The Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines the word ‘regime’ as (a) mode of rule or management b : a form of government <a socialist regime> c : a government in power
The connotative and denotative meanings given to the term in the U.S., and throughout the world, are different in an important way.
The connotation of a ‘regime’ is usually negative, with an implication that the government in question is an autocracy or strong-arm communist or socialist dictatorship that opposes democracy. It has never been a term that correctly described any U.S. administration.
In a new interview printed in the German publication; Der Speigel, Jimmy Carter allows the description ‘regime’ to be applied to the current U.S. administration by the interviewer. Carter also refers to the Castro ‘regime,’ equating our American form of government with the communist government in Cuba.
It is one of many demeaning remarks Carter makes about the current U.S. White House to a foreign publication. Unquestionably, the remarks of a former U.S. President can inflate, incite and drive the anti-Americanism of Islamic-fascism and European anti-Americanism. Carter seems to be oblivious to this fact as he has made a number of remarks recently that show no forethought or consideration.
Carter also says that the U.S. and Israel stand alone in the world, implying that the two countries are the only ones in the wrong, and the rest of the world is illuminated with the light of good intentions and righteousness. Carter used to seem like a reasonable man, but something has gone horribly wrong.
Carters remarks completely ignore something unique to the current administration that is always missed by the extreme left. Carter and his ilk have to be reminded constantly that on September 11, 2001, the United States experienced its worst attack in history. Carter actually states in the interview, “Under all of its predecessors there was a commitment to peace instead of preemptive war. Our country always had a policy of not going to war unless our own security was directly threatened and now we have a new policy of going to war on a preemptive basis.” Jimmy, I have to tell you that it might be time to come out of hibernation, because our security has been directly threatened! This is ample evidence of why it is dangerous for America to even consider another Democratic President.
The common Democratic mantra of injustice to poor folks is another lie that the former President tells the German public with this remark; “We’ve never had an administration before that so overtly and clearly and consistently passed tax reform bills that were uniquely targeted to benefit the richest people in our country at the expense or the detriment of the working families of America.” Mr. Carter relies on the ignorance of people who don’t know or who don’t care about the real tax legislation passed during the Bush tenure. Most all poor people have been eliminated from the tax rolls………….altogether! The middle class have had their taxes reduced, and the richest 10% of Americans pay 65% of all U.S. taxes. (see here)
Further into the interview, the former President has this to say; “And I think they should declare an immediate cease-fire on both sides, Hezbollah said they would comply, I hope Israel will comply…” Mr. Carter, like most American liberals, still does not understand that groups like Hezbollah are terrorists. Their word can not be trusted. Can Mr. Carter be so naive’ and gullible to believe such things? He talks about a terrorist group and a sovereign country in the same breath, forgetting that Hezbollah is an armed militia and not a country.
Jimmy Carter, yearning to take his place as a figurehead in the modern Democratic party, has learned one thing; a moderate opinion and viewpoint won’t cut it. You must follow the mantra of making statements with no factual underpinnings, engage in frequent character assassination and push aside questions relating to your own ‘better ideas’. You should also season all of your remarks with anti-Bush urban-myths, hyperbole and conjecture. This is today’s Democratic leadership.
In what is the greatest example of irony I have witnessed in a long time, Carter makes several ugly, venomous allegations against American Christians, that instead, describe the left wing intellectual elite to a tee. He states; “Those who disagree with them are inherently inferior, and in extreme cases — as is the case with some fundamentalists around the world — it makes your opponents sub-humans, so that their lives are not significant.” Has Mr. Carter never experienced the self-righteous indignation and expletive-laced tirades that are such a common hallmark of today’s extreme left?
He goes on to say, “Another thing is that a fundamentalist can’t bring himself or herself to negotiate with people who disagree with them because the negotiating process itself is an indication of implied equality.” The extreme left see’s themselves as intellectually and morally superior, and refuse to discuss anything because of this viewpoint.
“I think I represent the vast majority of Democrats in this country.” Does this statement mean that the extreme left is now the majority in the Democratic Party? Does it mean that a majority of Democrats agree that it should be the roll of a former American President to travel around the world disparaging a sitting American President? And on this subject, has anyone ever heard President Bush make a disparaging comment about Mr. Carter or Mr. Clinton or any other prominent Democrat? It has never happened. President Bush went so far as to honor former President Clinton and to make a speech in his tribute. Some take the high road and some take the low road.
In summary, we find only a former President, hell-bent on supporting an extremist viewpoint, and hell-bent on attacking a sitting U.S. President. This shows neither class nor temperance. Jimmy Carters years in the White House brought us double-digit inflation, record-high interest rates, a recession, the 52 American hostages held captive by Iran and a breakdown of the SALT II nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union.
James Earl Carter Jr. should look in the mirror with shame. While he is lauded for his humanitarian and human rights efforts, he picks and chooses who should be treated with dignity and who should not. True believers in these rights show compassion, empathy and respect to all humans. That is ALL humans, Mr. Carter.