Rush Limbaugh, on the Republican Party - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

seretogis · 09-23-2003, 06:59 PM

This is from Rush's newsletter (please don't tell him that I typed it out).

Quote:

The Limbaugh Letter, September 2003

[size=large]Taking the Wind Out of My Sails[/size]

Shortly after my conversation with the RNC's Ed Gillespie, I was disheartened to read in New Hampshire's Manchester Union Leader the editors' conclusions from their own sit-down with the chairman:

Quote:

Had there been any doubts about the direction the Republican Party is headed, they vanished last week when Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie visited New Hampshire. During a cheerful and pleasant meeting (that's the kind of guy Gillespie is) at The Union Leader offices, the party's new chairman, energetic and full of vigor, said in no uncertain terms that the day of Reaganesque Republican railings against the expansion of federal government are over. No longer does the Republican Party stand for shrinking the federal government, for scaling back its encroachment into the lives of Americans, or for carrying the banner of federalism into the political battles of the day.

Now, Mr. Gillespie denies that he said that. And to be fair, it is unlikely these exact words came out of his mouth. But The Union Leader stands by its summary of his comments. According to Union Leader publisher Joe McQuaid, the editors asked Mr. Gillespie to name "any area or agency where they were looking to dismantle, and I don't think he came up with one."

And, I am very sorry to say, it has been a very long time since we have heard the Reaganesque philosophical case for smaller government made by the Republican Party leadership. We have not heard it from George W. Bush; we have not heard it from the Republican National Committee.

Instead, we have had unbridled spending. And so, the RNC's strategy is to defend the Bush Administration's budgetary "non-defense discretionary spending increase" statistic. Will that inspire a single soul?

The deficit here is not even a factor to me. I'm worried abotu what this does to citizens. Massive government spending is an encroachment on individual freedom and human development. It stifles individuals striving to become the best they can be. It gets in the way. This spending is yearned after by Democrats to empower themselves. It is designed to make government bigger and more oppressive and more present in everybody's lives to the most infinite detail. These are precisely the reasons that -- until now -- Republicans have vigorously opposed bigger government and more spending.

But apparently, the days of informing, educating and growing a movement or party based on such principles is over. This is a race for pwoer based on who can spend the most and get credit for it. It's destructive. I have to admit that when I first read this editorial, I felt a lot of wind being taken out of my sails. This is almost the equivalent of 15 years of work down the tubes. We're back to square one. This is about the political class in Washington doing everything it can to cement its own power and to create as much dependency as possible.

My friends, the whole notion of limited government is the essence of everything. It was on that basis that this nation was founded. That was the purpose of our founding documents. The whole point of the Constitution was to limit the role of the federal government. But now the federal government is omnipresent in everybody's lives. The federal government speaks and like obedient children we accept the dictates out of Washington. That was never, ever the intended role of government.

To me, this is deeply personal. My program has been devoted to inspiring and motivating as many individuals as possible to be the best they can be. Because of my own life experiences, I know how much potential individuals have that they don't even know they've got. Tapping it and inspiring people to seek heights that they don't even think they're capable of -- there's nothing more satisfying and pleasurable.

What has made the country great is average, ordinary people doing extraordinary things -- the average, anonymous among us pursuing their lives as well as they can, pursuing excellence, whether to care for their families or to just be the best they can be. Liberal Democrats will tell you government programs are what made government great. Not true. Rugged individualism, people engagign in self-interest -- not selfishness, but self-interest -- provides the foundation for this nation's greatness. It's not what comes out of Washington that makes this country great. Never has been.

But the more people are conditioned not to seek the best in themselves, the more they're not challenged to meet or exceed expectations, the more they're not inspired to do what they're capable of doing, then the greater the odds that the country will not continue to be great. It's axiomatic.

So this lack of interest by the Republican leadership in passionately advocating the ideal of limited government -- one of the most profound philosophical achievements in human history -- is discouraging.

The Democratic Party is falling apart. They've lost the governorships of most states. They've lost the House, the Senate, the White House, they don't have a prayer of getting any of it back. Do you realize the opportunity we have? After 40 years of the Democrats running this country down the tubes, controlling the House and controlling the Senate, it's just there to be taken. And what are we doing? We're trying to act like them!

This article is just more of the same to me. I'm waiting for Rush to publicly endorse the Libertarian Party as America's last chance. It probably won't happen, but if he did so it would definitely have a noticeable impact on the upcoming elections.

Kadath · 09-23-2003, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seretogis
This article is just more of the same to me. I'm waiting for Rush to publicly endorse the Libertarian Party as America's last chance. It probably won't happen, but if he did so it would definitely have a noticeable impact on the upcoming elections.

I'm not spoiling for a fight, really, just looking for an honest answer. Do you really think Rush has that much impact on politics these days?

samremy · 09-23-2003, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seretogis
I'm waiting for Rush to publicly endorse the Libertarian Party as America's last chance. It probably won't happen, but if he did so it would definitely have a noticeable impact on the upcoming elections.

I didn’t realize Rush’s influence was such that he might be able to change a “noticeable” amount of Republicans into Libertarians.

Peryn · 09-23-2003, 09:53 PM

Personally i am a rather strong republican, but i think i could become a libertarian if it weren't for their stance on a few key issues. Some stances on drugs and world politics are wrong or iffy to me, but i do agree that the Republican party is starting to go downhill. Im starting to not agree with more and more of their positions, and their leadership within the party isn't as strong or clearcut as it used to be.

Anyway, no, i dont think even Rush has the influence that he could lead a mass flockin of people from one party to another.

Nizzle · 09-23-2003, 10:09 PM

Well the people that regularly listen to Rush will believe anything he says without question. So I guess that would depend on how many people listen to Rush for more than occasional entertainment value. I don't know what that figure is, but I hope it's not menacingly high. The guy is a supreme asshat.

Superbelt · 09-23-2003, 10:22 PM

His strength is in rallying people to support causes and vote. Without him rallying for republicans anymore he could cost several pub's elections that they would have won otherwise with his support.

Conclamo Ludus · 09-24-2003, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nizzle
Well the people that regularly listen to Rush will believe anything he says without question. So I guess that would depend on how many people listen to Rush for more than occasional entertainment value. I don't know what that figure is, but I hope it's not menacingly high. The guy is a supreme asshat.

Not true. I regularly listen to him, while driving around for work. I believe very little of what he says to be true. Believe it or not there are critical thinkers that listen to every scope of the political spectrum. It might be easier to believe otherwise, but I'm afraid its just not true.

Superbelt · 09-24-2003, 09:16 AM

I think Rush has somewhere aroudn 20 million listeners? Correct me if I'm wrong.

And like Ludus said many of them who listen to him disagree with him or disagree vehemently. They listen to it either to get the other sides view, are forced to at work (like me) or do it for the comedy of the insane rantings. It's a good way to keep informed anyway as to what the opposition is doing, to not pay attention to that can get you blindsided.

seretogis · 09-24-2003, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kadath
I'm not spoiling for a fight, really, just looking for an honest answer. Do you really think Rush has that much impact on politics these days?

If he were to endorse the Libertarian Party, millions of people who had never even heard of it, would suddenly know about it. He has a lot of power to inform, and like others have said, it's not just "ditto-heads" that listen to him.

Bill O'Rights · 09-24-2003, 09:27 AM

I can only speak for myself, but as a card carrying Libertarian, I do not <b>want</b> Rush in our camp.

And Peryn, I don't necessarily agree with <b>everything</b> in the Libertarian Party Platform. But I do agree with enough of it that I joined thier ranks.

rgr22j · 09-24-2003, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Superbelt
I think Rush has somewhere aroudn 20 million listeners? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You're wrong. He has 20 million sheep. To call the majority of them "listeners" would be stretching the truth. Perhaps I am being harsh. How about we say 1 million (unwilling or curious) listeners and 19 million sheep?

In my strongly biased opinion, Rush simply exists for money. It should anger anyone that he has a 13 minute rant, 4 minutes of commercials, 4 minutes of additional comments, then 9 minutes of commercials every half hour. What substance can you possibly convey when over 40% of your program is commercials?

-- Alvin

seretogis · 09-24-2003, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rgr22j
You're wrong. He has 20 million sheep. To call the majority of them "listeners" would be stretching the truth. Perhaps I am being harsh. How about we say 1 million (unwilling or curious) listeners and 19 million sheep?

You could say the same thing about any program.

Dibbler · 09-24-2003, 01:26 PM

I think he's losing the respect of a lot of his listeners. During the good economy he gained a lot of people to his side cuz everything was "hunky-dory" but after the economy dive-bombed he just sounded "out of touch" with the real world.

He can't understand why people are out of work and that if you're not working and making big bucks it's because you're too stupid. I lost my job last year, took 3 months to find a new one. It was a pretty scary time for me and my family. I really didn't appreciate some fat, ugly multi-millionaire telling me it's my own fault I'm unemployed.

Kadath · 09-24-2003, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seretogis
If he were to endorse the Libertarian Party, millions of people who had never even heard of it, would suddenly know about it. He has a lot of power to inform, and like others have said, it's not just "ditto-heads" that listen to him.

I agree with the first statement, and the first part of the second statement, although "inform" might be putting it strongly.

I think if Rush can make his listeners think about something new, that would be truly great.

j8ear · 09-25-2003, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dibbler
....Telling me it's my own fault I'm unemployed.

Whose fault was it?

Dibbler · 09-25-2003, 08:03 PM

YOURS!

Actually, a lot of it had to do with the economy. I'm a Transportation Engineer and after all the states blew all our money during the "good" times they couldn't afford to build any new roads so now us consultants, contractors and suppliers are hurting.

Superbelt · 09-25-2003, 09:24 PM

---> Transportation Planner

How did your state do that? Our TIP (PA) keeps the money, which we already have, separated for the individual projects. And that goes out for 12 years. There's no way we could run out of money for transportation in less than 12 years because of it.

Dibbler · 09-26-2003, 05:45 AM

So your states current projects in construction are being paid for with money set aside in 1991? How do they predict inflation in the estimates? How do they deal with change orders, design flaws?
The city I work in has a $10 million dollar deficit this year and announced that all improvement project were being shelved. The State is spending what they need to so they don't lose fed. matching funds. Those project were designed years back so work is scarce.

wwcd101 · 09-26-2003, 06:05 AM

Rush is correct. If we only have two political parties that matter, one has to fly the "less government is better" flag.

Rush could move a whole lot of people to the Libertarians. But, given the strength of his current position and the unlikely chance that a Libertarian candidate would actually win, I think his best bet is to stay engaged and beat on the Republicans until they get it.

Thanks for listening.

Superbelt · 09-26-2003, 10:32 AM

I don't work on PENNDOT's side of it, we just take the money

We are going ahead with a 8 year old plan to fix a curve and exit on our Interstate that was projected to cost 93 million when the project was conceived. It will now cost us 65 mil after the winning bid came in. The bid process started only 5 months ago and we just started construction on it last month.

Not one project on our TIP has been canceled because of funding shortfalls. I haven't even seen a drop off in new projects.

What state are you in?

j8ear · 09-26-2003, 11:37 AM

PennDot huh? I can tell you from experience that Pennsylvania is absolutely going nuts with road projects.

I drive from DC to Harrisburg to Allentown to Milford at least twice a month and man oh man are they doing some awesome projects. That whole spaghetti junction around Eyes (I) 83-81-78. It's a great smooth ride now (I almost exclusively do the trip at night) but when completed I think this will be the only road project I have ever seen complete before it's obsolete.

Sorry to thread jack...

Oh and sorry about you loosing your job. Glad to hear your working again.

best,

-bear

Dibbler · 09-27-2003, 06:50 AM

I think we stole the thread.

I do projects in a lot of midwest states (i.e. Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, SD and ND) and they are all hurting for funds. Construction is still doing fine for now because the projects usually take around 5 years from the concept stage through design to the start of construction so everything being built right now is already paid for. Our inflation rates for const. usually range from 8 to 10% for every year the project is delayed and I would bet that around a third of the projects have been shelved. Over the last couple of years the number of RFP's have dropped to near nothing. That means in a few years the contractors will have next to nothing to bid on unless the economy picks up and those shelved project are put back on the list.

One thing that helps you guys is your location. It seems the midwest always gets screwed on federal funds. You're where to voters are so the northwest always seems to get the big bucks.

09-23-2003, 09:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	Personally i am a rather strong republican, but i think i could become a libertarian if it weren't for their stance on a few key issues. Some stances on drugs and world politics are wrong or iffy to me, but i do agree that the Republican party is starting to go downhill. Im starting to not agree with more and more of their positions, and their leadership within the party isn't as strong or clearcut as it used to be. Anyway, no, i dont think even Rush has the influence that he could lead a mass flockin of people from one party to another. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

09-23-2003, 10:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nizzle God-Hating Liberal Location: Silicon Valley, CA	Well the people that regularly listen to Rush will believe anything he says without question. So I guess that would depend on how many people listen to Rush for more than occasional entertainment value. I don't know what that figure is, but I hope it's not menacingly high. The guy is a supreme asshat. __________________ Nizzle

09-24-2003, 09:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	I can only speak for myself, but as a card carrying Libertarian, I do not <b>want</b> Rush in our camp. And Peryn, I don't necessarily agree with <b>everything</b> in the Libertarian Party Platform. But I do agree with enough of it that I joined thier ranks. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

09-25-2003, 08:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
Dibbler Psycho Location: Initech, Iowa	YOURS! Actually, a lot of it had to do with the economy. I'm a Transportation Engineer and after all the states blew all our money during the "good" times they couldn't afford to build any new roads so now us consultants, contractors and suppliers are hurting. Last edited by Dibbler; 09-25-2003 at 08:10 PM..

09-26-2003, 11:37 AM	#21 (permalink)
j8ear Gentlemen Farmer Location: Middle of nowhere, Jersey	PennDot huh? I can tell you from experience that Pennsylvania is absolutely going nuts with road projects. I drive from DC to Harrisburg to Allentown to Milford at least twice a month and man oh man are they doing some awesome projects. That whole spaghetti junction around Eyes (I) 83-81-78. It's a great smooth ride now (I almost exclusively do the trip at night) but when completed I think this will be the only road project I have ever seen complete before it's obsolete. Sorry to thread jack... Oh and sorry about you loosing your job. Glad to hear your working again. best, -bear __________________ It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission.

09-23-2003, 10:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Superbelt This vexes me. I am terribly vexed. Location: Grantville, Pa	His strength is in rallying people to support causes and vote. Without him rallying for republicans anymore he could cost several pub's elections that they would have won otherwise with his support.

09-24-2003, 09:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
Superbelt This vexes me. I am terribly vexed. Location: Grantville, Pa	I think Rush has somewhere aroudn 20 million listeners? Correct me if I'm wrong. And like Ludus said many of them who listen to him disagree with him or disagree vehemently. They listen to it either to get the other sides view, are forced to at work (like me) or do it for the comedy of the insane rantings. It's a good way to keep informed anyway as to what the opposition is doing, to not pay attention to that can get you blindsided.

09-24-2003, 01:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
Dibbler Psycho Location: Initech, Iowa	I think he's losing the respect of a lot of his listeners. During the good economy he gained a lot of people to his side cuz everything was "hunky-dory" but after the economy dive-bombed he just sounded "out of touch" with the real world. He can't understand why people are out of work and that if you're not working and making big bucks it's because you're too stupid. I lost my job last year, took 3 months to find a new one. It was a pretty scary time for me and my family. I really didn't appreciate some fat, ugly multi-millionaire telling me it's my own fault I'm unemployed.

09-25-2003, 09:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
Superbelt This vexes me. I am terribly vexed. Location: Grantville, Pa	---> Transportation Planner How did your state do that? Our TIP (PA) keeps the money, which we already have, separated for the individual projects. And that goes out for 12 years. There's no way we could run out of money for transportation in less than 12 years because of it.

09-26-2003, 05:45 AM	#18 (permalink)
Dibbler Psycho Location: Initech, Iowa	So your states current projects in construction are being paid for with money set aside in 1991? How do they predict inflation in the estimates? How do they deal with change orders, design flaws? The city I work in has a $10 million dollar deficit this year and announced that all improvement project were being shelved. The State is spending what they need to so they don't lose fed. matching funds. Those project were designed years back so work is scarce.

09-26-2003, 06:05 AM	#19 (permalink)
wwcd101 Insane	Rush is correct. If we only have two political parties that matter, one has to fly the "less government is better" flag. Rush could move a whole lot of people to the Libertarians. But, given the strength of his current position and the unlikely chance that a Libertarian candidate would actually win, I think his best bet is to stay engaged and beat on the Republicans until they get it. Thanks for listening.

09-26-2003, 10:32 AM	#20 (permalink)
Superbelt This vexes me. I am terribly vexed. Location: Grantville, Pa	I don't work on PENNDOT's side of it, we just take the money We are going ahead with a 8 year old plan to fix a curve and exit on our Interstate that was projected to cost 93 million when the project was conceived. It will now cost us 65 mil after the winning bid came in. The bid process started only 5 months ago and we just started construction on it last month. Not one project on our TIP has been canceled because of funding shortfalls. I haven't even seen a drop off in new projects. What state are you in?

09-27-2003, 06:50 AM	#22 (permalink)
Dibbler Psycho Location: Initech, Iowa	I think we stole the thread. I do projects in a lot of midwest states (i.e. Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, SD and ND) and they are all hurting for funds. Construction is still doing fine for now because the projects usually take around 5 years from the concept stage through design to the start of construction so everything being built right now is already paid for. Our inflation rates for const. usually range from 8 to 10% for every year the project is delayed and I would bet that around a third of the projects have been shelved. Over the last couple of years the number of RFP's have dropped to near nothing. That means in a few years the contractors will have next to nothing to bid on unless the economy picks up and those shelved project are put back on the list. One thing that helps you guys is your location. It seems the midwest always gets screwed on federal funds. You're where to voters are so the northwest always seems to get the big bucks.