Brain-dead Conservatives

[scarymary]

This is an interesting article from the Libertarian Cato Institute which makes a case that some change should be expected if conservatives intend to bring younger voters into the arena of conservatism. I happen to agree with this assessment.


Conservatives often prefer the prudent and cautious spirit of Edmund Burke and F. A. Hayek to the more libertarian and "progressive" vision of Thomas Jefferson. But neither Burke nor Hayek believed simply in standing athwart history, crying "Stop!"

Burke, after all, was a Whig, not a Tory, and a supporter of the American Revolution. And Hayek insisted that he was not a conservative:

"Conservatism, though a necessary element in any stable society, is not a social program; in its paternalistic, nationalistic and power-adoring tendencies it is often closer to socialism than true liberalism; and with its traditionalistic, anti-intellectual, and often mystical propensities it will never, except in short periods of disillusionment, appeal to the young and all those others who believe that some changes are desirable if this world is to become a better place."

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10603

[scarymary]

In another article by David Boaz, he makes this observation:


According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, since the 2008 election the number of independents has been growing, and they tend to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal. That's a constituency Republicans must appeal to.

Even among Republican voters, exit polls in 2004 found that 28 million Bush voters supported either marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples — suggesting that lots of Republicans don't fit the popular image of the socially conservative "Republican base."

Young voters are another constituency disgusted with the current Republican Party. Barack Obama carried young voters by more than two to one in the 2008 election. Voters 18 to 29 delivered Indiana and North Carolina to Obama. Republicans can't win the future without doing better among young voters, and their image as narrow-minded moralists is a big obstacle.

Voters overlooked Bill Clinton's private sins because they liked his approach to politics and policy. Are Republican voters ready to do the same? If they insist that their leaders be Puritans both publicly and privately, they're likely doomed to a long winter of disappointment.

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10330

[RightisRightLeftisWrong]

This goes back to indocturanation of the youth in Public Schools and College. Most of the youth don't know what Liberalism is until they get their first pay check.

[Dr. Madd]

I am a conservative in the tradition of Hannibal and Leonidas, of Robin Hood and Elizabeth I, of Washington and Lee.

[submarinepainter]

Conservatives would best suited to stick to their guns IE balanced budgets and small government , or should I say they should start doing that. I will not vote for a liberal again even if they are republican :)

[scarymary]

Yes smaller government and sound fiscal policy is important, but unless the Republican party changes their attitude about social issues, they will never be able to garner support from a younger demographic, let alone their votes.

[submarinepainter]

Yes smaller government and sound fiscal policy is important, but unless the Republican party changes their attitude about social issues, they will never be able to garner support from a younger demographic, let alone their votes.

I can't argue with that Mary.

[Ne0LyFeiSm]

Yes smaller government and sound fiscal policy is important, but unless the Republican party changes their attitude about social issues, they will never be able to garner support from a younger demographic, let alone their votes.

Amen to that.. I couldn't agree more. But I really think a 3rd party needs to emerge as the differences between the R's and D's are near impossible to ascertain anymore.

[scarymary]

I've heard it said that most conservatives are single-issue voters.....not sure what that means exactly, but I can certainly say that most people who vote Republican vote for them because they believe they better represent Christian values than perhaps the Democrats do. I can honestly say that most Christians I know feel that way.

[Dr. Madd]

But what about the social conservatives, people like myself? Where do we fit in?

[WhiteAfricanAmerican]

Isn't there a quote from Winston Churchill that essentially says its a foregone conclusion that young people are liberal anstupid first before they grow up and become conservative


Yeah....here it is.



Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains. - Winston Churchill

[RightisRightLeftisWrong]

I am a conservative in the tradition of Hannibal and Leonidas, of Robin Hood and Elizabeth I, of Washington and Lee.

I dont if Hannibal would be considered a Conservative he was a brilliant military leader that rivaled Alexander The Great. You should add Cincinnatus to your list.

[Dr. Madd]

Hannibal's military victories were cut short and ultimately his campaign was ruined by Carthage's senate. They voted to defund his army in Italy, leading to his defeat by Rome.

[RightisRightLeftisWrong]

Hannibal's military victories were cut short and ultimately his campaign was ruined by Carthage's senate. They voted to defund his army in Italy, leading to his defeat by Rome.

I thought it was do to the Roman city states no allieing with Hannibal even though he conquerd them militarly Hannibal was unbeatable but the Romans practally starved him out and used hit and run tactics agiasnt his supply lines. Although what you said too probably caused his defeat and the end of the Second Punic War.

[Dr. Madd]

If I'd been Hannibal, I'd have crossed the Pyranees and invaded Gaul

[submarinepainter]

But what about the social conservatives, people like myself? Where do we fit in?

We have to recognise we may feel something is immoral but we can not force our views on others .

[Dr. Madd]

Subby: But we cannot let those people force their views on us, either.

[submarinepainter]

Subby: But we cannot let those people force their views on us, either.

yep , you are 100% correct good doctor:icon_wink

[FKLBRLS]

There is a huge problem with "conservatives" when it comes to "small government" and "balanced budget." The first government functions that they eliminate are always the few government functions that are actually necessary. And the first items that they cut from the budget are usually the most necessary items.

"Conservatives'" problem is that they think doing nothing is the solution for everything. And they hold an erroneous view that the private sector can do no wrong. This lack of logic causes them to view necessary government regulation as "tyrannical," yet they remain silent when the government wastes billions in taxpayer money. For example, they'd rather the government throw money away in the form of a bailout than see comparatively minor banking regulations.

Democrats are the party of bad ideas and Republicans are the party of no ideas. And as long as Republicans keep calling themselves "conservative," people will continue to move to the Democrats. Not because the Democrats have good ideas, but merely because they have ideas. It's a question of choosing between a pile of dog shit and a pile of nothing, and choosing the dog shit because at least that option is tangible.

[Dr. Madd]

I have ideas, and I'm a conservative. The first thing we must do is step back. There's been so much crap done, there'll be crap to remove before we can actually FIX anything.

[FKLBRLS]

The problem is that conservatives like us and Republicans are on 2 different playing fields. WE want to fix our problems, and to fix them we must step back. But Republicans will try to fix the problems that don't need fixing, leave the problems that do need fixing, and will step back in completely the wrong way. Conservative-Republican is a mutually-exclusive statement.

[Dr. Madd]

I am a conservative republican. I generally vote republican, unless they run another McCain.

[submarinepainter]

I am a conservative republican. I generally vote republican, unless they run another McCain.

and I believe they will run another big government repub. there are not to many real conservatives , I for one will never settle again , I will vote my heart and beliefs , the (R) has left me and the dems are a bunch of loony tunes