Journalist Rick Perlstein recently asked for my forecast on the future of the Republican Party. It’s an important question. American political culture takes election victory to be the ratification of truth, which is why this question is usually addressed from the point of view of whether the party will continue to hold power. I would rather address the issue of what power has come to mean to the Republicans: namely, everything.
The Republican love of liberty, which seemed to be a sincere impulse of the party’s core during the 1990s, has been reduced to mere sloganeering. After many decades of balancing its ideological contradictions, the culture of the party – its leadership, activists, interest groups, and intellectual backers – has fully embraced power in all forms. [Full Article]
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The Republican Party is best described as political version of lipstick on a hooker.
No matter how they talk or dress themselves up, there’s little at the core to distinguish them from the political trash which is the Democratic party.
Democrats are on a bullet train for socialism, the GOP is on the horse and buggy……while the ride may be a bit more scenic, the destination and inevitable demise of our country is the same.
I believe the GOP will hold power for a generation or so. Americans at heart reject the brand of extreme leftism that has become too commonplace in the democratic party.
However, therein lies the danger of Republican politics…To win votes and power, they provide a watered down version that still pacifies the pleadings of the populace for this and that entitlement or protection.
The Republicans have little in common with conservatives of old. Libertarians generally hold traditional values of freedom dear, but have no political clout with a gimme generation in a 2 party system.
Pessimist or realist? I think we’re screwed to repeat the cycle of every great civilization that sacrifices its liberty for prosperity.
Here’s an appropriate confirmation via the Wall Street Journal: Michael Barone’s editorial on Bush’s Inaugural Speech.
It’s titled, “The 16th Second Inaugural – Expect Bush to sound like Woodrow Wilson”.
Now that’s scary.
Considering that they seem to be the cause of both parties’ demise, I’ll be interested to see how the Baby Boomers are remembered in history books.
Does “…most narcissistic generation in American history…” have a proper-sounding ring?
Didn’t Woodrow Wilson want self-determination, like Mises? Is that scary?!
Big political parties have dissapeared before in the U.S. It’s also possible that a Libertarian party could become a force in the next 20 years. This is the age of the blogosphere and instant communications. Republican and Democrat positions are being intellectually slaughtered from sites like this. I think short term abuse of the Republicans can be tolerated for dramatic weakening of the Democrats, which will provide the impetus for a new party. I think that’s the strategy key, discredit the socialists first, take on the Republicans second. Taking them both on at the same time has not worked and just switched them in and out of power.
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