*sigh* I see your point, but it offends me. Bokababe and I had a discussion tangential to your statement. I would much prefer that we reclaim what is ours. Libertarianism should not be a bad word (nor should liberalism).
In the same way, "conservatism" itself has been co-opted by the left as have other terms: "Free Trade" comes to mind - What it means today is not what it meant in the time of Reagan. Reagan's "Free Trade" is more along the lines of Duncan Hunter's "Fair Trade"... A concept which even an hardcore Buchananite could be persuaded to support.
If we continually must redefine what we are, we are losing the fight, as those key words control vast tracts of the American electorate. It is by co-opting those positions that the moderates were able to fool conservative factions, by promising to abide by Conservative terms, while working to redefine what those terms actually mean.
No, if we are to succeed, we must take back what is ours, and that must begin right here on FR. This IS the netroots of Conservatism, but it too has been allowed to drift leftward of it's positions and it's duty, as defined. We must start here, challenging those who have changed our heritage, and informing those who do not know the difference.
FR, united in Conservatism, would make all the difference in lifting up a Hunter, Keyes, or Tancredo and should be the main point of opposition to the RINOcity of Giuliani, McCain, Romney, and Huckabee.
JMO
Pick a term and this time defend it.
Reagan was in office almost thirty years ago...many young voters don’t even remember him sadly...things must be updated periodically in order to attract new voters...principles are important, but it seems to me that we can not expect voters to agree with all our principles thus must decide which are the most important and move forward in a positive way...running negatives campaigns does not work....what can we offer America that is positive and valuable.