Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Spirit of Self Approval

I usually don't read the New York Times, for obvious reasons, but every once in a while, it contains a beautifully crafted essay that isn't laced with farcical facts and left wing political jabs. The article linked to my title is certainly a great example of this. Of course, in it, Brooks makes fun of the collective psychoses of the Democratic party, which could have something to do with my appreciation for it. Who is to say?

Seriously, he tells us we, too, can "love ourselves, even in trying circumstances" by abiding by three lessons the Democrats have held dear this year. First, do not dwell on negative facts, polls, or circumstances. "Over the past year, many Democrats have resolutely paid attention to those things that make them feel good, and they have carefully filtered out those negative things that make them feel sad." For instance, they continuously discuss Christine O’Donnell and Carl Paladino rather than Rob Portman, Dan Coats, John Boozman and Roy Blunt, who are likely to actually win their races. Why? "It doesn’t feel good when your opponents are experienced people who simply have different points of view." 

Similarly, the Dems have picked fights with the Tea Party movement, rather than speaking to the "independent moderates who supported President Obama in 2008 but flocked away during the health care summer of 2009 and now support the GOP by landslide proportions." Why? "Losing friends makes you sad. It is better to not think about why these things happen."

Second, do not forget that "many great geniuses were unappreciated in their lifetimes." As President Obama admitted on the campaign trail, Americans are too stupid to appreciate "the grandeur of their accomplishments." They are moving to the right in the polls because they are scared and not because they are pissed and unhappy with his policies. 

Third, "You are the hero of your own children’s adventure story." Never admit reality. It simply isn't true that "parties that promote unpopular policies tend to get punished at election time." Instead, in your story, you are the caped crusader fighting evil and you must push on no matter the cost (even if it means losing scores of congressional seats). 

If you follow these rules, you can't lose, except at the polls.

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