September 18, 2006
Republicans and Me
I admit I was wrong. I thought that the theory that American system would create two parties that would be forced to the center in order to remain competative. This hasn't happened lately, as the two parties seem to be engaged not in a race to the center but to the poles, or in the case of the Republicans, never never land. I understand that the Democrats have moved to the left to satisfy the vocal minority out there, but I'm not entirely sure where the Republicans are going.
I don't consider myself a Republican for the reason I plump for principle over party. So while the Republican party has been the vehicle for conservatism, my loyalty is to conservatism, not Republicans. I'm both a social conservative and a fiscal conservative, so I'm prime Republican material.
My problem with the party these days is pretty much on the fiscal side, and I want to make something clear to Republican politicians - since you have (far) more control over the government than the culture, I judge you by the government under your control, and specifically for Congress the budgets under your control and the laws you pass.
For example, I'm against abortion for any reason besides saving the life of the mother, but I understand that (1) the laws on abortion has been taken over by the courts since 1973, (2) the attitudes toward abortion are not controlled by politicians. So guess what, as long as you do a good job on judges, you're off the hook. I realize how little you can accomplish, so I can't hold you accountable.
One last thing. While much is made about a revolt or dissidents in the party over interrogation techniques, I have to say finally. This is what the branches of government should be doing, and I have to wonder, where are the Democrats? At last we have a real discussion over issues, and the Democrats are nowhere to be found. So why vote Democratic if all they can do is partisan sniping?
Posted by Kevin Murphy at September 18, 2006 11:56 AM | National PoliticsI'm with you Kevin - a conservative first, a Republican out of convenience.
One thing I never get - it's the so-called social liberals/fiscal conservatives. What exactly does that mean? They want to sound like good people who care about others but don't want to spend the money to solve the problem?
How come there are no people who describe themselves as fiscally liberal but socially conservative?
To me, it's like the people who say they are spiritual, but not religious. Basically, they don't want to commit to anything, and they hope saying that something exists is enough to stop an argument.
Posted by: Jim Durbin at September 21, 2006 8:07 AMOne thing I never get - it's the so-called social liberals/fiscal conservatives. What exactly does that mean? They want to sound like good people who care about others but don't want to spend the money to solve the problem?
We think the government does a lot of active harm (say, by subsidizing sugar instead of vegetables, or invading countries to protect profits) and want it to stop doing that, but given what it does with the money it gets we don't want it spending any more.
Also, there's stuff like gay marriage and immigration that you can be liberal on for very cheap.
Posted by: Noumenon at September 21, 2006 1:47 PMit's the so-called social liberals/fiscal conservatives. What exactly does that mean?
Generally that means libertarian.
Who are the social conservatives/fiscal liberals?
Posted by: Kevin Murphy at September 22, 2006 2:49 PM"Who are the social conservatives/fiscal liberals?"
Posted by: Noumenon at September 23, 2006 1:07 AM
