On Hoping Other People Blow It Part 2, Civil Discourse Edition
“I want Barack Obama to fail and I want to help ensure he does. If Barack Obama is successful in implementing his stated agenda, America will fail and the American dream will die for millions. We already know Barack Obama’s economic policy will fail, but it will hurt millions of hard working Americans. I will join the RedState Army of Activists and fight for freedom by working to undermine Barack Obama’s agenda and helping him fail,” - Erick Erickson, RedState.
“When a real crisis happened on 9/11, I remember the Democrats rushing to do whatever Bush wanted. I remember hand-holding and singing on the Capitol Steps. I don’t remember them hoping Bush’s response would fail,” - John Cole, Balloon Juice, who voted for Bush in 2000.
From the tone of the excerpts above, I’m sure you can guess how I feel about this.
I should also highlight that I think there’s a big difference in spirit between ‘I don’t think this will work’ or ‘I think the success of this would be a bad thing’ and ‘I hope this nosedives and is a total disaster’. There’s a very malicious and aggressive spirit that shines through for me in the discourse from people who agree with Erick Erickson; although I am sure he is motivated by an interest in ensuring America is healthy, you almost can’t tell over the flame of his rhetoric.
I suspect, given a lot of the history here, the X-Factor which separates the difference in spirit is a sense of goodwill toward opponents and groups who disagree.
That numerous citizens of this country hold this philosophy (that is, the philosophy that Obama’s agenda will cause America to “fail”) makes me despair for our future. And I say that without the slightest trace of hyperbole.
