The Classic Liberal Blog

Conservatives face a serious dilemma these days ...

Neither Bush was conservative, in any meaningful way. Reagan only had 8 years. Ford wasn't a conservative. Nor in any honest way can it be claimed that Nixon, was a conservative, either.

If we continued our walk back through history, we'd witness very similar results to these, repeating themselves time and time again. All the way back to the early 20th century, when progressivism took root ... and then the conservative movement arose in opposition.

It's shameful to admit, but let's face it ... We as conservatives, have allowed ourselves to become, the victims of battered-wife syndrome!

In a personal situation, I'm certain most of us would council a battered woman to leave her abusive husband. In politics however, things get a bit trickier. Don't they?

There's a spiders web of rules and regulations, written by our "legislators," to rig the election process in favor of the Monopoly Parties - Republicans and Democrats. Everything from the long "processing" time that goes along with complicated legal forms, to the very way campaign finance "regulations," controls the money ... Plain and simple, it's a rigged system.

Note: Btw, if you don't believe me,  please contact me (email on about page), so we can talk. I've got an awesome investment opportunity for you. It's a very exclusive deal.

So as crazy as it sounds, divorcing an abusive spouse is easier than divorcing the Republican Party. But ... Can it be done?

• If  'no,' than how can we elect a conservative Republican?
• If 'yes,' than how do we get enough votes?

These are not easy questions to answer. I'd even go further by saying that anyone who claims to have a definitive answer ... smokes crack.

So in our follow-up to How to Elect a Conservative, we'll instead be taking a look at more general, perspective-orientated ideas, which hopefully, stir up enough of your thoughts to continue the quest of accomplishing our goal - electing a genuine conservative. But first, a quick note on third party potential.

Third Party?

Based on my experience in finance and economics, I believe we are heading towards a depression that will be “greater,” than the depression we call "Great." Even if I'm wrong (which I hope), our economy is still heading directly towards economic conditions much worse than they are now. Most likely, the 1970's will begin to look like it was a vacation.

Any major economic event such as this, will have a dramatic effect on our political climate in many, and unpredictable ways. This leads me to believe that an opportunity for a major third party to arise, just might be around the corner. Also, consider the growth of the Tea Party movement, and it's sister movement opposing government health care.

It's quite possible, we're witnessing the growth of a new market in politics, right at this very moment! Quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sarah Palin move in this direction. Truth is, it makes a lot of sense for her. Palin's a big deal too! But that's a story for another day. Right now, let's focus on electing a conservative within the Republican Party.

Principles and Rhetoric.

I think it's safe to say that people in general, vote based more on rhetoric than anything else. In other words, we vote for what politicians say, not what they do. We ignore too many tell-tale signs because they're a "Republican." There's no time to worry about conservatism I guess, because we're too busy, trying to "win" elections!

Well guess what folks?

The government is now bigger, more expensive, and more intrusive than ever before (and this happened prior to even knowing Obama's name). Since Reagan, there has not been a conservative president. We must accept this truth, and it's no big deal to do so either.

Attempting to ignore this reality only means you're in the "dazed and confused" zone, along with the mainstream "pundits," like David Frum. For example, because they're "dazed and confused," they believe their hallucination, where GWB represents grassroots conservatives, is real.

When you can't wrap your brain around a the standard definitions of words, you're going to get your analysis wrong. Bush's "compassionate conservatism" - prescription drug handouts, nationalized education, Patriot Act, and many more Big Government programs - in reality, is a considerably Left of center platform! Thinking otherwise, just puts you in a losing position.

This is why rhetoric, just isn't' enough. At least, rhetoric shouldn't be enough to earn your valuable support. Instead, conservatives should do what we do best - look at history, and learn each politicians record. In other words, go with what's been proven.

• What is their voting record?
• What have their policy positions been?
• Where do they get most of their funding?
• What's in it for them?
• What have they accomplished in the private sector?
• Can we even trust a person without private-sector experience?

If we're really going to elect a conservative, obviously we must know the answers to these questions, and more.

And to elect a conservative too, as individuals, each one of us must stand firm in our principles, supporting only genuine conservative candidates, and do so to the very end - win, lose, or draw ... in unwavering conviction, even when the “projected” outcomes, and "popular" opinions appear to move against us.

Once Upon a Time …

Phyllis Schlafly is a grassroots titan! Her one-woman crusade, has changed the world in countless positive ways. Her accomplishment we'll focus on here is when in 1964, she almost single-handily won the Republican presidential nomination of the genuine conservative Barry Goldwater.

Goldwater's nomination as the Republican Party's candidate for president, was a genuine David and Goliath story, one that pitted conservatives (David) against the Republican Party (Goliath). Yes, you read that correctly. Conservatives did not hold hands and sing Kum Bay Yah together with the Republican Party.

Same as it ever was ...  the only difference between 1964 and today, is that "moderate" Republicans, were called "me-too" Republicans. But other than that, it's the same story we have today ... Okay, with one significant difference ...  Conservatives, fought the party tooth-and-nail!

In her classic book A Choice Not An Echo, Schlafly details “the inside story of how American Presidents are chosen,” while simultaneously showing us how these "king-makers" can be defeated! A Choice Not An Echo, should be read by anyone interested in changing our political environment today, especially conservatives and libertarians! Personally, I consider this book to contain vital historic information, which can help us better understand how politics really works, and how to beat the system!

As Patrick Henry said, way back in 1775:

“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.”

Remember, primary elections a very important! As conservatives, we need to “get out the vote” in the primaries (on a grassroots basis, that is), even more so than we do for a general election! Why? Because of the obvious reason of needing to win some primaries, but even more importantly, to win delegates too.

Continued with Knowledge Is Power.