[marron]

The Republican Party is historically a coalition between Christians, capitalists, true-believers (he calls them neo-conservatives, but they have always been with us) and pragmatic libertarians. That is the alliance that is the Republican Party. There is always tension between the various currents within the party, but the mixture is more complex than he admits or recognizes, as most people fall into more than one category, and embody more than one current of thought simultaneously.

This makes for a very active philosophical debate, that continues over the generations, as the various currents hammer out a rolling consensus.

[My2Cents]

Very good analysis. Way better than the article, and in greater touch with reality.

[gitmo]

The Republican Party is historically a coalition between Christians, capitalists, true-believers (he calls them neo-conservatives, but they have always been with us) and pragmatic libertarians. ... the mixture is more complex than he admits or recognizes, as most people fall into more than one category ...

Exactly right. My political views are strongly influenced by my Christian beliefs, I am an unswerving Capitalist, I still don't understand what the heck a neo-conservative is, and I would describe myself as a pragmatic libertarian. Some folks claim these are incompatable, but I think that describes the Founding Fathers quite well.