"Had Cruz realized that conservatism is not a clearly articulated set of principles that must be imposed on a recalcitrant mass, but is instead the systematized expression of the yearning of individuals and peoples, as flawed and imperfect as they are, he might have been born aloft by the wave that is now carrying Donald Trump to the White House. Instead, blinded by ideology and self-regard, Cruz missed the wave, and is being left behind."
What the author is describing is populism, not conservatism. And that is the mob that you have signed onto so thoroughly that you don't even read it when it's been written on a page.
I think you clearly understand that your candidate has betrayed you, and perhaps was never what you once thought.
But I digress.
Part of conservatism is a set of principles. I have no problem with that. Your candidate seems to have forgotten that in his bid for power. Yes, his own weaknesses have now been exposed, he's NOT the great candidate many of us once thought. And yes, he has been blinded by ideology, he's just not near so pure as you think.
If populism is defined as dealing with our border crisis effectively, genuinely winning the war against Islamist insanity, strengthening our military, helping our vets, returning to the peace and prosperity of capitalism, I'm going to call myself a populist.
Good luck trying to salvage a campaign that is imploding because of its own candidate.
Ted Cruz is not a Constitutional natural born citizen, therefore, he does not represent Constitutional conservatism, he represents a living, breathing document that is ever changing with every whim of any given generation. To protect Constitutional conservatism & the future of our Republic & its form of government, we turn to George Washington and his farewell address,
If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit, which the use can at any time yield…
As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils. Such an attachment of a small or weak towards a great and powerful nation dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government...
Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests…
However, even his followers wouldn't listen while on the border of the "promised land" and had to turn back and wander aimlessly in the wilderness till that generation had time to die off (40 wasted years)!!!
History appears to be trying to repeat itself... Really sad.
Was that what Reagan was? A populist, voted in by a mob? Rethink it, buddy!