Santorum on what it takes to be a conservative

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:58 pm

Some of the people in here who consider themselves to be conservatives might not agree with his statements, but it might be eye-opening for everyone to see how this leader of the GOP defines what he think the party stands for:

Today's reminder that Republican conservatives and libertarians are no longer peas in a pod comes from deservedly reviled Congressman Rick Santorum:

One of the criticisms I make is to what I refer to as more of a libertarianish right. The left has gone so far left and the right in some respects has gone so far right that they come around in the circle. [...]

This whole idea of personal autonomy -- I don't think that most conservatives hold that point of view. Some do. And they have this idea that people should be left alone to do what they want to do, that government should keep taxes down, keep regulation down, that we shouldn't get involved in the bedroom, that we shouldn't be involved in cultural issues, people should do whatever they want. Well, that is not how traditional conservatives view the world. And I think that most conservatives understand that we can't go it alone, that there is no such society that I'm aware of where we've had radical individualism and it has succeeded as a culture.

Full blog plus message board discussion under the title "Frothy Mixture of Statism and the GOP" at:

http://www.reason.com/hitandrun/2005/08 ... l#comments

Ponycat · Post by **Ponycat** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:20 pm

I have a hard tome considering Santorum a GOP leader, and in two years no one will remember his name. I say he loses by a fairly large margin. I do agree that the National Republican Party is drifting away from the ideals that made me consider myself a Republican.

Where have you gone Ronald Reagan.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:09 pm

I hope you're right and that he's not going to be a figure in the party much longer. I keep hoping the pendulum begins to swing back to what the party used to represent so that I can get a bit more excited about supporting more of their positions. Maybe if Rudy or McCain start making noises about 2008 then things will start to shift within the party.

I'm just surprised more people haven't commented on this piece. With as many people in here who consider themselves conservatives and tend to support the Republican positions faithfully, I would have thought this would have stirred up a little discussion about how those two terms are defined and if they really even make sense anymore.

This probably won't make it on to any of the talk shows I listen to, though. I doubt the daily GOP talking points sent out to the talking heads will include much discussion about stuff like this.

'93HonoluluCat · Post by **'93HonoluluCat** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:36 pm

Ponycat wrote:Where have you gone Ronald Reagan.

Absolutely.

briannell · Post by **briannell** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:07 pm

agree, it was simpler in Reagans time. made more sense, now it's a bit wishy washy.

-rebecca

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:27 am

Bay Area Cat wrote:...With as many people in here who consider themselves conservatives and tend to support the Republican positions faithfully...

BAC,

That is one of the most oxymoronic comments ever made here. There CAN'T be people who fit your comment, least of all me.

The Republican party is meaningless anymore. They believe just as staunchly as the Dems do that THEY have all the answers and that THEY were elected in order to TELL us how to live.

The easiest way I can say it is that 99% of our elected leaders and 100% of all bureaucrats just don't get it anymore.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:42 am

El_Gato wrote:
Bay Area Cat wrote:...With as many people in here who consider themselves conservatives and tend to support the Republican positions faithfully...
BAC,

That is one of the most oxymoronic comments ever made here. There CAN'T be people who fit your comment, least of all me.

The Republican party is meaningless anymore. They believe just as staunchly as the Dems do that THEY have all the answers and that THEY were elected in order to TELL us how to live.

The easiest way I can say it is that 99% of our elected leaders and 100% of all bureaucrats just don't get it anymore.

I agree with everything you posted. Now how often do I get to say that?

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:43 am

Once is enough to make me proud!

briannell · Post by **briannell** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:49 am

oh, no!!!! el gato and BAC please you can't start agreeing with each other, I'll miss the spats

i know it's selfish, but you make for cheap amusement

-rebecca

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:05 pm

Baby, I may be easy, but I ain't cheap!

briannell · Post by **briannell** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:29 pm

el gato

hee hee hee

actually this forum makes a good distraction from my home project designs i try and complete when kids are playing well together. going crazy on decking and landscaping design, tile floors and granite counter tops. love lowes and home depot, but it's a big pain in the rump, as i am good with home decorating, but not really a project kind of girl.

anyone put in flooring? i think i'll breakdown and hire a professional to lay the tile in kitchen, nook and entry way. seems it's worth the money and i already dread the other projects i'll probably be helping out with. like my favorite - a new fence. i hate fencing!!!!!! i swear the cattle my cousins had broke it just to make me crazy, and now i have to refence my yard.

oh well, back to kids.

-ps- i prefer easy to cheap any day of the week