Conservative Wanderer

“A troubled and afflicted mankind looks to us, pleading for us to keep our rendezvous with destiny; that we will uphold the principles of self-reliance, self-discipline, morality, and, above all, responsible liberty for every individual that we will become that shining city on a hill.” — Ronald Wilson Reagan

Daily Archives: 10 November 2008

A Day of Salute

Like many citizens of this great country, I’ve had opportunities galore thanks to the most valuable subset of the citizenry of the USA.  From a father who severed in the Air Force for 22 years to Uncles to many, many friends in the various branches.

I passed on my opportunity to don the uniform because of callow youth.  Please accept these poor words as a token of my, and I hope all other Americans, undying gratitude for your sacrifices.

I salute you, O protectors of Freedom – Veterans past, present, and future.  You have given US the best portion.  Happy Veteran’s Day!

 

PS: For those of you who don’t know, today (Nov 10) is the birthday of the US Marine Corps.  Nov 11 is Veteran’s Day celebrated this day as commemoration of the end of WWI…on the “11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour”.

Introduction

Hello, all who have Wandered in.  I am that first elusive friend CW invited to join this, hopefully, noble effort.  My moniker here “PhyCon” is a contraction of Physics and Conservative.  My college days, as my very blank profile states, were filled with Physics, Mathematics, and no sleep.  I am currently working in object oriented programming.

Here’s to hoping for a great time!

Time For A Thorough Conservative Housecleaning

Not sure if I agree with this 100%, but Deroy Murdock makes some very good points:

Bush has kept America safe from terror attacks since September 11. The liberations of Afghanistan from bin Ladenism and Iraq from Ba’athism were vital victories for national security and human rights. Until this year’s mortgage meltdown, his tax cuts fueled robust growth. Good work.

Nevertheless, Bush is the GOP’s Jimmy Carter, a weak bumbler who embarrassed his constituents, betrayed his philosophical movement, sank his party, and eventually surrendered the White House to the opposition, this time led by the Senate’s Number One liberal, still in his first term. Bush should retire quietly to Texas, where he can drive his truck, chop wood, and avoid the limelight for the balance of his natural existence.

Bush could use someone to sweep the leaves at his ranch. I nominate Karl Rove. Why on Earth is he always on TV spewing advice? As “the architect” of the oxymoronic Big Government Conservatism, he counseled Bush to solidify power by spending like a Democrat, slapping tariffs on steel, and locking away his veto pen for six years. Under Rove, the administration’s communications efforts made the Tower of Babel sound like a news channel. This would be bad enough if the GOP were unprincipled but in control. Oops! The GOP lost Congress in 2006 and the White House in 2008. Thanks, Karl.

With few exceptions, Republican congressional leaders cheered this elephantiasis amid an atmosphere of corruption, incompetence, and unaccountability. Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, House GOP chief John Boehner, House Republican whip Roy Blunt, and other failed leaders should go warm the back benches. Senator Ted “Bridge to Nowhere” Stevens will become Ted “Jail to Nowhere” Stevens — and not soon enough.

Former Senate GOP leaders Bill Frist and Trent Lott, and top House Republicans Dennis Hastert and Tom DeLay have nothing to offer America. They should be left alone to fade quietly into obscurity.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich captured the House from the Democrats, passed the Contract with America, and then bungled his speakership while conducting an extramarital affair with a subordinate during the Clinton impeachment drama. Why do pro-family conservatives, or anyone else, still heed this man?

Instead, Americans should listen to Republicans who courageously advance pro-market principles today. Senators Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn would make outstanding GOP honchos. House Republicans should elevate Jeff Flake, Mike Pence, Jeb Hensarling, and John Shadegg to key positions. Governors Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal are attractive young reformers with lots to offer through at least 2012. Ditto former Maryland lieutenant governor Michael Steele, author of 2008’s best slogan: “Drill, baby, drill!”

I can’t disagree with the concept of getting away from trying to out-big-government the Democrats, but I’m a bit more forgiving. If the people listed above will change their ways back to the path that Reagan showed us; the path of smaller government, I don’t mind keeping them around… unless they turn back to the pork barrel.

Wisdom From the Past

I don ‘t know about you, but I am impatient with those Republicans who after the last election rushed into print saying, “We must broaden the base of our party”—when what they meant was to fuzz up and blur even more the differences between ourselves and our opponents.

It was a feeling that there was not a sufficient difference now between the parties that kept a majority of the voters away from the polls. When have we ever advocated a closed-door policy? Who has ever been barred from participating?

Our people look for a cause to believe in. Is it a third party we need, or is it a new and revitalized second party, raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people?

I can’t say it much better than that. And it’s as true today as it was back when those words were spoken.

Bragging rights to the first commenter (blog staff not eligible) to name who said that… and extra bragging rights if you can correctly specify the occasion.