David Frum - "I am a Republican.."

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   Doug Hughesposted 12 years ago

   CNN) -
   
   I'm a Republican. Always have been. I believe in free markets, low taxes, reasonable regulation and limited government. But as I look back at the weeks of rancor leading up to Sunday night's last-minute budget deal, I see some things I don't believe in:
   
   Forcing the United States to the verge of default.
   
   Shrugging off the needs and concerns of millions of unemployed.
   
   Protecting every single loophole, giveaway and boondoggle in the tax code as a matter of fundamental conservative principle.
   
   Massive government budget cuts in the midst of the worst recession since World War II.
   
   I am not alone. Only about one-third of Republicans agree that cutting government spending should be the country's top priority. Only about one-quarter of Republicans insist the budget be balanced without any tax increases.
   
   Yet that one-third and that one-quarter have come to dominate my party. That one-third and that one-quarter forced a debt standoff that could have ended in default and a second Great Recession. That one-third and that one-quarter have effectively written the "no new taxes pledge" into national law. There was another way.
   
   There still is.
   
   Give me a hammer and a church-house door, and I'd post these theses for modern Republicans:
   
   ....."
   
   http://m.cnn.com/primary/_orgn1K-iXNr2BDKAB

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      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's true, the Republicrats are the same party. "Tax and Spend".

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         deafwolfposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Deleted
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            Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Evan - you have a mysterious admirer.  Whooo hoo!
            
            For some reason, this never happens to me.

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               Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               What did he write? The message got deleted.

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      rebekahELLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Someone has to say it, good for him.
      
      I saw this video on a hub earlier, and it reminded me of current GOP politics.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl … 8fMjWCAXQ0

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      svencillposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      These are not the same republicans that we used to have. They are becoming more and more extreme and now have been hijacked by the Tea Party.

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   kerrygposted 12 years ago

   Refreshing to read something so sane from a Republican. These days you almost forget sane Republicans exist - the raving lunatics get all the air time.
   
   My only major point of disagreement is that I'd add defense to #4. Or rather, offense. I don't have any problem with maintaining enough of an army to defend ourselves against direct attack, but spending trillions on foreign wars and military bases when we can't even fund our school systems properly is pure and unadulterated madness.

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   livelongerposted 12 years ago

   Frum's site is trying to pull American conservatism back to its conservative roots. Some would say futilely.

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   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   He is Canadian born so of course he makes sense

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   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   Although, a lot of Republicans attacked him when he criticized Bush when he was President.

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   ThoughtSandwichesposted 12 years ago

   Good point UV...however, if I remember correctly, the Republicans attacked ANYONE who criticized former President Bush.  As such, our patriotism was questioned when we asked for an exit strategy before entering Iraq and our loyalty was probed when we asked about closed door deals with energy companies.  For six years the United States Congress abdicated their responsibilities as they allowed Bush and his neo-con minions to run rough shod over the separation of power doctrine.  Shame on them and shame on us for allowing it to happen.

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   KeithTaxposted 12 years ago

   I am sorry to hear that. The Republican thing, that is.
   
   I am an American and believe in the people of my country. Political party is so far down the list as to be unnoticable. Too bad a few radicals are holding my people hostage. I wonder what the Founding Fathers would think about today's politics. I wonder if they would be sad their great dream is as risk of ending.

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      ThoughtSandwichesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Keith,
      
      You actually don't have to wonder about their thoughts.  Although he used the term "faction" rather than "party" James Madison warned future generations of the potential problems to the body politic by such developments of specialized political interest groups on November 22, 1789 by publishing Federalist Paper #10 in the Daily Advertiser.  Below is a small outtake which best summarizes his concerns on the subject.
      
      "By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."
      
      James Madison, at least, would be appalled by what elements of the Republican party are doing in his name.

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