THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume XI, Issue # 176, August 19, 2009
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
THE REAGAN-PALIN MODEL OF LEADERSHIP
By Christopher G. Adamo
THE DRIVE FOR NATIONALIZED HEALTHCARE IN THE U.S.A.: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S AGRESSIVE STRATEGY
FOR OBTAINING CONGRESSIONAL PASSAGE OF SOME FORM OF SOCIALIZED MEDICINE DURING HIS FIRST PRESIDENTIAL
TERM -- THE WEAK & INEPT RESPONSE OF CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION, LEFTWING LIBERAL HEALTHCARE JUGGERNAUT IN CONGRESS -- THE NEED FOR CONSERVATIVE
LEADERS TO COORDINATE THE GROWING GRASSROOTS OPPOSITION TO THE ARROGANT ATTEMPT OF THE POLITICAL
LEFT TO ESTABLISH MEDICAL SOCIALISM IN THE U.S.A. -- THE MODEL OF CONSERVATIVE, ANTI-SOCIALIST LEADERSHIP
EXHIBITED BY RONALD WILSON REAGAN & SARAH LOUISE PALIN -- NEED FOR USE OF THIS LEADERSHIP MODEL IN
BLOCKING ENACTMENT OF OBAMACARE & OTHER POLICY PROPOSALS COMPRISING THE LIBERAL LEFTIST POLITICAL
AGENDA
FULL STORY:
The healthcare fight is far from over. Barack Hussein Obama has invested the
entirety of his political capital into his aggressive strategy for passing
some form of medical socialism during his term as President. Yet, it is clear that the
playing field has changed and the Democrats are now completely on the
defensive.
President Obama’s one-time expectations of passing the bill prior to the August recess
seem like a sorry parody. Something has drastically altered the debate and
dissipated the earlier momentum that once seemed to make nationalized
“healthcare” an inevitability.
Certainly, the drastic deflation in the healthcare juggernaut did not result
from a coordinated and passionate counterattack from U.S. House and
Senate Republicans. While some have pressed back with sincerity and vigor,
far too many appear unwilling to mount any serious opposition in the face of
backlash from Liberals on Capitol Hill or from their media minions.
Comments such as those of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican - Kentucky), suggest a
general Republican timidity in executing a frontal counterattack on
pro-socialized healthcare forces. In an August 10, 2009, interview on Fox News,
McConnell stated:
“We’d like to make a deal, but
we’d like to make the right kind
of deal. I mean this is not about
embarrassing anybody
politically. This is about
getting it right.”
Hardly the stuff of impassioned leadership, McConnell’s insipid comment
reflects a tired and compliant mindset among too many Republicans on Capitol
Hill who seem to have forgotten how to relate to the people of the
heartland. They may not like the notion of a government takeover of one
sixth of the U.S. economy, but neither do they have the collective stomach
for a bare-knuckled brawl to prevent its eventuation.
So, Americans at the grassroots have mobilized on their own to take on this
battle. The Congressional August “Recess,” typically a time of low-keyed
hobnobbing with constituents back home, has become a horrendous ordeal for
Liberal Senators and Representatives who have arrogantly assented to medical
socialism, while among their peers inside the Beltway. Rather than visiting
the communities and offering appreciative audiences a few platitudes along
with the usual promises of some federal pork for local projects, they are
regularly confronted by animated groups of protestors, armed most
dangerously of all with facts and quotes from the onerous proposed
legislation, leaving public officials unable to dodge the truth.
Again, McConnell summed up the situation in rather bland terms “I don't
think either side ought to be trying to engage in disrupting meetings.” Such
a response cannot be taken as serious allegiance to a valiant cause. On this
issue, as well as with too many others, those Republicans who should be
erecting a firewall against the Liberal onslaught are instead making only
token gestures to identify their stance as being on the right side of the
issue.
Yet, past and present, certain fearless individuals who, despite a barrage of
media ridicule, have been exhibiting the qualities of true leadership, are
showing how to effectively confront this issue. And, by example, they reveal
the proper manner by which to thwart all of the other inroads on the
American ideal from the political Left. The strategy is not new, and it has a clear
track record of success, both for the issue at hand and for the political
benefit of the individuals who champion it. As such, it should be considered
and embraced by principled officeholders who are not intimidated at the
prospect of Liberal media derision.
In 1961, Ronald Reagan made an actual LP record of his commentary opposing
socialized medicine that is currently being widely circulated throughout the
Internet. It is profound in two respects. First, its pertinence, on a
point-by-point basis, to the topic in its current form, four dozen years
after Reagan discussed it, proves that the principles of Right versus Left,
and Conservatism as a safeguard against the Liberal deconstruction of
America still stand as they always have. Secondly, by his courageous
willingness to strike hard at the issue, Reagan contributed to its ultimate
defeat.
Fast forward to 2009, and another bold and courageous public figure, once
again, sets the right example. Former Alaska Governor and vice-presidential
candidate, Sarah Palin, making good on her promise to carry the torch for
Conservatism, accurately and bluntly characterized one provision of the
socialized healthcare bill as “death panels,” to describe bureaucratic
boards empowered to make “end of life” decisions for elderly and acutely ill
patients.
When making her pronouncement, Palin could have had no illusions about the
tenor of ensuing criticism she received. The Liberal media punditry did not
temper its scorn for her as it sought on numerous occasions to trivialize
and even deny her contention. Yet, it quickly became evident that such
efforts were not advancements of the Liberal standard, but defensive
reactions. Barack Obama himself responded, insisting that the
characterization was false.
Many contended that no such provisions existed in any form of the bill. In
the end, however, the “nonexistent” verbiage was removed from the existing
version of the legislation.
Clearly, Palin’s bold assessment of this glaring and dangerous aspect of the
envisioned government “healthcare” program has hit its mark. It is obvious
that America’s senior citizens have heard the alarm she sounded and are
responding to it. Sixty thousand seniors have quit the AARP upon their
realization of that organization’s undeniably Leftist agenda, and nobody can
credibly deny Palin’s educating effect on them.
If real America does not lose heart, and continues to express its righteous
outrage, the Congress, despite Democratic Party majorities, will have to listen to
the people and this issue can be defeated. Real Conservative leadership is
needed to stay the course in defeating this, as well as every other clammy
tentacle of Liberal government expansion. Once again, Sarah Palin has shown
the way.
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
American Government & the U.S. Presidency:
Presidential Politics & National Leadership
The American Political System:
Politics & Government in the U.S.A.
Social Welfare Policy: The Modern Welfare State
The American Political & Cultural Left:
Liberals, Statists, Socialists, Marxists, & Other Leftists:
The Democratic Party, Academia, & the Mainstream Media
Liberalism Versus Conservatism in American Politics
-------------------------
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY & POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES:
COMPETING SYSTEMS OF POLITICAL THOUGHT
Conservatism
Traditional Conservatism: Questions & Answers
Conservatism: Attitudes, Types, & Present Status
Constitutional Conservatism: American & British
Liberalism
Classical Liberalism: Intellectual Foundations
Classical Liberalism: Conservative Liberalism
Manchester Liberalism & Social Darwinism
Modern Social "Liberalism": Statist "Liberalism"
Radical & Totalitarian Ideologies
Radicalism, Utopianism, & Totalitarianism
Christopher G. Adamo has been active in Wyoming politics for many years and
is a managing partner in Best American Buy (www.bestamericanbuy.com), an
e-commerce business that markets American made products including the
incomparable Abigail Adams Bedspread Set from Bates Mills. Contact
information for Chris Adamo, and his archives, can be found at
www.chrisadamo.com
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THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Conservative & Free-Market Analysis of Government, Politics & Public Policy, Covering Political, Legal, Constitutional, Economic,
Cultural, Military, International, Strategic, & Geopolitical Issues
Conservative Government Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity