What are Republicans today, anyway? George Will: As much socialists as Democrats these days.
George Will had an excellent column today:
Is fiscal conservatism really so dead in America today?
Just remember some of his examples the next time you hear about some new tax being “temporary”, or “only for a particular purpose”. How many times have those words turned out to be true?
I voted for Barr in the election. Not because I had any misconception about his chances, but because enough votes for those with fiscally conservative views will hopefully help influence the national discussion. Supporting Ron Paul. Voting for Barr.
At this point I would even be ok with Obama raising taxes, as long as he went Clinton’s path towards balancing the budget. Even with big spending, if we can get closer to the point where we are realizing the actual cost of all of these programs and foreign interventionism then at least we can have an honest discussion about fiscal policy. But as long as costs can be deferred, or hidden, then it is almost impossible to have honest discussion.
I’ve never been a Republican. I went from being a Democrat to being a libertarian, because that stage where people used to become Republicans never took–the fiscal principles that used to pull the youth as they grew older into Republicans has vanished. Compare Clinton to either Bush, and it’s no wonder the current generation likely sees Democrats as, if not flat-out fisally more responsible, more honest and knowledgeable about what things cost and how you have to find funding for what you want to do.
Conservatives can say all they want that tax revenues rise when you lower tax rates. But if you’re spending billions upon billions in new government programs and foreign interventionist policies, and now government bailouts, that doesn’t wash. Republicans have to become much more rational about spending, and that includes what we are able to do internationally.
[/soapbox] You go, George Will. Tell it like it is.
