Presidency: The greased pig in the field game of American politics. Ambrose Bierce

I strongly disagree, America chose the moral busybodies, not the robber barons: Obama and the Dems are all into the morality of "fairness" and environmentalism; the problem is the very thing CS Lewis points out; they believe their program is for our good, and they know better, we just have to take out medicine, and get over antiquated ideas (classical values). Make no mistake, they are on a moral crusade. It may not be the same morality of evangelicals, or prohibitionists, or the like, but it is A MORALITY just the same, approved by their consciences. Lewis' point is that their conscience will be used to justify whatever means they must utilize to push their morality, precisely because it is the moral thing to do. Their distorted conscience will drive them in zeal on their programmatic quest. I would far prefer a Nixon or a Clinton, "robber barons" who are in it simply for the power, rather than the "true believers" of Obama and his cult. We are in for a very dark four years.

RJL,

Are the Republicans any better on economic issues? Not that I have seen. Prescription Drug Benefit? You're shitting me mate. Spending totally out of control? Republican values all the way for me.

So since I have no choice economically I'm going with the more socially liberal party. At least I can get something for my vote.

The Ds just want to steal from me. The Rs want to run my private life and steal from me. Easy choice there.

Call me when you wake up (it will take ten to thirty years in my estimation) if we still have a country worth saving.

The socon agenda without fiscal responsibility is not a winner nationally. So instead of just the socon agenda working against you (yeah the damn press - it is what it is), you also have your economic agenda working against you. A real winning combination. May you go from victory to victory. You have calibrated your political agenda to the times. And who can argue with success?

M Simon,

My comment was in no way, implicit or explicit, a defense of the socon policies, economic or cultural. How you arrived at that is beyond me. I abhor the failure of the GOP to use the power responsibly, especially when it comes to spending and economics. Their problem was they were to interested in going along to be liked, and retain power.

My comment was intended solely to point out that Obama's agenda is ideological and moral as much as neocons/socons. They are not simply Robber Barons out for power or money; instead they want the power and money primarily as a means to pursue their moral and ideological postmodern agenda.

The fact of the matter is this: you may disagree with socon moral agenda, but in the main (excepting abortion laws) it was a toothless agenda. For all the (often hypocritical) posturing of socon politicians, how much did the agenda affect your daily life, what coercion was there in it upon people. Zilch.

The Obama/DNC agenda, their moral crusading, will be all tooth and claw. What you can buy and do (energy, coal, autos, etc. -- watch your carbon footprint!!), what you can say (fairness doctrine, no criticism of the one, PC, etc.) what you can keep (taxes) who will be your leaders (shameless gaming of elections) and on and on. The Ds don't want to JUST steal from you; they want to steal from you so they can run your life.

The power to tax is the power to destroy, that's what the Ds will do. The socons just wanted to scold you (while allowing you to scold right back!), with little practical consequences.

Again, my initial comment was in no way a justification of the sorry way the GOP exercised its power since 2000. Their failure was a half-hearted buying in to the idea that it is up to gov't--and that gov't is able--to make your life better. I utterly reject that idea.

Simon,

Also, I think you've missed the point of the CS Lewis quote. Lewis speaks of two types of "tyranny." The moral scolding of the socons, being toothless, is no tyranny. It is scolding, posturing, preaching. The Obama agenda will be Tyranny--the use of power and coercion upon us to acheive their ideological-moral vision.

And, by the way, is not the radical left/DNC just as moralizing when it comes to their ideas of tolerance and fairness, e.g., forcing gay marriage, eliminating dissent through PC codes, and the abandonment or traditional morality through whatever means possible (esp judicially). All lawmaking is an attempt to impose a morality; the question is whose morality is being imposed.

Yes the socon agenda is toothless. Even with respect to abortion. However, the impulse behind it doesn't sell well. If it did the socons could win on that alone.

Well the Ds will just destroy me a little faster than the Rs. I don't see much advantage of one party over another in that respect.

I stuck with the Rs until Iraq was in hand. Now that it is accomplished they have nothing. At least for me. If the Republicans want to be the socon party they are welcome to it.

I offer this variation of the quote:

Of all tyrannies those of Moralists, intending to improve the ruled, are the most unbearable.

The Robber Baron may come to feel secure and content and inflict no harsher rule.

But the Moralist can never stop because his subjects will never be perfect. And so the Moralist must endlessly tighten and strengthen their chains.