I view (and I desperately want to be proven wrong on this) as the most likely, after all, Einstein was right... He's not yet shown one iota of such ability to compromise or see beyond his own world-view... This recent campaign proved that: The so-called Great Uniter running massively negative campaign ads, themes and attacks all Spring and Summer and into the fall...
He does this, pulls any more juvenile "I won, get over it" comments, or "You didn't build that" (you listening Granny Warren?) and the Republicans in the house, rightly, will simply dig in. The fact is that they were returned to their seats because they have been told (again) by their voters in no uncertain terms that the deficit and run away spending *must* be resolved, and that tax increases are off the table...
... He does this, and we will, inexorably and inevitably spiral into financial collapse, likely by/before the 2014 elections... Soon, nobody will buy our bonds anymore (except the Fed, who will be forced to directly monetize them) and we'll have massive inflation. And/or the price to get others to buy those bonds is raising interest rates (and you all know - or should - where *that* will lead... anyone remember Carter years?)
2b) The other path is that he could learn from Clinton's 1994 experience, and actually and genuinely reach out to the Republicans and work towards a real compromise. Stop the BS rhetoric of "evil millionaires and billionaires" and the divisive theme of "fair share" and "level playing field", and actually truly compromise. Over-rule and shut down Harry Reid and be a leader!
This path would be difficult for him, as it's demonstrably against his - now proven - nature (he's a talker not a leader), and it would require him to be and act as a leader. One has but to read Bob Woodward's recent book to understand clearly that it was Obama that screwed the pooch wrt: coming to an agreement/compromise in 2011 with Boehner, compromise was on the table, and Obama blew it for petulant reasons... But, it is doable... And if/when he did compromise, it would be political suicide for the Republicans to then not compromise. But it must be real compromise.. as but one example, go back to the Simpson Bowles commission, tweak a bit and get it done... Republican's have been fooled too many times by promises that "we'll raise taxes and cut spending"... Reagan was fooled on it in the 80's, and so was Bush... taxes *were* raised, but spending was not cut... (see Einstein definition of insanity!).
We will certainly see *which* President Obama emerges in the next 7-8 weeks or so, as work begins - as it must - on resolving the fast-oncoming Taxmaggeddon (which was a direct result of that failure to lead in 2011). Supposedly nobody wants this to happen on either side (and Obama 'slipped' with his comment during the debate by saying 'it won't happen' - thus removing some of Harry Reid's bargaining room). I truly hope this forcing function will slap some sense into BOTH sides.
Enough about the Economics. On the Social front, here's the (mostly) unfortunate reality:
1) Abortion - any/all types at any/all time seems to be cemented for the foreseeable future. I truly hope that those Catholics and Christians who voted for candidates that support same understand the magnitude of this result. We have now condemned additional untold millions of babies to unspeakable, and immoral murder. Truly a sad commentary on what is left of our slipping societal morality and culture. Nothing will change here; there are a large number of people (not enough of whom vote apparently) who believe Abortion *is* murder, their opinion will NEVER change. And again, there are a large number (who do vote) who apparently view it as a "choice" and not as murder. (nevermind that - except in cases of rape/force - any/all pregnancies are a direct result of a different, and precedent choice, so they actually advocate "a second chance/choice"). And their opinions aren't going to change either.
This issue isn't going away. Sorry, that's the way I see it.
2) Gay (LGBT, etc.) - the country seems to be coalescing around any/every type of rights in this respect. Fine. The right is going to have to deal with that; while continuing to be allowed to personally believe it is wrong. This now seems immutable (another Rubicon crossed, which is not all bad (if the left and the LGBT activists don't 'overplay' their situation and quit while they are ahead - so to speak).
That said, I envision ever escalating lawsuits by private entities who are increasingly pressured to not just accept, but to actively support and fund same (for example businesses/entities/individuals like ministers/priests, wedding photographers who are going to be pressured - under threat of law - to provide private services, etc. to customers to whom they do not wish to because of their moral/religious beliefs)... The ever-increasing activism and in-you-face nature of this lobby (as demonstrated to date) will in all probability continue (unfortunately). This inevitably will (must) conflict with Constitutionally protected rights under the Bill of Rights (Speech, Religion, etc.)... Would that both sides could tone things down...
So I pray that we stop here. LGBT rights are appropriate, and humane. But not if they then use those rights to subsequently deprive others of their rights as well. I'd advise stopping at "Marriage". It isn't "hate speech" to call something a sin, as but one example of another line that shouldn't be crossed without serious damage to our social fabric.
The Right and conservatives can - and must - simply recognize that true marriage is something that is religiously conveyed, as opposed to governmentally, and leave it at that.
3) Individual liberties (Marijuana, etc.) - This election demonstrated (to my mind) that this aspect of Libertarianism is rapidly growing and has crossed a threshold. Unlike (say) Abortion, this is but one of many "rights" (or better, behaviors), that truly are victimless. The Right would do well to realize this and act accordingly politically. Ignore at your peril.
4) Right to death - went down to narrow defeat here in Massachusetts; it appears (for now) that this highly charged moral issue is still not resolved. I predict we'll see similar behaviors (on both sides) as we've seen on gay related issues... Jury's still out...
5) Healthcare - unfortunately, we are now at the point where Obamacare will have to kick-in, and then ultimately fail (as it's innate flaws ensure it must) before enough people will realize the nightmare that it is... (see also my first point about people wanting "free stuff"). At that point - maybe - there'll be enough voters to fix it.
A parting thought... if compromise doesn't happen, and the "soak the rich" culture of class warfare continues unabated (or worse accelerates), you can expect precisely the result such a death-worshiping philosophy espouses... the continued (and accelerated) withering of the American economic engine... and eventual collapse. One cannot worship a philosophy that it is moral and right to take (from those who produce), at the point of a government gun (in ever increasing amounts) to give to others (who do not produce), as a price to purchase their support/votes... without getting precisely the result such a philosophy must inevitably produce: a reduction in private production. Viz. Europe. Any other expectation is irrational.
Finally, and most importantly of all, Americans need to get on their knees and pray to God. I would urge them to pray for our Presidents humility and willingness to become a true leader, rather than a sheepherder of multiple, narrowly tailored special interests; to be a leader that actually demonstrates that true courage allows for compromise.
Most of all pray for our Children, each of whom now inherits an unimaginable mountain of debt.
I'll say no more (broadast). I welcome private conversations; but the time for public proselytizing (on both sides) should now be done. Not only for me. But for everyone...