What Bush Does to Republicans

What's the difference in the GOP from when you were growing up?

If you're fiscally responsible, this is not your party. If you believe in a moderate foreign policy characterized by alliances, free trade and the ability to operate in an international environment, this is not your party. If you believe in limited federal government, this is not your party. If you believe that the government should stay out of your bedroom, this is very definitely not your party. In fact, I would argue that unless you believe in the American imperium, imposed on the world by force, or unless you believe in the literal interpretation of the Book of Revelations, this is not your party.

From Salon

Save us, Lowell, Jacob, or Amo, Frank or Barber.

Where did all the Rational Republicans go?

[sigh]

Comments

[beth]

Well, our good senator, Jim Jeffords, became a Democrat...he said there was no room left for him in the Republican party.

[jen]

amen.

[TSO]

If you're fiscally responsible, this is not your party.

Fiscal responsibility is most undermined not by temporary spending but long-term entitlements. To the extent current spending makes long-term promises impossible, it is a good (if imperfect) solution. As the left-of-center Michael Kinsley said, Americans are big babies who want big programs without big taxes. Deficits are ultimately a voter's decision.

If you believe in a moderate foreign policy characterized by alliances, free trade and the ability to operate in an international environment, this is not your party.

There is no party more dedicated to free trade than the Republican party. The politically popular thing would be to outlaw outsourcing, but you don't see that happening. Foreign policy speaking, the point is conceded.

If you believe in limited federal government, this is not your party.

See explanation above.

If you believe that the government should stay out of your bedroom, this is very definitely not your party.

A non-sequitor. Everyone believes the government should stay in their bedroom, if it's incest we're talking.

In fact, I would argue that unless you believe in the American imperium, imposed on the world by force..

Gag me. Regime change in Iraq after twelve years of brutal sanctions that hurt only the Iraqi people hardly seems imperial. The U.N. voters against U.S. use of force turned out to be getting rich off illegal oil sales to Saddam, a conflict of interest to be sure.