Why Can’t Obama Democrats Agree to Disagree with their Adversaries?
In the 1990s when I lived in Arlington, Virginia and served on that county’s Republican committee, I would regularly attend meetings of the Democratic-controlled County Board and express my concerns about their tax increases and meddlesome policies. On occasion, I would talk to the vaious Board members in person.
Once when I ran into Democratic Board Member James B. “Jim” Hunter, III walking through the hallway on his way to the meeting. I approached him and in a rather confrontational manner, urged him to vote against the meals tax increase which he and his colleagues on the all-Democratic Board were considering. Given the manner of my approach, I was stunned (and humbled) by his courteous response. He showed more respect for me than I did for him, looking right at me, listening (without interrupting) to my spiel, then thanking me for expressing my opinion. He reached his hand out to shake mine.
I would never again approach that good man in a confrontational manner.
In subsequent years, as I remained active in the Arlington County Republican Committee and various civic organizations (I was a member of the Arlington County Commission for the Arts) I got to know him better, still asking him tough questions but with the same courtesy he had showed me. (He taught me a lesson, that good man did.)
Once when he spoke to the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, he responded to my question as he always did, with respect. He thanked me for speaking out, then addressed my concerns. (I thanked him for his civil response.) After the public portion of the meeting, we chatted amicably during the sorical hour, with him placing his left hand on my back and shaking my extended right hand with his and said, “Dan, we’ll have to agree to disagree.”
Other Republicans reported a similar reaction when they met with that good man to discuss their differences with the Board.
When he died, enough members of the County Republican Committee attended his funeral to make a quorum.
Obviously Barack Obama Democrats have not learned from their late partisan from the one part of Virginia which was briefly part of the District of Columbia. Instead of trashing Republicans who raise their concerns with elected officials as tools of special interest or of maleficent corporations and dismissing our concerns, they should show us the same respect Jim Hunter showed to his political opponents.
Until his death, Hunter remained a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, regularly voting for a larger County government and to raise taxes. But, he never saw his Republican adversaries (or anyone else who disagreed with the policies he supported) as his enemies. Instead, he saw us as his constituents who happened to have a different view than he of how the County should be governed.
After watching an episode of Rome (as I’ve bee doing every night of late (when in LA)), I checked my e-mail and the blogs. As I read the latter, I was astounded at how so many Democrats and their allied interest groups have been trashing opponents of the Democratic health care overhaul. They should instead act as did a good man who, while he lived, nobly rode under their political banner. Like Jim Hunter, they should agree to disagree with critics of their policies.
After all, isn’t that what postpartisan politics looks like, as opposed to that old Washington politics “where everybody is always looking for somebody else to blame” . . . or to destroy?
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It’s simple, Democrats really don’t care for actual Democracy.
Democracy isn’t a supine citizenry sitting quietly and nodding politely while their elected (gerrymandered) betters issue edicts from on high.
Democracy is raucous. Democracy is argument. Democracy is getting in their faces when the elected betters are not doing the will of the people.
And if you hate it when people do that, then you hate freedom.
Comment by V the K — August 7, 2009 @ 7:51 am - August 7, 2009
Does Obama really care to hear you out?
Raw power as a community organizing tactic, as a method of politics (think Chicago style) and as the platform for union demands is neither complicated nor sophisticated.
The Democrats are not agreeing to disagree, they are dedicated to destroying opposition. There is a big difference.
2010 is the Waterloo moment for Harry, Nancy, The Won and the politics of civility in general. ACORN has been given billions of our tax dollars to subvert Representative Democracy.
We have all known a James B. “Jim” Hunter, III in our lives. But the current crop of Democrats live under the motto: “Nice Guys Finish Last.” The democrats are calling the protesters a mob as a justification for them to (in The Won’s words) bring a gun to a knife fight.
The time is rapidly approaching when civility is moved to the back burner.
Remember, please, that the Congressman at the Town Hall meeting always has the option of listening and thanking the speakers for making their opinions known. A polished politician can set the tone and the atmosphere.
These poor saps are trying to sell garbage and everyone knows it. They compromise any semblance of personal integrity by waving talking points at people who have studied the bill and know far more than they do about the subject.
This is democracy in action and the entitled, elite set doesn’t like the stink of it.
Comment by heliotrope — August 7, 2009 @ 8:06 am - August 7, 2009
On a related note, when four lesbians assault peaceful traditional marriage supporters, is it a hate crime?
Comment by V the K — August 7, 2009 @ 9:01 am - August 7, 2009
Democrat Union Thugs assault protesters; six arrested.
Comment by V the K — August 7, 2009 @ 9:44 am - August 7, 2009
Does this mean that all republicans agree?
Isn’t this an impractical generalization?
In the end parties, states and countries come down to individuals.
I don’t disagree with the headline statement; I just don’t see how democrats and republicans are really so different…
Comment by Pebbles — August 7, 2009 @ 9:47 am - August 7, 2009
I grew up in NYC learning from the remains of Two Political machines. All that I learned about dealing with opponents can be found in that Rabiid Right wing nuts book, Speaker Tip O’neill’s All Politics is local.
Today’s Liberals and democrats have no sense of history or respect. Since Bush’s father, Liberals and Democrats do not look at us as Americans who disagree — nope — instead, we are the enemy.
I’ve cited many times how Modern Liberals and democrats need an Emmanuel Goldstein and their Two Minute Hate. When O’Neill and Rostonkowski opposed Reagan, they didn’t need it. Why?
Because those honorable men knew we were ALL Americans. And last I checked, Dissent is STILL Patriotic, no matter who is in office.
If Liberals want to prove how Liberal they are, ask them to defend OUR freedom of speech. But I know the littleletter people who (gillie, tp, etc. et. al)don’t care for freedom of speech or dissent in the Era of Obama.
Sorry Libs, reap the whirlwind of your Bush hatred.
Comment by JSF — August 7, 2009 @ 10:00 am - August 7, 2009
Are supporters of the party of Rove, Limbuagh and Beck actually crying about rude treatment? I remember back in the 90’s, before I knew what Limbaugh was all about (I actually thought he was trying to be funny), he would sound a siren at the beggining of each show and say how many days we were into the Clinton “crisis”. Of course that isn’t counting the 6 year which hunt against the Clinton administration that resulting in all of 1 conviction and a political disaster for Republicans.
Politics have been dirty since Jefferson vs. Adams, don’t suddenly pretend that Democrats made it nasty during the Bush years. The republicans were doing politics of personal destruction while Bush Jr. was running the Texas Rangers into the ground. And before that the Dems were, and before that the Republicans, then the Dems, then the Whigs, the Federalists, the Democrat-Republicans. This is nothing new.
Comment by Dan — August 7, 2009 @ 10:23 am - August 7, 2009
WaPo Columnist: Republicans who oppose ObamaCare are terrorists.
Comment by V the K — August 7, 2009 @ 10:33 am - August 7, 2009
I think it is a “Know Your Enemy” type situation. Democrats get labeled because of the Progressives who are in Power in their Party right now. Progressives “The New Left” they are not that new. They came out of the 60s and 70s. I think the Democrat Party needs a revolution with in because the Progressives aka Socialist wannabes are really hurting the Brand.
We have been discussing something similar on Michelle Malkin’s post.
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/06/nazi-invoking-democrats-complain-rush-is-calling-us-nazis/
Comment by keyboard jockey — August 7, 2009 @ 10:46 am - August 7, 2009
Meanwhile back at the Ranch:)
http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/08/hannity-exclusive-imus-ranch-special.html
Comment by keyboard jockey — August 7, 2009 @ 10:50 am - August 7, 2009
Dan proves my point very well by expressing his two Minute hate for his Emmanuel Goldstein: George Bush.
Tell me, is dissent patriotic in the era of Obama? or will you run back and attack your Emmanuel Goldstein again?
Comment by JSF — August 7, 2009 @ 11:08 am - August 7, 2009
#5 – “I just don’t see how democrats and republicans are really so different…”
Simple. Republicans believe that every day in America should be July 4. Democrats believe that every day should be April 15.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — August 7, 2009 @ 11:26 am - August 7, 2009
Huh?
Who is it that is invading these town halls with the explicit intention of shouting down the elected official? Spouting out insane conspiracy theories about euthenasia, concentration camps, informant databases and other such Beckian lunacy?
Its you guys.
What about a respectful engagement on the issues at these town halls – where you let the Congressman answer the question, and you let your fellow citizens who disagree with you, have their say too.
It is unambiguously the Teaparty nutjobs that are being the disrespectful thugs at all these events. Why not take a stand against the insanity on your own side?
Comment by Tano — August 7, 2009 @ 1:56 pm - August 7, 2009
If Obama were Bush or Hillary, he’d pass whatever he wants and screw everybody else. Right or wrong, when Bush decided to invade Iraq, he just did it. I’m beginning to respect that kind of decisiveness. You want universal health care, Obama? Well, man up and shove through Congress. You’ve got the votes. I might not agree with you, but at least I’d respect you. Dilly-dallying is not a word I want to use to describe my President.
Comment by Ashpenaz — August 7, 2009 @ 2:06 pm - August 7, 2009
Tano,
You are 8 years late. Did you talk of civil disgreement when Code Pink was invading Congresional Committees? or when Code Pink interrupted Palin’s speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention?
Reap the whilwind.
Comment by JSF — August 7, 2009 @ 2:13 pm - August 7, 2009
Why not take a stand against the insanity on your own side?
LOL….is anyone else amused by the hypocrisy of Barack Obama, a man who told his people to be disruptive, to get up in their face, to use their elbows, and who himself was deliberately disruptive and hateful in such meetings, now screaming that doing so is “insanity”?
Or how Barack Obama, who supported Trig Trutherism, 9/11 Trutherism, and stories about secret police and murder camps, is now accusing other people of “insane conspiracy theories”?
In short, Tano, you and your Barack Obama are like the little brat who bullies other kids for years, but then runs screaming to the teacher when someone hits him back. Problem for you is that Teacher isn’t going to help you this time, and you’re going to have to face all the people who you’ve spent the last eight years abusing.
No wonder you’re here trying to spread your lies. You deserve to be treated the way you and your fellow leftists have treated others. Either that, or admit that you and your Barack Obama were “insane” for supporting such behavior.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — August 7, 2009 @ 2:16 pm - August 7, 2009
The liberals kill me. These demonstrators at the town hall meetings know more of what is in the Obamacare proposal than the damn Congress people do!! When asked specific questions the congress people hum haw and LIE. How do you expect a person to react? They are trying to get the attention of the dolts who are our 535 representatives. Obama and his ilk allowed no debate when passing an $800 Billion pork bill. No we had to have it before the following Monday. The pubic doesn’t trust this guy anymore. Funny, it wasn’t until the Democrat union thugs showed up that any of these got violent.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — August 7, 2009 @ 2:49 pm - August 7, 2009
And what happened when Code Pink made a ruckus? They were kicked out of the proceedings. Which is exactly what should happen to those who refuse to engage in civil debate at townhalls, regardless of party Last time I checked, the first amendment doesn’t ensure the right to un-peaceably assemble.
Comment by Inlookout — August 7, 2009 @ 6:29 pm - August 7, 2009
Inlookout, Tano,
We’re not talking about the SEIU or the Black Panthers or ACORN. We’re talking about citizens who understand the Constitution and have read the bill. Both of these put them light years ahead of their elected represenatives.
Comment by The_Livewire — August 7, 2009 @ 6:56 pm - August 7, 2009
The_Livewire,
Do you know for a fact that they all know the Constitution and have read the bill? Of course people are going to say that whether they are going off of talking points or not, perhaps because that IS one of the talking points. It seems most of the citizens in question skew much older… don’t they realize they are or are about to enjoy socialized medicine?
Comment by Inlookout — August 7, 2009 @ 7:04 pm - August 7, 2009
America,galivants around the world as a possible beacon of hope for all and sundry,but has a lot of masochism domestically.
How on earth can you connvince yourself that you are a human being and not a devil when you go against a policy that attempts to preserve life as we know it? The funny thing is that it is these so called Republicans that proclaim the sanctity of life by opposing a womans’ right to abort a foetus irrespective of the condition.
Some of these people are either mentally sick or plain wicked and stupid:None of these classifications is worthy of respect.
Comment by Phillip Owi — August 7, 2009 @ 9:24 pm - August 7, 2009
[...] Why Can’t Obama Democrats Agree to Disagree with their Adversaries? [...]
Pingback by GayPatriot » Guidelines for Speaking out — August 7, 2009 @ 9:31 pm - August 7, 2009
Agree to disagree. I guess that’s a better policy then curb stomping a black man, calling him the n-word and then bragging about it on your youtube channel eh SEIU? Carnahan said “both parties got out of hand” To have the audacity to take a 6 man beating like that eh?
Comment by Shaun — August 7, 2009 @ 10:57 pm - August 7, 2009
inlookout,
No, they enjoy socialized medicine now, that’s why they’re wanting PFFS plans and anything but traditional medicare.
Comment by The_Livewire — August 7, 2009 @ 11:08 pm - August 7, 2009
“You are 8 years late. Did you talk of civil disgreement when Code Pink was invading Congresional Committees? or when Code Pink interrupted Palin’s speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention?”
Ah yeah, actually I did, but …
“Reap the whilwind.”
In other words, you agree with me – that the Tea party people are the new “code-pink”-like thugs.
[Really, now, where's your evidence? Or is this just your animus --Dan]
Or are you too dumb to realize that you just admitted that?
Comment by Tano — August 8, 2009 @ 1:21 am - August 8, 2009
“We’re talking about citizens who understand the Constitution and have read the bill.”
Hah. Now thats a riot.
No, buddy – first of all there is no bill yet – there are five committees writing 5 different versions of bills.
Secondly, I will guarantee you that none of the Beckazoids who are ranting about killing granny or Fema camps or whatever other nonsense these lunatics come up with – not one of them “understands the Constitution”, or has read anything about these bills.
Why are you guys defending these nuts? They are like codepink on steroids. Seriously, how many lefty websites actually defended codepink? There were a few, but they were the real fringe sites. Here you have people who are, if anything, worse than code pink, and yet “mainstream” Republicans and conservatives are standing up for them.
You guys have a political death wish, doncha?
Comment by Tano — August 8, 2009 @ 1:25 am - August 8, 2009
“The pubic doesn’t trust this guy anymore. [Obama]”
Actually, the public still trusts him, and supports the job he is doing by a mid-to high 50s percentage – i.e. approval ratings not seen by Bush, for instance, at any point in his second term.
No. The people that the public does not trust are Republicans. Obama mid fifties. Republicans mid twenties.
I humbly suggest y’all consider seriously why America hates you guys so much.
Comment by Tano — August 8, 2009 @ 1:29 am - August 8, 2009
The reason they won’t “agree to disagree” is that the detractors won’t agree to disagree. They can’t hear you out because they can’t hear you! You’re yelling to loud! As for the “I won” comment… Bush is the decider, remember. Bush won by less than .1% in round 2. Obama won by 6%. He has more of a mandate, but Bush listened less. Obama is still trying for bi-partisan agreement, although the republicans have stated pretty loudly they aren’t interested. Given the clear majority that the democrats have been handed, and given that it was predicated largely on health care reform, Obama has no need to “hand” anything to the republicans. The American people already spoke and a majority want reform. To stand in the way doesn’t make you patriotic. It makes you obstructionist. To lie about motives makes you even worse. It makes you a manipulator.
Comment by Kent — August 8, 2009 @ 2:37 am - August 8, 2009
Um, Tano, we’re not in Obama’s second term. And his ratings today are at or below W’s at the same point in his Administration. That’s the important comparison. And Obama started far higher than did W.
And Kent, Obama is the President. He can rise above this all. This isn’t about Bush. If Obama is still trying for bi-partisan agreement, then why is his outfit (Organizing for Ameica) dispatching its minions to attack.
Perhaps, the majority do want reform, but not the reforms Obama is offering. And hey, Kent, Obama’s Democrats have majorities, why don’t they just vote this thing through? Why are the Democrats balking?
Go back and read my post. I’m not asking the President to hand us anything, jus tto respect the motives of those protesting the plan he put forward. Has he done that? Has he said he understands why some may not like his plan? Has he said, as had Congressman Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, that he understands why people are upset? That those protesting (and they’re just Republicans) have legitimate concerns.
That was the point of this post. Too bad that in your eagerness to slam Republicans you missed it.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — August 8, 2009 @ 2:46 am - August 8, 2009
GPW,
It amazes me that you expect civility and respect from Democrats without reciprocity. You fail to translate the lesson learned from your first encounter with Jim Hunter to the dissent now taking place at town halls, where open debate and mutual respect have been replaced by obstruction and incivility.
You expect Democrats to behave like Jim Hunter, to remain civil and respectful. You expect them to take bend over and accept the dissent of citizens “exercising” their first amendment rights, regardless of the manner or lack of respect in which is it offered. You expect the Democrats to play the bottom.
But now the Democrats are showing “disrespect” by calling out the methods employed at these town hall meetings, and me thinks the top grows frustrated.
Before you demand civility and respect from the Democrats, you need to demand it of yourselves, and of your party. Something you failed to do when you first met Jim Hunter, and something the “dissenters” at town halls are failing to do now.
When people refuse to engage in civil discourse by shouting down their opponents, hanging them in effigy, labeling them Nazis and assaulting them, they disrespect our freedoms and those who defend them, which does a disservice to us all.
Comment by Inlookout — August 8, 2009 @ 1:57 pm - August 8, 2009
“When people refuse to engage in civil discourse by shouting down their opponents, hanging them in effigy, labeling them Nazis and assaulting them, they disrespect our freedoms and those who defend them, which does a disservice to us all.”
Links added for context.
Comment by The_Livewire — August 8, 2009 @ 4:07 pm - August 8, 2009
Fine Livewire. I will denounce those incidents, though I find the later two a bit of a stretch. Will you denounce similar actions being carried out at townhalls?
Comment by Inlookout — August 8, 2009 @ 4:51 pm - August 8, 2009
If you had anything to back it up, sure
Comment by The_Livewire — August 8, 2009 @ 8:47 pm - August 8, 2009
You expect them to take bend over and accept the dissent of citizens “exercising” their first amendment rights, regardless of the manner or lack of respect in which is it offered.
LOL….isn’t the hypocrisy of the Obamabots hilarious?
One week, they say it’s perfectly acceptable to scream at public servants, call them racists, insult them, accuse them of bigotry, and so forth — such as Barack Obama said about his friend Henry Gates.
Then the next week, you must shut up and obey your public servants regardless of your opinions and if you don’t do so, you’re an evil terrorist and Nazi — such as Barack Obama is saying about anyone who dares disagree with his attempt to steal trillions of dollars from American taxpayers.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — August 9, 2009 @ 12:11 am - August 9, 2009
And again, when asked to provide evidence, inlookout scurries to the shadows like a roach.
Comment by The Livewire — August 10, 2009 @ 1:12 pm - August 10, 2009