We're Governed By Callous Children by Peggy Noonan

[Guest SUNTZU]

Peggy Noonan: We're Governed by Callous Children - WSJ.com

We're Governed by Callous Children

Americans feel increasingly disheartened, and our leaders don't even notice.

The new economic statistics put growth at a healthy 3.5% for the third quarter. We should be dancing in the streets. No one is, because no one has any faith in these numbers. Waves of money are sloshing through the system, creating a false rising tide that lifts all boats for the moment. The tide will recede. The boats aren't rising, they're bobbing, and will settle. No one believes the bad time is over. No one thinks we're entering a new age of abundance. No one thinks it will ever be the same as before 2008. Economists, statisticians, forecasters and market specialists will argue about what the new numbers mean, but no one believes them, either. Among the things swept away in 2008 was public confidence in the experts. The experts missed the crash. They'll miss the meaning of this moment, too.

The biggest threat to America right now is not government spending, huge deficits, foreign ownership of our debt, world terrorism, two wars, potential epidemics or nuts with nukes. The biggest long-term threat is that people are becoming and have become disheartened, that this condition is reaching critical mass, and that it afflicts most broadly and deeply those members of the American leadership class who are not in Washington, most especially those in business.

It is a story in two parts. The first: "They do not think they can make it better."

I talked this week with a guy from Big Pharma, which we used to call "the drug companies" until we decided that didn't sound menacing enough. He is middle-aged, works in a significant position, and our conversation turned to the last great recession, in the late mid- to late 1970s and early '80s. We talked about how, in terms of numbers, that recession was in some ways worse than the one we're experiencing now. Interest rates were over 20%, and inflation and unemployment hit double digits. America was in what might be called a functional depression, yet there was still a prevalent feeling of hope. Here's why. Everyone thought they could figure a way through. We knew we could find a path through the mess. In 1982 there were people saying, "If only we get rid of this guy Reagan, we can make it better!" Others said, "If we follow Reagan, he'll squeeze out inflation and lower taxes and we'll be America again, we'll be acting like Americans again." Everyone had a path through.

Now they don't. The most sophisticated Americans, experienced in how the country works on the ground, can't figure a way out. Have you heard, "If only we follow Obama and the Democrats, it will all get better"? Or, "If only we follow the Republicans, they'll make it all work again"? I bet you haven't, or not much.

This is historic. This is something new in modern political history, and I'm not sure we're fully noticing it. Americans are starting to think the problems we are facing cannot be solved.

More at link above...

[USMCJG]

That sounds like an accurate assessment. I think the bulk of America have lost faith in politicians, if they had any to begin with.

[Guest PapaB]

I have to disagree with the writers basic assumption. The biggest long-term threat isn't "that people are becoming and have become disheartened". In my opinion the biggest long-term threat is the progressives control over our government. The grassroots is ticked off and I hope they stay that way. If they do, we'll start taking our country back in 2010.

God bless America!

[leroy]

I have to disagree with the writers basic assumption. The biggest long-term threat isn't "that people are becoming and have become disheartened". In my opinion the biggest long-term threat is the progressives control over our government. The grassroots is ticked off and I hope they stay that way. If they do, we'll start taking our country back in 2010.

God bless America!

Amen brother!!

I heartily agree. This is a war between the adults and children in this country. It was brought on by the Republicans running a weak candidate. I like John McCain on a personal level, I know he loves this country, but he personified what all of us abhore in polititians. He was way too accommodating to his enemies and had way too much of an accommodating voting record that went, many times, against the will of the people. He looked too much like a polititian to most folks.

The bunch running this country today have elevated political oppression of enemies, largessee for supporters, recriminations against business, adding of power to government,etc to the highest level i ever remember -- and im pretty old -- been watching politics since LBJ (The only Democrat i ever liked). They have brought Chicago Thug Politics to the national level. The real adults in the country better wake up!!

Kind regards,

LEROY

[greenego]

How can you believe a bunch of people that are proven liars and cheats? Both parties have their share. They are only trying to line their pockets, get reelected, and pull the wool over our eyes. All 535 +1 need to go.

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

Part of the problem is people only hear what they want to hear. There were economists who predicted this, but everyone continued doing the same stupid things.

Another part of the problem is people lump politicians, pundits, and experts in the same category. They don't trust one, so they don't trust them all.

The root of the problem is we have become a country who doesn't value honest discussion and debate. We have become a "me me me" society who vastly thinks an honest debate is making an uneducated rant on a blog and then ridiculing all the "trolls" that don't agree with your point. (Not that real trolls aren't a problem).

Maybe if we actually taught critical thinking in schools instead of memorization, we would have a nation of thinkers. But then Obama, Reid and Pelosi would be out of a job.......

Edited October 31, 2009 by CrazyLincoln

[Guest KarlS]

I think the progressives have been working very hard for this day and time for years. Meanwhile conservatives sat back fat, dumb and happy thinking this day would never come. Now it's so far gone it will take miricles to get our country back. Right now there is so much political mistrust and corruption going on in Washington. We need a complete overhaul! 2010 is just the beginning.

How irritating is it to watch Pelosi and Reid push their agenda knowing we don't want it. They don't care.

[TMMT]

Folks coming from Peggy Noonan this is Earth shattering, she is/was a huge uber liberal.

[Sheepdog]

Maybe if we actually taught critical thinking in schools instead of memorization, we would have a nation of thinkers.

Dear god! Are you crazy? If everybody knew how to think, how would the government control them? [/sarcasm]

[leroy]

Folks coming from Peggy Noonan this is Earth shattering, she is/was a huge uber liberal.

TMMT:_________

You may heve her confused with someone with a similar name. Peggny Noonan is a Republican; see here:

From 1984 to 1986, Noonan served as a special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, where she became one of the most renowned political speechwriters of her generation. In 1988, she was chief speechwriter for George H.W. Bush’s presidential bid, during which she coined the phrases "a kinder, gentler nation," "a thousand points of light," and "read my lips: no new taxes."

Kind regards,

LEROY

[Guest SUNTZU]

TMMT:_________

You may heve her confused with someone with a similar name. Peggny Noonan is a Republican; see here:

Kind regards,

LEROY

She seems to be slightly confused, LEROY, since she went from conservative to praise Obama and now back to WTF in regards to the current administration. Go Google the following "Peggy Noonan Liberal" and commence reading some of the links provided.

I posted the article to show that more and more people are waking up.

[Guest H0TSH0T]

hummmm , i think most people can agree that we are sick of the poor taking advantage and not getting with the program, just as much as the rich taking advantage of the the situation and profiting from it, but yet both extremes have yet to consider the people that make it happen, the middle class, so this leads me to believe at the hart of the matter, with all the smoke and mirrors, from the government and its propagating controlled/influenced media , the cries from those that fail to do for themselves, to the orders of those that have power, wealth and influence, i see them pulling the middle class to one side or the other. that pulling has got us where we are today, but i don't think that either side (rich or poor) have considered that the middle class may turn against both, shake them both loose and seize that position of power that both have been after and finally use it for what is good and just in this world, one day when people wake up hopefully they will see that this might be an outcome, to say to them selves why am i voting for this clown, why am i following this silly law, and snap out of it and become that leader, that person of inspiration, and not hide behind the fact that they lack money or power, but also lack the desperation, and laziness, to heat up the the iron will of the common American, and forge it back into greatness, temper it with justice, and polished with the will to stop taking advantage of other men to better a single man, but work together for the betterment of all mankind without taking from mandkind but contributing to it. lets take advantage of knowledge, strength, determination, insight, and emotions and reclaim what is ours, what our parents should have done, what our ancestors inspired to do and our forefathers started too. we have grown lazy, contempt, and forgot to keep watch over our rights, our way of life, our independence and liberty, and have been decived by those whom were elected to do the will of the people over the betterment of the country.

i think there are many faults, most to blame on the ignorant, stupid and weak, but not necessarily more than those that seek to use those faults to con them out of their rights, or those that stand back and watch it happen.

[Guest Drewsett]

I think that the only solution, long term, is for a strong third party to rise. The presence of a strong third party will mean that it is no longer Democrat agenda vs Republican agenda, both extremes would have to meet in the middle in hopes of building a coalition government (similar to what you see in the parliamentary democracies of Europe) that would be able to actually get work done. We need more pragmatism and less elitism.

If I may plug for just a moment, I am a staunch supporter of the Libertarian Party. A government based on the principles of the LP would go a long way to fix the main problem we have now, which is an excess of government and a shortage of liberty.

In a nutshell, Libertarians believe that the government needs to spend as little money as possible while ensuring its citizens have the most freedom possible.

Anyone who is tired of the status quo, look into the Libertarian Party.

[leroy]

She seems to be slightly confused, LEROY, since she went from conservative to praise Obama and now back to WTF in regards to the current administration. Go Google the following "Peggy Noonan Liberal" and commence reading some of the links provided.

I posted the article to show that more and more people are waking up.

Sorry SUNTZU; I see what you mean. Did the Google search. How sad, I really liked Peggy Noonan. She may have had a stroke or has become demented and possessed like the "govenator". A common problem with the "political class". Looks like yesterday's voice of reason is todays nut.

Keep up the good work.

Kind regards,

LEROY

[Guest marine77]

I think that the only solution, long term, is for a strong third party to rise. The presence of a strong third party will mean that it is no longer Democrat agenda vs Republican agenda, both extremes would have to meet in the middle in hopes of building a coalition government (similar to what you see in the parliamentary democracies of Europe) that would be able to actually get work done. We need more pragmatism and less elitism.

If I may plug for just a moment, I am a staunch supporter of the Libertarian Party. A government based on the principles of the LP would go a long way to fix the main problem we have now, which is an excess of government and a shortage of liberty.

In a nutshell, Libertarians believe that the government needs to spend as little money as possible while ensuring its citizens have the most freedom possible.

Anyone who is tired of the status quo, look into the Libertarian Party.

+1 I too, think a third party should be in the thick of the fight for every

office and not just the white house. The status quo needs to change. The

politicians as well as ourselves have had it too good for too long. I used to

think that a third party could have a good chance of winning, and i will

keep on voting LP myself, but with all the lawyers and politicians making

the rules, it's not like in grade school when i was taught that anybody

could be president. But they can't.

[Guest Drewsett]

it's not like in grade school when i was taught that anybody

could be president. But they can't.

The amount of money neccessary to successfully fund a political campaign is truly insane.