Cluelessness Personified
This David Brooks column proves just how clueless Mr. Brooks is with regards to conservatism. Here’s what I’m referring to:
In one camp, there are the Traditionalists, the people who believe that conservatives have lost elections because they have strayed from the true creed. George W. Bush was a big-government type who betrayed conservatism. John McCain was a Republican moderate, and his defeat discredits the moderate wing.
To regain power, the Traditionalists argue, the G.O.P. should return to its core ideas: Cut government, cut taxes, restrict immigration. Rally behind Sarah Palin.
…..
The other camp, the Reformers, argue that the old G.O.P. priorities were fine for the 1970s but need to be modernized for new conditions. The reformers tend to believe that American voters will not support a party whose main idea is slashing government. The Reformers propose new policies to address inequality and middle-class economic anxiety. They tend to take global warming seriously. They tend to be intrigued by the way David Cameron has modernized the British Conservative Party.
Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. Does Mr. Brooks think that The Traditionalists are rallying around Sarah Palin just to regain power? Does Mr. Brooks think that Gov. Palin isn’t a reformer? Does Mr. Brooks intend on identifying the people making up The Reformers wing of the GOP?
Let’s further state that this is a strawman argument. The Rush Limbaugh/Sarah Palin wing of the party believes in true reforms, not just Reform In Name Only (RINO). It’s insane to think that Rush Limbaugh and Gov. Palin represent the status quo wing of the GOP.
Let’s also stipulate that Ronald Reagan was more than just policies. To really know Reagan is to understand his underlying philosophies. Reagan’s policies came from the belief that his policies should either make people more prosperous, more free or more safe. Reagan saw regulations as limiting people’s freedom. Reagan saw taxes as preventing people from being free and from being prosperous. Reagan saw defeating the USSR as imperative to making America safe.
People that say that Reagan isn’t relevant are essentially saying that there’s no need for America to be free, prosperous or secure in our sovereignty. I stubbornly reject such foolishness just like I reject Mr. Brooks’ strawman arguments.
Technorati Tags: Reforms, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Ronald Reagan, Freedom, Prosperity, Sovereignty, National Security, Traditionalists, David Brooks, GOP
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog