Earlier this year, Jim Clyburn, third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, and Clinton surrogate, criticized Bernie Sanders’ proposal for free public university education using right wing tropes about free stuff and no free lunches.
Clyburn said, “Well, let me put it this way. I do not believe there are any free lunches. and certainly there’s not going to be any free education. I have made the White House aware of my disenchantment with the proposal they came out with because I do believe we ought to make education affordable. But I think for you to believe that they’re going to make education free, I don’t think that’s going to happen, not in my lifetime, and not in my children’s lifetime.”
www.breitbart.com… Breitbart loved it. You know why? I’ll explain below.
But first, for the inevitable trolls, another source:
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), a senior House Democrat, explains why he endorsed Hillary Clinton in appearance on MSNBC today. Clyburn hit Bernie Sanders, Clinton's competitor, for his promise of free education. "I do not believe there are any free lunches," Clyburn said on MSNBC. "And certainly there's not going to be any free education."
snip
But I think for you to believe that they're going to make education free, I don't think that's going to happen. Not in my lifetime, and not in my children's lifetime," Clyburn added.
But now let’s play a game. Who said this? Hillary or her surrogate?
"I'm not just promising free this and free that and everything."
"I do not believe there are any free lunches. And certainly there's not going to be any free education."
“There’s not anything free in America. We all have to pay for something. Education is not free. Health care is not free. Food is not free. Water is not free. I think it’s very misleading to say to the American people, we’re going to give you something free.”
Did you guess? Here are the answers:
The first quote is from Hillary Clinton from a rally last night [in February]. The second is from James Clyburn (SC-06), Assistant Democratic Leader in the House. The third is from John Lewis (GA-05).
Here’s my point. Let’s go back to 1964:
In short—time now for the soft sell to prove our radicalism was an optical illusion. We represent the forgotten American—that simple soul who goes to work, bucks for a raise, takes out insurance, pays for his kids’ schooling, contributes to his church and charity and knows there just “ain’t no such thing as free lunch.”
In a December 1964, National Review essay, Ronald Reagan told readers to keep the faith.
Who said this? Ronald Reagan. This is a right-wing meme par excellence.
I have seen too many right-wing tropes used here by Clinton supporters. I fought Reagan, voted against him twice.
But these odious memes came from the top, the Hillary campaign. The very top. Free stuff.
When you endorse the fundamental premises of Republican reaction, it is immoral.
DLC today, DLC yesterday and DLC tomorrow.
No way.
Update I: To explain further, in the 60s, 70,s 80, and 90s, the “no free lunch” argument was a mainstay of Republican criticism of Democrats and any progressive program because they cost money that would mean taxes. The great jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes said the following:
Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.
Reportedly first said by Holmes in a speech in 1904, alternately phrased as "Taxes are what we pay for civilized society, including the chance to insure",Compania General De Tabacos De Filipinas v. Collector of Internal Revenue, 275 U.S. 87, 100, dissenting; opinion (21 November 1927). The first variation is quoted by the IRS above the entrance to their headquarters at 1111 Constitution Avenue.The entire “Progressive Movement,” going back to before Theodore Roosevelt, and the democratic socialist movement are predicated on promoting social goods that markets do not provide through taxation to fund various government actions. Roads, safety, etc. Undercutting this means that you undercut a century of struggle.
It’s wrong and we must combat it.