Conservatives are now doing what the Libs couldn't accomplish. Rip each other apart and risk dragging down the movement. Some have called it a Conservative "Crackup." All I know is that this is extraordinarily painful.
I have fought tooth and nail for this movement for thirty years. Now, with success at hand we are witnessing the coming apart of a very solid coalition of Social, Process, Libertarian, Populist and other "hybrid" Conservatives. The inability of people to deal with different points of view in a very difficult and complex case without vicious insults is very sad.
I feel it would be best to start all over with Terri Schindler's case. I pray the last ditch efforts to replace the feeding tube is succesful. However, I am not happy with the process. I do not believe the Federal Government has any buisness in the case. I despise the hyperbole, the misrepresentation and outright lies that have been concocted to make the case. There is so much misinformation and ignorance out there and it is taken as gospel. It is not pretty. It is not what I expect from Freepers and our Movement.
This situation is causing me great diffculty. I consider myself a Social Conservative, a libertarian and a "Process" Conservative. Thus, this case leaves me incredibly CONFLICTED.
Just being "conflicted" is not enough for many. I have said on the air (KSFO-San Francisco) I support Terri's struggle. We do not starve people to death in this nation. But, to many that's not good enough.If I express reservations of any sort concerning the pro-Terri zealots or discuss my concerns about questions of Federalism issues, I am questioned about my Christianity. Some say "you are brainwashed by "G-D Michael Schiavo"...
I'm a big boy. The critiscm comes with the territory. However, what really hurts is seeing what we have worked for coming undone. The Nation is watching this display and seeing a scene that fits all of their stereotypes of what they believe "The Religious Right" to be. How many of you saw the 10 year old boy handcuffed in Pinellas Park (where I lived when I did a show in Tampa-St.Pete 1980-83)and taken to jail for trying to bring water into the hospice. What do you think the average American thought when viewing that scene? I have interviewed Randall Terry and Bo Gritz over the years. We agree about most issues. However, I find it dissapointing to see them out front and the face of our movement.
It is time to get back to basics. What I have fought for over the years is in jeopardy. I was doing Conservative talk radio before it was "cool." When Rush was "playing the hits."When we were in the wilderness it was easy. Now that we have a good deal of the power our movement has lost its way.
The Republican Party has long since abandoned Conservative principals. It has become a "Governing" Party. Not a Conservative vehicle. The display of Congressional hearings on steroids in baseball followed by the unfortunate Congressional involvement in the Schiavo case is simply the perfect symbols of how we have lost our way.
Conservatism is about the government that governs least governs best. Government is a necessary EVIL. We should be concerned that we have lost sight of the notion of individual Freedom which brought most of us to the Movement. Hayek, Friedman,Kerr et al.
The GOP should concern itself with defending the nation. Providing security in the war on terror, and keeping our military as strong as it can be. The GOP should be about turning back the welfare State, defunding the Left, protecting our borders, cutting our tax burden, and generally downsize the Federal Government.
Activist Judges are a HUGE problem. There is tyranny on the bench. I discuss these out of control unelected officials all the time. However, the Schiavo display is simply providing the Libs with fodder in the battle to keep Bush nominees off the Court. They will appeal to their base and, more importantly, to average middle of the road voters, with "see what you get if these people control our Courts?" The display the extremists are putting on plays right into their hands. And the irony is, I see nothing to suggest there is "judicial Activism" in this case. I know the arguments. I have read the legal particulars ad nauseum. The Judges have simply followed established law and Florida Statutes. They haven't made law. Quinlan and Cruzan have established the guardianship issues. Scalia in Cruzan made it clear. This is NOT A FEDERAL CONCERN.
I have never posted anything remotely as emotional and as lengthy as this in all my year here. I do it because we need some sanity. People of good will can disagree without being called names and worse. Disagree without being disagreeable. This is a very complex and personal issue. People here deserve to be treated with respect. And when the Schiavo ordeal has been resolved I just hope and pray we can come together and move forward to push legislation in the States, where the issue belongs, that clearly protect those who would die such a horrid death. Then Terri Schiavo will not have suffered in vain.
Thanks, david.
And bump.
Great post!
Ping to a tremendous post by the Goldster, talk show host extraodinaire! #518!
Thanks for your considered comments. It is nice to see a mature analysis, rather than a bunch of frat-boy types ganging up on the "religious right," using language reminiscent of a secular leftist like Barney Frank.
However, I think the rage of the Christian right, although somewhat mistargeted in this case, is justified, and other flavors of conservatives should be outraged, too. The Bush regime and the Republican leadership has not delivered on any substantive issue. The country is wallowing in debt, illegal immigrants pour over our borders, NEA and NPR are going strong, and the Federal government knows no bounds. I think we've been conned. I even suspect that Bush doesn't want to stop abortion because this issue provides a continuing irritant which keeps the religious right activated in behalf of the Republican party.
*Applause*
: )
So, uh, Mr Gold, Sir... Tell us more about the reactions you've gotten to saying that on the air... lol
Bravo!!!!
What a fabulous post. I agree with every single word you wrote. Especially about the Republicans who are governing us not understanding that the goverment that governs least, governs best.
I wish so many people could read your post.
Thank you!
It is rather remarkable. 2-3 weeks ago the talk was all about splintering the Rats and holding their feet to the fire. How it was all good political calculus...I wonder if we haven't splintered conservatives and FR, into the right and the wacko right.
Just being "conflicted" is not enough for many. I have said on the air (KSFO-San Francisco) I support Terri's struggle. We do not starve people to death in this nation. But, to many that's not good enough.If I express reservations of any sort concerning the pro-Terri zealots or discuss my concerns about questions of Federalism issues, I am questioned about my Christianity. Some say "you are brainwashed by "G-D Michael Schiavo"...
Thank you, David. Another voice of sanity. I've stayed away from FreeRepublic and the Terri threads last week, but started venturing in again, because I just can't believe what I've been seeing here. I listen to your show on KSFO, and I know where you stand.
Bumping for another voice of reason.
Good post.
Great rant David, glad to see you still around the freep. Hang in there, we'll get through this case.