Posted on 04/01/2007 1:45:19 PM PDT by quidnunc
There is an argument floating around Republican circles that in order to win again, the GOP has to reconnect with the truths of its Goldwater-Reagan glory days. It has to once again be the minimal-government party, the maximal-freedom party, the party of rugged individualism, and states’ rights.
This is folly. It’s the wrong diagnosis of current realities and so the wrong prescription for the future.
Back in the 1970s, when Reaganism became popular, top tax rates were in the 70s, growth was stagnant and inflation was high. Federal regulation stifled competition. Government welfare policies enabled a culture of dependency. Socialism was still a coherent creed, and many believed the capitalist world was headed toward a Swedish welfare model.
In short, in the 1970s, normal, nonideological people were right to think that their future prospects might be dimmed by a stultifying state. People were right to believe that government was undermining personal responsibility. People were right to have what Tyler Cowen, in a brilliant essay in Cato Unbound, calls the “liberty vs. power” paradigm burned into their minds — the idea that big government means less personal liberty.
But today, many of those old problems have receded or been addressed. Today the big threats to people’s future prospects come from complex, decentralized phenomena: Islamic extremism, failed states, global competition, global warming, nuclear proliferation, a skills-based economy, economic and social segmentation.
Normal, nonideological people are less concerned about the threat to their freedom from an overweening state than from the threats posed by these amorphous yet pervasive phenomena. The “liberty vs. power” paradigm is less germane. …
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at nwanews.com ...
A salesman approached a man on the street with a special offer on mosquito repellent. The man bought some, took it home and used it.
By chance a few weeks latter the man encountered the salesman on the street, "Hey! that mosquito repellent you sold me doesn't work. There are more mosquitoes at my home that I ever had!"
The salesman replied, "You must need some more."
I don't want nor need a "FATHER FIGURE." I was someone who can and will be tough on our enemies. Period. I don't care if he's rude, polite, married four times or goes to Church on Sundays.
That statement means your most likely a man, or an unusual woman.
Generally, women are more willing than men to trade freedom away in return for the preceived security of government.
But many 'conservatives' won't. Look even here. The cheering for Giuliani, Romney, Hunter, etc. All big government hacks in their own way on their own issues, be it social, foreign policy, etc. And the one actual conservative in the bunch (Rep. Paul) is ignored by the general media for more than a few reasons, namely of which he won't support the spend and nonsense that Republicans and Democrats generate and the media loves
the slimes' house conservative reveals his stripes and they slant leftward, again.
The misconception isn't at all limited to socialists - unless you don't count those "conservatives" who seem to have forgotten what limited government actually means and what Goldwater/Reagan really stood for.
If the idiots legislate that way already under the auspices of 'compassionate conservatism' does it really matter what letter they have by their name? No. I'll not cast a vote for my representation just so someone's 'team' stays or gains power.
The conservative movement died the minute they decided they preferred Statist security over liberty.
Unfortunately the socialist left and sociocon/neocon/theocon right have no desire to shrink Big Brother - just in remaking it in their own image.
Death to Goldstein...
There are too many "Richard Nixon" type conservatives on here...
That, my friend, deserves to be repeated.
I agree without reservation.
Really? I thought there were too many Pat Robertson types. Live and learn.
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