Adieu to the Grand Old Party

Good analysis of the root of the problem.

Another aspect of the local political process is not just the buddies of the local politician, but the rank and file constituents who ask, beg, plead for Federal, State, and local funds to pay for something that can best be left to private enterprise. Things like local transit; there's no reason why communities must have their transportation needs subsidized by their own taxes.

I suppose it is an ingrained attitude among people, conservatives included, that they look to their elected officials to "Do something for ME!"
The proper attitude is to let your elected officials know that their role is serving as a buffer between you and the government; protecting you, not acting as a conduit for government largesse.

Isn't that what the Constitution is all about? Instituting a government that protects us from enemies foreign and domestic, and protecting our rights from abuse? Not instituting a government that grants us our wishes like a genie's bottle. Missed that part somewhere when I read it last.

Welcome home to the Grand NEW Party, whatever it may turn out to be!

Wow! Great entry, Ike! Both clearly thought out and inspirational. Nicely done.

I'm not sure why your name is not appearing with your blog entry. Countryman's shows up, so maybe there is something you can do on your end with the settings. I've tried everything I can do on my end, and can't get your name to show up.

... for the good words. Sometimes I can write well; sometimes, just ... well, not well.

Norman: I see what you're talking about with my name. I'll check and see if I can edit it into the post.

Countryman: Thank you. And it is exactly those rank and file constituents who will defeat - I fear - any party whose essential platform is "No more public trough to slop out of; get a job!" - or something like that. Personally, I've often wondered about golf courses - not being a golfer of course! - I've thought it strange to have the local governments pay for those. If enough younger folks are elected, will we see public "Paintball Courses"? *chuckle*

I think that part of the "fight" is going to be educating the public about the horrible side-effects of constantly demanding that the government "do something" for them or about some problem, real or imaginary. Ceaselessly, we need to remind them with plain language and the most direct examples from history - preferably U.S. history - of the consequences of that demanding attitude. Ah, well, if it was easy ....

Norman: It was on my settings page; my nickname was missing from the settings. I fixed it. *grin*

Grouchy Old Progressives

Saw the name fix. Very good. Now you'll get proper recognition for your good work! ;-)

The "gimme, gimme" culture is exactly what allows the Tweedledems and the Tweedledemers to continue to dominate the political landscape. In short, the government has become a kind of drug dealer, where the "drugs" are gummint handouts. All you have to do to get them is to sign over your liberty. The GOP does not and never will "get" this, as they careen toward electoral disaster as "Dem-lite."

Reminds me of those old "tastes great! less filling" commercials, which we may now update:

"Lower taxes!" scream the Pubbies

"Higher spending!" retort the Dems

Now we have both, and still no one is happy.

Hmm . . .

Third Party '08.

Great update for the meaning of "GOP": "Grumpy Old Progressives" indeed!

Cheers!