I heard a great interview with Burton W. Folsom, Jr., who wrote New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America. Misty-eyed lefties hold up FDR as the great savior, like Moses parting the Red Sea and leading the Israelites out of desert bondage. He contends, with compelling data, that nothing could be further from the truth, and that FDR's policies only deepened and lengthened the Great Depression, and his trampling of civil liberties was unprecedented. Reid, Pelosi and Chairman 0 seem to be champing at the bit to reincarnate FDR.
Any renaissance the GOP may aspire to must start with bold, loud, unambiguous leadership. Cantor? Steele? Pence? Palin? Not sure, but it needs to start now, with ideas, education, articulation, passion, and then translating those principles into actual policy. Another Contract With America.
Liberalism is a safe default position. It’ simple, it seems warm, fuzzy and compassionate (no matter how destructive). Save the planet, feed the hungry, tax the evil profiteers, spread the wealth, hope and change, for the children. Tailor made for an ignorant, uninformed, sedated populous. Conservatism needs to be taught and understood, liberalism merely needs to be “felt”.
We've got our work cut out for us.
“Liberalism is a safe default position. It’ simple, it seems warm, fuzzy and compassionate (no matter how destructive). Save the planet, feed the hungry, tax the evil profiteers, spread the wealth, hope and change, for the children. Tailor made for an ignorant, uninformed, sedated populous. Conservatism needs to be taught and understood, liberalism merely needs to be “felt”.”
Well said, my friend.