When Conservatism Was a Force With a Rational Center...

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny



There was a time when the conservative movement had a cogent message. Of course the leadership of the movement acted like, well, leaders if you can still imagine that in this day and age. There are many who would say Ronald Reagan was the last great conservative. Given the crop of whatever you might call today's so called conservatives I suppose there is some truth to it. On the other hand there are some, like me who would say Barry Goldwater was the last great conservative. I'm betting if you were to talk with knowledgeable and scholarly people about this you might be surprised, those who would pick Reagan anyway. But there's no sense in quibbling as both were great men in their own right and their own way.

Given the growing, and ill advised influence of the socons (social conservatives) on our national political scene I thought the following from Senator Goldwater is highly appropriate at this time. I also should point out that the short quote was provided by Infidel753 a progressive blogger who on this issue conservatives should be very hard pressed to disagree with.

“Mark my words, if and when these preachers get control of the {Republican} party, and they are sure trying to do so, it’s doing to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.”

Republican Barry Goldwater

Not that it will do any good to point out what Senator Goldwater thought, or what millions of reasonable and rational people think today. That holier than thou attitude that shelters the "really" faithful from reason and reality just can't be penetrated. After all it's their safeguard against what they perceive as corrupting influences all around them.

Via: WikipediA

Via: The Conscience of a Conservative

Comments

  1. "With a rational center...." I like that formulation. Core beliefs are like a gyro. Without them you spin wildly out of control with no purpose.

    I remember when Jerry Falwell said something about "every good Christian" should protest Justice O'Connor, or something like that over some decision she made. Goldwater's response was, "every good Christian should kick Jerry Falwell right square in the ass."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Goldwater ought be pulled of the shelf, dusted off, read and reread by "so called" rational conservatives. He would be spinning like a gyro where he here to day to witness what the socons and neocons of "his movement."

      Delete
  2. I haven't come across the 'rational center' of conservatism. If conservatism had a rational center, it would have never given up the name 'liberalism' to the statists. There have been some good conservatives, but not at its center. They seem to mostly have been accidents.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shane, now that you mention it it is indeed a rare thing to come across.

      Classical liberalism is I think the most cogent and correct political ideology for insuring freedom, individual liberty, and guaranteeing property rights. All the things that the founders and indeed Rand held valid had rots in Classical Liberalism.

      Goldwater really was a treasure that conservatives (as well as the majority of the nation) failed to recognize. Therefore LBJ. We are still paying today.

      Delete
  3. He also said that you didn't have to "be straight to shoot straight". Compare that to the idiocy that clowns like Santorum are spouting and, yeah, I kinda miss the fellow, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is no comparison. Not a single republican is worthy of carrying his water were he alive today. And yeah, I miss the gentleman and thinker as well.

      Delete
  4. ...and do not forget William Safire. The guy 'could' be a schmuck sometimes...but boy, could he write. Santorum is not fit to even be on a national political stage. He would not be a fit dog catcher.

    ReplyDelete
  5. If "extremism is no vice", then have Barry to thank for the rise of the extremist in the Republican party. A bad thing for the Republican party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here's the Goldwater quote...

      "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." Barry Goldwater

      Try again Bozo...

      Delete

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