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[Stock Stroker]

This article is written by a Rabbi from New York. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE Posted on November 7, 2012 the most charitable way of explaining the election results of 2012 is that Americans voted for the status quo – for the incumbent President and for a divided Congress. They must enjoy gridlock, partisanship, incompetence, economic stagnation and avoidance of responsibility. And fewer people voted. As I write, with almost all the votes counted, President Obama has won fewer votes than John McCain won in 2008, and more than ten million off his own 2008 total. But as we awake from the nightmare, it is important to eschew the facile explanations for the Romney defeat that will prevail among the chattering classes. Romney did not lose because of the effects of Hurricane Sandy that devastated this area, nor did he lose because he ran a poor campaign, nor did he lose because the Republicans could have chosen better candidates, nor did he lose because Obama benefited from a slight uptick in the economy due to the business cycle. Romney lost because he didn’t get enough votes to win. That might seem obvious, but not for the obvious reasons. Romney lost because the conservative virtues – the traditional American virtues – of liberty, hard work, free enterprise, private initiative and aspirations to moral greatness – no longer inspire or animate a majority of the electorate. The notion of the “Reagan Democrat” is one cliché that should be permanently retired. Ronald Reagan himself could not win an election in today’s America. The simplest reason why Romney lost was because it is impossible to compete against free stuff. Every businessman knows this; that is why the “loss leader” or the giveaway is such a powerful marketing tool. Obama’s America is one in which free stuff is given away: the adults among the 47,000,000 on food stamps clearly recognized for whom they should vote, and so they did, by the tens of millions; those who – courtesy of Obama – receive two full years of unemployment benefits (which, of course, both disincentivizes looking for work and also motivates people to work off the books while collecting their windfall) surely know for whom to vote; so too those who anticipate “free” health care, who expect the government to pay their mortgages, who look for the government to give them jobs. The lure of free stuff is irresistible. Imagine two restaurants side by side. One sells its customers fine cuisine at a reasonable price, and the other offers a free buffet, all-you-can-eat as long as supplies last. Few – including me – could resist the attraction of the free food. Now imagine that the second restaurant stays in business because the first restaurant is forced to provide it with the food for the free buffet, and we have the current economy, until, at least, the first restaurant decides to go out of business. (Then, the government takes over the provision of free food to its patrons.) The defining moment of the whole campaign was the revelation (by the amoral Obama team) of the secretly-recorded video in which Romney acknowledged the difficulty of winning an election in which “47% of the people” start off against him because they pay no taxes and just receive money – “free stuff” – from the government. Almost half of the population has no skin in the game – they don’t care about high taxes, promoting business, or creating jobs, nor do they care that the money for their free stuff is being borrowed from their children and from the Chinese. They just want the free stuff that comes their way at someone else’s expense. In the end, that 47% leaves very little margin for error for any Republican, and does not bode well for the future. It is impossible to imagine a conservative candidate winning against such overwhelming odds. People do vote their pocketbooks. In essence, the people vote for a Congress who will not raise their taxes, and for a President who will give them free stuff, never mind who has to pay for it. That engenders the second reason why Romney lost: the inescapable conclusion that the electorate is dumb – ignorant, and uninformed. Indeed, it does not pay to be an informed voter, because most other voters – the clear majority – are unintelligent and easily swayed by emotion and raw populism. That is the indelicate way of saying that too many people vote with their hearts and not their heads. That is why Obama did not have to produce a second term agenda, or even defend his first-term record. He needed only to portray Mitt Romney as a rapacious capitalist who throws elderly women over a cliff, when he is not just snatching away their cancer medication, while starving the poor and cutting taxes for the rich. Obama could get away with saying that “Romney wants the rich to play by a different set of rules” – without ever defining what those different rules were; with saying that the “rich should pay their fair share” – without ever defining what a “fair share” is; with saying that Romney wants the poor, elderly and sick to “fend for themselves” – without even acknowledging that all these government programs are going bankrupt, their current insolvency only papered over by deficit spending. Obama could get away with it because he knew he was talking to dunces waving signs and squealing at any sight of him. During his 1956 presidential campaign, a woman called out to Adlai Stevenson: “Senator, you have the vote of every thinking person!” Stevenson called back: “That’s not enough, madam, we need a majority!” Truer words were never spoken. Similarly, Obama (or his surrogates) could hint to blacks that a Romney victory would lead them back into chains and proclaim to women that their abortions and birth control would be taken away. He could appeal to Hispanics that Romney would have them all arrested and shipped to Mexico (even if they came from Cuba or Honduras), and unabashedly state that he will not enforce the current immigration laws. He could espouse the furtherance of the incestuous relationship between governments and unions – in which politicians ply the unions with public money, in exchange for which the unions provide the politicians with votes, in exchange for which the politicians provide more money and the unions provide more votes, etc., even though the money is gone. He could do and say all these things because he knew his voters were dolts. One might reasonably object that not every Obama supporter could be unintelligent. But they must then rationally explain how the Obama agenda can be paid for, aside from racking up multi-trillion dollar deficits. “Taxing the rich” does not yield even 10% of what is required – so what is the answer, i.e., an intelligent answer? Obama also knows that the electorate has changed – that whites will soon be a minority in America (they’re already a minority in California) and that the new immigrants to the US are primarily from the Third World and do not share the traditional American values that attracted immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a different world, and a different America. Obama is part of that different America, knows it, and knows how to tap into it. That is why he won. Obama also proved again that negative advertising works, invective sells, and harsh personal attacks succeed. That Romney never engaged in such diatribes points to his essential goodness as a person; his “negative ads” were simple facts, never personal abuse – facts about high unemployment, lower take-home pay, a loss of American power and prestige abroad, a lack of leadership, etc. As a politician, though, Romney failed because he did not embrace the devil’s bargain of making unsustainable promises, and by talking as the adult and not the adolescent. Obama has spent the last six years campaigning; even his governance has been focused on payoffs to his favored interest groups. The permanent campaign also won again, to the detriment of American life. It turned out that it was not possible for Romney and Ryan – people of substance, depth and ideas – to compete with the shallow populism and platitudes of their opponents. Obama mastered the politics of envy – of class warfare – never reaching out to Americans as such but to individual groups, and cobbling together a winning majority from these minority groups. Conservative ideas failed to take root and states that seemed winnable, and amenable to traditional American values, have simply disappeared from the map. If an Obama could not be defeated – with his record and his vision of America, in which free stuff seduces voters – it is hard to envision any change in the future. The road to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and to a European-socialist economy – those very economies that are collapsing today in Europe – is paved. A second cliché that should be retired is that America is a center-right country. It clearly is not. It is a divided country with peculiar voting patterns, and an appetite for free stuff. Studies will invariably show that Republicans in Congress received more total votes than Democrats in Congress, but that means little. The House of Representatives is not truly representative of the country. That people would vote for a Republican Congressmen or Senator and then Obama for President would tend to reinforce point two above: the empty-headedness of the electorate. Americans revile Congress but love their individual Congressmen. Go figure. The mass media’s complicity in Obama’s re-election cannot be denied. One example suffices. In 2004, CBS News forged a letter in order to imply that President Bush did not fulfill his Air National Guard service during the Vietnam War, all to impugn Bush and impair his re-election prospects. In 2012, President Obama insisted – famously – during the second debate that he had stated all along that the Arab attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi was “terror” (a lie that Romney fumbled and failed to exploit). Yet, CBS News sat on a tape of an interview with Obama in which Obama specifically avoided and rejected the claim of terrorism – on the day after the attack – clinging to the canard about the video. (This snippet of a “60 Minutes” interview was not revealed - until two days ago!) In effect, CBS News fabricated evidence in order to harm a Republican president, and suppressed evidence in order to help a Democratic president. Simply shameful, as was the media’s disregard of any scandal or story that could have jeopardized the Obama re-election. One of the more irritating aspects of this campaign was its limited focus, odd in light of the billions of dollars spent. Only a few states were contested, a strategy that Romney adopted, and that clearly failed. The Democrat begins any race with a substantial advantage. The liberal states – like the bankrupt California and Illinois – and other states with large concentrations of minority voters as well as an extensive welfare apparatus, like New York, New Jersey and others – give any Democratic candidate an almost insurmountable edge in electoral votes. In New Jersey, for example, it literally does not pay for a conservative to vote. It is not worth the fuel expended driving to the polls. As some economists have pointed generally, and it resonates here even more, the odds are greater that a voter will be killed in a traffic accident on his way to the polls than that his vote will make a difference in the election. It is an irrational act. That most states are uncompetitive means that people are not amenable to new ideas, or new thinking, or even having an open mind. If that does not change, and it is hard to see how it can change, then the die is cast. America is not what it was, and will never be again. For Jews, mostly assimilated anyway and staunch Democrats, the results demonstrate again that liberalism is their Torah. Almost 70% voted for a president widely perceived by Israelis and most committed Jews as hostile to Israel. They voted to secure Obama’s future at America’s expense and at Israel’s expense – in effect, preferring Obama to Netanyahu by a wide margin. A dangerous time is ahead. Under present circumstances, it is inconceivable that the US will take any aggressive action against Iran and will more likely thwart any Israeli initiative. That Obama’s top aide Valerie Jarrett (i.e., Iranian-born Valerie Jarrett) spent last week in Teheran is not a good sign. The US will preach the importance of negotiations up until the production of the first Iranian nuclear weapon – and then state that the world must learn to live with this new reality. As Obama has committed himself to abolishing America’s nuclear arsenal, it is more likely that that unfortunate circumstance will occur than that he will succeed in obstructing Iran’s plans. Obama’s victory could weaken Netanyahu’s re-election prospects, because Israelis live with an unreasonable – and somewhat pathetic – fear of American opinion and realize that Obama despises Netanyahu. A Likud defeat – or a diminution of its margin of victory – is more probable now than yesterday. That would not be the worst thing. Netanyahu, in fact, has never distinguished himself by having a strong political or moral backbone, and would be the first to cave to the American pressure to surrender more territory to the enemy and acquiesce to a second (or third, if you count Jordan) Palestinian state. A new US Secretary of State named John Kerry, for example would not augur well. Netanyahu remains the best of markedly poor alternatives. Thus, the likeliest outcome of the upcoming Israeli elections is a center-left government that will force itself to make more concessions and weaken Israel – an Oslo III. The most powerful empires in history all crumbled – from the Greeks and the Romans to the British and the Soviets. None of the collapses were easily foreseen, and yet they were predictable in retrospect. The American empire began to decline in 2007, and the deterioration has been exacerbated in the last five years. This election only hastens that decline. Society is permeated with sloth, greed, envy and materialistic excess. It has lost its moorings and its moral foundations. The takers outnumber the givers, and that will only increase in years to come. Across the world, America under Bush was feared but not respected. Under Obama, America is neither feared nor respected. Radical Islam has had a banner four years under Obama, and its prospects for future growth look excellent. The “Occupy” riots across this country in the last two years were mere dress rehearsals for what lies ahead – years of unrest sparked by the increasing discontent of the unsuccessful that want to seize the fruits and the bounty of the successful, and do not appreciate the slow pace of redistribution. If this election proves one thing, it is that the Old America is gone. And, sad for the world, it is not coming back. Obama has won, and it’s twilight in America. It’s not twilight in America because Obama won Obama won because it was, sadly, already twilight in America.

[Scoop0]

If the Repulicans has provided a candidate that was not pure evil like Romney, they could have won. Most people voted against Romeny, not for Obama. Romney is a lot of what is wrong with this country today. Send more jobs to China to fill your own pockets!

[BaconBits]

If the Repulicans has provided a candidate that was not pure evil like Romney, they could have won. Most people voted against Romeny, not for Obama. Romney is a lot of what is wrong with this country today. Send more jobs to China to fill your own pockets!

The GOP had this election in the bag, all they had to do was come up with somebody, anybody really, who was electable. They failed, miserably.

[TheLegend]

If the Repulicans has provided a candidate that was not pure evil like Romney, they could have won. Most people voted against Romeny, not for Obama. Romney is a lot of what is wrong with this country today. Send more jobs to China to fill your own pockets!

It's funny all of the company's Obama gives OUR money to invest heavily in outsourcing !!! Including and especially GM !!! He didn't save the auto industry , he saved the UAW !!

[bonez]

If the Repulicans has provided a candidate that was not pure evil like Romney, they could have won. Most people voted against Romeny, not for Obama. Romney is a lot of what is wrong with this country today. Send more jobs to China to fill your own pockets!

That is one the most idiotic statements you could make. You obviously listen to mainstream media way to much. He may not have been the very best canidate BUT he is not pure evil. And certainly better than Obama. Just because he has acquired a large amount of wealth people think he has to be evil. And they think that way because of jealously. You should never look at someone and think because they make more money than you they owe some of theirs to you. Go out and earn more yourself. Work for it. Thats what alot of business owners did. Stop the handouts. Stock Stroker VERY well put. Laziness, jeasouly, lack of voter morals and the knowledge that obama will GIVE you yours is why romney lost. Eventually there will be no more to give.

[BaconBits]

It's funny all of the company's Obama gives OUR money to invest heavily in outsourcing !!! Including and especially GM !!! He didn't save the auto industry , he saved the UAW !!

The UAW (and the government's support of it) has done more damage to the American auto industry than anyone. It's getting to the point where more foreign cars are built in the United States than actual American cars. And those foreign manufacturers take great care of their American workers without the UAW.

Edited by BaconBits, 12 December 2012 - 10:27 AM.

[spike]

Just read nothing about religion from a rabbi on a racing site. What a country!

[TheLegend]

A candidate who gives more of his income to charity than every previous candidate combined is called pure evil .... Only in America .... Obama gives 12 cents a year to charity but he's all caring and looking out for the little guy ... What a damn joke

[lrnvlFan1w]

I wasn't shocked when Obama was re-elected. I knew when I voted for Romney that it was not going to impact the election. What still amazes me is that people defend Obama and that people still attack Romney with false information. It upsets me that when the Fiscal cliff happens I am looking at about a 7% increase in my taxes yet the majority of people who voted for Obama will see no impact. What makes me even more upset is if you pay any type of attention to the news you can read daily how the Chinese are buying up American Companies. 2012 marks the highest investment in American companies by the Chinese. Take the time and research "Retirement USA" all the money you have invested in your private 401k is going to be gone. Just wait were just in the beginning of what Obama and his well funded supporters want for this Country. It all starts with a 50% tax rate for the "middle" class.

[bonez]

A candidate who gives more of his income to charity than every previous candidate combined is called pure evil .... Only in America .... Obama gives 12 cents a year to charity but he's all caring and looking out for the little guy ... What a damn joke

Yes and dont forget about his family values. That also makes him pure evil. Come on!

[54warrior]

The GOP had this election in the bag, all they had to do was come up with somebody, anybody really, who was electable. They failed, miserably.

That's the friggin truth of it right there... 4 long ass years to come up with a reasonable candidate, and they put this schmuck Romney in there. Idiots.

[Stock Stroker]

I just found this on you tube;

http://www.youtube.c...Ek8&h...S&fs=1

Says it all! Really funny actually!

JMO

[BaconBits]

That's the friggin truth of it right there... 4 long ass years to come up with a reasonable candidate, and they put this schmuck Romney in there. Idiots.

To be elected president in this country, it seems a candidate's politics have less to do with electablility than likeability does anymore. Romney's politics were so-so, and his likability factor was next to zero to the majority of Americans. He came across very smug and a little out of touch and that was his biggest downfall.

I was talking with a coworker back in September about the impending election and we discussed how awful Romney was a candidate. And we kicked around younger GOP party members and we came up with almost nobody who made sense. So I jokingly said the GOP should have recruited Dewayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Then we actually thought about it. It actually kind of made sense. He isn't some career politician who is hopelessly tied up in stupid party line political bullshit. He's fifteen times the public speaker any candidate, well, ever. He's an intelligent guy that people can and do relate with on many levels. The GOP could have sold him on the very same premise that got Obama elected the first time, change. And people would have bought it, because, well, he has NO track record in office to attack. Think about it, it's not that crazy. Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger were high ranking politicians in this country. It could have worked.

[lrnvlFan1w]

To be elected president in this country, it seems a candidate's politics have less to do with electablility than likeability does anymore. Romney's politics were so-so, and his likability factor was next to zero to the majority of Americans. He came across very smug and a little out of touch and that was his biggest downfall.

I was talking with a coworker back in September about the impending election and we discussed how awful Romney was a candidate. And we kicked around younger GOP party members and we came up with almost nobody who made sense. So I jokingly said the GOP should have recruited Dewayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Then we actually thought about it. It actually kind of made sense. He isn't some career politician who is hopelessly tied up in stupid party line political bullshit. He's fifteen times the public speaker any candidate, well, ever. He's an intelligent guy that people can and do relate with on many levels. The GOP could have sold him on the very same premise that got Obama elected the first time, change. And people would have bought it, because, well, he has NO track record in office to attack. Think about it, it's not that crazy. Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger were high ranking politicians in this country. It could have worked.

Sad but true...

[THE Fan]

If the Repulicans has provided a candidate that was not pure evil like Romney, they could have won. Most people voted against Romeny, not for Obama. Romney is a lot of what is wrong with this country today. Send more jobs to China to fill your own pockets!

idiot

[DavyLee2]

A candidate who gives more of his income to charity than every previous candidate combined is called pure evil .... Only in America .... Obama gives 12 cents a year to charity but he's all caring and looking out for the little guy ... What a damn joke

Its astonishing me how the media can mold people like scoop !
It also Amazes me that Good hardworking honest people that are democrats can stick with voting party lines when they know they are voting for Welfare , socialism , destruction of America and selling their KIDS DOWN THE RIVER ! just insane

Each day as America heads toward a Socialist country .. there will be less and less people with enough Extra money to put a Racecar on the track !

[Express Man]

All the GOP had to do was come up with more give aways than the oposing party and they would of won! America doesn't want to work any longer! I know many people laying in bed all day collecting about $2k a month! Not a great living....but you don't have to work for it! Comapred to Working at Wally world for about $9.00 an hour and grossing about $1400.00 a month and taking home about $1000.00! Go figure?????

[TCM29]

The UAW (and the government's support of it) has done more damage to the American auto industry than anyone. It's getting to the point where more foreign cars are built in the United States than actual American cars. And those foreign manufacturers take great care of their American workers without the UAW.

http://www.youtube.c...p?v=Lvl5Gan69Wo

[BaconBits]

Another thing that would benefit the conservative Republicans in an election would be to change the way they campaign. It's too extreme. They basically put out a bunch of fear mongering and an awful lot of folks who remain on the fence are completely turned off by it. It's not even a radical change they would have to make. Their actual politics could remain exactly the same as they are now, but instead of going with "The USA as we know it is going to be destroyed unless we win" the premise should be "Look, things are terrible right now, but if we win, we will promise to do our best to improve things, and this is how we'll do it." Rational thinking folks would respond to that better, and it gets away from creating extreme division creating polar opposites.

Edited by BaconBits, 13 December 2012 - 11:19 AM.