Arrr! The strange happenings of them Republicans in D.C. be enough to frighten all ye Americans, mateys!
2023-11-15
Yarrr! A scurvy bunch o' landlubber Republicans be, knowin' better but swashbucklin' in folly nonetheless! Avast ye, mateys, me hearty advice be to steer clear o' their shenanigans, lest ye be caught in their political maelstrom!
In a humorous tone, the author engages in a debate with a group called "national conservatives" who have valid concerns about the cultural and economic direction of America under President Joe Biden. They highlight various issues such as decaying government-run schools, increasing suicides and drug overdoses, an out-of-control border, growing debt, and assault on First Amendment rights. However, the author argues that these problems go beyond Bidenomics and have been present for the past 40 years, including disappearing factories, income inequality, declining union power, and shrinking wages.The author mentions prominent Senate Republicans who align with the national conservative movement and advocate for restraints on big business, protectionist trade policies, tax policies encouraging larger families, restrictions on legal immigration, and higher taxes on the rich. The author humorously points out that these national conservatives seem to have forgotten Ronald Reagan's famous quote about the dangers of government intervention.
Interestingly, the author notes that this new wing of the GOP is adopting the rhetoric of Senator Bernie Sanders, claiming that middle-class America has fallen behind in the last 40 years, despite the period being a golden age of prosperity. They argue that median family income has increased by 35% after inflation since 1983, and middle-class families enjoy wider availability of non-cash benefits and technological advances.
The author attributes the economic gains of the past 40 years to lower tax rates, freer trade, a stable dollar, declining union dominance, right-to-work laws, and a generous legal immigration process. They express concern that some conservative intellectuals are now advocating for more government restrictions on business, less immigration, trade protectionism, union power, and redistributive tax policies, which, according to the author, would make America and its citizens poorer.
In conclusion, the author humorously challenges the national conservatives' claims about the decline of America and argues that the last 40 years have been a period of prosperity, supported by economic data and advancements. They caution against adopting policies that would harm the economy and make Americans worse off.