Jim DeMint grumbles that 'big government' didn't free the slaves

[ashling]

[font size = 10]DeMented ![/font size = 10]

Former South Carolina senator Jim DeMint, who left government in order to spend more time with other people's money, has some curious notions about American slavery, the Civil War and the government. Specifically, he doesn't think the American government had much of a role in ending slavery, it was just some stuff that happened.

Well the reason that the slaves were eventually freed was the Constitution, it was like the conscience of the American people. Unfortunately there were some court decisions like Dred Scott and others that defined some people as property, but the Constitution kept calling us back to ‘all men are created equal and we have inalienable rights’ in the minds of God. But a lot of the move to free the slaves came from the people, it did not come from the federal government. It came from a growing movement among the people, particularly people of faith, that this was wrong. People like [British abolitionist William Wilberforce] who persisted for years because of his faith and because of his love for people. So no liberal is going to win a debate that big government freed the slaves. In fact, it was Abraham Lincoln, the very first Republican, who took this on as a cause and a lot of it was based on a love in his heart that comes from God.

So government didn't free the slaves, it was just the Constitution and Abraham Lincoln, neither of which is government because shut up. Also, the slaves were freed because the American people wanted to free the slaves, except for the half that didn't, shut up about that too please, and Dred Scott was terrible and defining people as property was terrible and we will go to great and gymnastic lengths to not mention an entire freaking and unbelievably bloody war premised on the supposed small-gubbermint right to keep defining those people as property or to leave and form a new country which would. Nope, it was all the Constitution and the people and long-dead British politicians, and I say unto you again will you please shut up about the rest of it.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/04/09/1290818/-Jim-DeMint-grumbles-that-big-government-didn-t-free-the-slaves?detail=facebook

[badtoworse]

1. Big government didn't exist when the slaves were freed.

It's a 20th century creation.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Wtf-ever...Feels like a new level of crazy since ACA hit its goal

Every time you think they can't outdo themselves...

[bpj62]

3. Executive Order

The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln. I have no doubt that Jim DeMint probably thinks that Lincolns Presidency was not legitimate. Why are people from South Carolina still fighting the Civil War.

[FiveGoodMen]

4. Why are people from South Carolina still fighting the Civil War?

Because they still think the Confederacy should have won.

Which is another way of saying that they don't think the United States is a legitimate government.

IOW they are traitors.

[stage left]

9. Please don't lump us all together.

There are many good Democrats in SC. I will admit, though, that there are a lot of completely crazy Republicans here, too.

[FiveGoodMen]

10. I don't

Last edited Thu Apr 10, 2014, 11:35 AM - Edit history (1)

There are good people living everywhere.

But some places are overrun with the bad ones.

I live in Minnesota. I'm certainly not personally responsible for giving the world Michele Bachmann, but if anyone wants to take a shot at my state over that, I understand completely.

On edit: I notice that the quote I pulled and responded to specifically said 'the people of South Carolina'. So, my apologies; I should have been clearer in pointing out that I was criticizing a prevalent culture in that area and not all the people.

[stage left]

11. Ok, Apology accepted.

I won't blame you for Bachman if you don't blame me for Lindsey Graham. I won't blame you for Bachman anyway. I'm sure you didn't vote for her, as did no one in their right mind. I well know that SC is full of right wing nuts. See my sig line. Pettigru said this in disgust after SC voted to secede from the Union. Even then there were voices of reason. Shouted down maybe, but still there were voices.
Peace.

[gollygee]

5. He must not have read much about the Civil War

where these small government folks who wanted the federal government to be smaller and stay out of their libertarian lives went to war in an attempt to keep the big government out.

[Blue_Tires]

8. I'm betting the schools in SC teach a much different "historical interpretation", as well

[chelsea0011]

6. I don't know, but it seems that was one big Union Army.

Big government also is our big military.

[lpbk2713]

7. *Republican* Abe Lincoln is 180° opposite today's asshole rethuglicans.

Lincoln would be ashamed to be associated with these scumbags.