Posted on 06/13/2002 8:27:39 AM PDT by christine
He hits on the paralyzing paradox of today's conservatives. Revolutionaries, yes. Reluctant ones. But at the same time conservative, abhoring revolutionary change. The end effect is the paralysis and the absurdity he notes of wanting to preserve something that's already lost. Time to wake up and smell the latte FReepers. We are all, or most of us, old fashioned dissidents longing for truly revolutionary change.
The political sides in this conflict have long assumed comfortable positions, the Left are the revolutionaries and the Right are the guardians of the old. Except that as Farah notes there is no old to guard and the reveolution is now the Establishment. Note the poses of the Clintonites when in power. They were the establishment and yet they were posing, quite successfully at that, as dissidents. And we, many of us, played along. It's time to subvert the dominant paradigm, I say.
So where do we 'draw the line'????
Should we elect rapists or murderers...if they are members of the Republican Party..and could 'help retake the Senate'???
At what point do you say 'this far and no further'???
Must every single American 'prostitute' themselves in order for one political party (one which on CLOSE examination is no different than the other one) to 'control' government???
I have certain values and beliefs...based upon my Belief in God.
Should I just throw those Beliefs and Values away...and close my eyes....just so the Republicans can win???
The basis of this Nation is a hardcore belief that the values and ideals (sorry to use that word..ideals...seems that word anymore has the same effect on Republicans as a Cross does to evil) that founded this Nation are important....
redrock
The idea of compromising one's principles for the "big picture" is very appealing. However, it is just such compromise that has gotten us into our current, sorry condition.
The Republicans have had way too many chances to effect significant change towards better values and upholding the rule of law. They have failed miserably.
I will find other ways to effect the changes I seek. No more compromise for me.
It's not sad, its the real world. You can howl at the moon and spew all the radical rhetoric you want, it doesn't do any good and doesn't get us any closer to real change. You're not the only one whose frustrated with the Beltway politics of gridlock, but most of us understand, the political process is slow and change doesn't come overnight. FreeRepublic is a conservative website, that champion causes which further conservatism in America. If you don't work to get viable conservative Republican candidates elected, whats your alternative plan? The choices are limited. What's left is either Democrats or a third party candidate, that is usually nothing but a protest candidate, who has no chance of getting elected. You can't just snap your fingers and think America will return to its founding roots of a constitutional republic. So what's your plan? If you don't work within the exisitng system, then what do you suggest be done? You want a revolution, may be?
Compromise is at the heart of American politics and has been since the days of the Founding Fathers. If you don't negotiate and compromise in politics you'll never get anything accomplished. The current gridlock in Wash-DC, doesn't make that change any easier.
Remember what Reagan said about compromise:
"When I began entering into the give and take of legislative bargaining in Sacramento, a lot of the most radical conservatives who had supported me during the election didn't like it. "Compromise" was a dirty word to them and they wouldn't face the fact that we couldn't get all of what we wanted today. They wanted all or nothing and they wanted it all at once. If you don't get it all, some said, don't take anything.
"I'd learned while negotiating union contracts that you seldom got everything you asked for. I have no expectations of making a hit every time I come to bat. What I seek is the highest possible batting average. "If you got seventy-five or eighty percent of what you were asking for, I say, you take it and fight for the rest later, and that's what I told these radical conservatives who never got used to it."
Ronald Reagan, from his autobiography, An American Life
You're good at pointing fingers and blaming others, but exactly, what is your plan to bring effectual change to America's political system?
You haven't answered ONE of my questions...but I will answer one of yours.
Especially since it seems to be the 'creed' of all the Republican cowards....seemingly asking the same question over and over again as if the mantra will stifle all those who dare ask questions.
One by one...those of us who believe in the ideals (sorry..there goes that word again) that Founded this Nation...just need to stand up and refuse to compromise any further.
It does not take a violent revolution to take back our Nation..and to enforce the Constitution..but it does take courage.
It will not happen overnight...but it is far better to take a stand on principles...then to (as is evident in the Republican Party) let be known that your principles and ideals are for sale.
redrock
It's so nice that you discard the primary law of the land in favor of party politics. You must be so proud of the GOP's complicity in our progression towards Socialism and group rights, and away from FReedom and individual Liberty.
And if and/or when that happens, we STILL won't see any major (or even intermediate) steps towards Constitutionally-limited government, reversing the successes of the Progressive Socialist movement, or reasserting individual rights over group (or even animal) rights. We'll get more weak leadership (Lott), more excuses (too many RINO's?), more back-room deals (passing as much as we repeal), and more "compassionate" Socialism proposed and passed by "conservatives".
The point of the article was that revolutionary changes are necessary to re-institute the Constitution, not more political maneuvering. No significant amount of Liberty has ever been won (and retained) at the ballot box.
Wow, more name calling. I see I've wasted my time attempting to engage you in a mature disussion. It's obvious you can't answer my question either, because you have no plan whatsoever, just a bunch of worn out radical rhetoric. Typical for a fringe extremist. You don't understand politics, human nature or life itself. In your desire to sound cool, you rattle off more of the same endless nonsense.
Eat good food....(NO fast food).
See ya...
redrock
You can talk about the constitution, you can talk about philosophy and you can talk about ideology all you want, but without political victory, you'll never have any power or influence to effect change. Wake up!
>>>Progressive Socialist movement... progression towards Socialism... "compassionate" Socialism
What horses**t!
>>>The point of the article was that revolutionary changes are necessary to re-institute the Constitution...
At least your honest.
So when does this revolution of yours start?
Just as soon as they can defeat the evil republicans and deliver all 3 branches to the democrats. That will be the moment that the entire country "comes to its collective sense" and joins the 2nd revolution. It is a brilliant plan and its logic is impeccable. I am surprised that you don't see it.
I'm surprised too. It never crossed my mind. ;^)
We are way past changing the political system in this country. Over the last 5 or 6 decades, the two parties have seen to it that they are self-perpetuating. They have written the rules that effectively thwart any serious challengers. After much consideration, I have abandoned the idea of changing the system through the ballot box.
There are other, more effective means available. Americans who really care about their values, and the inheritance of their children have just about had a belly full of status-quo politics. I'm just getting ready for the inevitable.
BTW, Reagan wasn't/isn't some kind of god, he wasn't even a particularly great president, unless you look at him in relative terms. It's easy to stand out in a weak crowd.
Quite a deluded philosophy.
---max
The problem is/was that while the people had a chicken in their pot, they were unaware that the politicians were eating Prime Rib.
The "Great Depression" is yet another historical example of government causing a problem and then purporting to be the solution. Not unlike what we have today.
---max
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