Since You Asked

Under the Lights
The president and his aides have repeatedly sought to claim the national spotlight with speeches during difficult political moments. But expectations are always high for such addresses, and there are few examples in which a speech by Mr. Obama has dramatically helped to change the political or legislative narrative in his favor.  (NYT, 8/18/2011)


Another myth debunked: Obama the Orator.


Telling
You call tell how unhappy Republicans are by reading the Wall Street Journal editorial page, the one-stop shop for conservative orthodoxy. 


An actual quote from E.J. Dionne Jr., the one stop shop for progressive orthodoxy. (Washington Post, 8/18/2011)


On the Decline
Since the Cold War’s end, the combined gross domestic product of NATO’s European members has grown 55 percent, yet their defense spending has declined almost 20 percent. Twenty years ago, those nations provided 33 percent of the alliance’s defense spending; today, they provide 21 percent. (George Will, Washington Post, 8/17/2011)


Anyone want to venture a guess as to where the spending of NATO's European members has gone?  Correct answer is: increasingly expensive entitlement programs.  Liberals will always sacrifice national security for a larger welfare state.  And, by the way, threaten to reduce government largess even a teeny bit and guess what happens?  Correct answer is: the recipients of  those government handouts riot in the streets.

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