We've noticed it before. Clueless conservatives quite often tell the truth about themselves without really meaning to. It's as if their subconscious, which knows all their flaws, suddenly speaks up and spills the beans. Of course, in the case of the attack ad targeting Senator Stabenow, Peter Hoekstra was speaking from a script. But, his reference to himself as "Pete Spend-It-Not," albeit rehearsed, was precisely on point. The only way it could have been more accurate would have been for him to proclaim, "I'm stingy Pete and proud of it"--a message that's unfortunately gotten lost in the brouhaha over the stereotypical Asian actress they hired to deliver the insincere, sarcastic script.
Stinginess. That's the essence of the conservative, con men attitude towards the world around them. We find it difficult to comprehend because Americans, for the most part, are generous. We can afford it. The land is bounteous and, though some irresponsible people have ruined some, we can restore it. The only problem is stingy people who stand in our way.
What makes people stingy? That's a good question. Maybe it's just a matter of equating stinginess with saving and misunderstanding that souls are to be saved and money is to be spent. Never mind that the gospels couldn't be plainer about accumulating money being a big mistake. Perhaps some people don't realize that not spending does, in fact, cause money to accumulate, whether they mean it to or not.
In any event, we hire public officials to spend money for public purposes which are defined and measurable. And therein lies a clue. Legislation which constricts and restricts the lives of some group or other is not only harder to evaluate, but only the mean-spirited then notice the failure while a generous electorate gives the dufus a chance to try again. Never mind that the money we pay him to manage our resources has been wasted.
Are we to conclude that generosity, like obedience, is not a virtue, either? Not at all. It is good to be generous and giving. That stingy people abuse the generous impulse is just something to be aware of. As often as not, a smirk gives them away. Stingy people seem to think they've managed to fool the generous. When enough is enough, they have to be told "no more."
Funny that. The "Party of No" does not like to be told "no more."