No one has done more to tarnish the reputation of conservative thought than thoughtless partisan hacks like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. The core conservative skepticism of government power was notably absent in their unconditional support for the GW Bush Administration. Had their loyalty lay with conservative principles, rather than the Republican Party, they would have criticized Bush for his out of control spending, irresponsible warfare and massive expansion of welfare. The behavior of much of the Republican Party and their mouth pieces has led many Americans to believe that militarism and aggressive foreign intervention are core conservative values, which is far from the truth. Historically, conservatives have been very vocal about their belief in the dangers of becoming entangled in the affairs of other nations.
Thankfully, there were some conscientious conservatives who were critical of the both parties support for military and domestic intervention. Among them Jack Hunter stands out; he has consistently pointed out the inconsistency of (so called) conservatives who declare that they are against "big government," yet support trillion dollar wars. With great clarity, he has expounded his belief that the warfare state is antithetical to conservative values of limited government and fiscal conservatism. Prolonged warfare always leads to an expansion in the size and scope of the federal government and an erosion of civil liberties. Mr. Hunter has questioned popular notions that the sole impetus for terrorism is a "hatred of our freedom," instead arguing that overly interventionist foreign policy is a more pertinent factor.
My greatest hope is that such critics will push the Republican Party away from its promotion of reckless domestic and foreign intervention towards real and not just rhetorical support of limited, constitutional government and fiscal responsibility. Until they reach that point, I will consider them almost as unworthy of my vote as their Democratic counterparts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuMJ0TEnvUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLpaz8tdLfI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsOOJT_LWws&feature=related
Thankfully, there were some conscientious conservatives who were critical of the both parties support for military and domestic intervention. Among them Jack Hunter stands out; he has consistently pointed out the inconsistency of (so called) conservatives who declare that they are against "big government," yet support trillion dollar wars. With great clarity, he has expounded his belief that the warfare state is antithetical to conservative values of limited government and fiscal conservatism. Prolonged warfare always leads to an expansion in the size and scope of the federal government and an erosion of civil liberties. Mr. Hunter has questioned popular notions that the sole impetus for terrorism is a "hatred of our freedom," instead arguing that overly interventionist foreign policy is a more pertinent factor.
My greatest hope is that such critics will push the Republican Party away from its promotion of reckless domestic and foreign intervention towards real and not just rhetorical support of limited, constitutional government and fiscal responsibility. Until they reach that point, I will consider them almost as unworthy of my vote as their Democratic counterparts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuMJ0TEnvUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLpaz8tdLfI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsOOJT_LWws&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzUB29dKu0k&feature=related
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