-- extended unemployment benefits. (May 21) January 2, 2010 [LINK / comment]
To hell in a handbasket? With unemployment soaring above ten percent, with terrorists on a rampage, and with economic freedoms being lost week by week, it sure looks that way sometimes. But those of us who dissent from the Obama administration's agenda need to get a grip and avoid the trap of despondency. After all, the corollary of raising "hope" among your own supporters is to instill gloom among your opponents, and the Democrats would like nothing better than to paralyze Republicans and conservative independents by enacting statist policy measures that seem irreversible. So, as we review the major events of the last year as they were chronicled in this blog, just as I did in the year before, let us try to keep things in perspective and remember: "This, too, shall pass!"
What follows is a list of what I consider to be the top ten national and international political events of 2009, listed in chronological order, with links to the respective blog pieces. In a separate blog pice I will compile the major events of what was by most accounts one of the worst decades in American history, of which 2009 was probably the worst year of all.
In spite of periodic disquieting signs of more mischief and acrimony spread by the "grassroots" faction, the general tone of Republican Party politics turned in a very positive direction last year. Virginia Democrats, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on President Obama's historic win last year, and their amiable nominee for governor, Creigh Deeds, found himself using negative campaign tactics that barely put a dent in the McDonnell juggernaut. Whether the GOP "grassroots" will learn the clear lesson from the Republican's landslide victory remains to be seen, however. Here are the top ten events in Virginia and Staunton-Augusta County-Waynesboro politics:
The following blog posts dealt with broader problems or more fundamental issues, rather than day-to-day political happenings:
-- extended unemployment benefits. (May 21) The following giant figures in the world of politics and public affairs passed away in 2009:
Radio talk-meister Rush Limbaugh was hospitalized in Hawaii three days ago after complaining of chest pains. His substitute host Walter Williams reassured listeners that Rush is doing OK, and on Saturday Rush was released from the hospital. I join conservatives and champions of free speech everywhere in wishing Rush a speedy recovery and prompt return to the "golden EIB microphone."