Posted on 02/06/2008 3:43:04 AM PST by ovrtaxt
Here's the current state of things, as coldly and accurately as I can portray them:
1> The Dems are rushing headlong into socialism, and possibly something much worse.
2>The GOP leadership has made a decision- namely, that they don't want Conservatives around. Oh, they want us on election day, but after that, “shut up and go stand over there where you won't embarrass us”.
3> We face several national threats. Globalist dilution of our national sovereignty, Radical Islam, a rapidly weakening dollar, Chinese aggression by economic and trade policies, the impending internal losses of vital Constitutional rights, and a general worldwide sentiment of resentment and envy against America. And there's a cruel dagger in our back that's been there for decades, but is now starting to twist- the US economy is staring down the barrel of a Keynesian rifle- the socialist chickens are coming home to roost, and the only thing we get from campaigning politicians is more socialism. Our current debt-based economy is unsustainable. We will be toast if something drastic isn't done, and we won't be able to fight ANY WAR if we can't afford it.
Here's the bitter pill being forced down our throats this morning: WE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. There's no larger political framework available which will express our desire for freedom, no voice in politics which echoes our heart's desire. We have forums like this, SOME talk radio, and each other. We have a few good people in Congress, here and there. But a national platform, a focused voice to represent Constitutionally limited government, it doesn't exist.
Here's why- many of us are still clinging on to one sorry half-baked liberal candidate or another. Even today, I'm hearing many Freepers stating their continued loyalty to McCain, simply because he isn't Hillary. How much crap will you eat before you start to wonder 'where's the real food'?
It's time to come together and make a common agreement. We must not compromise something so vitally important to the world as the Constitution. Multitudes of enslaved people around the world dream of living the way we do. If we let this slip away, we'll regress to the control freak nightmare that has been the majority of human history.
Remember- the GOP doesn't want us. We need to stick together, however, and decide where to go. A new Conservative leadership is desperately needed, and a new home for Conservative voters is desperately needed.
Suggestions? As for a party apparatus, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Constitution Party. Yes, I know the CP isn't viable right now, but if Conservatives started defecting en masse, it would be. Remember what happened in the 70s- we decided that the GOP could provide our framework. It's taken them 30 years, but the goons who run the party have finally managed to 'extract themselves from our tentacles', at least that's how they probably see it. The current CP would welcome it, since that's who they are anyway.
But political leadership, I have no idea. Who do you like?
The broccoli lovers never order the broccoli, so the owner of the restaurant takes it off the menu.
Then the broccoli lovers complain, “There’s no broccoli on the menu! I’ve had it with this place! I’m going to get with other broccoli lovers and force you to put broccoli back on the menu!”
The owner says, “Uh, yeah, right. Knock yourself out.”
In the meantime, he figures out what the patrons he has left want on the menu and starts serving that.
It is what it is.
Besides, perhaps, Reagan (and I'm sure some around here will find a way to debate that), can you provide examples where we DIDN'T win with "good 'nuff"?
Sure. Pick any one of the Conservative Congressmen and Senators that are currently sitting representatives. It is no different when considering the presidency.
In fact, I would suggest that the presidential election is more dire, as people held their noses through GHWB, Dole, and at least the 2nd term of GWB... a true Conservative is what they want, and they (all three factions) are very insistent at this point.
It is hardly likely. Reagan Democrats are largely SoCons, who are Republicans now, and they are dead set against McCain. But even so, Independents and (what is left of) Reagan Democrats together are dwarfed by the Conservatives.
The only possibility is to split the Conservatives, which seems to be the effort, tossing the SoCons and the libertarian faction of the FiCons under the bus, trying to form a coalition between the rest of the FiCons, DefCons, and the RINO business elites. It is doomed to fail.
Ronald Reagan would not have been elected dogcatcher with the votes of Republicans.
NOT ONLY did Reagan unify the party, he grew his movement by leaps and bounds until it included millions of independents and Democrats.
A lot of those here are in a race to see how small they can make their movement. Huge segments of the Reagan coalition have been driven away, or scared away.
The loathing that Reagan Democrats, in particular, have for "Christian" voters is unbelievable, if you have never seen it.
Reagan was not ONLY about conservatism, and no movement which will succeed in duplicating his majorities will ever work without his skill at bringing over voters from the other side.
Well, Duh. He was running as a Republican.
NOT ONLY did Reagan unify the party, he grew his movement by leaps and bounds until it included millions of independents and Democrats.
Yes. Now known as (primarily) the SoCon branch of Conservatism.
A lot of those here are in a race to see how small they can make their movement. Huge segments of the Reagan coalition have been driven away, or scared away.
TRUE. Beginning with the SoCons (Christians) and libertarians (as usual).
The loathing that Reagan Democrats, in particular, have for "Christian" voters is unbelievable, if you have never seen it.
That is because most that are left on the Democrat side are anti-Christian, or anti-Life, as a general rule.
Reagan was not ONLY about conservatism, and no movement which will succeed in duplicating his majorities will ever work without his skill at bringing over voters from the other side.
While Reagan's skill is not to be diminished, what rang like a bell was that he meant what he was saying, and what he said made sense. It was TRUE. And for the most part, what he spoke of is now, or always was, ensconced in the principles of Conservatism.
Romney, Thompson and Huck split the conservative vote while the “big tent” Republicans voted for McCain. Seems to me Huck was never more than a stalking horse for McCain, running for VP. Conservatives were aced out brilliantly. Like me, I’m sure conservatives wish that they had settled on one candidate early on, but if wishes were horses, etc. Now we are faced with four years from which the conservative movement (and the country) will never recover and drastic measures are called for. Through amnesty and further loosening already lax voter requirements, demographics will forever be shifted to the left in the aftermath of an election which some intend as an object lesson. Sheer folly!
But the point is, it could go either way, don’t you think?
***Yes, it could.
If the latter happened-—and it likely will if, for example, McCain were to win with Independents and Reagan Democrats and over the loud objections of conservatives-—those who walked will be marginalized for good, just like strikers who are replaced by new employees.
***So if it did happen that way, and the great bulk of social conservatives + some Fiscons (I doubt Defcons — McCain’s strength) then what you have is the heart & soul of the republican party being torn away. It happened with the Whigs and they did not survive. I do not think the R party would survive. The possibility of Republican survival is in direct proportion to how many conservatives stay in the tent. Of course, for this upcoming election, if even a relatively small portion of conservatives don’t vote for McCainiack, the election is lost, and I view that as about an 85% certainty.
I notice that your analogies always fall about 3 bricks shy of a full load. In this case, with Broccoli, it has always been the Broccoli lovers that kept the business thriving but the owner hates Broccoli and tells them they need to start ordering other things on the menu because, after all, he trained at super-duper-chef-school and knows what he’s talking about.
can you provide examples where we DIDN’T win with “good ‘nuff”?
***Bob Dole.
couple of thoughts-
A brokered convention *may* lead to a palatable ticket this election - it is worth a try
long term- the GOP has been compromised. it has a majority that is interested in government careers and government for the politicians. I think it (the GOP) is past saving. So, in states where the democrat is the favorite in the general election I think conservatives should vote for a strong conservative party in the future (vote on principles). This could set the stage in the next election for a viable third party that is truly conservative - at no cost.
Next - if the nomination goes to McCain, all conservatives should form/associate a truly conservative party. It is really past time there is already ample evidence that the dems and repubs have colluded to create a political class, and no American should tolerate that for one second.
Regards,
Absolutely agree. Third party is making more and more sense, as the GOP drifts ever leftward.
The trick is going to be finding a leader to rally around. The demand is there, so certainly some likeminded candidate will be tempted to throw down. If he’s the right man, he’ll get traction.
Santorum has been mentioned numerous times in fact. I’d consider that...
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