A Time For Government To Work (by Andy McGee)
By Corey Thompson, filed in Andy McGee, Guest Features on Jan.28, 2009
***Editor’s Note: Andy McGee is a Liberal Columnist for “The Thirsty Quill.” While Mr. McGee often writes for ‘The Quill,’ it is important for readers to note that his opinions and views are strictly his own, and rarely reflect the opinions and views of the pro-Conservative ideals of this site. As always, “The Thirsty Quill” greatly appreciates Andy’s participation and contributions.***
“A Time For Government To Work”
By: Andy McGee, Columnist
In all great stories there are heroes and villains, conflicts and resolution. If one were to read the great story of our current national orientation, it would be interesting to see what title the great protagonist our government would adorn. It is no secret that government has been painted as ‘the villain’ by most Conservatives, and for good reason in many cases, over the last decade or so.
It seems that we are at a moment in our history where all of our conflicts have been put forth, all of our perceptions placed on the mantel for public scrutiny, and all of our political capital pushed to the center of the table, as Liberals and Conservative alike, join in harmony to say together:
“We’re All In.”
One side of the table has a lot of momentum right now, with what appears to be the perfect agent of “hope and change.” The opposing side is simply waiting for the other shoe to drop, for a new list of conflicts, horrors, and new liabilities to come to fruition. For those who have made a career out of bashing their government, searching tirelessly to uncover some juicy secret, they may currently find themselves trying to discredit a publicly elected official and his (or her) legacy by painting them as “scandalous,” or even worse, as “human.” For these folks, I think the real danger lies in the fact that all of their political chips are riding on the wagered notion that our government is “the problem.” If President Obama is able to deliver a working government (as many believe), then I am afraid the naysayers may have to find something else to do with their time.
The thought of an ‘efficient,’ and dare I say, ‘dignified’ government is a nightmare to many Conservatives. They remind me of the moms who wanted to shut down the school board when little Johnny came home with his first black eye. Never mind the playground bully, the problem must lie with every facet of Johnny’s school day.
I have no doubt that we have a long way to go to get people to identify our government as a ‘positive’ establishment. Yet, if we are able (by the beginning of the next decade) to take on some very positive positioning throughout the world, strengthen the economy, and improve human rights abroad (leading to global preservation), then I feel that many of the old worn out labels will need to be reexamined. The notion of Liberal (searching for change), and Conservative (seeking to retain existing order), will become quite inconsequential. I hope that the differences that we do have will be dealt with by a nation that can lead in a way that only a great government can provide. You never know, we may just need some solidarity to do just that. As history has shown, our enemies will come around again, and some of those enemies must be met by solid nation of men and women who can look past social issues to deliver our nation (and ourselves) to prosperity, time and time again.
***Editor’s Note: Andy McGee is a Liberal Columnist for “The Thirsty Quill.” While Mr. McGee often writes for ‘The Quill,’ it is important for readers to note that his opinions and views are strictly his own, and rarely reflect the opinions and views of the pro-Conservative ideals of this site. As always, “The Thirsty Quill” greatly appreciates Andy’s participation and contributions.***
January 28th, 2009 on 4:06 pm
Andy, I agree with you in your thoughts that there needs to be amicability between the two parties if we want to get anything done this term. There is a time for partisanship and a time for “playing nice”. This recent media war with Rush Limbaugh is a fine example of what this country needs least at this time. Both sides slinging mud at each other is not how our adult, mature politicians should be acting.
January 29th, 2009 on 12:28 am
Andy and Steven,
Just a few random questions and thoughts…
By “playing nice” and amicability between the two parties, do you guys mean that the Republicans should follow the example as set forth by the Democrats circa 2003-2009?
Did Democrats “bash their government” the past 8 years? Were they not naysayers under Bush?
Show me the last time a President from the Democratic President led a “dignified” government.
Andy, when was the last time you identified our government as “positive establishment,” pre-Barack Obama?
Andy, were did you get your definitions of “Liberal” (searching for change), and “Conservative” (seeking to retain existing order)? Have you been sneaking off and studying with Comrade Lenin again?
Should the “solidarity” you seek between the parties reflect that of the “solidarity” put forth by the Democrats since 2003?
Is Rush Limbaugh really enough to tip the balance of the Liberal media onslaught that has plagued our nation, called out our President, and painted our troops as “villains” rather than “heroes”?
How do you define “mudslinging”? Would you classify Biden or Obama referring to President Bush as the “worst” or “downfall of American pride,” as “mudslinging,” or “uplifting”…”adult”? “mature”?
Just proving a point guys…it happens on both sides of the fence.
What Rush and the Republicans are doing now is no different than what your side has been doing since ‘03. It’s politics…it will never change.
January 29th, 2009 on 1:09 am
Quilly Quill, I am all for it man. In the words of GW “BRING IT ON!” I see politics as the new porn. Just not as dignified. These people don’t care about us. It is a business and the more fear, hate, tribal turmoil they can dish out the more folks like us will tune in. To be scared, to be mad, to stand up! I understand your comments, we need dissent for our system to work. I recommend anyone seeking to not be offended and never wanting to hear grumblings about their government to go check out North Korea for a while and see how you like it.
As to where my definitions came from they are straight out of the old Roget’s New Thesaurus and my basic literary understanding of the definitions. If you are going tell me that these words actually mean something to the average American I would love to hear everyones definition of the two terms. You could ask 100 people and you may get 18-25% who actually know what the definition is.
My piece was not a whinny sniff fest requesting any type of special treatment but rather a inquiry into what these people will do if President Obama is successful.
And yes when your government abuses power, defends torture, mis leads the Country we have a duty to speak up and out. We have a duty to use our rights to protest, show great amounts of irreverence as Mark Twain said :Irreverence is the great champion of liberty and perhaps her only sure defender.” (Paraphrased closely) So in the words of our generation “Come on Bring the noise”. Lets go Limbozo, Hanny, you to Glenn Beezy. dissent all you want but should this administration lead this great Country out of these current troubled times good luck finding a crowd beyond the hard liners and the wacky lady from the McCain rally you know, “He’s an Arab” lady.
Dealing lastly with the liberal media thing, if I have said it once I have said it 8.19billion times. There is no liberal media, there is no conservative media, there is a corporate, sensational media who as soon as the rating suggest that people want a 24 hour live feed of hot ladies shoveling cow dung then, oh wait we already have fox news. JK, still friends?
January 29th, 2009 on 10:39 pm
So then where do you draw the line between “speaking out” and “disrespect”? Is the line determined by Patriotism or by individuals? From my vantage point, much of what was said about President Bush these last years not only crossed over the “irreverence” line, but went sprinting right up to the border of “unpatriotic.” Do not misunderstand me, I had many “protests” about things that happened under President Bush, but I believe as Americans we must learn the difference between speaking out about our beliefs and being disrespectful to our appointed leaders. I may not have voted for Obama, but I will never be disrespectful to him or speak of him the way many spoke of Bush, no matter what he does as President. But should people start to talk about Obama the way many talked about Bush, are they going to be labeled as “anti-American,” “racist,” or “disrespectful”? I was just wondering if the same “rules” apply to both sides?
There is suddenly much talk these days of “mending fences” and bipartisanship by the very people who did the opposite for the last 8 years.
Andy, you did not really address this in your response and I was wondering where you stood on this issue.
January 30th, 2009 on 12:06 am
Thank you for the question Jenny. I believe in respecting the office of the President. I also believe if someone abuses the position it is in fact Patriotic to use the freedoms fought and died for to share your dissent. Respect is something that should be granted for the Chief Executive from every American but you don’t have to look around to far these days to find out that as Bob Dylan said in It’s alright Ma I’m only bleeding “not much is really sacred” I think it is Unpatriotic to go with the flow, hold down your dissent from fear that a great mass of peers may call you un-patriotic. I paraphrase Patrick Henry who said “I may completely disagree with what you have to say, but I will die so that you have the right to say it.” And yes, if you believe that lives were wasted in a war created with mis- information, if every human being dismembered and dead and every family’s life that was destroyed off the words of an administration calls you to such action you should speak up. You should through whatever medium you are afforded, all be it a crummy blog (no offence quill) a lousy radio show, a penny ante paper, or a song that only the passers by will hear. It is organically American to speak up about what you believe. If you agree with a position then fight for it, if you believe the counter point then fight for it. If you are looking for respect then earn it but only monarchs and dictators can demand it fully through forcible suppression of opposition and when we use patriotism as a tool to suppress opposition then we are sliding briskly down the slope of fascism.
I myself will as the Great George Carlin put it “leave symbols for the symbol minded.” I have no problem with every American getting their say in, by any means in which they are afforded. Once more, that is the great reward of liberty and while many throughout the world, in the past and the present have tried to suppress these rights it is nations like ours that continue to give hope to the rest of the world, that one day they to could, with little to no bravery, dissent against their government. Thanks again for the question.
January 30th, 2009 on 12:05 pm
Oh Andy, there you go again quoting Patrick Henry.
Let’s see, Patrick Henry, Bob Dylan, and George Carlin…WOW!…arguably the “trinity” of political ideology, eh? Patrick Henry, yes. The other two (while I do love my Dylan music), uh no.
Be careful when pulling quotes to support your argument my friend, as Patrick Henry was a lot more like a “modern-day Republican” than you’d probably like to admit.
If Henry were still around today, you’d better believe that he would be a strong advocate for getting information out of our adversaries at Club Gitmo…by what ever means necessary…he’d probably be one of the first to argue in favor of Waterboarding (if not worse)…
If you’re looking to pull quotes from our founders who would be more “in line” with your ideology, you should probably pull from John Adams…or perhaps even King George III…(a little Friday humor for you buddy)…
January 30th, 2009 on 1:18 pm
The question was not about my ideology but rather my opinion of dissent from opposing sides. In that context Henry’s quote was quite appropriate. We certainly go to great lengths to not speculate on what might have happened had someone served a full term, not had the opinion they did or what have you. I think it is completely impossible to say what Patrick Henry’s opinion would be right now as he would have a whole different set of context in living in this day and age. Now, be nice Quill or I’ll make you watch Anne Coulter’s autobiography.
January 30th, 2009 on 6:22 pm
Andy, I am still left wondering what you say in response to the constant talk lately from Obama supporters, asking those who did not vote for him to reach across party lines, to support him, to be gracious, when those asking are the very people who did the opposite for the last eight years.
I understand and respect our rights to disagree with our government, in fact I welcome it. It helps us keep the right perspective. I do not disagree with you on that point. I want to know why I am suddenly being asked to “get on board” by a group of people who were never on board under Bush.
If McCain had won, would you be willing to do what you are asking?
January 30th, 2009 on 7:43 pm
I am a bit curious as to what you think I am asking for? I don’t imagine I would change anything about myself if McCain had won. Likewise I don’t want anyone else to kowtow to this new administration. I simply said that if this administration can make the government work and work well then the people who have made a career saying that democrats can’t make government work will have a thinner crowd and constituency gathered around their AM dials.
January 30th, 2009 on 7:47 pm
I see what you’re saying Jenny, and Brad and I were having the same conversation earlier. The answer is, for the majority of the public, “no”. We’d be whining, complaining and crying doom and gloom. But that’s just the way it is. I know I was talking earlier about how we should be acting, but the truth is, it is easy to speculate.
I agree and truly empathize with your position completely Jenny.
January 30th, 2009 on 8:19 pm
“I see what you’re saying Jenny, and Brad and I were having the same conversation earlier.”
The sentence should read “I see what you’re saying Jenny; my brother and I were having the same conversation earlier today”.
January 31st, 2009 on 2:35 pm
Andy, forgive me if my questions seem badgering. I am only asking you this because you are a Democrat at a time when a Democratic candidate won the election over a Republican. Down the road, when the situation is reverse, I will ask the same questions to a Republican.
I am often disturbed by the tendency of the citizens of this country to be more Democrat or Republican than American. I try very hard not to label myself as one side or the other. I know what I believe, and then I look for a candidate or issue that most matches my own, regardless of the political party with which it is associated. I tend to be more Republican because of my strictly pro-life viewpoints, however, as an educator, I often find myself more aligned to a Democratic candidate. But, like I have said, no matter who I voted for, I always treat the current President with respect, as “my” President, because I am an American and he is my leader.
Since Obama was elected, I have been astonished at the comments coming from Democrats, asking Republicans and others who voted for McCain to get on board and support the new President. It is so ironic, considering how only a few short months ago, those very people were the ones not on board or supportive of the President.
Ultimately, I am asking you if you practice what you preach. Are you going to speak out against things Obama does that you disagree with, or are you going to go with the flow? If I speak out, will I be labeled as Patriotic or as a naysayer who huddles around my AM dial? Really, my questions are not just for you, but for any Democrat. And I would also question any Republican who spent the last 8 years telling others to support the President, and are now being unsupportive of President Obama.
I suppose it is not possible to eliminate “sides” in America. We have had them since our birth. But I would love to know how great this country could be if we all worked together. As a great orator once said, “Why can’t we just all get along, and bake cookies?”
January 31st, 2009 on 3:41 pm
I can speak for myself, since I am a registered Democrat. I do not believe in everything that Obama believes in. I am pro-life, I disagree with a good deal of the stimulus package or believe it should be used in different ways, and I feel that although he is pretending to be reaching out to both sides, he is ultimately causing greater rifts between the two parties.
But I do feel it is my responsibility to defend what he does because it was I who voted for him and put my vote of confidence in him. I do not believe questioning your President or government is unpatriotic. As John Locke put it, if you feel your government is not protecting your basic rights of “life, liberty, and property”, you have the option to rebel against the government. People do this in many different ways everyday. Do I mind if my friends don’t agree with the current direction of this government? No. But I know that they do not out of a sincere love and commitment to the country.
January 31st, 2009 on 4:06 pm
Well stated Steven.
Your understanding of history and its authors is quite remarkable. You must have been trained in this esteemed discipline by one of the great historians of our time…haha.
Seriously, well put.
Andy,
Sorry for the misunderstanding in my comment yesterday. I was, of course, arguing your position. However, I was just trying to stir things up with a little humor on an otherwise slow Friday afternoon…carry on.
February 2nd, 2009 on 9:36 pm
Steven, I completely agree! I guess what you are saying is my point all along. I have a deep desire to see Americans agree or disagree with their government not because of a person or political agenda, but because of a desire to see the country be the best it can be. I feel as if that idea was lost the last 8 years and is now being revived. I struggle with whether it is because of a desire to see the country grow and change for the better or simply because of who the President is or is not. But who I am to question motives? I should simply be glad that the complaining has subsided for a while and there seems to be a new sense of patriotism in general. That is a good thing no matter why it happened.
Quill, the teacher you are speaking of must be Mr. Hicks, right? haha….