Cynical wisdom perhaps shag, but, don't overlook the fact that the 'wisdom' part is real...
Note the "masquerading" part of my comment. Ultimately, only time will tell but cynicism does not automatically equal wisdom. In fact, cynicism is a useful way to cover up ignorance and deception (of both the self and others).
All the predictions of a massive leftist "political realignment" of the nation in 2008 have been shattered. At most Obama and Clinton are blips from the political realignment that took place with Reagan. Bush (and the Republicans) deviated from those first principles and lost the legislature in 2006 and the presidency in 2008 (arguably, it was the conservative vote that stayed home on election day in '08 that gave the election to Obama).
This country has been a center-right nation for at least as long as I have been alive. Name
one grassroots movement in the past 30 years that compares to the tea parties.
"Conventional" political wisdom said the tea party movement would fizzle out before election day this year. It also said Reagan didn't stand a chance of getting elected. Under that view, the Republican controlled legislature of 1994, especially with their internal reforms and their "contract with America" didn't stand a change of A) winning at the polls, or B) being a successful legislature. Conventional political wisdom
always underestimates conservatism and the conservative majority in this country and tends to
overestimate the other side of the political isle.
Obama has done this country and invaluable services in removing the mask from the Democrat party and the Progressive movement; it is nothing more then collectivism toward an egalitarian end, just like all the socialist movements before it. All the logical consequences of that collectivist agenda - dishonesty, self-deception, hubris, contempt for both the populace and the Rule of Law, etc. - are abundantly apparent in the past 2 years alone. The modern Progressive movement is nothing more then socialist-lite and a growing number of people see it.
Some other facts to consider; look at the turnover of state legislature and governorships toward conservatism of various stripes. Considering that this is a census year, how will that lead to more "politics as usual". Again, this is a center right nation and the left has been disproportionately represented (in part) through their gerrymandering efforts. that is going to be heavily muted now.
Also, you keep saying that the tea party will simply be absorbed into the Republican party. You seem to reject the notion that the Tea Party may
redefine the Republican party, yet you have given no justification for that in spite of the fact that there is already ample evidence of it (not to mention the fact that the Tea Party movement has already redefined the national debate on
many key issues).
The fact is that you have constantly poo-pooed, underestimated and looked to undercut the Tea Party at every turn on this forum. I for one give little credence to anything you say regarding them unless you can actually provide a
logical argument and cynicism is no substitute for logic.
