Posted on 02/19/2008 4:55:34 PM PST by K-oneTexas
Why I Will Vote for McCain Conservative resolve (mine, not his).
By Daniel Oliver
John McCain is not a conservative, but I will vote for him anyway.
After all, in 1952, conservatives, grumbling that Ohio senator Robert “Mr. Republican” Taft had not been nominated, voted for Eisenhower because he was clearly the better alternative to Adlai Stevenson. And they voted for Ike again over Stevenson in 1956.
In 1971, a Who’s Who of conservatives, including the senior editors of National Review, suspended their support of President Nixon because of both his domestic-policy failures and his tendencies in foreign policy.
In 1972, however, National Review endorsed the reelection of Nixon, describing the Democratic candidate, George McGovern, as “not something with which a grown-up superpower can play.”
Was Eisenhower a conservative? No. Nixon? No. Bush (either one)? No. McCain? No. Republicans, yes — it’s a famously big tent — and with some conservative positions. But having conservative positions is not the same as being a conservative.
What is a conservative? Essentially, someone who is temperamentally suspicious of government. That’s why conservatives argue for limited government, economic freedom, low taxes, and fewer regulations. The bumper-sticker version might be: “If in doubt, keep government out.” That demonstrates a healthy skepticism of both government’s competence (think Katrina clean-up) and its fuzzy benevolence, which generally involves toying with any activity that begins with the letters A through Z, scolding people for their behavior (and, er, persuading them to change it), or redistributing their wealth.
The skeptical view of the redistributionist function of government can be described, with apologies to William Graham Sumner, as A and B deciding how much C should give to D.
The behavior-modification efforts of government can be seen in innumerable campaigns and diktats like anti-smoking and anti-obesity crusades and campaign-financing laws.
A useful rule of thumb is: No one who voted for, or signed, the McCain-Feingold Act can be considered a conservative. Unless he recants and repents.
John McCain also opposed Bush’s tax cuts (though his vote may have been less an anti-tax-cut vote than an intemperate anti-Bush vote — but that is not good either) and he favors global-warming programs that most conservatives think are foolish and harmful (if in doubt, keep government out). And — sigh! — he favors importing prescription drugs from Canada, which is not just economic nonsense of the first order but suggests college-level economic illiteracy.
Nevertheless, McCain is clearly a Republican, with some conservative positions. He has promised to appoint judges who will interpret the law, not make it. He has promised to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. And he has promised to fight government spending, to veto any bill with earmarks, and to roll back entitlement programs—positions that, these days, it is an act of nostalgia to describe as “Republican.”
Meanwhile, Senator Barack Obama has been named the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate by National Journal. Senator Clinton can’t be far behind. Against them, Senator McCain would seem the obvious choice for conservatives. But some of them think a term or two in the political wilderness would be beneficial.
Conservatives have been here before. As National Review said in 1972, “There are those, including some of our colleagues, who believe that four years of McGovern would catalyze a recrudescent conservatism. We disagree that the chance is worth taking. McGovern is the erector set of big-think intellectuals, otherworldly dreamers, and children. Belloc warned that dangerous toys should not be given to little boys.”
Senator McCain might help his cause with conservatives if he stopped calling himself a conservative. He is damaging their brand name. And conservatives should stop, now, demanding that he be a conservative: that is not a condition precedent for being the better choice for president. Conservatives should remember that the fault McCain is not a conservative is partly their own: They have not succeeded in making conservatism the iPod in the marketplace of political philosophies.
To conservatives, John McCain sounds like the Devil. That is his fault, not theirs. He has dissed them and enjoyed it. That is not presidential, and if he does not stop he will not be president. He should make—and is making—amends, and not for his own sake, or for the conservatives’, but for the country’s.
It is time for conservatives to accept reality (accepting reality is another conservative trait); and the reality is (1) John McCain will be the Republican nominee for president and (2) he will make a far better president than the Democratic alternative.
Dangerous toys should not be given to little boys.
Or to little girls.
— Daniel Oliver was chairman of the Federal Trade Commission under President Reagan. He is now a senior director at White House Writers Group and chairman of the board of National Review.
Let me see if I understand this point:
If a man sticks to principle and remains true to his conscience, then that is “throwing a hissy fit”...
If a man betrays his principles and champions a more gracious tyrant so to be free from the tyranny of a lesser refined despot, then that is being “heroic” and “wise”...
Ok, I get it now. Thanks for the clarification.
Would you care for the devil’s private line... I think you two might have a great deal in common to discuss... you know, “lesser evils” and such.
Cheers.
I knew this last part, but not the exact trail leading to it. Thanks!
It is just so frustrating to think about all of these politicians racing to sell us out. Lately, I've been trying to figure out how the tribes, and tribal lands, play into their grand scheme.
All of this does conflict with restful sleep. ;-)
An radical attorney told me back in the 80’s never to use your Zip Code when writing to a Court or other governmental agency/organization.
The estimated population of the United States is 304,412,443
so each citizen’s share of this debt is $30,540.02.
The National Debt has continued to increase an average of
$1.55 billion per day since September 29, 2006!
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
To read later.
Uh, grow up? As a mature adult, I recognize that life doesn’t always work out perfectly like you apparently do. If this were Heaven, then maybe it would be so, I live in the real world and make real choices based on actual, real options that are available. And if you are a true conservative, you’ll take a gander at what the Democrats are going to do to this country if they get into the White House and you’ll vote for McCain.
I have to say this, even though it’s going to get long-winded here. Back during the 2nd election for “W,” there was a huge pastor’s conference held in Southern California. A pastor from Uzbekestan came and spoke before the group; he was talking about life in Uzbekestan and how it would radically change if Bush were not elected. That’s because Bush made a lot of people nervous - they knew he wouldn’t just try to “dialogue” with everyone all the time. Listening to Obama AND Hillary, I keep hearing how they are going to do all this stuff that’s going to make everyone love, love, love the U.S. They say everything but the “lion shall lie down with the lamb.” I know from talking to many people that are missionaries in some of these chaotic and distressed places that the person occupying the position of President of the U.S. can make others feel more or less emboldened. Because Hillary and Obama are both on the left, the terrorists and other America haters are going to feel far more emboldened. In fact, I am going to go so far as to make a prediction - if either Obama or Hillary make it, travel is going to become a nightmare - I think there will be many, many more suicide bombings, attempts made here, and, most certainly, abroad. I AM a conservative, but more importantly, I AM a patriot, and I love my country, and THIS is why I will vote for McCain. “Conservativism” is a means to an end for me - it is a values system that will, in my humble opinion, provide us with the best hope we have for keeping us safe and secure.
If you are planning on staying home this November and stewing in your self-righteous, conservative, juices, I hope you will rethink this by then.
That’s going to happen no matter who gets in. I am adamantly opposed to this but if you think for one minute that the Dems aren’t going to do this as well, think again.
BTW, have you recently listened to all the things Obama is going to do for us - like give all students $4,000 a year for college - I’m sure that’ll include the illegals as well.
The only good thing I can say about the illegals being naturalized is if we can get them “on the books” then maybe, we can at least get some taxes out of them. I’d like to see them all get put out, but I realize that the reality of that is a pipe dream.
And, bottom line to you and others that are thinking your thoughts, taxes will be meaningless if we have no security in this country. Do you not get this?
All of a sudden Presidents get everything they want. And you want me to believe that a rookie empty suit is going to be more successful than a seasoned Senator with a strong track record of getting his unConstitutional and heavily socialist programs written into law?
FWIW That kind of defeatist attitude has no influence on my thinking. It's just one aspect of fear mongering and I have as little use for fear as I do for the kind of hope Obamarama is selling. It's all snake oil.
Okay, you call it defeatist and I see it as the plain reality of what will happen. I’ve been around long enough to know that (1) life doesn’t always work out the way you like; (2) nothing stays the same - nothing and the most importan tof all, (3) God is ultimately sovereign so even if things get really bad (and I believe at some point they are - whether I am alive to see it or not is another thing) but that is why I as a Christian always have hope.
P.S. If you think we are going to be able to round up all the illegals and get them out of here, I want you to tell me where we’re going to get all the extra police or immigration or other law enforcement individuals to first fine the aliens, then detain them, then process them or whatever administrative work needs to be done, and then transport them ALL. Ideally, I’d like to see it done, but I think we are starting this too late into the game. We need to make sure we don’t let more in and change the laws so they don’t have as many reasons to come (e.g. if you are an illegal and your child is born here, he/she does NOT automatically become an American citizen).
Sorry for the lengthy response. If you have a plan that you think will work, feel free to share.
“rookie empty suit” ?????
LOL That may sound a bit redundant but I was comparing him to a more experienced empty suit.
This ain’t 1952! This ain’t 1972! This ain’t 1992!
McCain and his 2008 primary votes are worth exactly as much as his votes in those other years were.....zero.
It ain’t gonna happen this year, and that is the good news. If McCain does pull it out somehow in 2008, the bad news is even worse for true conservatives.
Somehow, you cannot see it now, but McCain as president is a very very bad thing. Simply look at what he is all about.
It is a loser situation for conservatives.
Build for the future.
I completely agree with points #1 and #2 and my confidence in karma makes hope and fear both distractions rooted in focusing on the past or future. Without distractions I can focus on what is and take action from that clarity of mind. Since there isn't anything else I could do that would be better I don't need to worry about anything. The past is gone, the future is yet to be and I've taken action in the best way I'm capable of.
P.S. If you think we are going to be able to round up all the illegals and get them out of here, ...
You should have spent some time on the threads keyworded "aliens" last year. No one who is serious about the borders/illegal aliens issue (and I am serious about it) suggests or believes in rounding them all up and deporting them. It doesn't make sense.
Enforce the laws that exist.
Deport on contact.
Build and man a border security fence.
If the jobs dry up the illegals will deport themselves very quickly at their own expense. Many paid as much as $5,000 to get here they can afford to go home with their earnings that will buy them five times as much there. If they can send home 60% of Mexicos's GDP they aren't poor. If we crack down on employers and dry up the jobs and stop paying free everything else they won't spend time hanging around getting poor. It is that simple and the argument you tried to use is a straw man the open borders crowd loves to use. McCain and Geraldo Rivera are almost the only two left with the brass to use it publically anymore.
You sound like a caring and thoughtful person. I don’t want to argue with you. You have some very legitimate fears and I share them. The difference between us is that you see McCain as the lesser of three evils and I see him as the greater of three evils. I fear a wolf in sheep’s clothing far more than wolf wearing his own skin. Clinton, Obama, and McCain are all bent on changing the face of this nation in a decidedly un-conservative manner. If McCain is allowed to lead that charge, he will do so under the Republican banner. That makes him more dangerous to the conservative cause than either of the other two. It stinks to high heaven — and the only way to make a rose garden out of it is to work toward and anti-liberal backlash in Congress. Voting is not just a right, it’s a responsibility ... and I don’t take it lightly. I won’t be sitting at home stewing in anything, self-righteous or otherwise. More likely I will be organizing a protest or 3rd party vote. I know you’ll blame me, and people like me, when McCain doesn’t win the election ... I only hope some day you’ll understand the “why” of it. If nothing else, I know I can count on you in the effort to balance the Whitehouse via the House and Senate.
I agree 100% with your bold statements:
Enforce the laws that exist.
Deport on contact.
Build and man a border security fence.
However, as a Christian, I don’t believe in karma. I believe in reaping what one sows however and that’s exactly why I’m so terrified that if we get too worked up about how non-perfect the Republican candidate is, we’ll be forced to live under whatever mess Hillary and Obama have in store for us.
Have you heard all the things they say they’re going to do?
It’s mind boggling - Hillary says we’re going to get all this child care and elder care and Obama says $4K for every college student every year and it goes on and on..... who the #$% is going to pay for this? Well, you know it’s not going to be most of THEIR constituency. I always find it amusing that the Dems’ constitency is made up half of total loser/slacker/druggie/unemployed-because-hey-I’m-too-good-to-work-at-McDonalds types but the other half is the lefty celebrity/entertainment people who have so much money, ala Oprah,Spielberg, and etc. that they don’t give a hoot how much Middle America’s taxes go up - that’s just a couple of meals out for THEM!!!!
Okay, sorry, but I get a little testy about this these days. Also, I’m in OHIO, and I am hurling at the love-fest going on with our paper here in Cleveland. One day the headline (I kid you not - headline/front page) was how Obama t-shirts have been selling so much better than Hillary shirts that you can’t find Hill shirts. Then, the next day, the headline (again, kidding aside) is about Obama in Youngstown (very oppressed Ohio city) and on page A3 or so, they have a full page of this clap-trap, and three huge photos of just one young black woman who is just enthralled at Obama and smiling and taking pictures. Yep, this is what we get to read here in Cleveland.
Anyway, it looks like we agree WAY more than we disagree. Have a nice day.
I think you have the same beliefs as many Americans so to keep me informed and help me understand, why oh why would you think that McCain is scarier than Hillary or Obama? I think his stance on terror is great. He also was for protecting our telecom companies from litigation. Obama voted against it and Hillary wimped out on the vote. Everything I hear and see Obama do looks like he’s on the side of the Islamic terrorists. And besides that, both he and Hillary want to take every last dime we make so we can pay for elder care, child care, college for all American students, and double the $ we spend on global poverty (that’s on Obama’s website) to $50B - yes that’s a B. Not U.S. poverty, mind you but gloval.
I don’t want to argue either. Most of us on this site are united in the important things, which is why I love Free Republic. I guess I want to make sure our real Republic stays free and safe - freedom and safety are the two key things - without them, you have nothing else.
You don't believe that actions have consequences?
I believe in reaping what one sows...
That is karma.
Doens’t Ohio have a lot of illegal aliens? I drove through there a few years ago, along with Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska, and I saw tons of them. A lot more than you will see in CO or NM with which I am very familiar. Those are the ones who will be soaking up entitlements even more when they are naturalized. They also won’t be willing to work those jobs when they have to pay all the fees, taxes and insurance coverages that legal citizens pay. And their employers won’t want to pay them higher wages on top of their increased costs in taxes and insurance coverage that they are required to pay on citizen employees. They will be looking for 10 - 20 million illegals to replace them regardless of any “comprehensive immigration reform.” The newly minted citizens will experience a lot more unemployment requiring more entitlements to keep them afloat. We are going to get all of that with HillObamaCain. McCain is inarguably the strongest on that.
No. You are wrong about karma. Karma is very different from reaping what one sows. Karma is about how you will come back reincarnated at a level based on what you did in your previous incarnation - it is absolutely unChristian. A lot of people use the term very loosely but it does have a very specific an unique meaning.
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