A Deeper Pool
Operative SM writes in with a sadly true observation:
| Dearest Czar, Having occupied one of the reddest of red counties in Illinois I am disturbed to no end by our current situation, and no, not on the national stage, but on the local stage. You’ll often read in the conservative blogosphere that the country at the local and state levels is increasingly red. I say who cares: my property taxes continue to rise, you find these same R’s sitting in neighborhood associations calling the cops when you plant a tree to close to the easement or ensuring you don’t paint your shutters robin’s egg blue and ensuring that they spend the local township budget because if they don’t spend it all this year, they’ll get a smaller budget next year. I am deeply disturbed by our future prospects as a country since even at local levels every R is followed by -INO. I write not just to be a curmudgeon but to ask if upon complete failure of the state, the Czar may see fit to invite my family to the castle to serve as your official water polo team and lifeguards. Best, |
You’re very welcome to the job, although interestingly the job description here for “water polo team” exactly matches that of “alligator wrangler.” That’s not an accident, but an unfortunate necessity given the amount of overlap between the two roles.
Where were we? Yes—local politicians.
The Czar has long advocated for a two-party system; unfortunately, the two we have aren’t the two we need.
The proliferation of Republicans in local government—even though many are Democrats or simply un-partied liberals who know they can’t get elected in a red county without calling themselves Republican—is an important first step.
Here’s why: we need to starve out Democrats from non-urban areas. Actually, it would be great to starve out Democrats from there, too, but that’s not practical for the foreseeable future. Instead, starve them out of areas where they can affect people in other areas, such as townships and counties, and certainly at the state level. We’re seeing this slowly, yes, but this is often just a generational thing.
Once Republicans have effectively pushed out the Democrats from larger geographic areas, we can move to a two-party system. Evidently, the Republican voters can’t wait: the Republican party needs to split between its two philosophies.
The first party, which can easily keep the name Republican, is more like a Whig party: some governmental regulation, considerable spending on non-essential ideas (hey, a non-essential program gave us the Internet. And wireless. And Velcro. And lots of cool stuff we take for granted), and a strong military. All for it, to some extent.
The second party, which needs a new name, is more small-l libertarian: removal of the government in most areas, huge reduction in spending, emphasis on completely free trade, and a reduction in overseas military power. All for it, to some extent.
These two parties make the most sense for getting things done. And they are considerably opposed in principle, but either one benefits the people. Maybe in 2020, you vote for the second group because you want taxes dramatically reduced; maybe in 2024, you vote for the first group because Russia is getting a little bold and it’s time to make them a little more cautious again.
What we can’t abide is forcing these two opposing groups together because the alternative are Democrats—who are now openly and progressively socialist. This battle between common sense and utter stupidity is wasting our country away, exactly as intended back in the 1910s when Wilson got into office.
So while we both dislike local politicians always finding a way to raise our taxes and increase time and money on goofy stuff, at least we’re able to put leashes on these guys at some point. When Democrats get into office, sorry: the dogs are in charge.
We’ll save you a cold clammy spot right next to the off-smelling pool.
Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.