Conservative Democrats

Anyone who may know a little political history might already know that the Democratic Party was once the party of classical liberalism, that is, laissez-faire government. That changed slowly beginning in the late 19th Century with the popularity of socialistic policies. The new liberal/quasi-socialist movement reached its most notable height during the FDR administration with its New Deal. Since then, the Democratic Party has for the most part been the party of centralised socio-economic planning.

The shift in terminologies coincided with the opposition to the New Deal through what became known as the consevative movement within the Republican Party. Now, it was the Republicans who embraced laissez-faire. Of course, this movement wasn’t universal within the party. Many continued in the Teddy Roosevelt/Wilsonian tradition of foreign intervention and some limited central planning. This is the wing from which the Bushes come. This, arguably, is also the chief cause of dissatisfaction with the GOP among traditional conservatives. 

Sean Scallon writing for American Chronicle writes:

A former conservative Republican state senator in Wisconsin has come up with a ingenious way to help elect more conservatives to the Wisconsin State Legislature.

Run them as Democrats.

With the unpopularity of the Republican Party at an all time high and after years of futility trying to elect Republicans candidates in heavily Democratic districts, former state senator Tom Reynolds of Milwaukee has started an organization called “Clean Sweep Wisconsin” which intends to run and support a slate of conservative candidates against incumbent Democratic state Assembly and Senate members in the fall open primary.

This is tactic may or may not work, depending on voter turnout of course. But it does indicate that there’s a growing faction within the Democratic Party that may very well in time become a de facto political party on its own and may satisfy the need that many voters have for a new party:

Conservative Democrats. Continue reading.

The Republican Party: For Conservatives?

 

I recall a time when I thought I had to be a Republican. They were the only party that claimed to be the voice of those of us who follow the wise advice of our founders and don’t trust our government. Glenn Greenwald has a new book out about the subject: Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics. Here is an excerpt from an excerpt:

Ever since Ronald Reagan famously declared in his 1980 inaugural address that “government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem,” Republicans have masqueraded as the party of limited government. Its leaders reflexively pledge to keep government off the backs of regular, hardworking Americans. Homage is paid to the wisdom and insight of the American people, which, Republicans endlessly insist, is far superior to the judgment of government officials.

This political battle cry is, in reality, grounded in a populist cultural argument – namely, that the Republican Party takes the side of ordinary Americans against the faceless, power-hungry, freedom-abridging Washington bureaucrat. In this rendition of America’s culture war, which pits normal folks against D.C. politicians, right-wing leaders are on our side, doing everything in their power to keep government out of our lives.

-The Republican Dictatorship

This explains one of the many reasons why many professed Conservatives who once embraced the party are now realising that the GOP is not the party of Conservatism, and I’m wondering if it ever really was.

Read this piece by Southern apologist and retired history professor Clyde Wilson: The Republican Charade: Lincoln and His Party.

Many of us who supported Ron Paul in his bid for the presidency and who support his movement to change the GOP from within need to realise the importance of our task. Ultimately, it’s not about partisan politics or even zealous devotion to an ideology, but about doing what’s right.

What is the right thing to do this election? I can’t say for sure. I know we need to voice our concerns with as much authenticity and gallantry as is possible.

‘These are times that try men’s souls.’ – Thomas Paine.