“The GOP Has Its Own Nanny State Dream,” read the headline over a guest editorial by Catherine Rampell of the Washington Post. Obviously, the far-fetched headline caught my attention.
Most likely you aren’t aware that newspaper columnists do not write the headlines printed over their columns. Headline writers are hired to write catchy headlines to rope you in. On average, five times as many people read the headline as those who read the column, according to former advertising executive David Ogilvy.
But as a news wonk, I want to know about the author of the column before I take the time to read it. Like some 90 per cent of Washington editorial writers who voted Democrat in the last four voting cycles, according to Pew Research, Rampell has admitted to be “quite liberal, on economic issues, maybe center-left leaning to left.” And she, too, voted for President Obama both times.
Knowing all that, out of curiosity, I still read the column.
Know that when you read a column by Catherine Rempell, you are reading the view of someone with left-leaning views beyond that expressed there. (vebidoo.com)
“The problem is that Americans – and conservatives in particular – claim to want small, stingily funded government,” Rampell writes, “but they’re making bigger – and more expensive, and less legally achievable – demands about what government should be responsible for.”
Although she clearly wrote that “Americans” wanted smaller government, she claims that “Deep down, Republicans want a nanny state, but they just can’t bring themselves to admit it.” Not true.
Rampell came to her conclusion while watching the GOP convention. She believes that Republicans want a limited government of the kind that “fulfills their wildest fantasies,” but claims it would cause “discomfort and perhaps even financial distress.”
Admittedly not a religious person, an agnostic, Rampell was critical of the GOP stance on religious freedom, and believes the party’s views on illegals, Muslims, abortions, pornography and marijuana will lead to “a government that muscles its way into nearly every waking moment.”
“Democrats generally recognize themselves to be in favor of big(ger) government, and as a corollary, generally acknowledge that they need to fund it accordingly,” she stated. Yes, through more taxes.
It’s understandable that Rampell is critical of the GOP protecting the workers of the coal industry; she supports a carbon tax and believes it “would reduce carbon emissions.”
Lastly, Rampell is a Benghazi denier, who doesn’t believe Hillary Clinton lied.
I venture to guess that those who read Rampell’s column were unaware of her left-leaning beliefs.
I encourage you to read, but beware the catchy headline and know the columnist.
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