In case you don’t know your history, the Hartford Convention took place right about the end of the War of 1812 in which America fought Great Britain to a standstill. Anyway, the Hartford Convention was the death of the Federalist party. I suggest you go look it up.
What I’m saying right now isn’t that there is one occuring right now. I’m saying we might be looking at something very similar in the future.
Let’s first look at the possibility that there may be such an event. We have the Republican “Contract With America” in 1994 that led to Republican power today. The Democrats want to imitate that. They want a strong national image, an alternative to the Republicans that they’ve been searching for. They have “said that they were planning to offer their own version by summer.“
I’m saying we could be looking not at a new Contract With America, but a new Hartford Convention. Could. Not will be. It’s not assured by any means or even highly likely. Still, I can’t help shaking this feeling. If you want to know why, read on…
First off, the Democrats are bungling, inept, and have some questionable choices for leadership. (Cindy Sheehan and Howard Dean come quickly to mind.) First, they were going to turn Sheehan into a revolution. Then, it was Katrina. Now what? Face it, going into the 2004 election, we had a president who by most historical indicators, probably should’ve lost, but the Democrats managed to lose it anyway. I’m sorry for the harsh words if you’re a Democrat, but you must realize that your party is on the ropes.
If the radical left manages to control the message in the future Democratic Contract With America, we will see the suicide of the Democratic party. Why? It won’t be because they introduce things like gay marriage, abortion anytime anywhere, or national health care. It’s because they are out of the American mainstream regarding security and the Iraq War. The Federalists died after Andrew Jackson won in New Orleans. If the Democrats call for a timetable for retreat, it will be the end of the Democratic party, mark my words.
Alright, maybe it’s not a guaranteed suicide. But I think the Democrats must be very careful because this could spell the end of their party, especially if they extend any proposals that would weaken our nation’s security.
Especially too… if we capture Osama bin Laden right after they release their message. Hm…
The Democrats keep screwing up and screwing up, despite all that’s happening to Bush and the Republican Party. I don’t think anyone can disagree with that. All I’m saying is, one big screw up, and the party could go kablooey. Think about it for a second. Think about the conditions that could coincide with the Democratic message. Think about how much the Dems have screwed up recently. Think about it very carefully, and you will realize that although it is not likely, there is still a very real possibility.
[EDIT: Replaced “whackjobs in control” with “some questionable choices for leadership.” Also replaced “nutjobs” with “radical left.”]
Excellent, thoughtful, incisive and provocative analysis from the agnoiologist, as usual.
However, I have one bone to pick and it’s in terms of your ‘voice.’ For your sake as a future politician, I would advise projecting compassion, instead of contempt.
I’m fine with adjectives such as ‘bungling,’ ‘inept,’ and the like (I can’t agree with you more, in terms of describing the Democratic Party these days; I have even much worse and still accurate words I could use). However, verbal jibes such as ‘whackjob’ and ‘nutjob’ seriously undermine fundamental ethics.
Take the moral high ground, young man, and you will always have the upper hand. Needless to say, do it with compassion and without self-serving; for you will be a wise and Solomonic leader then.
Duly noted, Lloyd. Thanks for the advice. Trying not to project contempt is something I’ve been working on, and I’ve had some moderate success. I’m going to keep working on it, which will include paying closer attention to diction.