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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".

If you made that argument in 1992, I would have agreed with you. However, it is no longer true. Socialism was foisted on us incrementally, and it will be rolled back incrementally as well, because it is not politically possible to make the immediate radical break from half a century of socialist domination of our government.

A good analogy is the War on Terror. One possible solution to terrorism would have simply been a nuclear genocide of all Muslims. It would have worked, and quite well too. However, the resulting consequences would have been unacceptable. The incremental strategy, as you can see, works. It doesn't appear to be all that effective in the beginning, but as time moves on it gains momentum and produces changes thought unimaginable just a short time earlier. How long ago was it that Social Security was the "third rail" of American politics? How amazing is it that it's now open to debate and that there are options on the table to break open this foundation of socialism? In my opinion, that's about as amazing as seeing Lebanon revolt against Syrian occupation - and having Arab nations agree. Likewise, even Democrats are now in agreement that Social Securit needs to be changed in the direction of privatization.

Patience is an essential virtue in politics.

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".

This is the part of libertarianism than I can never figure out.

Is all taxation theft?

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".

This is why I'm a monarchist, it's the only "conservative" position left.