Slouching Towards Gomorrah (the book)...

C

Cliff

New member
"Modern Liberalism and American Decline" written by Robert H. Bork.

Has anybody else read this?

While I don't agree with all of Mr. Bork's arguments or conclusions, I do believe that I am much closer to understanding the historical origins of how we (de)evolved to this sorry state.

Bork's insights into the workings of the Supreme Court, and their continued involvement in non Constitutional issues are alone worth the purchase price.

A quote from page 5:

"The defining characteristics of modern liberalism are radical egalitarianism (the equality of outcomes rather than of opportunties) and radical individualism (the drastic reduction of limits to personal gratification)."

Sound familiar? One paragraph that describes Democrat entitlement mentality and lack of presidential gland control.

Cliff



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"Giving money and power to government is like
giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys."
-P.J. O'Rourke
 
That sucker was a tough six month read for me! And I pride myself on being able to struggle through some pretty dry stuff.

I don't agree with him on a lot. He is a little too ready for censorship, IMHO. Methinks his remedy is as bad as the malady (in some cases). His analysis of the situation and how we got here is fascinating, though.

BTW, I love guns and shooting. There.

That reminds me, ever wonder what the difference is between a pointy-headed liberal and a pointy-headed conservative? From this BB's perspective, probably none. Can any of them shoot straight? Can any of them Shoot?

Haaaaaaaaa!
 
Excellent book. Dead-on analysis of how we got where we are today. Another that fits into the same category is "None Dare Call It Education" by John Stormer. Both books leave you with an overwhelming sense of pessimism. Truth really hurts sometimes...


Sic semper tyrannis


freedomlover
 
Untill I heard Mr. Bork state on C-SPAN that the right to keep and bear arms COULD NOT be proven in court to be an individual right, I had a little more respect for his opinion. If anyone can correct me on this , please do.
 
"Radical individualism"? What the hell does he mean by that? I'll answer my own question. It means that people can have freedom up to the point HE considers excessive.

That one quote negates anything else he has to say. He's part of the problem, not part of the solution. Thank God he didn't get appointed to the Supreme Court.
DAL

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Reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal," by Ayn Rand, should be required of every politician and in every high school.
GOA, JPFO, PPFC, CSSA, LP, NRA
 
FNG - In the book, Bork argues AGAINST gun control.

But... his interpretation of the Second Amendement surprised me, given his overall pro RKBA stance. Quoted in its entirety:

The Second Amendment states somewhat ambiguously: "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." The first part of the Amendment supports proponents of gun control by seeming to make the possession of firearms contingent upon being a member of a state-regulated militia. The next part is cited by opponents of gun control as a guarantee of the individual's right to possess such weapons, since he can always be called to militia service. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that there is no individual right to own a firearm. The Second Amendment was designed to allow states to defend themselves against a possibly tyrannical national government. Now that the federal government has stealth bombers and nuclear weapons, it is hard to imagine what people would need to keep in the garage to serve that purpose.

To say that I disagree with this is an understatement. However, I have no formal training in constitutional law. I make that statement from the heart.

After finishing the book, I thought "My God! The cure may be worse than the disease!"

Personally, I abhor the abdication of personal responsibility that is so increasingly prevalent in this country.

As the old saw goes, "Can we have our cake and eat it, too?"

Cliff


------------------
"Giving money and power to government is like
giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys."
-P.J. O'Rourke
 
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