politics and politicians
See other politics and politicians Articles
Title: Fix the GOP, Don’t Abandon It
Source:
Weekly Standard
URL Source: http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs ... p-don-t-abandon-it_898649.html
Published: Mar 26, 2015
Author: Jay Cost
Post Date: 2015-03-26 07:16:24 by Tooconservative
Keywords: Beck
Views: 11017
Comments: 77
Last week, to much fanfare, Glenn Beck declared that he was leaving the Republican party and becoming an independent. During a Tuesday night appearance on the O’Reilly Factor, Beck explained his decision thusly: Beck has a point here. Granted, he’s overstating the case to some degree -- political constraints are such that the GOP can’t do a lot of what he demands. But there are indeed issues where the politics favor the Republicans -- the insurer bailout in Obamacare, farm subsidies, highway spending, and the Export-Import Bank -- where the party is not doing much of anything. Far too often, the GOP seems more inclined to go-along-to-get-along then do the hard work needed to reform government. As I argued here, and in my new book, the Republican party has been aligned with big business for almost 150 years. In many respects, this is a good thing for conservatism. People who are employed by a business, after all, do not need the government to prosper. And big business employs a lot of people, so conservatives have common cause. But businesses are profit-maximizing agents, and insofar as they believe the government can assist them, they will go rent seeking. Corporate and professional interests have many friends in the Republican party, who, always in the guise of promoting “economic growth,” pay off their patrons with corporate welfare, favorable regulations, conciliatory tax policy, and the like. Republicans have been doing this for big business since the 1870s, and they continue to do so to this day. So Beck is right: a lot of what the Republicans do is not conservatism. It’s more akin to interest-group liberalism. However, leaving the GOP is a bad idea, for two reasons. First, the Republican party is not going to let conservatives go anywhere else. There has never been a viable third party in the country, at least not one that has persisted over the long run. This has to do with the nature of our elections. Political theorist Maurice Duverger demonstrated fifty years ago that winner-take-all contests centered around discrete geographical areas typically produce a two-party system. There are exceptions, but they’re rare. Moreover, third parties that do thrive temporarily are co-opted by one of the two major parties -- usually to the detriment of the ideological movement that spawned the third party in the first place. For instance, the Populist party was captured by the Democrats in 1896, and did not see traction on any of its issues for nearly 20 more years. The Progressive party ended up getting split between the two major parties after 1916. Similarly, the Perot movement ended up fueling the “Republican Revolution” of 1994, but the deficit-cutting zeal of the GOP in the mid-1990s soon gave way to the gross profligacy of Congress during the George W. Bush years. As if all that isn’t enough, even the seemingly easy task of forming a third party is a challenge. The two parties can be thought of as opponents in most respects, but they can also be understood to operate a cartel that restricts entry by competitors. A third party will thus have to jump through all sorts of hoops to get itself listed on the ballot, and even more to be included in presidential debates. None of this is coincidental. The two parties want us to have a choice … between the two parties! Second, the Republican party can be reformed. It may be very hard to do so, but the GOP is not a political machine. It is not a closed system, impervious to change. It’s open, and grassroots reformers have recourse -- in the form of party primaries. They may be seriously out-financed in those contests. Still, it is one thing to be an underdog, and another to have no hope of change at all. And there is hope. In fact, I’d argue that there has been an extraordinary amount of change within the GOP over the last generation. Reformers have made some real gains. In the wake of the 2014 wave, I noted this about the incoming Senate: The House has shown similar signs of improvement. The “insurgent” class of House reformers is now large enough to make real noise. Did such a group really exist a decade ago? Certainly not with the same numbers. There is no denying that conservative reformers have won some big elections in the last few cycles, and that the reformist right is on the rise within the GOP, if not yet dominant. Maybe part of the frustration is that there has been change, but no breakthroughs. That’s because breakthroughs are hard in our system of government -- by design. That is one of Madison’s big points in Federalist #10 and #51; he wants our system to be responsive to changes in public mood, but -- fearful of fractious majorities -- he also promotes a system of checks and balances to slow change down. Moreover, the powers that be in the Republican party have been doing things a certain way for a century and a half. They are not going to give up just because conservatives have won a handful of elections. Still, given the heartening results of the last few elections, rather than giving up on the GOP, conservative reformers should take careful note of their successes and failures, and refine their strategies. For instance, in 2014, there was a lot of emphasis on defeating incumbent Republican senators. This was largely unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Dave Brat came out of nowhere to defeat Eric Cantor. Therefore, perhaps the point of attack in the next cycle should be the many go-along-to-get-along Republican House members, who may be more vulnerable. The point is that the Republican party is no doubt in need of reform, but still -- it can be reformed. That won’t come easy. Reform never does because the powers that be always prefer the status quo to change, but it can be done. Glenn Beck should stay in the party and lend a hand. Jay Cost is a staff writer at The Weekly Standard. His new book, A Republic No More: Big Government and the Rise of American Political Corruption, is now available. Fix the GOP, Don’t Abandon It
A message to Glenn Beck.They surrendered on the abortion bill, surrendered on executive orders on illegal immigration, common core. They helped push through $3.5 trillion in deficits this last year. They won't fight Obamacare. They voted to confirm Katz Unstein (ph). They thwarted the bill on the NSA data collection. They're still not doing anything on Benghazi. They haven't done anything on the targeting of conservatives with the IRS. They haven't done anything on the VA. They also threw an election against Chris McDaniels to Thad Cochran. They actually went to the Democrats and played the race card. I mean, I can get that from Hillary Clinton's people….
We had to have the house. Then we had to the House. Then we had to have the House and the Senate. Now we have to have the White House. And then when they get the White House, the House, and the Senate then it becomes the Bush administration where it's just as bad on deficits and everything else. They don't have any intention of doing anything.This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative. That year, the Republican caucus included many nominal, moderate, or otherwise unreliable Republicans, notably John Chafee of Rhode Island, Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Jim Jeffords of Vermont, and Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas. Some such Republicans remain—Frank Murkowski was succeeded by Lisa Murkowski—but their numbers have shrunk. My informal count has them declining from about 15 in 1994 to less than half a dozen today. The group of solid conservatives, meanwhile, has grown. The Senate already had many such members, like Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, and Tim Scott. But now they are set to be joined by Tom Cotton, Ben Sasse, and Joni Ernst. My back of the envelope calculations suggest that the number of solid conservative senators has risen from about a dozen in 1995 to 20 or so today.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-14) not displayed.
.
.
.
#15. To: TooConservative (#0)
You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I believe that Lincoln, the first Republican president, said that.
Last week, to much fanfare, Glenn Beck declared that he was leaving the Republican party and becoming an independent. During a Tuesday night appearance on the O’Reilly Factor, Beck explained his decision thusly: They surrendered on the abortion bill, surrendered on executive orders on illegal immigration... Fix the Whig Party, Don’t Abandon It A message to Abraham Lincoln. Last week, to much fanfare, Abraham Lincoln declared that he was leaving the Whig party and becoming a Republican. During a speech in Peoria, Lincoln explained his decision thusly: They surrendered on the Wilmot Proviso, surrendered on the Kansas–Nebraska Act...
Read his biography... his entire delusional life has been misdirected by substance abuse.
And yet somehow the Dems who you claim to oppose so much never get a tenth as much of your scorn.
But there is no proof that he ever said it or anything similar to it. QuoteInvestigator: You Cannot Fool All the People All the Time -- Abraham Lincoln? Jacques Abbadie? Denis Diderot? Anonymous?
Very witty riposte. : )
There is a lot of that, I think it is due to the betrayal. Americans have a lot more scorn for Benedict Arnold than they do for Major Andre. A divorced man is going to have a lot more scorn for the wife who cheated on him than he is for some streetwalker. The modern RNC establishment is all about betrayal, scorn is what they will naturally reap.
quite a conundrum then. The party can't be fixed ,and 3rd party insurgencies brings us the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson and Bubba Clinton.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
It's not realistic to expect the McSheeple to "fix" the GeeOpie when they won't even be bothered to reign in the "Professional Educators" inflicting common-core within their local public schools. Until the later happens, the former won't.
Well, the soap box, the jury box, and the ballot box are all broken. I guess we will have to resign our selves that the nation is going to go down the drain, and there is nothing we can do about it.
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Gov Reagan legalized abortion before R v W in California (he also passed gun restricting legistlation) - thought nothing of it. By the time he ran for president the anti abortion movement was gaining steam and he pandered to them but made sure that when addressing them he did so by telephone from a distance.
George Bush is the one that gave us Bubba Clinton. A third party had nothing to do with it, asshole.
We can take back our schools one classroom at a time, for starters.
Anyone remember this gem from the '92 debates? That's when I knew that Xlinton had won it.
It's taken about 70 years for the progressives to destroy the schools. Sorry, but I don't think we have that kind of time left.
Anderl Meier: You're very good. I have really enjoyed climbing with you. Dr. Jonathan Hemlock: We'll make it. Anderl Meier: I don't think so. But we shall continue with style.
Even so, he would have failed without Perot's help.
Sadly, I have to agree! That would be like a gang of thugs attacking your house, shooting you, your wife, kids, & pets, then pouring gasoline on and striking a match to burn it down,and someone suggesting you chill out, call the police, and wait for them to arrive on scene & take care of it, but for you to NOT TAKE THE LAW INTO YOUR OWN HANDS, and correct it in a civilized manner. Yeah, riiiiiiiight.
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Your local GOP must be a lot more lively than the one around here.
I will admit my example is exaggerated, but it was to illustrate the imperative of the time factor. But then, you already knew that.
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Yeah, riiiiiiiight. I think Beck's most cogent statement was that if we the Dims, the slide goes faster. If we pick the Pubs the slide slows just a bit. However, what he did not consider is regardless of party, once they all gather in the hell hole of Wash DC, birds of feather...
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
"Turn and burn" mentality has its immediate 'Id' fulfillment. However what happens after everything is burned down? I agree somewhat with the article. The portion that shows we are getting more Tea Party conservatives going to DC is important. It does not satisfy the immediate 'Id' in us who want to knock it all down and start again. Then we have to consider...things happen which reverse a lot of wrong. We can never predict it; it just happens. It is my hope and prayer one of these historical 'things happen' comes along very soon. It can happen. But, Stoner, I share your anger and frustration. I have kids too and they are growing up in a sewer of a nation. Sure there are still some oasis places, but for how long. Texas is pretty good where I am. Even so I still have concerns given I am raising two white males who will encounter discrimination based on how our woman-minority centric society is today. Don't burn it down just yet. You never know when the "Riders of Rohan" will arrive to save the city:
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
Updated Ben Garrison graphic!
I am sure many share the same anger & frustration. " You never know when the "Riders of Rohan" will arrive to save the city: " I have long lost faith in that happening! We are surrounded by way too much evil, and too much within !
Si vis pacem, para bellum
heard that before , Conservatives had a temper tantrum because of Bush breaking the no-new tax pledge. So Perot syphoned off 19% of the vote by running a single issue campaign .Most of those votes would have gone to Bush. But hey , you must've been thrilled with 8 years of the Clintons.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Well, the soap box, the jury box, and the ballot box are all broken. I guess we will have to resign our selves that the nation is going to go down the drain, and there is nothing we can do about it. Maybe ;or we can hope that the Tea Party and conservative insurgencies transforms the party like the Reagan Revolution did . We tend to forget that it took Reagan 3 campaigns to become President .
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
True. I am always amused that those that attacked him so strongly, later claimed to be "Reagan Conservatives ". Liars all!
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Democrats are babykillers. No further scorn is needed. By that fact, they've consigned themselves to hell. And no Democrats post here. People who still call themselves Republicans do. They need to get out of that party. Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.
Putting up with 8 years of Clinton was worth it to get rid of Bush. It would have been best had Perot won.
The problem with a new party is that the Rs and Ds have passed impossible new candidacy laws. The R Party did not have to abide by that when it rose from the ashes. A third can't possibly make it because it has no real financial backing, no getting on the ballot on every state, and no chance to be included in the debates. Breitbart was right. The only chance is to take it from within. Take out the Dems first and then go after the RINOs. Unity is the key.
http://www.tedcruz.org
He sucks. I don't know why you love to promote him so much.
We have a few.
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
Whom? Let me know so I can cc Too when I shit on them for being babykillers.
You are living in political fantasy land with nothing to back up your hallucinations.
I know at least 10 people that voted for Perot. Without exception every one of them would have voted for Bush. Myself included. You're not astute if you think otherwise.
It's not evident?:) One rides a choo Choo train. One rides proud pegasus to kill the Kraken with Medusa's severed head. Riddle enough:)
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
To back up your point. Perot came close to siphoning off enough votes to give Bubba Texas.
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
I know at least 10 people that voted for Perot. Without exception every one of them would have voted for Bush. Myself included. You're not astute if you think otherwise. You and your pals represent a negligable proportion of the population.
A Choo-choo train? Sort of like the trains to Auschwitz, full of dead babies?
Comments (56 - 77) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#16. To: TooConservative (#0)
Fix the GOP, Don’t Abandon It A message to Glenn Beck.
#17. To: jeremiad (#13)
#18. To: Vicomte13 (#7)
Republicans are either corrupt scumbags or, if they are not corrupt, are herd- following moral cowards. Every last one of them.
#19. To: Don (#15)
I believe that Lincoln, the first Republican president, said that.
#20. To: nativist nationalist (#16)
Last week, to much fanfare, Abraham Lincoln declared that he was leaving the Whig party and becoming a Republican. During a speech in Peoria, Lincoln explained his decision thusly:
#21. To: TooConservative (#18)
And yet somehow the Dems who you claim to oppose so much never get a tenth as much of your scorn.
#22. To: Stoner (#2)
The GOP is beyond fixing!
#23. To: TooConservative (#1)
(Edited)
"EDUCATE THE COMMON PEOPLE, THIS IT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE TO EFFECT AND ON A GENERAL PLAN"
#24. To: jeremiad (#13)
(Edited)
How is Glenn Beck a crackpot?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/04/21/the-precious-gift-glenn- beck-regrets-giving-mitt-romney-to-this-day/
#25. To: tomder55 (#22)
" The party can't be fixed ,and 3rd party insurgencies brings us the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson and Bubba Clinton. "
#26. To: Stoner (#10)
I appreciate the history lesson. My position still stands, that the Republican Party is a worthless, treasonous, pack of liars & backstabbers. It will not be reformed. Anyone that thinks it can be reformed is a fool!
Amen!
#27. To: Vicomte13, TooConservative (#3)
(Edited)
Well, they DO own it. Literally. Roe v. Wade was put into place, 7-2, by a Republican Supreme Court. And its reach was extended and entrenched during Reagan's Presidency, 5-4, by a Republican Supreme Court.
#28. To: tomder55 (#22)
The party can't be fixed ,and 3rd party insurgencies brings us the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson and Bubba Clinton.
#29. To: Stoner (#25)
and there is nothing we can do about it.
#30. To: rlk (#28)
George Bush is the one that gave us Bubba Clinton.
#31. To: VxH (#29)
We can take back our schools one classroom at a time, for starters.
#32. To: Rufus T Firefly (#31)
Sorry, but I don't think we have that kind of time left.
Cruz-Hemlock 16!
#33. To: Rufus T Firefly (#30)
Anyone remember this gem from the '92 debates? That's when I knew that Xlinton had won it.
#34. To: Rufus T Firefly (#31)
" Sorry, but I don't think we have that kind of time left. "
#35. To: Stoner (#34)
That would be like a gang of thugs attacking your house, shooting you, your wife, kids, & pets, then pouring gasoline on and striking a match to burn it down...
#36. To: TooConservative (#35)
#37. To: Stoner (#34)
That would be like a gang of thugs attacking your house, shooting you, your wife, kids, & pets, then pouring gasoline on and striking a match to burn it down,and someone suggesting you chill out, call the police, and wait for them to arrive on scene & take care of it, but for you to NOT TAKE THE LAW INTO YOUR OWN HANDS, and correct it in a civilized manner.
#38. To: Stoner, TooConservative (#35)
#39. To: TooConservative (#0)
The D&R terrorists hate us because we're free, to vote second party
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#40. To: redleghunter (#38)
" Stoner, I share your anger and frustration. I have kids too and they are growing up in a sewer of a nation. "
#41. To: rlk (#28)
George Bush is the one that gave us Bubba Clinton. A third party had nothing to do with it.
#42. To: Stoner (#25)
" The party can't be fixed ,and 3rd party insurgencies brings us the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson and Bubba Clinton. "
#43. To: tomder55 (#42)
" We tend to forget that it took Reagan 3 campaigns to become President . "
#44. To: TooConservative (#18)
And yet somehow the Dems who you claim to oppose so much never get a tenth as much of your scorn.
#45. To: tomder55 (#41)
But hey , you must've been thrilled with 8 years of the Clintons.
#46. To: TooConservative (#4)
#47. To: hondo68 (#39)
Ben Garrison graphic!
#48. To: Vicomte13, TooConservative (#44)
And no Democrats post here.
#49. To: redleghunter (#48)
#50. To: tomder55 (#41)
Perot syphoned off 19% of the vote by running a single issue campaign .Most of those votes would have gone to Bush.
#51. To: rlk (#50)
Perot syphoned off 19% of the vote by running a single issue campaign .Most of those votes would have gone to Bush. You are living in political fantasy land with nothing to back up your hallucinations.
#52. To: Vicomte13 (#49)
Whom? Let me know so I can cc Too when I shit on them for being babykillers.
#53. To: tomder55 (#41)
#54. To: A K A Stone (#51)
Perot syphoned off 19% of the vote by running a single issue campaign .Most of those votes would have gone to Bush. You are living in political fantasy land with nothing to back up your hallucinations.
#55. To: redleghunter (#52)
.
.
.
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]