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Some people wonder why Republicans don't act quite as conservative once they get hold of the reins.

They really shouldn't have to wonder. Power corrupts.

It's exactly the same phenomenon that turns businesspeople -- who are mistakenly identified as "conservatives" or "capitalists" by those who haven't been paying attention -- into boosters for higher taxes and more government intervention into economic activities.

Just as long as their business will benefit.

Putting more business-oriented conservatives into office is offered as one solution to saving rotting old cities. I don't see that trading one form of corruption (silly labor rules, prevailing wages, etc.) for another (special land deals, tax abatements) will make them any better to live in. Only for the favored, wealthy few.

I think you're right. We talk a lot about "originalists" on the SCOTUS, and of course I agree that that's important. But we also need "originalists" in the hallways of Congress. We need people who have read and understand the Constitution, understand their limits and will enact legislation that is within those limits.

Unfortunately, what we have all too often are people who want to confuse us with non-issues and act for their own good or the good of their friends and associates rather than acting within the bounds of a limited government.

For many or most of us on FreeRepublic, our ideals and principles are contrary to what the government stands for and where it's going. We are dinosaurs, and the concepts of liberty and limited government are rapidly approaching subversive.

I expect at some point quoting the Constitution will become an arrestable offense.