Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.
The election is in full swing. Right-wing radio trumpets the conservative cause. Review-Journal editorials and opinion writers milk the old reactionary bromides.
Can we stop a minute?
We get it. We get it. We get it:
Government should be smaller and less intrusive. Taxes should be lower and fiscal restraint exercised. Our borders should be secure. The world should see American leadership as a bulwark in the cause of freedom. Religion should provide fundamental certainties that trump moral relativism. People should take charge of their lives, stop whining, live responsibly.
We get it. We get it.
The problem is that conservatives have had the bully pulpit for 20 of the past 28 years, and it is dawning on even the most faithful in their ranks that the conservative agenda sort of gets lost after elections.
To illustrate, here’s the score card:
Government smaller? You’re kidding.
Social programs disbanded? Nope, added.
Taxes lower? Score one.
Corresponding fiscal restraint? Whoops.
Borders secure? All but Mexican, Canadian, Atlantic and Pacific.
America’s moral authority ascendant? The opposite.
Religious fundamentalism shaping laws? Kinda.
The point is that right-wing rhetoric is just rhetoric. It doesn’t match performance. In fact it couldn’t. In many instances it crashes into reality.
Would Republicans really want to fight in a general election advocating the abolishment of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.? Are they ready to solve illegal immigration by ending the myriad ways low-wage labor props up service industries and reduces commodity prices?
Whatever the present rationale for our Middle East adventure, does anyone doubt that American troops permanently stationed in an Arab country are going to foment more trouble than they ever resolve? Haven’t Americans, observing examples from around the world, decided that religion is best kept separate from politics?
And finally, on the subject of individual initiative, take the example of estate taxes. If you really believe people shouldn’t get ahead because of artificially concocted boosts, shouldn’t the estate tax be 100 percent?
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy