The Lost 7 Core Principles of Conservatism
I’m gonna go out on a limb with this one, but if nothing else, it highlights the hypocrisy of today’s Republican Party, and its total abandonment of its purpose. It also shines a little light on Mike Johnson. I think it’s important to call this out. As always, I encourage comments.
On Congressman Mike Johnson’s House of Representatives website, the following document can be found: The 7 Core Principles of Conservatism. In normal times, in a normal world, with normal politics, these Republican Party tenets would counterbalance those of the Democratic Party and would be fertile ground for sowing some seeds for the common good. Of course, we’re not living in normal times in a normal world with normal politics, but just reading these seven principles that supposedly serve as the underpinnings of the Speaker of the Month (er…House) and others makes one wonder how today’s Republicans can possibly claim to even cling to them. Without repeating the explanations of the principles that are made in the aforementioned document, I’ll attempt to highlight the rank hypocrisy of its supposed adherents.
Individual Freedom – If Individual Freedom is a God-given right, why is a woman’s right to choose being taken away by the Republican Party?
Limited Government – If Limited Government is needed because government operates only by the consent of the governed, why is the Republican Party so intent on ignoring the will of the majority of the people, and so dedicated to suppressing those who try to express it? Furthermore, if Republicans are for smaller government, why do they keep running for office?
The Rule of Law – If the Rule of Law is a guiding principle, why does the Republican Party embrace as its standard-bearer a twice impeached, four times indicted, 91 count defendant, who’s also been found to be a sexual predator and a fraud in his business dealings? Why is the Republican-led House more intent on investigating investigators than actual crimes, and holding inquisitions to try to find more things to investigate?
Peace Through Strength – If Peace Through Strength is important, why does the Republican Party consistently and concertedly weaken our military and law enforcement by withholding approval of promotions and denigrating our active military, veterans, and law enforcement members and agencies at every turn?
Fiscal Responsibility – If Fiscal Responsibility is the key to financial well-being, why are Republicans responsible for a grossly disproportionate share of the deficit and national debt (Trump increased it by almost a third in his four years), primarily by reducing taxes on those most able to pay them, while taking services away from those most in need of them, and who are often capable of becoming self-sufficient and able to pay taxes at a higher effective rate than the wealthiest among us?
Free Markets – If Free Markets are necessary for “innovation, improvement and economic expansion," why do Republicans support tariffs that punish consumers and subsidies that artificially support industries threatened by their own actions or inactions, and fight against developing sustainable resources?
Human Dignity – If Human Dignity is a fundamental human right, why does the Republican Party vilify anyone with a different view, a different ethnic or religious background, or people who legitimately seek to immigrate to America to live the American dream?
The 7 Core Principles of Conservatism is an interesting document, and once upon a time, it might have meant something. Now, it seems like a pipe dream. Even though I’m a Democrat, I firmly believe that we need a strong Republican Party that stands for many of the principles outlined above. Today’s Republican Party has certainly lost its way, and with it, any legitimacy it ever had.
These statements are right on point, but sadly not recognized as hypocrisy by the the current members of the Republican party. I recently read the following saying somewhere which explains a lot of it:
CRITICAL THINKING: THE OTHER NATIONAL DEFICIT.
Excellent "Random Thought", Bob!
GQP platform:
"These are our core principles which we will never abandon in the battle against socialism and communism...unless they interfere with our continuous grab for power. Because if we're not in power, then we won't get our way or the ability to tell people how to live their lives. Which is, of course, our right to do. How do we know this? God told us so. In fact, God agrees with Republicans 100% of the time and he doesn't even like Democrats. So we're going to do whatever the hell we want because God is on our side. After all, the word democracy isn't in the Bible, right?"