Posted on 05/29/2007 6:16:58 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
I understand your emotions.
I am pissed, I will grant you that, but this isn't an "emotions" thing. This is logic. From my position, I cannot see where the GOP in power has paid off... There is no percentage in continuing support.
But if the Supreme Court adds 3 forty-something year-old RBGs, then Roe V Wade is permanent. CFR nevers gets another look. The 2nd amendment is pared down to hunting only. I would even vote for John McCain before letting a Dem win.
And if any of the big 3 GOP candidates get in it will not be a bit different- they will just hawk their SC judges as "moderate". No difference.
-Bruce
Not if Re-alignment happens and we get a NEW Conservative party..that would be my dream!
“I have a Masters in Western Civiliation and know far more about politics, democracy, and the 3,500 year-old traditions and constructions that went into it’s making and shake my head at what they have become.”
“Pseudo-Conservative Douche-bags for Giuliani!”
Right. Quick and dirty version;
The first thing that must be acknowledged is the current, perverted uses of the words ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ and what they actually mean, vis-a-vis Classical Liberalism (which forms the bedrock of the American constitutional republic).
“Liberal”, which comes from the Latin root “Libere” (LEE-ber-RAY) means “to free”, in the case of political argument, to free the political process from the grip of the ‘Old Guard’ regimes which once exercised complete and total political, economic and social control over their subject peoples.
“Conservative”, from the Latin root “Conserve” (Con-ser-VAY), which means to save or presevre, in the case of the ancient political process means to maintain the status quo ante.
Going back in time, a conservative was one who would find absolutley no issues with maintaining any power structure, be it Spartan military rule, Athenian democracy, Roman Senatorial and Imperial rule, the authority of the Church, the Absolute Monarch or Despot, especially if he was a beneficiary or member of the ruling caste. Historically, a conservative is not interested in the advancement of the human condition (although there are notbale exceptions), he is interested in the preservation of a system, the current system, in perpetuity.
Historically, a liberal is someone interested in the complete opposite. In some cases, to the extent of complete anarchy. In terms of Western Civilization, the liberal instinct was arrested and harnessed by a variety of social, economic, religious and legal traditions, which tempered it’s more exuberant practitioners and theories. This, in a nutshell, is “Classical Liberalism”, a product of the Enlightenment.
Classical Liberalism espouses the primacy of the individual, individual rights, respect for the rule of law, incorporates the Judeo-Christian ethics of the universal brotherhood of man (and all that entails), but freely borrowed, expanded and improved upon that which had come before it (so that it was not an silly thing to refer to a ‘Constitutional Monarchy’, for example), and in the process, applied the lessons of trial and error, free religious and scientific inquiry, rampant capitalism, unfettered criticism and audit of authority, and the incorporation of scientific, social and economic improvements towards the betterment of society as a whole, rather than the betterment of society for a selected few.
The American Constitution is the ultimate example of Classicial Liberalism yet conceived. It recognizes the right of the individual, but tempers the exercise of those rights with corresponding responsibilities. It provides for equal protection for all citizens, regardless of class, race, economic condition or proximity to the seat of power (at least in theory).
This nation was founded upon Liberal prinicples as ultimately enumerated in the Constitution, and given their original voice in the Declaration of Independance, Tom Paine’s essays, the Federalist Papers and a host of the other writings and philosophical conventions that preeceded it. It is the end result of the prime force of Liberalism; the ability to postulate, question, audit, accept or decline, and compromise without the fear of retribution from higher authority. There IS no higher authority than the Constitution.
What this means to you, the Conservative, is that you seek to conserve (maintain the status quo) of that which was created by Liberal methodology. Conservatives and Republicans ARE Liberals in the historical and philosophical senses of that word.
What is now considered “liberal” is certainly nothing of the sort. Unless you consider affirmative action, abortion on demand, punitive taxation, government interferance in free markets or the arbitrary overturning of personal and property rights, to be “liberal” policies? I would consider it’s more frivilous ‘inventions’ “Libertine” rather than “Liberal”, when they aren’t more of the order of a dictatorial threat to decency and republicanism.
That should do to start.
I'm pretty sure we understand that.
Why don't you just come out and say it?
Why did you post this?
What do you want us to do, fall in behind Rudy?
No, what the elitists dont get is that WE conservatives won’t be messed around with ANYMORE. It would be disasterous for a Moderate-RINO-LIBERAL-PSUEDO CONS to be allwed to WIN; We had ONE with GWB (43rd), and his father. Can’t take Anymore.
I disagree with you..
Voting for Rudy is the same as voting for Hitlery, so why bother.... is what a lot of people will feel.
Rudy can't win the general election.
I was. Thanks to all.
Quite the contrary, with all due respect. We know what he is running for. Most of us, even though we may personally feel a lot of respect for Rudy for his 9/11 part, can’t vote for him. And I do mean can’t. We take our vote very seriously, and cannot in good conscience pull that lever. We, unlike a lot of Americans, have not evolved on morals integrity, character, trust, good judgment and what constitutes all those things. Those things are fixed, or core values. And we have not ever given up on the notion that leaders are to be held to a higher standard. Do many in WA? No, but those of us who wouldn’t and couldn’t vote for Rudy, did not vote for them either.
It isn’t about the person when it comes to like and dislike, it is about the country, what’s best for it, and expecting a higher standard, especially when it comes to CIC! Unfortunately that leaves out all of the top tier, and even a couple who may enter the race but haven’t yet. Whether we like them or not.
No wear, you must say BS.
^5 CTYankee! btw, I am always glad to see a fellow nutmegger here. ;)
Have you checked out Hunter?
Your a good woman MamaB! And the kind America is made from!
“The American Constitution is the ultimate example of Classicial Liberalism yet conceived. It recognizes the right of the individual, but tempers the exercise of those rights with corresponding responsibilities. It provides for equal protection for all citizens, regardless of class, race, economic condition or proximity to the seat of power (at least in theory).”
Agreed. Almost existential, if applied in the classical sense.
“This nation was founded upon Liberal prinicples as ultimately enumerated in the Constitution, and given their original voice in the Declaration of Independance, Tom Paine’s essays, the Federalist Papers and a host of the other writings and philosophical conventions that preeceded it. It is the end result of the prime force of Liberalism; the ability to postulate, question, audit, accept or decline, and compromise without the fear of retribution from higher authority. There IS no higher authority than the Constitution.”
A most remarkable document, thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to post this. I agree with everything you said, and all of it is historically accurate.
I am very frustrated with the current crop of buffoons currently running for POTUS. I noticed you like Newt. Newt is a brilliant man....maybe too brilliant for a “dumbed down” America. I get all of Newt’s writing in my g mail. The fact is, there is no politican in the current, or even undeclared crop who completely covers the map for me.
“How does it help that rudy doesn’t understand what a strict constructionist jurist (judge) really is?..?”
Exactly, and the solution is so simple! He can’t win a general election, so DONN’T nominate him!
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