[thoughtomator]

I am a conservative.

I am also aware of the radical changes in our government necessary to fully implement the conservative agenda.

However, I am not engaged in a betrayal of conservatism in order to promote global social democracy, as is the essential crux of the author's article. I am adamantly opposed to socialism, and more so I regard oppostition to socialism as an essential component of conservatism, hence my reference to the Reagan Revolution.

The entire article is therefore premised on a fallacy.

And until those here who disagree with me resort to logic rather than mysticism and come up with a persuasive argument, I will steadfastly hold to this conclusion.

[general_re]

What, the "people who disagree are delusional" argument didn't sway you? ;)

[AntiGuv]

The key objection to this author, in my view, is that he uses "statism" and "socialism" as if they were synonymous, and that's definitely not true. So, this is his logic:

modern conservatives are statist (true), therefore modern conservatives are socialist ( which is not strictly true).

However, this is not a proper use of the term socialism as commonly understood. Which is not to suggest that the conservative leadership hasn't acquiesced to much of the socialist welfare state, but that is distinct from the statist policies that have been advocated by most conservatives since decades ago.

[Al Gator]

Mysticism? I am "mystified" about this accusation!!

Socrates wasn't dealing in spiritualism, he was trying to explain societal blinders.

All nonsense aside, the basic point of this long article is that many conservatives haven't realized that while their houses may be in order, their foundations have shifted.

Socialists have been very successful in pulling us, with microscopic incrementalism, to the left.

We are now in the position that we argue our points from left of center while thinking we are on the "right".

Try to get a so-called conservative to accept that the income tax is nothing more that theft, and you will be labeled a "kook".