Response to Michael Barone

I quote from Mr Barone's article about Ohio and a possible Obama win there:

"But he is interested in advancing policies that could have serious wealth-destroying effects: higher taxes on high earners, protectionism, government-controlled health insurance, the card check bill abolishing secret ballots in union elections, which could have the effects on much of the private sector that United Auto Worker contracts have had on what used to be called, quaintly, the Big Three U.S. automakers."

The Big Three were weakened by arrogance because for a time they were monopolistic. GM made cars that people didn't buy while while Japan made cars that people loved and were of better quality.

Seems to me that much of what passes for Republican or Conservative punditry looks suspiciously like wish fulfillment. I believe the last resort of a losing side is to criticize the opponent who's winning. Some of it gets confused with campaign rhetoric, whose purpose is to scare the electorate into voting your way. The point is, if you're a Republican or Conservative who really believes in the principles espoused by your side, you want to carefully analyze what went wrong, why it happened, and what can be done to re-build your party and its principles so people are willing to vote for them again and so they really contribute to re-building our country.

I find it offensive for those who believe their side is losing to criticize the opposition by predicting that what will befall us all is all the ills that have already occurred in our country in spades. We are seriously in debt, we are over-extended and losing not winning in our so-called "wars", our assets have plummeted to their lowest levels, our economy is in shambles, and unemployment is a disaster, our retail sales incredibly low, and on and on. So if you're not trying to be disloyal - yes, disloyal to our country - is to say you'll give them a chance and would be willing to work with them to do what needs to be done to straighten things out. You're going into wish fulfillment land again if you believe that McCain, who everyone agrees (either out loud or privately) would get us out of this chasm when he can't run a decent campaign, can't organize the effort to be President so it holds together and works, can do a better job.

Obama and crew may fail, but by sniping at him, even subtly, you do our country a disservice and you need to examine your own positions carefully and deeply. Let him who is ... cast the first stone, you remember the admonition by the Great Teacher.