[Republic of Reagan]

In other words, you want the U.S. to have the economic outlook of the USSR in the early 80's. That's one of the reasons I am becoming disillusioned with the Republican party. We are slouching toward this kind of system and they don't appear to be inclined to do anything to stop it.

Perspective is the most important thing. While I hold extremist views, I also have a realistic view of the political landscape. I can run around like a crazed Libertarian thinking I can actually convince 50 million people to go with a platform that favors eliminating the welfare state, taxation, every major Federal Department, and on and on, or I can be a Libertarian within the Republican Party going for effective change. A Constituionalist dressed as a Republican in the House or Senate is better than a Constitutionalist or Libertarian dressed as such sitting at a rally that no one cares about.

[Dan Evans]

or I can be a Libertarian within the Republican Party going for effective change.

I'm sure that's the way the "Contract with America" Republicans thought. How long did that last? The party swallowed them whole.

When your funding and support depends on getting with the program, you tend to rationalize going along to get along.