Silly article but the fact is, IMHO, we have to decide what a “conservative” is, or we will keep getting our butts kicked.
Is a “conservative” one on the basis of their economic, or their social policy? Someone vehemently against abortion, gay marriage and sexual ‘education’ in the schools might still support massive social programs and government intervention in the private sector in the name of morality. Someone against government spending for social programs, intervention in the economy, the attempts of muslims to integrate Sharia law, and who insists on a balanced budget might not think of America as a ‘Christian Nation’, care one whit about abortion or consider gay marriage any issue at all.
Is the Republican party going to be one of fiscal conservatism, social conservatism, both or neither? Not that the Democrats are doing much better, their Achilles heel is in the churches - concern about abortion and the disintegration of the family are a huge weakness in the coalition that elected Obama, and the gun control issue often results in Democrats shooting themselves in the foot in areas with demographics favorable to them.
The party that best defines itself will win the next election.
Just a cranky .02
Is a “conservative” one on the basis of their economic, or their social policy? Someone vehemently against abortion, gay marriage and sexual ‘education’ in the schools might still support massive social programs and government intervention in the private sector in the name of morality. Someone against government spending for social programs, intervention in the economy, the attempts of muslims to integrate Sharia law, and who insists on a balanced budget might not think of America as a ‘Christian Nation’, care one whit about abortion or consider gay marriage any issue at all.Good points. But what about the foreign policy questions mentioned in the article.
Can you be a fiscal conservative and support the original intentions of the Iraq Invasion, going after WMD? I think so, but others might disagree.
What about the same question asked of social conservatives?
And then change the question again. What if it's not about WMD but building a democratic state in the midst of the Arab world to try to change the world into a more favorable place for American interests?
Certainly many fiscal and social conservatives disagree with that war. But then there are many who agree with it.
It's hard to bring all these opinions together under one Republican label, let alone one Conservative label.
I very much agree. Obama won on hatred of all things W, nothing else, and that was manufactured. There is no way to have any sort of national dialog if those who believe in traditional social roles of men, women, family, marriage and religion cannot articulate why this is good. Limited government, a strong and technologically advanced military -what does this mean and entail. What is a "fair" tax and what is not? None of this is explained well by those who appear on the Sunday talk shows and until it is, we let the other side define us, and that is not going to win any battles.
“Is the Republican party going to be one of fiscal conservatism, social conservatism, both or neither?”
The third leg must be added: National Security.
Reagan convinced the voters that he represented enough of ALL THREE legs, for them to select him twice and in sort of carryover mode, GHW Bush once and GW Bush twice.
Throughout those five terms clearly the GOP stood for better policies on ALL THREE legs, most of the time.
If the GOP wants back in the game, they simply have to advocate and support better policies on ALL THREE legs.
The wheels sort of fell off under GW Bush.
The GOP doesn’t need to rid itself of anybody; it needs to restate and simply support conservative policies.
Conservatives outside the GOP stand no chance, except patting each other on the back for attention. Third party votes are wasted votes, IMO.
Actually, I think we all know what it means to be conservative, but the sad fact is that we (as a group) are also shamefully ignorant.
It is not at all difficult to find genuine, patriotic conservatives; this forum is full of them. And there are plenty more out there in general public land as well.
It's just that we are so darned ignorant that we will continue to nominate quasi-conservative globalists for public office, as if maybe THIS time, things will finally work out in our favor.
LOL!
The joke is on us AGAIN just like ol' Charlie Brown trusting Lucy AGAIN to hold the ball for him.