Posted by
Conservative from Annapolis on Sunday, October 26, 2008 7:52:09 PM
Background:
1-During the Second World War, resistance fighters against the Facists were referred to as Partisans; not non-Partisans. They were not interested in "Reaching across the aisle", they were interested in killing Facists.
2-The words "Partisan and Partisanship" have been hijacked by the Left, along with so many other words, so that they now refer to someone who is inexorably entrenched in "Wrong Think"; usually a Conservative. The terms "Non-Partisan and Non-Partisanship" are reserved for those on the Left who wish to project an image of cooperation and "Right Think".
3-The term "Reaching Across The Aisle" was coined by the Left as something that the Right does not do because they are not adults, do not negotiate nicely with others and are tactically incompetent. The Left, on the other hand, is more mature and routinely reaches accross the aisle to their less developed counterparts. This, of course, learned observers such as we have bought into hook, line and sinker. It is anything but the truth.
Proposition:
1-The aisle between Left and Right is the "Dilution Line".
2-The "Extender", upon reaching across the aisle, not only dilutes his/her own convictions and the convictions of the constituency but more firmly reinforces the convictions of the "Receiver" who perceives that the "Extender" is acting out of a sense of weakness and/or tactical ineptitude, usually both.
3-That proportionality accelerates rapidly so that by the time the "Extender" has reached sufficiently across the aisle, their position is no longer distinguishable from the position of the "Receiver", in our example the Left, who by now claims to have resolved the issue establishing the position they had in the first place as an example of true compromise and their Centrist posture. The "Extender" is left standing with his/her thumb placed strategically.
4-The listening citizenry, you and I, wonder what happened? Our position has been hijacked out from under us by the very people who, at the outset, opposed us. It has been diluted to the point that it is no longer recognizable as anything that we would even remotely consider proposing or supporting.
5-Our champion, the "Extender" says to us, "See, I can reach across the aisle and reach a compromise with the opposition". This, as the train leaves the station with yet another cargo of our irreplaceable Liberty never to be seen again.
Proof:
1-Senator John S. McCain.
Recommendation:
1-Never reach across the aisle! Stand by your principles and beliefs! If they are worth fighting for, then, dammit fight for them!
2-Let the opposition come to us! Strengthen our position; weaken theirs!
3-Remember what Partisanship really means; not what the Left has redefined it as.