I love it, too. Here’s a more complete video and context: https://youtu.be/c1pW7T7MbZQ?si=R03ijP3mPW3Qk5Y3. In the film, Stanley Moon, a pathetic little short-order cook has struck a deal with George Spigott (Satan personified). Seven wishes for his soul. All of his wishes are aimed at winning the love of Margaret Spencer, a waitress at the diner. Here, Stanley wishes to be a rock star, with Margaret as an enamored fan. Stanley sings, “Love Me,”—whose words are an adamant and desperate plea for love. Margaret is entranced—until Satan comes on and sings the icy, disdainful “Bedazzled” that you liked. Margaret and all of the other fickle fans change their tastes, abandoning Stanley for George. … BONUS TRIVIA #1: Margaret is played by Eleanor Bron, who inspired Paul McCartney to write “Eleanor Rigby.” BONUS TRIVIA #2: As teens, Lennon and McCartney first met in a cemetery where an actual Eleanor Rigby is buried, though neither recalled having seen her gravestone. McCartney thought that perhaps the sight of that stone was buried in his subconscious, though its existence wasn’t widely known till the 1980s.
Reminds me of a joke from the early 1990s — Edwin Edwards and David Duke were out in a boat on Lake Pontchartrain. The boat capsized, who was saved? The State of Louisiana.
I heard Jo Jorgensen speak. She was thoughtful, organized, projected strength & self control and made sense on so many dimensions. I voted for her. I would do so again. I believe she was on ballots on all 50 states. You and others could have voted for her. Almost everyone chose not to.
Many squawk about democracy. However the people don’t choose the candidates- the parties do. Given the last 3 rounds of presidential candidates I would join Xi Jinping & others in laughing with scorn at the idiocy & mediocrity of American democracy.
Voting for a minor party is a perfectly fine strategy. I voted Libertarian exactly one time in my life. But personally, I would never make a big deal of it in public. I would never endorse Jorgensen or any Libertarian whose chances of winning were nil. For me, that would be election theater. In addition, I’m not wild about the Libertarian Party—particularly with regard to foreign policy.
I’ll partially disagree with your comment that “people don’t choose the candidates—the parties do.” That is certainly true with respect to the selection of Hillary Clinton (superdelegates), Joe Biden (Jim Clyburn’s pact and pressure on competing candidates), and Kamala Harris (effectively anointed by Biden). But in 2016, Trump was most certainly NOT the party’s choice—his primary victories were a grassroots uprising, aided and abetted by excessive coverage by media outlets who were amused to screw up the Republican insiders’ plans for Jeb Bush, or whomever.
I’m guessing your comment about Xi was meant as hyperbole. But I’ll say that whatever weaknesses American democracy has, our grievously flawed politicians are far superior to the autocratic Xi and his totalitarian government.
Amid the mindless tribalism of party politics, a field populated with those pathologically driven by control over the lives of others, I believe that it was Milton Freidman who said something like rather than seeking to electing "good people" to do the right thing we should work on building a culture that forces people not so good but elected into doing the right thing.
I share your disappointment with Carter, for a different reason. Gov. Carter called the U.S. tax system "a disgrace to the human race". The Democratic platform promised "a complete overhaul" of federal taxes and specifically promised to end the marriage penalty. Four years later, my wife and I were still paying the government $100 a month for the right to be married to each other.
I empathize with your sentiments. However I would point out that many years ago, Robert Heinlein--no fool--was asked for some political advice by a friend.
I won't replicate his entire answer in full, but part of his view was that there aren't always candidates you want to vote *for*. but there's always candidates you'll want to vote *against*.
So in that sense, your observations regarding the last election suggest that those you encountered followed this Heinleinian logic. And I see nothing wrong with that.
I would add that this logic does not apply only to general elections. It applies in primaries as well. Bill Buckley, notably, recommended a simple rule for conservatives registered as Republicans--most were even in those days, but the parties hadn't yet reached the level of ideological conformity that plagues us today--which was: vote for the most conservative candidate whom you deem electable.
In other words, he advocated *against* ideological purity on the basis that if you vote for someone ideologically pure but unelectable...well, you can fill in the rest.
We still see this sensibility at work today as both left and right ideologues saddle up to "primary out" *elected* members of their ideologically-predisposed party whom they deem insufficiently subjugated to the ideological line. Sigh...
Robert Heilein ran for the California Assembly as a supporter of Upton Sinclair's End Poverty In California campaign. He lost and started writing science fiction to pay his campaign debts.
It's spelled "Heinlein," and I've known about that since before you were born.
And the real story is, he submitted "Life-Line" to a local newspaper contest with a $50 prize. As he said, "In those days $50 would fill the back of a station wagon with groceries. Nowadays I can lift $50 of groceries with one hand. Perhaps I've gotten stronger!"
He didn't win the newspaper's contest, but someone put him in contact with one of the big SF zine editors, can't remember which one, who offered him the going rate...which was more than the $50 the prize was worth.
I realize of course that money is fungible, but the only thing we know for a fact is that his first priority was feeding his family, not paying off his campaign debts.
A lot of people in that era veered into the crazier trades of American politics. The architect Philip Johnson spent the 1930s as an admirer of Hitler. He wrote a glowing review of Mein Kampf. He witnessed Germany’s invasion of Poland and described it as “a stirring spectacle.” In the 1950s, he designed a synagogue and charged no fees for his work—as an act of atonement.
What’s important is not WHO you see as the lesser of two evils, it’s the reasoning behind that decision. Can anyone assume after Joe Biden that you are voting for a leader if you vote Democrat and not for the continuation of a money printing grift run by odious little gnomes in the deep state and their former bosses? If you prefer that, fine, but be honest about what you are really voting for.
Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America aren't crickets. They're grasshoppers. They will multiply and denude the field of all the grass. What will the cows do then?
Fascinating how the Carter endorsement shaped decades of caution. The Teddy Roosevelt comparison cuts deep when thinking about foreign policy trajectories. I endorsed someone locally who seemed principled, and six monthslater their scandal felt like it reflected on everyone who supported them. That visceral need to avoid public regret is real.
Robert, the Lagniappe is incredible. 😎
I love it, too. Here’s a more complete video and context: https://youtu.be/c1pW7T7MbZQ?si=R03ijP3mPW3Qk5Y3. In the film, Stanley Moon, a pathetic little short-order cook has struck a deal with George Spigott (Satan personified). Seven wishes for his soul. All of his wishes are aimed at winning the love of Margaret Spencer, a waitress at the diner. Here, Stanley wishes to be a rock star, with Margaret as an enamored fan. Stanley sings, “Love Me,”—whose words are an adamant and desperate plea for love. Margaret is entranced—until Satan comes on and sings the icy, disdainful “Bedazzled” that you liked. Margaret and all of the other fickle fans change their tastes, abandoning Stanley for George. … BONUS TRIVIA #1: Margaret is played by Eleanor Bron, who inspired Paul McCartney to write “Eleanor Rigby.” BONUS TRIVIA #2: As teens, Lennon and McCartney first met in a cemetery where an actual Eleanor Rigby is buried, though neither recalled having seen her gravestone. McCartney thought that perhaps the sight of that stone was buried in his subconscious, though its existence wasn’t widely known till the 1980s.
Robert, I wish I had your memory. Truth is, I never did, but these days, it’s worse still. I am amazed.
Reminds me of a joke from the early 1990s — Edwin Edwards and David Duke were out in a boat on Lake Pontchartrain. The boat capsized, who was saved? The State of Louisiana.
To quote from “Jaws,” “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
Lack of testosterone? :) I keed.
I’m guessing that k should be a p? :)
Loved the video!
Me too! Read my response to David Kendall to learn a bit more about the background of that video.
Great stuff Robert & easy to empathize with you!
Empathy is good!
I heard Jo Jorgensen speak. She was thoughtful, organized, projected strength & self control and made sense on so many dimensions. I voted for her. I would do so again. I believe she was on ballots on all 50 states. You and others could have voted for her. Almost everyone chose not to.
Many squawk about democracy. However the people don’t choose the candidates- the parties do. Given the last 3 rounds of presidential candidates I would join Xi Jinping & others in laughing with scorn at the idiocy & mediocrity of American democracy.
Voting for a minor party is a perfectly fine strategy. I voted Libertarian exactly one time in my life. But personally, I would never make a big deal of it in public. I would never endorse Jorgensen or any Libertarian whose chances of winning were nil. For me, that would be election theater. In addition, I’m not wild about the Libertarian Party—particularly with regard to foreign policy.
I’ll partially disagree with your comment that “people don’t choose the candidates—the parties do.” That is certainly true with respect to the selection of Hillary Clinton (superdelegates), Joe Biden (Jim Clyburn’s pact and pressure on competing candidates), and Kamala Harris (effectively anointed by Biden). But in 2016, Trump was most certainly NOT the party’s choice—his primary victories were a grassroots uprising, aided and abetted by excessive coverage by media outlets who were amused to screw up the Republican insiders’ plans for Jeb Bush, or whomever.
I’m guessing your comment about Xi was meant as hyperbole. But I’ll say that whatever weaknesses American democracy has, our grievously flawed politicians are far superior to the autocratic Xi and his totalitarian government.
Subscription renewed. I'll put my money where your mouth is.
Thanks!
Amid the mindless tribalism of party politics, a field populated with those pathologically driven by control over the lives of others, I believe that it was Milton Freidman who said something like rather than seeking to electing "good people" to do the right thing we should work on building a culture that forces people not so good but elected into doing the right thing.
Great advice.
I share your disappointment with Carter, for a different reason. Gov. Carter called the U.S. tax system "a disgrace to the human race". The Democratic platform promised "a complete overhaul" of federal taxes and specifically promised to end the marriage penalty. Four years later, my wife and I were still paying the government $100 a month for the right to be married to each other.
I empathize with your sentiments. However I would point out that many years ago, Robert Heinlein--no fool--was asked for some political advice by a friend.
I won't replicate his entire answer in full, but part of his view was that there aren't always candidates you want to vote *for*. but there's always candidates you'll want to vote *against*.
So in that sense, your observations regarding the last election suggest that those you encountered followed this Heinleinian logic. And I see nothing wrong with that.
I would add that this logic does not apply only to general elections. It applies in primaries as well. Bill Buckley, notably, recommended a simple rule for conservatives registered as Republicans--most were even in those days, but the parties hadn't yet reached the level of ideological conformity that plagues us today--which was: vote for the most conservative candidate whom you deem electable.
In other words, he advocated *against* ideological purity on the basis that if you vote for someone ideologically pure but unelectable...well, you can fill in the rest.
We still see this sensibility at work today as both left and right ideologues saddle up to "primary out" *elected* members of their ideologically-predisposed party whom they deem insufficiently subjugated to the ideological line. Sigh...
Robert Heilein ran for the California Assembly as a supporter of Upton Sinclair's End Poverty In California campaign. He lost and started writing science fiction to pay his campaign debts.
It's spelled "Heinlein," and I've known about that since before you were born.
And the real story is, he submitted "Life-Line" to a local newspaper contest with a $50 prize. As he said, "In those days $50 would fill the back of a station wagon with groceries. Nowadays I can lift $50 of groceries with one hand. Perhaps I've gotten stronger!"
He didn't win the newspaper's contest, but someone put him in contact with one of the big SF zine editors, can't remember which one, who offered him the going rate...which was more than the $50 the prize was worth.
I realize of course that money is fungible, but the only thing we know for a fact is that his first priority was feeding his family, not paying off his campaign debts.
A lot of people in that era veered into the crazier trades of American politics. The architect Philip Johnson spent the 1930s as an admirer of Hitler. He wrote a glowing review of Mein Kampf. He witnessed Germany’s invasion of Poland and described it as “a stirring spectacle.” In the 1950s, he designed a synagogue and charged no fees for his work—as an act of atonement.
No objection to the Sainted Heinlein’s advice. I do vote. I just don’t waste my word count trying to persuade others how to vote.
Fair enough! :-)
Thank you! I've always really appreciated your thoughtful analysis and deep knowledge of both history and economics
Thanks!
What’s important is not WHO you see as the lesser of two evils, it’s the reasoning behind that decision. Can anyone assume after Joe Biden that you are voting for a leader if you vote Democrat and not for the continuation of a money printing grift run by odious little gnomes in the deep state and their former bosses? If you prefer that, fine, but be honest about what you are really voting for.
I endorse this post!
Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America aren't crickets. They're grasshoppers. They will multiply and denude the field of all the grass. What will the cows do then?
Love your continuation of Burke’s analogy!
I'd like your endorsement for my town's City Council. If elected, I promise to give you free stuff.
--Where will I get that stuff? From your neighbor.
--I also promise to give your neighbor free stuff. From where? You.
--So you'll get your neighbor's stuff and he'll get yours.
--Next election, we give everyone's stuff to the next person down the line. And so on.
--In time, everybody will have everybody else's stuff for a while!
--This economically sound practice called The Rotary Self Sustaining Benefit System.
--It's simple and totally equitable. Everybody gets to have everybody else's stuff. An end to envy!!
--I invented it. Call it 'Mossism.'
--Do I have your endorsement?
--Also: do you have a convertible?
Chuck Moss
Sorry. Can’t endorse you. Your opponent already made the same pledge. And he has offered me some very generous consulting fees.
But I'll have appropriations! (You got a Nonprofit? I got a guy can set you up one cheap.)
Fascinating how the Carter endorsement shaped decades of caution. The Teddy Roosevelt comparison cuts deep when thinking about foreign policy trajectories. I endorsed someone locally who seemed principled, and six monthslater their scandal felt like it reflected on everyone who supported them. That visceral need to avoid public regret is real.