In researching Lincoln for an upcoming event to mark the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, February 12, 1809, my wife happened upon a most interesting quote from the 16th (and first Republican) President:
My how they have lost their way. Now I propose shining a light for them. Read below for the outlines of The Lincoln Labor Lovebomb Project, which I propose for all who are willing, over the next 14 days... and beyond!
I propose we send the JPG shown above, and/or this high-res printable PDF version, to anyone and everyone Dem, Progressive, Liberal, and/or Thinking, with instructions to send it on the their R friends (or just acquaintances, or people you read or hear about, if that's all you have) on or near February 12, 2009.
I myself was floored to see such a quote. As someone with an Econ degree, who has argued a ton of economic policy with my corporatist in-laws and other "wingnuts," this is sweet vindication.
I dare say I have argued similar points with them, certainly not as eloquently and succinctly as Mr. Lincoln, but now...
I'm sure we all know already, but in case anyone reading does not know, the Republican party, right down to the reddest hamlet of the land, holds annual Lincoln Day Dinners, the mirror of our Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinners. My how their gonna have a bitter pill to swallow at those dinners when this comes up. Of course they'll explain it away, or some other BS to say it does not matter.
Upon reading the entire text of Lincoln's First Annual Message to Congress, December 3, 1861, they could argue that Lincoln was talking about slavery, or government workers, or some other cognitive interference to obscure the fact that Lincoln was indeed talking about the classic economic concepts of Labor and Capital. Not just about his window in history, not just about those particular circumstances, Lincoln was talking about all time, from caveman and cavewoman days to the present "advanced" economy.
Again, not to belabor the obvious, "Labor" and "Capital" used as such is straight up Economics canon, discussed in universities worldwide from Econ 101 to Econ 999. The concepts of "Labor" and "Capital" are as important to Economic Theory as "The Trinity" is to Christianity, perhaps only rivaled by "Supply" and "Demand" as the key to the universe, Economically speaking of course. Lincoln knew EXACTLY what he was saying, and his statement is as relevant today as it ever was.
So send this JPG out through email, or perpetuate on the text of the quote any way you can. Don't wait until the 12th to get started. Print out the PDF and put it up in your workplace lunchroom. Make prints for people that are not on the net. For those of you out of work, stay strong, positive, and focussed--help is on the way. That said, you guys may have the most time of all to send this quote to millions of places.
But definitely send it to as many Rs as possible on Feb. 12: Senators, House Reps, Talk Radio and Cable Hooligans, your in-laws... Any of you out there got the money to put this on a billboard???