Did Pat Robertson Take Rush Limbaugh Out of Context?

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So-called "trickle-down economics" was not at all a failure; in fact, it was big win. Reagan took a very weak economy, and brought about an era of great prosperity that, like a rising tide, "raised all boats."
What was not reported was that despite cutting taxes significantly, REVENUE INCREASED, dramatically. This is not what the liberals would like you to know. (They would have you believe this cannot and does not happen, and that the way to increase revenues is by higher rates of taxation.) Unfortunately, the House of Representatives, which controls the purse-strings of the budget, consisted of liberal Democrats. So instead of this revenue increase going to decrease the debt, they spent even more than before and created even more debt. Then they turned around and said, "Look at this debt! Trickle-down economics doesn't work!" The popular media echoed this, and because Rush wasn't on the national scene yet, FOX News didn't exist yet, and the internet as it exists today didn't exist, the public largely accepted this as truth.

Mike of LA 6:54PM April 04, 2009

I actually heard Limbaugh's remarks in the context of the entire program, and have re-read them as seen above. What he said was very clear to me, and is nothing like the interpretation used by the popular press. First, it's not that he doesn't want the economy to improve; he clearly does, and passionately. What he doesn't wantis for Obama to succeed in creating a socialist establishment in America, which many liberals are putting forward as "the solution to the problem," when in fact it is the cause of the problem. Once established, it would do great harm, and be difficult to dismantle. Many people on both sides have been saying, "His side won, we should give him his chance to do his thing." Liberals because they want that, and conservatives because they want him to trip up and prove that his policies are a failure. However, Limbaugh sees the great danger in erecting a Socialist scaffolding that is likely to exist and do harm far longer than Obama's term in office and drag our eonomy down from superpower status.
I would go further and say that even if Obama's socialist agenda could improve the economy (which it could only do temporarily, if even that), it would not be worth the loss of liberty and the sacrifice that individuals would have to make both now and in the future. THAT would be too much to pay for any ecnomy. Fortunately, it's those very things that give wings to our economy. Rush believes this, too, as he has said on many occasions--and this is the context from which Limbaugh's statements springs.
As Limbaugh recently quoted from Ayn Rand, "The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities."

Mike of LA 6:35PM April 04, 2009

It is appalling for a Christian to say that he prays that the president fails. One should not pray for anyone's failure.I did not vote for Obama or even the democratic party but I do pray that God guides the thoughts and actions of President Obama. I consider him my president. Perhaps Mr Limbaugh considers himself some sort of 'higher power' who has some control over the outcome. I find his comments malicious. Yes, he is allowed to voice his disagreement over issues, but his comments go beyond that.Shame on him and his attitude towards the Christian faith. I'll pray also that God guides his thoughts and actions.

Ann Law of VA 3:22AM March 04, 2009

Andrew.. you pointed out that rush has to say that it is not about color.. but about socialism. You said that he should not have to mention that if he is not racist and how that should more wrong. many people are very dumb man and if he does not say those things than people would go crazy talking about how racist he is. The media would say it and you would be saying how racist he is. Of course race does not matter, but sadly coming from a white republican he better say it is not about race. Thanks to Alan keyes who says obama is a communist but he does not get a racist. ha i wonder why? oh wait keyes is black as well. To often, people just through race out there and it is not be brought up if it is not about color. You could not be said. I am glad rush said it is not about race so a lesser amount of people would say this is about race. Either he says its not about race or leaves it implied and either way people call him racist. The way he took left it more about race but the media uses his i hope obama fails out of context severely now. I am glad and I too hope this fails. Not because of race but because of people like nanci peloski. I one day hope the libertarians can have more of an influence in this country and one day that fair tax will be established.

Lee of GA 10:55PM March 01, 2009

Just how many times in one breath can Rush deny he's a racist? In that brief excerpt above, supposedly about the specter of socialism, how many times does he say he isn't hung up on race? Did anyone ask? It's almost clever really, he loudly protests his innocence while insinuating Obama is unqualified, a result of affirmative action. The result is a lovely boost to his ratings with the principled "I'm not a racist" crowd.
Yeah, play the race card, Rush; you got nothing to to talk about on intellect.

Andrew of VA 9:46AM February 25, 2009

Why not hope something SUCCEEDS?
Why not try something new after trickle-down economics had its chance and didn't work?
Who will Rush support? Another fake conservative who expands government instead of shrinking it, throws huge sums of government money to rich cronies with zero accountability while ruthlessly slashing our civil liberties but gets a free pass because he talks about speaking to God and doesn't allow ALREADY dead fetal tissue to be used for potentially life-saving research?
In short, if you believe that even the catastrophic incompetence we've suffered is preferable to Liberalism, the problem might not be with Liberalism.

Michael of WA 1:35AM February 24, 2009

You all had better hope that Hussein O'B fails. His socialistic love of Unions will do to the rest of America what Unions did to the American Auto Industry. Shame on you starry eyed people who voted for this incompetent socialist. Love from Jack

Jack Fish of CO 3:56PM February 23, 2009

Rush-I don't watch American Idol but I do watch Biggest Loser. I know they're cutting their show by one hour tomorrow night but I was thinking....what's the difference? O's speech or the Biggest Loser? Not a whole lot of difference to me. Oh, and when you see what state I'm sending this from...you're going to think Liberal. On the contrary, there are many Republicans that "exist" here.

brenda of MI 3:08PM February 23, 2009

Rush makes statements like this to create dialog such as we are having here! He was effective. Whether you agree with Rush or not, people are thinking about it and talking about it and that is the best thing that could happen. Blindly following any politician or group is never a good idea. Labeling people or bigoted groupings are counter-productive as well. If things work, they are sucessful. Trying to use government as a club to bully people into doing what you think is right is oppressive. Less governement is better, and our founding fathers knew this. That is why our system has worked for so many years and we have the most prosperous and fair country in the world. WE let people do their own thing and follow their own consciences. We have laws and a legal system to curb the worst of human nature and protect the minority and helpless. If we give over the aid of those in trouble to a government, it precludes us helping one on one, as it should be and single businesses being charitable and personal on their own and reaping the benefits of responding to their own people. We can control business by our patronage and personal censure. That is not government's job.

Truda of NV 2:04PM February 23, 2009

We are not simply agreeing with Rush because we go along with everything he says mindlessly, but because what he saya most of the time makes sense. The people who say Rush listeners are a set group of a certain type of people are pigeonholing and being prejudiced. Sharon is a good example. Black, female. How many of those that prejudge Rush's audience would ever admit someone like Sharon listens and agrees with him. No, they want to smack labels of HATE, WHITE, MALE, AFFLUENT on Rush listeners as a group. I'd say that is bigoted. Having the Government take control of many parts of our economy and making states bow to their agenda by offering them money to help them out of their tough situations on Federal Government (or Democrat Party) terms, is a scary thought to me. Obama is telling us he knows what is best for us and we have to do it to get money. I prefer to let the market and our proven Capitalist system even out unbalanced and untenable situations while we keep our freedom to run our lives as we see fit and tell the Government what to do in our name, not the other way around. Where are the religious people getting upset about Federal Funds used on Public buildings making them inaccessible to use by religious groups? That is in the "Stimilus" package.

Truda Reynolds of NV 1:27PM February 23, 2009