Nothing New Under the Sun

We’ve said before and will say again that the extent of Obama’s fraud on the American electorate in 2008 was and is unprecedented, and in that sense his election is something new under the sun in America. But his radical leftist agenda is not new at all; it is the totalitarian impulse of elitism, or godless intellectualism, that has reared its ugly head from the very beginning of America.

The founding of America drew a line in the sand opposed to this totalitarian impulse. It made a government on behalf of ‘we the people’; it blasted the divine right of kings (and by implication, every other form of elitism) by invoking our equal dignity in the eyes of our Creator. And ever since, it has faced attack from that impulse, sometimes overtly from outside the country, but often from within.

Some apocalyptic pundits of today believe that until Obama arrived on the scene, the America of the founding had never been under attack from within. Obama’s fraud in getting elected has made this particular attack seem like a first from within, but the agenda he is pursuing is hardly a first.

Take a look at this video, juxtaposing Ronald Reagan’s warnings, circa 1964, with the leftists of today. (All credit to the Republican Study Committee for preparing the video, and for Powerline’s posting of it to give it some legs).

Forget the names and personalities, and what you hear are the same arguments you will always hear: there is a superior ruling class, and an inferior class of ‘masses’. The ruling class knows what’s best for everyone, and just needs more power and control to make sure the masses get what is good for them. (And if you disagree with the ruling class, you had better watch yourself or they will find a way through law, regulation or fiat to put you in jail).

But the heart of the everyday man (also known as the heart of an American) revolts, rebels, rankles and, ultimately, rages against this elitism. The heart of an American draws special strength and courage from the actions of the founders, who put the truth of man’s individual worth through God on public record as a foundation for a nation. That truth still connects and will always connect in the hearts of real Americans everywhere--because it is truth.

So we continue to be optimistic about America. Many commentators lament that there is no Reagan on the scene. We disagree. These commentators forget that the Reagan of the video we’ve linked to hadn’t won election to any office at that point; he was just a former actor making a speech—around 16 years away from being elected President. And the ruling class and media of his time either paid him no attention or ridiculed everything he said. Are there any conservative leaders whose every word is ridiculed today? Ever heard of Rush Limbaugh? Glenn Beck? Sean Hannity? Mark Levin? What about Sarah Palin? Michelle Bachmann? Jim DeMint? Paul Ryan? Allen West?

Obama’s unprecedented fraud warrants the unprecedented remedy of forcing his resignation from the office of the Presidency. In that sense, Americans need to step up and make history, as we argued here. But we can take confidence from the fact that the fight against radical leftism does not require us to make history; it only requires us to stay in the fight and trust history. We’re not facing anything really new, and history tells us godless intellectualism collapses when firmly and unwaveringly confronted. That’s what the American tea partiers are doing, and their ranks (and their determination) are swelling every day. They are going to win.

Paul Gable

August 17, 2010