From the diaries by Erick.
Apparently, there really is nothing new under the sun.
Reading this book, “Conscience of A Conservative,” which was published in 1960 is like reading something published in 2009. The problems in the political arena are the same. The only difference is that we seem to be further behind in learning some crucial lessons.
George W. Bush wasn’t the first political leader to embarrassingly try to put a new, shiny face on Conservatism when he called for “Compassionate Conservatism.” In Chapter One of the book, Senator Goldwater cited similar chastisements from Nixon and Eisenhower. Goldwater wrote:
“These formulations are tantamount to an admission that Conservatives is a narrow, mechanistic economic theory that may work very well as a bookkeeper’s guide, but cannot be relied upon as a comprehensive political philosophy.”
Back in Goldwater’s time, the Liberals were claiming that they were the ones focused on people. The Conservatives were only concerned about the “preservation of economic privilege.” So, apparently this Republican branding issue is not new.
This is where Goldwater then begins to build the argument for the differences between Liberals and Conservatives and it is a fascinating one:
“The root difference between the Conservatives and the Liberals of today is that Conservatives take account of the whole man, while the Liberals tend to look only at the material side of man’s nature. The Conservative believes that man is, in part, an economic, an animal creature; but that he is also a spiritual creature with spiritual needs and spiritual desires. What is more, these needs and desires reflect the superior side of man’s nature, and thus take precedence over his economic wants. Conservatism therefore looks upon the enhancement of man’s spiritual nature as the primary concern of political philosophy. Liberals, on the other hand, – in the name of “concern for “human beings” — regard the satisfaction of economic wants as the dominant mission of society.“
Wow. Insert howls of opposition from the Liberals.
The ability to understand all of this is tied back to one’s view of the nature of man, Goldwater believed. Indeed, Goldwater says it is the “first obligation of a political thinker to understand the nature of man.” And what is this nature of man? Goldwater reviews what we know about man:
1. “The Conservative knows that to regard man as part of an undifferentiated mass is to consign him to ultimate slavery.”
Each member of the species is a unique creature with a soul. When you think of people only as a member of the group, you dehumanize their abilities, dreams and desires. Group assignment becomes a necessary step towards achieving the greater good over the triumph of the individual.
2. “…the economic and spiritual aspects of man’s nature an inextricably intertwined. He cannot be economically free, or even economically efficient, if he is enslaved politically; conversely, man’s political freedom is illusory if he is dependent for his economic needs on the state.”
Re-read that. When we rely on the state for our economic needs, our political freedom is only an illusion. The more I read from this book, the more I realize the universal truth imparted in it. We like to think that we are living in unique times and, in some ways, I’m sure we are. However, it is enlightening to see that these are the same overarching issues that he was addressing fifty years ago! Apparently, each generation has to re-learn the lessons.
3. “…man’s development, in both its spiritual and material aspects, is not something that can be directed by outside forces. Every man, for his individual good and for the good of his society, is responsible for his own development. The choices that govern his life are choices that he must make; they cannot be made by any other human being, or by a collectivity of human beings.”
That statement harkens back to the Lincoln quotation that Erick used a few weeks ago, “This cause is that every man can make himself.” In the echo chamber in which we now live that quotation seems to reverberate.
Finally, Goldwater goes on to entitle the book and summarize its message:
“The Conscience of the Conservative is pricked by anyone who would debase the dignity of the individual human being. Today, therefore, he is at odds with dictators who rule by terror, and equally with those gentler collectivists who ask our permission to play God with the human race.”
In that statement, we see the reasons for the outrage that is manifesting itself throughout our society. This government is debasing the dignity of the individual by expanding the horrors of abortion and embryonic stem cell research, legislating the “Robin Hood Principle,” and turning their backs on efforts to expand freedom. By doing this, they are stifling the individual’s desire for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
What is it that Conservatives want from their government? The answer is simple, according to Goldwater:
“…the Conservative looks upon politics as the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.”
But, given the times in which we live, one has to wonder: what is the minimum amount of freedom for an individual that is consistent with the maintenance of social order?
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
This is the question that separates libertarians from conservatives...
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 3:34PM EST (link)And the answer lies squarely in federalism…if we embrace federalism as a party all of the m embers of our grand coalition will be able to reach their own conclusions to this question in different States.
yeah the founders were smart…too bad we don’t listen well.
Oh and 5 and recommended and all that…good job RedinaBlueState.
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
Thank you!
RedInABleuState (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 7:59PM EST (link)Appreciate the comments.
The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion. — Edmund Burke
It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds. — Samuel Adams
Why is it nec. to bash Bush?
Jwt4412 Monday, March 23rd at 3:59PM EST (link)After 2 months of true incompetence… isn’t time to let go of the idea that Bush was bad?
The Press said he was bad… the Press said Obama was good…
Stop beating up the man… it is getting old.
It Is What It Is…
Jwt4412...is that all you got out of the diary??...sad...
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:05PM EST (link)Oh by the way…how is “Compassionate Conservatism” working out for ya??
I think this went pretty light on “Bush Bashing”…I think you may be a bit touchy.
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
I too find it interesting that "Bush bashing"
redware Monday, March 23rd at 4:20PM EST (link)is what you seemed to find most compelled to write about from this article.Of course Bush’s abandonment of conservative principles pales into insignificance when compared to Obama’s slide to socialism.But he should be castigated for those times he did.Compassionate conservatism helped grow the size and scope of our governmetand the federal deficit,and nearly resulted in the “Amnesty Bill”.That said I probably bashed Bush more in this post than did the original!
Because...
kyle8 (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 5:00PM EST (link)It was Bush’s many failures (and the Senate Republicans as well) that gave us Obama.
If he had not screwed up so much there is no way this unqualified socialist could have been elected.
BTW: while I am casting blame, a lot goes to whomever of us voted for McCain in those early primaries. What the hell were you thinking?
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
a lot more than that gave us Obama - more later -nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 5:13PM EST (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Bush Bashing?
RedInABleuState (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 5:19PM EST (link)Sorry, I don’t think it’s “Bashing Bush” to say that I didn’t agree with his “Compassionate Conservative” label.
As a supporter of his Presidency and someone who worked hard on the grassroots level to get him elected in 2000 and 2004, I still found some things to disagree with him on throughout the years. That label was one of them.
Blind faith in any one given man — President or not — isn’t cute. I thought we’d learned that already.
And, really, that’s not what this diary was about anyway….
The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion. — Edmund Burke
It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds. — Samuel Adams
Dear sir,
Jwt4412 Monday, March 23rd at 7:37PM EST (link)“first political leader to embarrassingly try to put a new, shiny face on Conservatism”
Start bashing the guy – I tune out.
His shiny face got him elected – the shlubs in the Senate screwed the pooch. He won more elections then he lost. He won more battles that he lost.
Kicking dirt on his legacy proves nothing more than if you were saying Lincoln spoke very oddly or Lincoln couldn’t hire a good general…
The line wasn’t neccessary – it was a throw away line that didn’t need to be said. It is like, I am willing to bash Bush, so my opinion has more value… listen to me now.
It’s cheap.
It Is What It Is…
Freedom!
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:09PM EST (link)It was once posed, “Give me liberty or give me death”. It is worth dying for. 53% of Americans have forgotten that.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
5 ∞ ....nt
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:14PM EST (link)conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
That...
RedInABleuState (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 8:00PM EST (link)…never gets old!
The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion. — Edmund Burke
It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds. — Samuel Adams
BTW Well deserved FP...nt
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:15PM EST (link)conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
Nothing new as you say
olsmithie (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:45PM EST (link)very old and very wise thoughts.
A man who is enslaved economically is enslaved as well as he who has chains around his ankle.
Economic freedom is indeed essential to true freedom.
A very troubling thought when one considers the current percentage of the population who are in debt up to their eyeballs.
Many can barely carry the interest load, much less pay off the principle.
Very clear why the credit card companies spend 100′s of millions a year on advertising.
The “Great Society” with its plan to destroy the family and forever shackle persons with its vote buying flies in the face of moral and character.
Replacing the spiritual side of a man is necessary if the state is to become parent and provider, the plotters of such perversion must kill the spirit of self reliance in any aspect possible if they are to be successful.
Thanks for posting this diary, keep beating the drum.
GWB 1 and 2 and others keep trying to paint their own take on conservatism, but principles do not change, only people change.
Regards
Bush was a good Prez!
alanh (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 6:01PM EST (link)Bush defended this country against further terror attacks. He liquidated two of the most odious dictatorships in the history of mankind. Under him, the American economy recovered from the recession of 2001 – which under someone like Obama could’ve easily translated into depression. Bush’s economy was humming for 50 straight months with stocks rising and economy expanding at previously unseen rates.
What goes up must come down. I didn’t like Bush’s discretionary spending. But in comparison with Obama, Bush was a paragon of frugality. And let’s not forget that he was fighting two wars. Morevoer, the economy had to slow down sooner or later. This is thumb rule of the market. It climbs, reaches apex, then slides, then revs up again. Had the government left the market alone, I believe by now we would be well on the way out of recession and the Dow would be at above 10,000. But no, someone had to use the crisis as an opportunity to impose socialism on America.
If nothing else, Barak Obama will teach the American people a sound lesson on socialism and the dangers of celebrity politics.Never again, will we elect “a community organizer” to presidency.There’s a pendulum effect here. It’s better to have an incompetent hack like Obama rather than at Stalin-type genius who would skillfully shut off the opportunities to GOP comeback.
And come back we will!
Pick up a copy of the Anti-Federalist Papers
phxg (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 6:04PM EST (link)Talk about prophetic.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. –Aristotle
Great post
antisocial (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 6:40PM EST (link)nt
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
Old reminders
davod Monday, March 23rd at 7:18PM EST (link)I was watching a film from the 1940s the other night. One of the Dr. Kildare series. Imagine my surprise to discover the plot has Dr. Kildare being sued by a woman he worked on at the scene of a car accident.
And I thought this was a much later curse from the legal community.
DAVOD
There's nothing new under the sun
Erick Brockway (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 7:30PM EST (link)The Statist’s playbook is as old as that of the Prince of the Earth.
Convince Man that he’s just another animal, then nothing will ever really matter again. If nobody sees your hate, what difference will it make? If they hate as you do, you become a hero. If they hate and you don’t, you become the enemy. If you hate, you join them but on different sides.
Group men like animals, instead of Genus and Species, it’s Race and Wealth. If Ability = wealth, diminish ability, or take wealth.
If a person is good but disagrees, make them to be evil (racist, sexist, homophobe), not wanting to offend, good often caves or refuses to stand.
Good people took over in ’94, and caved to the demonization eventually, which gave us “Compassionate Conservationism”.
“We like you too, not just THEM!”
They’ve exposed themselves for all to see in just two months. Now to just get those who refuse to look to see.
Note to lefties;
“Don’t be afraid to see what you see.” -Ronald Reagan
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Loved this diary and those who saw Bush bashing....
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 8:09PM EST (link)did NOT read it. If anyone thinks that “Compassionate” Conservatism is anything more than liberalism with a tax cut conservative mentality is BLIND!
I do believe it was once called Rockefeller Republicans…history folks pay attention! Conservatism all by ITS SELF is COMPASSIONATE! We free people around the world, we protect the lives of the innocent, we let people keep their money…..WE DO NOT GROW GOVERNMENT! The bulk of people on this site made sure Bush won in 2004 so that Francois Kerry did NOT destroy us but than that supposed “compassionate” (liberal) portion of Bush’s agenda with the amnesty and a new prescription drug program left him limp for the last two years on anything BUT Iraq because We The People will NEVER let the troops down again is why he won those battles! I am disgusted when I hear compassionate conservative as IF we Conservatives are not at all and it needs to be defined!
Ignore those who see a Bush bashing and know that you wrote a great diary!
Unified Patriots – How-To:
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Conservatives don't win with just conservatives alone.
Jwt4412 Monday, March 23rd at 8:19PM EST (link)Reagan would not measure up to your standard. You know that don’t you?
Bush was a fine President.
Bush lost his mojo because of only imigration and prescription drugs? What color is the sky in your world?
“Conservatives” only had a shot at the prize because of the work that W. and other Republicans did in turning TEXAS and all of its seats RED. If W. wasn’t the politician and leader he was – you wouldn’t be having the wet dreams about “Conservative” world domination that you are having today.
Folks like you are turning “Conservative” into a bad word because of how narrow you want to define it.
Reagan Democrats wouldn’t recognize the crap you are spewing… get a clue as to how the world works.
It Is What It Is…
If you ever address me with the words wet dreams again...
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 8:23PM EST (link)I will personally ask the Directors to knock you off of this site I will not be offended by your nastiness UNDERSTOOD!
Conservatives are just that Conservatives nothing more not Reagan Democrats, not “Compassionate” nothing BUT Conservatives PERIOD!
Unified Patriots – How-To:
Activists Taking Action
Really? Are you serious?
Jwt4412 Monday, March 23rd at 9:46PM EST (link)You are in Marketing, right?
Conservatives are at most 30% of the voting population as you DEFINE them… you know, the p-u-r-e ones…
You still need 21% more of the voters to be able to enact the agenda that you want – unless of course you are willing to get what you want by the way of the gun…
So if you get what you want Conservatives that are just that Conservatives – you will never see the winning side of an election again… Is that what you want?
If you are interested in winning elections – you would care what Reagan Democrats thought, you would care what Libertarians thought, you would care what Social Conservatives but Liberal Econs thought and what Social Liberals and Econ Conservatives thought… H-E-double hockey sticks, you would even care what Moderates thought. And you would do your very best to convince them that your the candidate you putting forth is better than the other guy…
‘cuz until we all start thinking alike… which we won’t – elections are about the lessor of the two evils.
But if you keep insulting and bashing everyone that doesn’t think exactly like you… enjoy your righteous losing.
It Is What It Is…
Hi, Jwt4412. Apologize to the nice lady. Now.
Moe Lane (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 11:45PM EST (link)And mind your language in the future.
The Kim Kardashian of blogging.
Check out my blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://moelane.com/filthy-lucre-filthy-lucre/
http://twitter.com/moelane
My (combined) wish list.
Do as you wish - it's your playground.
Jwt4412 Tuesday, March 24th at 12:15AM EST (link)Moe…
Do you worst… it ain’t worth it.
Seriously.
Everybody thinks they could have done better than him… A day doesn’t go by that a Front Page “worthy” story doesn’t take a cheap shot at a good man.
Like it is some kind of measure of rational thought…
An eight year record reduced to “Failure” because of what? He didn’t hold every position you all did?
On the big issues – he got it right except for immigration. But what is the right answer on immigration when you have thousands of miles of borders and 12 million illegals already in the country? Bush basically tried the same thing as Reagan but add a fence and stronger enforcement of ICE laws.
Yeah he put a happy face on it but they were enforceing the immigration laws with significantly more immigration raids on businesses with illegals.
Latino Catholics and African-American Southern Baptists are needed for the future of the Republican Party – Demographics demand it. So get used to it and strategize on that.
And you have to keep an eye on demographics… This isn’t the same country when Goldwater was laying his groundwork or even when Reagan won.
Like I said Reagan could not pass your litmus tests… think about for a second.
Lincoln would be a failure per your standards… What President passed?
Funny thing this entry above reads very much like the list of reasons Bush gives that all men wish to live in Freedom and at the very core of his beliefs and wants for the people in oppressive parts of the world.
55 million people now get to decide or in the process of deciding if they like the Conservative way or the Liberal way of doing things as Goldwater defines it… Some how I don’t see how that is embarassing or a failure.
And it his beliefs that are the reason that people in Africa and the old Warsaw countries respect him and his words the very much in the same way that you all respond to Goldwater’s.
I look forward to seeing all of your names in the next primary for President.
It Is What It Is…
Don't make me ban you for crude language, Jwt4412.
Moe Lane (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 1:11AM EST (link)Apologize.
Now.
Last chance.
The Kim Kardashian of blogging.
Check out my blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://moelane.com/filthy-lucre-filthy-lucre/
http://twitter.com/moelane
My (combined) wish list.
Mr. Lane...
Jwt4412 Tuesday, March 24th at 7:27AM EST (link)“Wet dream” used as a euphemism for a political fantasy that is 100% unattainable is enough to get somebody banned from Red State?
The irony of this thread is…people of repeatedly said – you talk “like that” I won’t listen to your ideas.
People attack the style of my writing, my spelling and my language and ignore the ideas. And because I won’t confirm to the community group think – threaten to ban me from the comments.
How are you going to make the tent bigger if you are so busy kicking people like me out of the tent? “Wet dream” is enough to get banned… then get to it.
I commented as soon as a “Conservative” in the P-U-R-E sense takes an un-needed slap Bush, I stop tuning in to what they are saying.
40 posts into the thread… my manners have been questioned, my spelling has been questioned, and Bush has been called a socialist. But the gist of the comments that Bush who had to lead in the real world didn’t measure up to standards that you all have created. Those standards are such that neither Reagan nor Lincoln could even measure up. Measures that Reagan and Lincoln are found wanting are bad measures.
A man gave you all 8 years and you guys turn on him like pack animals that must kill the lame for the better of the pack. Who in their right mind would run to the front to lead such an army?
Gratuitous slaps at a good man like George W. Bush – o.k. on front page worthy pieces on Red State but the term “wet dream” to describe unrealistic conservative fantasies about unreachable utopias – ban worthy?
Is that a place I want to be?
Nah.
It Is What It Is…
A simple "I refuse" would have sufficed.
Moe Lane (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 7:38AM EST (link)And now I have to suspend the account of somebody whose basic point on Bush I agreed with. What a pleasant way to start the morning: I’d like to thank everyone who made it possible.
The Kim Kardashian of blogging.
Check out my blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://moelane.com/filthy-lucre-filthy-lucre/
http://twitter.com/moelane
My (combined) wish list.
I agree with your general message,
vital0gy Tuesday, March 24th at 7:40AM EST (link)although it appears some get sensitive over your choice of words. It’s a shame because I agree with most of what you say, and would hate to see you get the boot over words.
what a cretin
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 1:29AM EST (link)nobody hears you when you talk vulgar. All that typing – not being read.
And it’s a real worthless bum who won’t apologize for using language like that when called on it.
You won’t be missed, or especially remembered. Your kind comes across here about twice a week.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
I like that line "the lessor of the two evils"...
civil truth (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 12:04AM EST (link)So, who hold the lease to your soul?
The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
I am glad you ask...
Jwt4412 Tuesday, March 24th at 12:22AM EST (link)I just watched the Sangamon County Republican Party just trash a very good friend of mine with rumor and lies because she is guiltly of the sin of being a Democrat who is currently the School Board President.
The person running against her is another member of our little group of friends… I’ve been trying to figure out what the price for his soul was that he would trash a friend for a down the ballot election.
Civil, if you are going to take the time to point out my spelling errors – you could be a little more careful with your entries too….
SO, WHO HOLD THE LEASE TO YOUR SOUL?
Don’t you mean, “so, who holds the lease to your soul?”
You really showed me…
It Is What It Is…
I really wasn't trying to play spelling police
civil truth (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 12:43AM EST (link)…especially since I am prone to frequent typing errors myself, since RedState does not allow us to edit our comments.
And I grant that you’re a bit touchy seeing how you’ve run into a lot of flak tonight.
But I am a person who enjoys word play, and your particular error set off an interesting and unexpected train of thought about how politics can lead to people being owned (or leased) without thinking about who (or what) is their lessor and what is the cost to their integrity (soul). Hence my question.
And it must have prompted some thought on your part, because your initial few paragraphs was a thoughtful response, providing a case study of my question.. I’ve also seen souls “leased” on both sides of the party aisle in my time.
So you’re little error serves as a reminder in the heat of partisan fervor to examine ourselves whether we are still free men, or whether we have unwittingly leased ourselves out to someone (or something) that we really in our hearts know isn’t who we are about.
The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
Two things
AKSteveB (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 10:20PM EST (link)1) Not sure how this became a threadjack about Pres. Bush. It was a good statement of conservative principles, no more, no less.
2) Pres. Bush was a good man, but you are really making a stretch to call him a good President. His foreign policy was mostly strong, but the execution was fair to awful. On domestic policy, his biggest “accomplishment” if you want to call it that was NCLB. Compassionate conservatism was a complete failure. The worst of all though is that he did a horrible job of communicating his policies and actions let alone anything approaching conservative principles. I can only speak for myself, but I’d lay pretty good odds that a lot of us went off the reservation for awhile, because we just couldn’t take the incompetence.
Hell is other people – Sartre
Incompetence?
Jwt4412 Monday, March 23rd at 10:42PM EST (link)You are going to say those 8 years were incompetence? Compared to the last 60 days? Get some perspective.
As for conservative principles… The man took in the shorts because of his conservative principles on Katrina. He begged the gov of Louisanna to ask for federal help so he could send the aid.
He stood by the principles of Federalism to the point it was equal to political suicide.
Every failure of Conservatism that you lay at Bush’s feet – Reagan did the same… Again, I say Reagan wouldn’t meet the PURE standard demanded by you folks.
50 straight weeks of economic growth and low unemployment because of tax cuts… The R’s in congress screwed the pooch not Bush and you can lay the last two years at the feet of the Dems that tookover. Bush played the hand that was dealt to him – he gave the Dems what they wanted on domestic front to cut his deals to stay in the WOT – How else you think a man with a 34 percent approval rating got to keep fighting “his” war…
You folks are just nuts…
Ban me away. You all are just as bad as Frum. Frum wants to throw you guys out of the party… and you guys want to throw everybody else out of the party.
Politics is not checkers…
Bush gave you Alito and Roberts… if he did nothing else – He OWES you nothing – ungrateful – that is the word I would use.
It Is What It Is…
you are a hostile little person
Beaglescout (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 11:25PM EST (link)You have no reason to treat anyone here with such derision. You don’t know who we want to kick out of the party. You don’t know how we intend to win. Hint… we don’t want to kick anyone out of the party, but we do intend to seize the leadership and use the party to TEACH everyone what conservatism can do for them. Conservative results are in everybody’s interest. If we can do a better job of teaching people then we can win with only 30% true believers and half of the other 70% realizing that conservatism is really just smart and pragmatic and kind and hopeful, that the traditional approach we champion is exactly the same experimental method used by science, and that conservatism is the time-proven, scientific assortment of best practices for the function and harmony of masses of humanity. We have the truth on our side. When the left’s lies are exposed in all their rancor they will fail and we will prevail. All it takes is enough light.
And your insistence that we somehow moderate our conservatism and become just a little more socialist in our ways is exactly the wrong prescription. That’s what McCain wanted. That’s what Bush wanted. If the people are faced with a choice between throat-cutting Democrats and nice Democrats-lite they’ll choose the real Democrats, thankyouverymuch.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
Define the terms you use...
Jwt4412 Monday, March 23rd at 11:29PM EST (link)The absence of pure conservatism as defined by you is the introduction of socialism?
It Is What It Is…
Honestly, Jwt, I think your little display of confrontationalism means you forfeit your right to demand anyone do anything
randy streu (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 11:37PM EST (link)you’ve given up the privelege of having an adult discussion, by being as ass up-thread.
Blogging also at
SLC Republitarian
The Minority Report
I've answered that question before
Beaglescout (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 12:52PM EST (link)See here.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
I'm not throwing anyone out of the party
AKSteveB (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 12:02AM EST (link)heck, I’ve just gotten back in the party myself. I’ve actually been one of those moderate types you keep talking about, but you are coming off as trollish.
As I stated in the beginning, I believe Pres. Bush was an honorable man. I spent a lot of time trying to talk some sense into people with BDS, but It doesn’t change the fact that the job description of President is part Executive, part communications, part Party Leader. As executive, he was a mixed bag, we’ve discussed this already. For communications, c’mon, he flat out didn’t do a good job of explaining his policies, motivations, and where things fit in the big picture. As a party leader, I’m not sure what I can even say, other than he left the Party in a lot worse shape than he got it. Is he better than what we’ve seen the last 60 days, of course. And the only reason it is even worth looking back at all is to have a better idea of what to do in the future. I’m kind of old fashioned on this stuff, I have no desire to pile on an honorable man, but he left us a mess. Revisionism after only 60 days is a bit much.
Hell is other people – Sartre
This book shaped my own conversion from liberal politics
jonreagan (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:33PM EST (link)I read Goldwater’s book back in the 90′s, and it helped me see the underlying reasons for several things that I had observed on my own: why Great Society programs weren’t working, and why the liberals’ “grand designs” never seem to materialize.
Point #1 is my favorite, regarding the liberal view of people as part of undifferentiated masses or groups. When you think about it, Rush was addressing this very idea a few weeks ago, when he spoke of how liberals divide people into groups of “victims”, to whom they promise all kinds of goodies.
One other book I’d recommend to everyone here is Amity Shlaes’ “The Forgotten Man”, probably the best—and most honest—account of the Great Depression that I’ve ever read. The book has several parallels with “Conscience of a Conservative”, and confirms beyond all doubt that Obama imagines himself to be not only Lincoln, but FDR as well. From p.135:
“…Roosevelt reminded his listeners of the importance of the fact that “our last frontier had long since been reached. It was time for the “princes of poverty”, the wealthy, to share their resources. Growth would not provide for the poor; only redistribution could.”
Sound familiar?
Small point
Warner Todd Huston (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 2:32AM EST (link)Barry Goldwater didn’t write the book… in fact, many doubt he ever even read it. It was written by Goldwater staffer Brent Bozell if I remember right. Great book, though. Worthy points contained inside.
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