You hear a fair amount of talk these days about the future direction of the Republican party and divisions between social conservatives and fiscal conservatives. I think this is something of a false dichotomy. There should only be conservatives (a term I dislike because it suggests a resistance to change). A conservative has to be defined as someone who is reflexively skeptical about government power. That's it. If you're on board with that, welcome to the club, you're officially a member.
If, however, you merely want to use government as a tool to achieve your own ends, be that either bailing out a prominent business or enforce a particular moral code, please apply elsewhere.
If you're opposed to flag burning, then don't burn it. If you don't like drugs, don't do them. If you don't like certain material being shown on television, don't watch it.
A political party which advocates for reduced government interference in some areas such as economic affairs while pushing for more control in others is incoherent. The Republican party's central organizing principle must be opposition to government power and the defense of individual liberty. Everything else must flow from that.
Yes, debates will be held over what exactly that means. For example, on the abortion issue it is not at all clear whether abortion restrictions are an infringement on individual rights or the defense of rights. Such debates will occur and that's healthy. But if Republicans can't decide on at least a founding principle then it is truly rudderless.
If, however, you merely want to use government as a tool to achieve your own ends, be that either bailing out a prominent business or enforce a particular moral code, please apply elsewhere.
If you're opposed to flag burning, then don't burn it. If you don't like drugs, don't do them. If you don't like certain material being shown on television, don't watch it.
A political party which advocates for reduced government interference in some areas such as economic affairs while pushing for more control in others is incoherent. The Republican party's central organizing principle must be opposition to government power and the defense of individual liberty. Everything else must flow from that.
Yes, debates will be held over what exactly that means. For example, on the abortion issue it is not at all clear whether abortion restrictions are an infringement on individual rights or the defense of rights. Such debates will occur and that's healthy. But if Republicans can't decide on at least a founding principle then it is truly rudderless.
