| | Fascinating things are happening, politically, these days. The Republican party, suffering a brutal defeat last election season, is "lost in the wilderness" trying to find ways to legitimize itself. This has resulted in a significant broadening of the party "principles" ("big tent") and, subsequently, birthed what are known in the Republican party as "RINOs:" Republican In Name Only. While most of the heads on talk radio talk about extracting the RINOs as the way to reestablish the Republican party as the party of Conservatism, I believe there is a better way to bring Conservatism back to the masses.
DISCLAIMERS: Firstly, as you know, I am against parties altogether. A party's first priority is to the well-being of the party instead of to the principles on which the party is founded. Secondly, most of you know that I am not strictly a Conservative. I consider myself an "Egalibertarian," which has elements of modern conservatism and classical liberalism. That being said, it may be none of my business to counsel Conservatives, but when has that every stopped me from opening my big mouth? Never, so here we go:
Steps to creating a viable alternative to the Democratic Party:
1) Abandon the Republican party. Why?
a) RINOs care about the Republican Party solely for the potential of party power, thus will do whatever they can to save it... but
b) In their attempts to save it, RINOs have made the Republican Party stand for as many things as possible, and in doing so, have made it stand for nothing. A party that stands for nothing cannot stand long.
c) The Republican Party has a tarnished image, thanks to faux-Conservatives like McCain, Bush, and Bush Senior. While true-blue Conservatives would know better than to vote for a faux-Conservative-Republican, many Democrat voters simply vote for the non-Republican candidate (the reverse happens, of course, but the Democrats obviously aren't having trouble with votes at present). A "non-Republican" voter will now have a choice to make.
2) Reject "Social Conservatism," in the name of advancing personal freedom. Anyone who alleges to stand for freedom should not also endorse Government social engineering. It should, instead, focus on ensuring people have the resources to make good decisions on their own. Democrats and Republicans have really failed in the "social engineering" arena recently (and by that, I mean that they've SUCCEEDED at social engineering recently). "Liberals" of the 1960s would be ashamed of the Democratic Party today! It has become the very imperial body the countercultures rallied against! Social "liberalism" is an area where freedom-loving Conservatives can take a solid stand.
3) Propose citizen-centric solutions to the issues raised by Democrats and Republicans. In other words, end corporate favoritism and deny special interest groups. Offer free-market-tweaked solutions for existing social programs, i.e. a competitive teacher's market in public schools (more on this topic in a later post).
As the Democratic party races south on the Nolan Chart, never has the opportunity for a modern Libertarian party been more viable. It will begin with the disenfranchised, freedom-loving Conservatives and Independents. It will easily differentiate itself from the increasingly Big-Brother-esque Democratic party and the increasingly directionless Republicans. It should combine elements of the anti-authoritarianism movement of 60s, but with the fiscal and personal responsibilities of Reagan's Conservatism. It will be the best of both worlds, and yes, they can coexist. It is, in fact, the (lowercase-"L") libertarian spirit under which this country was born, and it will go a long way in maximizing both freedom and equality.
A common saying goes, "with great power comes great responsibility." I prefer to think that "with great responsibility comes great power." We must give people the responsibility to manage their own lives and destinies and in doing so, we give people great power! Government's role should be to ensure that every individual has the tools and resources to achieve their goals. Democrats won't give people the responsibility, and Republicans won't give people the tools. It's about time there's a party that does both.
-Clive |
| | Posted 10/26/2009 2:05 PM - 13 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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