Comments on: We Are the Problem We Need to Solve http://www.redstate.com/1sgintn/2008/11/17/we-are-the-problem-we-need-to-solve/ Wed, 12 May 2010 22:01:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: 1SGinTN http://www.redstate.com/1sgintn/2008/11/17/we-are-the-problem-we-need-to-solve/#comment-2 1SGinTN Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:50:41 +0000 #comment-2 <p>The easy answer to your question is illustrated in the results of the 2006 & 2008 elections. The quicker Conservatives realize that and agree on what those principles are, the sooner we get to make the governing descisions. I think rs is making that happen in our corner of Conservatism. </p> The easy answer to your question is illustrated in the results of the 2006 & 2008 elections. The quicker Conservatives realize that and agree on what those principles are, the sooner we get to make the governing descisions. I think rs is making that happen in our corner of Conservatism.

]]> By: Watts59 http://www.redstate.com/1sgintn/2008/11/17/we-are-the-problem-we-need-to-solve/#comment-1 Watts59 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:23:54 +0000 #comment-1 <p>I have four children over the age of 11. I have tried to instill in them a work ethic, and the idea that every action has a consequence.</p> <p>I am not sure that I am succeeding. Sometimes it seems that one of them "get's it", and then the next week/day/hour they do or say something that convinces me that "no, they don't".</p> <p>I especially enjoyed your phrasing in the following paragraph, since it seems to be the foundation of what I'm trying to teach my children - thank you.</p> <blockquote> <p>The Republican Party has sometimes been termed the ‘adult party’, because of its reliance on principles. Mature and disciplined behavior is characterized by a focus on the long term, delays gratification for a more beneficial result later, and is no stranger to sacrifice. </p> </blockquote> <p>I'm not so sure that one can say this about the Republican Party any more - yet, it is probably still true of Republicans as a whole.</p> <blockquote> <p>The Democratic Party, on the other hand, is a party of ‘right now’, ready to pander to man’s baser instincts. A focus on short-term benefits will cause us to lurch from crisis to crisis in an incoherent manner. Incoherent in terms of adhering to any principles other than instant gratification and pain avoidance, that is. The failure to accept the consequences of a course of action cannot be deferred indefinitely.</p> </blockquote> <p>What happens, however, when the principled party eschews the very principles that it is founded on, and becomes what it says that it hates?</p> I have four children over the age of 11. I have tried to instill in them a work ethic, and the idea that every action has a consequence.

I am not sure that I am succeeding. Sometimes it seems that one of them “get’s it”, and then the next week/day/hour they do or say something that convinces me that “no, they don’t”.

I especially enjoyed your phrasing in the following paragraph, since it seems to be the foundation of what I’m trying to teach my children – thank you.

The Republican Party has sometimes been termed the ‘adult party’, because of its reliance on principles. Mature and disciplined behavior is characterized by a focus on the long term, delays gratification for a more beneficial result later, and is no stranger to sacrifice.

I’m not so sure that one can say this about the Republican Party any more – yet, it is probably still true of Republicans as a whole.

The Democratic Party, on the other hand, is a party of ‘right now’, ready to pander to man’s baser instincts. A focus on short-term benefits will cause us to lurch from crisis to crisis in an incoherent manner. Incoherent in terms of adhering to any principles other than instant gratification and pain avoidance, that is. The failure to accept the consequences of a course of action cannot be deferred indefinitely.

What happens, however, when the principled party eschews the very principles that it is founded on, and becomes what it says that it hates?

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