great column Rex. Years ago when Barry Goldwater's campaign parade was in San Francisco, my friend John, owner of the Brighton Express restaurant, noted Barry's slogan "In Your Heart You Know He's Right". John, still wearing his apron, walked ahead of the parade carrying a sign that read " In Your Guts You Know He's Nuts". That sign would be relevant today, don't you think?
First of all thank you again for your clear annunciation of the Goldwater position. 1964 was my first presidential vote. It was for Goldwater and I will tell you I was devastated! I recall saying to my socially liberal father, " I'm not sure we can live through the next 4 years"! Well, we made! The last 50+ years have been a series of highs and lows for a ticket splitting fiscal conservative social liberal. Trying to maintain a moderate balanced position and not strangle anyone has been a struggle. I am optimistic by the conversation I hear from the youth. It may not be pleasant but as my father said wisely in '64, "this too shall pass"! I will say in my judgement, President Johnson came through like a champion. Thanks again for you continued work.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. Your father's point -- my favorite line in scripture, maybe! -- is especially on point now: We tend to see each election as do-or-die, rather than as part of the ebb and flow of democracy. Win some, lose some, right? Yet what's troubling is that nowadays there are candidates far more dangerous, I'm convinced, than we saw in prior generations. Still, the view of folks like Greg Gutfield -- that we have to go to war because we can't stand who got elected -- betrays a lack of confidence in democracy's viability. We just need to work harder to elect the right people to office.
great column Rex. Years ago when Barry Goldwater's campaign parade was in San Francisco, my friend John, owner of the Brighton Express restaurant, noted Barry's slogan "In Your Heart You Know He's Right". John, still wearing his apron, walked ahead of the parade carrying a sign that read " In Your Guts You Know He's Nuts". That sign would be relevant today, don't you think?
It would be quite appropriate in reference to today's Republican frontrunner, indeed. In the brain, he's mighty lame. Thanks, Patrick.
First of all thank you again for your clear annunciation of the Goldwater position. 1964 was my first presidential vote. It was for Goldwater and I will tell you I was devastated! I recall saying to my socially liberal father, " I'm not sure we can live through the next 4 years"! Well, we made! The last 50+ years have been a series of highs and lows for a ticket splitting fiscal conservative social liberal. Trying to maintain a moderate balanced position and not strangle anyone has been a struggle. I am optimistic by the conversation I hear from the youth. It may not be pleasant but as my father said wisely in '64, "this too shall pass"! I will say in my judgement, President Johnson came through like a champion. Thanks again for you continued work.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. Your father's point -- my favorite line in scripture, maybe! -- is especially on point now: We tend to see each election as do-or-die, rather than as part of the ebb and flow of democracy. Win some, lose some, right? Yet what's troubling is that nowadays there are candidates far more dangerous, I'm convinced, than we saw in prior generations. Still, the view of folks like Greg Gutfield -- that we have to go to war because we can't stand who got elected -- betrays a lack of confidence in democracy's viability. We just need to work harder to elect the right people to office.
Spot on Rex.