Thursday, September 24, 2009

Conservatives (Perhaps, Most Particularly, Newt Gingrich) Are Making a Comeback

Emmett Tyrrell considers whether the time is ripe for a dramatic comeback for conservatism (generally) and for Newt Gingrich (particularly). It's an interesting column.

And speaking of Newt, I recommend his latest essay "Turning the Senate into the Chicago City Council" published over at Human Events. As usual with the former Speaker of the House, the essay is sound on history but is as relevant and cogent an argument for today's civic affairs as could be. The article shows how President Obama and the Democrats are not just playing politics as usual; they're engaged in activity that genuinely undermines the foundations of our political system.

...I have taken this brief tour of American constitutional history to make an important point: The Obama Administration clearly has concluded it cannot get a big government health plan through the Senate if they accept the traditional, historic requirement of a 60-vote majority.

It is also clear left-wing activists would cheerfully destroy the integrity of the Senate and the freedoms it protects if that is what it takes to get a government-run, bureaucratic health care system which would expand their power and increase the importance of Washington.


Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the Democratic majority leader, has warned that a failure to get 60 votes would lead him to try to force through a bill with 50 senators and Vice President Joe Biden breaking the tie.


Changing one-sixth of the American economy with 50 senators voting yes would be a revolutionary act worthy of a third world country...


The full article is here.