E.D. and Steve: I think we are all on the same pag...

2008-12-10T23:25:00.000-06:00

E.D. and Steve: I think we are all on the same page with this issue to one degree or another, at least in so far as we understand that parts of our welfare state remain popular (or acceptable in the eyes of many Americans). That’s not to say that all of these programs are good, and that small government types don’t have strong arguments against them, but recognizing that the populace doesn’t want them to end is the first step in building a realistic political program.

There is always a place for idealists and theorists, and perhaps small government thinkers could tip the public’s opinion towards there own, but until then, the Republican Party needs to play in the real world and deal with the situation in front of us.

When people lose their livelihoods, they will ask their representatives “what are you going to do to help me?” If their reps say “it’s not my job to protect your job or occupation, that’s an economic issue we would be best not to tamper with,” I bet they will be thrown out of office. He may be correct to say that, but that ideal will bread distrust and resentment in our political system.

I don’t find it surprising that many of the voices opposed to the auto bailout in congress, are politicians that don’t work in a district being directly affected by the closing of those manufacturing plants. You better believe Michigan’s representatives are going to come out swinging on behalf on their constituents.

Dandy: I am not saying “popular is right.” I would argue that the Iraq liberation was the right thing to do even if 99% of the population disagreed (which they don’t, at least according to recent polls). What I am saying is that if 99% of Americans were opposed to the operation, it would be an un-winnable situation, and politicians would be forced to do what their constituent’s demanded of them.

Looking at the big picture, it does bode poorly for interventionism in the coming years. One of the lies the Left has repeated over and over is that only a few crazy neocons supported or support the liberation of Iraq. It was supported by many in the American populace when it began, and while it is surely not popular with a majority of the country, it was never as unpopular as the far left partisans made it out to be. However, it has made many Americans rethink how and when we use our power, and so I envision less support for future interventions.

America also enjoys a social safety net that most ...

2008-12-10T14:08:00.000-06:00

America also enjoys a social safety net that most people support. When Nixon took office in 1969, it was assumed that he would try and wreck the Great Society. In reality, he created OSHA and the EPA. Republicans should focus on national defense, the only issue where they still have any credibility.

I think the GOP has no choice but to move into a m...

2008-12-10T12:51:00.000-06:00

I think the GOP has no choice but to move into a more "big government" mode. I would argue government can still be limited even as it gets (naturally) bigger over the years.

I like Douthat's "Party of Sams Club" ideas a lot, actually.

Small government is fine in theory, and where it works it should be applied--but in practice it is much more difficult.

Your main argument, that politicians need to do wh...

2008-12-10T03:36:00.000-06:00

Your main argument, that politicians need to do what makes people feel good at all times, seems to contradict your support for the Iraq War. Assuming the population’s perception of an event reigns supreme, doesn’t it then make the liberation a failure on that front?

Comments on But, I am a Liberal!: What ‘Small Government Conservatives’ Don’t Get

E.D. and Steve: I think we are all on the same pag...

America also enjoys a social safety net that most ...

I think the GOP has no choice but to move into a m...

Your main argument, that politicians need to do wh...