« BACK  |  PRINT

RS

EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Days of Whine and Poseurs

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  November 1st, 2011 at 04:46 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

“For so long Republican congressmen have gotten to go home calling themselves conservative while doing jack for the cause. Heritage Action holds them accountable.”

We’ve made a bit of a mistake as a conservative movement fixating so much on the race for the White House. There’s a behind the scenes fight happening in Washington right now. Congressional Republicans are not just selling us out, they are hell bent — and I really do mean hell bent — on destroying the conservative groups raising red flags about what they are doing.

For so long the GOP in Washington could hide behind surveys like the American Conservative Union survey, which shows just how much more someone is Republican than Democrat. No one actually did a survey that showed just how conservative the Republicans were internally. What happened was a lot of Republicans took up the conservative banner as their own, claimed to be conservative, and really were selling out conservatives in D.C. as much as the Democrats.

Finally, the Heritage Foundation decided to do something about it. Much wailing, whining, gnashing of teeth, and the odd spectacle of Washington Republicans running to MSNBC to complain has ensued.

Now, my friends at the Heritage Foundation won’t like me saying this, but I really believe that along with just about every other conservative group in Washington during the Bush years, Heritage got it in its head that it needed to be a team player with the Bushies instead of being the conservative standard bearer.

That’s why we had that tit for tat in the last CNN debate where Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich both blamed the Heritage Foundation for coming up with the individual mandate or something akin to it coupled with exchanges (Heritage isn’t very good, or at least wasn’t very good, on health care).

But the light went on at the Heritage Foundation. It is one of the few conservative organizations where the light didn’t just go on, they replaced the 60 watt for a 100 watt bright light of conservatism. They did something else too — they decided to not just make sure to renew their commitment to conservatism, but to also hold accountable the supposedly conservative members of Congress through a 501(c)(4), Heritage Action for America.

And now we are seeing, coming off Capitol Hill, days of whine and poseurs. Republican members of Congress who are either not or barely are conservative are now being compared to actual conservatives. They can no longer hide. They are livid, petty, and lashing out. In fact, true to their nature, they are going on MSNBC of all places to whine and pose.

Now, I don’t know a conservative outside the beltway who views Eric Cantor as being as conservative as Eric Cantor would have you believe. This is a man, you will remember, who told the press the reason conservatives voted against TARP was because Nancy Pelosi had been not nice. Seriously. His Heritage Action for America score is in the 60′s — right where I’d have put him.

What makes it so hysterical, but also so tragic, are the number of Republicans who have convinced themselves they are conservative when they not only are not, but have never been. You have porkers and budget appropriators who have expanded the size and scope of the federal government to reward their friends called out on their actions and all they can do is whine.

Consider, for example, what Ed Crane of CATO noted way back on November 13, 2000:

Over the past three years the Republican-controlled Congress has approved discretionary spending that exceeded Bill Clinton’s requests by more than $30 billion. The party that in 1994 would abolish the Department of Education now brags in response to Clinton’s 2000 State of the Union Address that it is outspending the White House when it comes to education. My colleagues Stephen Moore and Stephen Slivinski found that the combined budgets of the 95 major programs that the Contract with America promised to eliminate have increased by 13%.

Republicans did that. And many of the Republicans who did that called or still call themselves conservatives.

It is about time we had a group like Heritage Action for America in Washington to call out the poseurs and shed light on their posing. One of the best ways they have done it is to score sponsorship of legislation. This has the poseurs really livid.

It is one thing to vote on legislation that eventually makes it to the floor of the House. Usually, by then, the legislation has been watered down so everybody on the GOP side can sign on. So to overcome the watering down effect, Heritage Action scores sponsorship. Real conservatives should not be ashamed to actually have their name on conservative legislation. It is driving the squishy moderates crazy. For so long Republican congressmen have gotten to go home calling themselves conservative while doing jack for the cause. Heritage Action holds them accountable.

Friends, this is the first time we’ve had a conservative group really holding Republican feet to the fire in the name of conservatism like this. The reaction we are seeing from Republicans on the Hill is that of men who think themselves gods who are finally being held accountable as public servants after, in many cases, getting a free ride within the conservative movement.

Consider joining Heritage Action for America and advance accountability within the GOP.

Tags:

COMMENTS

POSTING RULES  |  LOGIN TO COMMENT  |  REGISTER TODAY
  • Doc Holliday

    This is a time for the frauds to be exposed.

  • sowa1

    This election is to replace all of the over two term Democrats. The Democrats are holding up the passage of 15 job producing bills. Get serious about who is to blame.

  • davesinsanantonio

    score organizations which claim to be conservative but are not, e.g. the National Rifle Association.

  • michaelbowler

    This kind of oversight has been a long time coming. The TEA party groups have forced everyones’ feet to the fire, finally.
    For decades, folks like myself have watched with alarm and a sense of helplessness as DC politicians made ever more disturbing decisions. We thought the conservative viewpoint was making a comeback, as the republicans began to hold Clinton to welfare reform.. It was an illusion, what few gains were made were given back with a vengeance, almost immediately.
    We’re awake and engaged. The RINOs are going to hear from us, repeatedly and loudly.
    The squishy middle, go along get along crowd, those that have control of the republican party, are on notice…this is a HOSTILE takeover, and the hostility has only just begun. Get with the program or get a new career.

  • http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

    I attended an event in Montgomery County [outside Philly] which they sponsored this past Spring [Toomey headlined] and chatted with their leadership [and joined, of course].

    Their emanations have been just fine but, recently, I read that some people consider it to be “unfair” that they score people on more than formal votes.

    Now, this appeared to be “fair” by invoking another benchmark, namely, how the AIPAC score always is met by the most devious Democrats and, thus, does not really reflect commitment to bedrock pro-Israel positions.

    Therefore, I post this [and will return later after having updated my database] by asking simply [noting that you rarely have posted replies when your readers have issued even the most strident critiques of your analyses] in the hope that you would specifically address the presumed discrepancy in credibility between the Heritage and ACU rating approaches.

    RSVP, EE [and others]!

  • NeoKong

    All have always said that Republicans always seem to wither under bad press and try to be reasonable. They gave in on budget fights and they didn’t cut the billions they promised.
    I don’t understand why.
    They held their ground against Obamacare, the stimulus spending and all that and they were rewarded with the Congress in a stunning blowout.
    Now they are afraid to be in charge it seems.

  • dvdmsr

    Republicans haven’t had control of congress for nearly five years.

  • dvdmsr

    nearly six years.

  • dvdmsr

    I was right the first time

  • http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

    …I will document seriatim how this debate could be framed.

    First, I note that the Heritage Action leadership has noted the identical polarization which EE has depicted…
    http://heritageaction.com/2011/10/heritage-action%E2%80%99s-week-in-review-4/
    …and its scorecard for PA clearly differentiates most Republicans [scores in the 50;s]…
    http://heritageactionscorecard.com/scorecard/index.html#home
    from BOTH the true-blue variety [scores in the 80's] and the D’s [scores in the ...teens].

    The potential subtlety of a vote [in-committee on on-the-floor] must be taken into-account, however, so the serial-notations [which cite others, but don't readily depict internal decision-making, at least after superficial review] require scrutiny.

    It is also noted that the scorecard page mirrors precisely the parameter that a friend has used when assessing events in Harrisburg, the “Liberty Index”; Guzzardi has elaborated on his decision-making…
    http://thelibertyblog.org/2011/07/12/key-vote-liberty-index-sb-1062-appropriation-gaming-control-board/
    …when accounting for the behavior of those statewide politicians who actually require additional scrutiny.

    As another example of potential pitfalls when scurtinizing whether a Congressman is a “representative” or a “delegate” [ref: Edmund Burke] is when Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick’s [PA-8, Bucks County] opposition to an anti-NLRB bill arose last month; without getting into excess-detail, suffice to say that he had unique/sound/documented reasons for opposing a bill that could set a potentially-problematic precedent when limiting the purview of this administrative agency.

    Therefore, I approach this task in an open-minded fashion.

  • http://www.planettron.com NickDeringer

    Erick, thanks for saying what a lot of us have known for a long time. Kudos for Heritage for getting its act together.

    This goes a long way to explaining why the GOP nominated a big government progressive in 2008 and if we don’t wake up we will do it again in 2012.

  • wennejunk

    There was an opportunity in during the GWB admin for the ‘Conservative’ GOP majorities to scale back government.

    They didn’t do it because they didn’t want to do it.

    They were CINOs and RINOS and they failed and we now pay that price.

    Yes, clean out the Dems, but lets clean out the fake ones on our side as well.

  • papabear

    nt

  • malvernpa

    Democrats cannot be rehabilitated and the question since 2008 has been can the republicans be rehabilitated. Most people do not understand that the Tea Party came about in part because we conservatives had NO significant representation in Washington. The big spending of the Bush years was a serious source of frustration for conservatives. Throw in the towel with democrats, spending rehabilitation cannot be done with them. At some point even the most conservative democrat will go along with the leadership in their party. Republicans are supposed to be the responsible ones who respect the hard work that every tax dollar comes from. If we are going to save America from a socialist hell then we have got to hold the Republicans to a conservative agenda and give them very little wiggle room. Hat tip to Heritage.

  • radicalrabbi

    It is a simple matter; I appreciate that Heritage is keeping a scorecard. I have been keeping one for years, thanks to the internet. All one has to do is look at the pending legislation; does it dovetail with the Constitution? If not, then the true conservative will oppose it, regardless if his district or state needs any monies for a pet project.
    Anyone can call him or herself a conservative; a man living in a garage can call himself a Buick. It doesn’t make it so; the benchmark is the Constitution; if you are elected, and you go against the Constitution, you will be outed, plain and simple.
    “We the People” have had enough; either they uphold their oath of office or we will run them out of Washington, District of Corruption.

  • http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

    Granted, the statement of principles…
    http://heritageaction.com/2011/03/heritage-action-announces-legislative-scorecard/
    …appears apt, it seems at least one other individual has also noted the inability to hyperlink cleanly from datum to conclusion [and back], noting that Jody Wardell’s advice ["Would be nice if you included the clerk link to these posts so we can follow actions."] was viewed as well-taken [by Nathanael Yellis, I'm the Deputy Political Director at Heritage Action] a month ago…
    http://heritageaction.com/2011/09/key-vote-alert-%E2%80%9Cno%E2%80%9D-on-continuing-resolution-cr/
    …without any structural changes having been instituted in the interim.

    THEREFORE, tentatively, I conclude that “the jury is out” regarding the level of documentation provided by “Heritage Action” as it generates its scorecards.

    I look forward to input from others as to whether I have missed anything.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    And I’m aware that this normally-bland statement is going to have some folks up in arms, yes. :)

    Anyway, the administration made it clear after 9/11 that its primary goal in life had abruptly shifted, and I can’t exactly argue that I disagree with that shift, given that it was what finally brought me into the Republican party once and for all.

  • sceesq

    Eric,

    While I appreciate your comments, above, please take note of Heritage’s recent budget plan, “Saving the American Dream”.

    It is far more Socialist/wealth redistributing than most Progressive/Socialist plans. I am awaiting some details of Heritage’s Income Tax Plan in “Saving the Dream” to write a letter to the Board of Heritage.

  • aggie91

    Not long ago both parties had liberal and conservative members. The Democrats have sucessfully driven out the conserevative wing of their party. The GOP has yet to purge itself of the liberals. The Rockefeller Republicans are still very entrenched within the leadership of the GOP. They mandate that our candidates interact with the MSM to weaken the conservative candidates in favor of the more liberal ones. Power has it privledges. Only when we have a truly conservative leadership will we be able to resist the MSM effectively. ColdWarrior?s plan, in time, will erradicate these parasites and none too soon.

  • ihateliberals

    This 2010 election left the left in control even with a republican speaker of the House. Mainly because the speaker of the house is a Liberal Republican. I think we need to start calling them what they are and that is Liberals not RINO’s. RINO’s implies that the Republican party is something else and it’s not. Conservatives are a Cause without a Party. I have hesitated for a long time encouraging a split of the republican Party but that seems to be the only alternative left to us. be it Tea Party of “The conservatives” or whatever we end up calling ourselves that time is now. I have feared since the 2010 elections that conservatives were lost when Boehner gave ito the Democrats on the 2011 budget. That set the agenda for the rest of this congress. They say we need 13 seats in the senate to over turn Obamacare and I say we need many more than that becasue of the Liberal Republicans in office. Like Olivia Snowe, John McCain etc. As long as people keep the Idea in their heads that they elect national Congressmen based on what they do for their home districts we want be able to overcome this Liberal Republican problem. Just like Boehner. a frend of mine from his distrcit says he is doing wonderful things for his district. I said to him he is screwing up on a national basis. he has finally realized that US congreemen need to be looked at on a national not local level. even though Boehner is form Ohio his decisions affect me here in PA. People have to start relying on their state congressmen for local matters and not the US congressmen.

  • 4suramcan

    who care about America, NOT career politicians, who only care about, well, their career.

  • gallowglass

    The NRA is a one issue organization. The 2nd Amendment is their sole focus. Except as other issues may relate to the 2nd Amendment, the rest of what we are fighting for are not their major concern. The NRA concentrates it’s efforts on it’s core mission – thwarting the efforts of the left to curtail our hunting, shooting sports, and self defense rights – and as a result, has been extremely effective.

    After decades of the left’s attempts to disarm American gun owners, we still have our basic gun rights and are gaining back some that were taken in away long ago – such as RTC – in many states across the nation.

    Be thankful that the NRA is representing your rights and support them in that effort.

  • edintexas

    There was, indeed, a war. But “Dubya”, and his “compassionate conservatism”, was the proximate cause of “No Child Left Behind” (written primarily by invitation to Teddy Kennedy. Kennedy reminds me of the old Jackie “Moms” Mabley routine: Talking about her husband, she would say “They say that you should only say good about the daid. He’s daid. Good.”). And “Dubya” was also responsible for Medicare Part D. Admittedly Part D is not as grossly expensive as expected, but that is cold comfort for the growth of Medicare and government intrusion into the private sector and out lives.*

    * Full disclosure – I have perfectly good insurance and thus I decline Medicare Part B. I have Part A because there is no provision for refusing Part A coverage. And yes, I’ve taken that monthly SSA “retirement” check for some years – Conservatives aren’t stupid about money.

  • Wubbies World

    …. in the fight against those who sell us out in the Republican Party!!!

  • tommyfrisco

    the new Republican-controlled House weren’t able to gather enough votes together to repeal the Light Bulb Act. That law, is an excellent example of what our Government should NOT be doing and the original bill was co-sponsored by a Republican.

    Those guys tell us their hands are tied when they are in the minority. So, we gave them a majority in the House in Nov 2010. Now, they tell us their hands are tied until there is a Republican majority in the Senate and we have a Republican in the White House.

    Many of us are getting FED UP with Republicans who refuse to fight for what is right at all times.

    Unfortunately, I don’t think much is going to change in D.C. until the tax code is simplified and the campaign laws are re-written so that only the voters (people) can make political contributions.

  • bk

    “…a thing called a scorecard…” – He acts like they are the first people to do this.

    If his name was Luke Smith, he’d instead be talking about “a thing called a McRib sandwich”.

  • edintexas

    However, for some, you are wasting bytes. For whatever personal reasons, there are some folks who refuse to accept that the NRA could possibly be a bi-partisan single issue organization. I no longer recollect whether I joined in 1960, or 61. But back then the NRA was a single issue organization too. But that issue was target shooting, The leadership consisted of target shooters who couldn’t care if the government wanted to confiscate every single firearm in the US (which wasn’t used for competition). Perhaps that’s a bit strong, but they would not have objected to confiscation of every handgun other than the M-1911A1 ,45 Auto (preferably the Gold Cup if commercial). Maybe that is why, in 1960, 60% of the public thought that banning handguns was a good idea.

    Thanks to Neal Knox and the members of the “Cincinnati Revolt”,we are far better off because of the more recent single issue NRA. While I would have preferred Neal to have won the power struggle with Wayne LaPierre, the NRA still remains dedicated to the 2d Amendment.

    For those who wish the NRA to take a different course, here’s a Neal Knox quote from the 2004 Gun Rights Policy Forum:

    “If gunowners refuse to vote for anyone except purists, we?re going to have precious few times to vote and unless we vote with those who vote with us, we?re going to see our political clout disappear. We must not allow that to happen.”

    Neal Knox, Arlington, VA 2004

  • earlgrey

    you started with should still be addressed. In 2012 we are not just electing (hopefully) a new President, but also Senators and all Congressman will face a referrendum on their performance.

    While we are wringing our hands at the lousy choices for President (suddenly Mitch Daniels and Tim Pawlenty look a lot better), I hope we also look at opportunities in the Senate and House. If we end up with Mitt as the nominee he may need to count on the voters coming out for Senate and House candidates to drag him across the finish.

  • johnt

    lead to the despotism and waste of government. It’s fun throwing around billions, an ego rush for failed lawyers and the somewhat disturbed.

  • edintexas

    All that is not to say I don’t believe in voting for Conservatives. I truly appreciate Jeb Hensarling (5th District, TX), even though I think he was a bit slow in signing on as a Co-Sponsor of HR 822, waiting till the end of March when Rep. Stearns introduced the bill at the end of February. He’s not perfect, but he’s way ahead of many other Republicans in the House and there are better targets for primary challenges.

    The firearms issue is somewhat different in that there are a few Democrats still representing rural districts who will vote the “right” way on the firearms issue. Perhaps even more now than a decade ago, they’ve been “burned” – as evidenced by the reluctance to take up gun control (even with control of House, Senate and Oval Office) as either a campaign, or bill introduction, issue for all but the furthest Left (and safest seat) members. The number of these Dem politicians is shrinking and eventually there will be virtually none for the NRA to “A” rate.

  • acat

    (nothing further)

  • donrsherwood

    I cannot tell you how angry is makes me that you continue to whine about RINOs and establishement Republicans fighting against conservatism, WITHOUT NAMING NAMES!

    We can do very little unless we know the enemy. Quite being so cute. Tell us who is fighting us!!!!!!

  • edintexas

    If only people can contribute (McCain would love this), the Democrats will outspend the Republicans every single year. While Republicans have historically dominated the small donation individual contribution, the Democrats have a virtual lock on the large amount individual contributions. Add in their illegal contributions (pre-paid cash card donations, foreign contributions, multiple contributions, union in-kind contributions of boots on the ground, etc.) and this would endanger the Republican ability to compete.

    Like I said, McCain would love the idea. He’s already screwed up the system once.

  • enjay

    Good to know Heritage Foundation has rededicated itself to exposing masquerading RINOS and CINOS. There is too much posing going on to keep up with.

    I draw your attention to Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal. This republican governor is poised to push newly minted masguerading republican, John Alario, a former 37 year career good ole democrat in, as Speaker of the House in Louisiana. Although yet to be convicted of anything, he has never been far from corruption over the years. What’s up with this? Louisiana conservatives are rightly outraged.
    I don’t know how Jindal is able to bamboozle strong conservative national voices, but he deserves close scrutiny. If he is touted as the GOP’s Great Hope…..we are in very big trouble.
    May be Heritage will look in to this looming disaster.

    Starting off, Jindal had great potential…..but down here in Louisiana we’ve learned to always ask…”What’s In It For Bobby?”

  • macbookben

    “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years.”

    Bottom line: we’re the suckers who voted these clowns into power.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    There are thousands of issues I care about more than that.

    I think people who fixate on light bulbs have lost some perspective on what issues matter, sorry.

  • http://moelane.com/ Moe Lane

    And let me just note that I don’t really think that it’s funny to confuse or conflate it with the internal disputes of the Republican party. People died in Afghanistan and Iraq.

  • BA Cyclone

    Totally agree. To the extent that “this isn’t about party lines” the clarion call of the Tea Party was not just a marketing gimmick. Mainstream, generally conservative, hard-working people had no voice in government. We’d had big-spenders and D.C. do-gooders (according to them) in control for over 10 years by the time Obama took office, and the only difference is that Obama merely squared or more the level — not the philosophy.

    We gave the GWB admin a kind of pass as long as we were primarily focused on anti-terrorism. But the debacle that was 2008 forced us all to wake up and pay attention to the domestic menace we’d allowed to fester too long as pro-life statism in D.C.

    So rather than start a futile 3rd party organization, I’ve joined into the mission to DRAG Republicans back to the right. No more blended watercolors.

    I’d never heard of Heritage to be honest until a couple years ago, and have been giving them what scraps I have to offer since then. Happy to do that.

    It’s no surprise the pro-life statists are kicking and screaming, and frankly I love it. It means we are doing something right, in my humble opinion. I find that very encouraging!

    Conservatives, get your activism on. Heritage Action is surely great, but also if you aren’t there already, GET CONNECTED with your local GOP committee. They need your help, they need your activism, and they need more conservative voices to carry that banner into the Republican organization. If we don’t change the bench from within, we will keep getting the same old results.

  • paco12348

    We need term limits on both parties. Get rid of all those holding grudges from 20 years back and playing “payback”.
    Let our States select Senators again like the Constitution originally said should happen.
    Make the Supreme Court revisit their decisions about religion and prayer. Make it meet Constitutional standards.
    Return America to the Constitution and 3/4ths of the problems we face today will go away. America haters will either deport or crawl back into the cracks.
    Our Justice system needs a good house cleaning. There are certain classes of people allowed to continue breathing in America that continually destroy the young in America. We slap their hand and send them to a year of proven useless counseling.
    We need old Western justice with a Judge in a makeshift courtroom sending proven thieves, murderers and molesters out to the hanging tree instead of spending millions of dollars and years of time for a lawyer to stand and lie through his teeth giving a “fair defense”.
    So called “civilization” has turned America into Old Rome and we are headed the same way with a worthless government and justice system.

  • acat

    They have a sell-by date. Some stay fresh longer than others, but .. some just need to be retired and replaced with fresh product.

    Mew

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    Term limits are the most short-sighted, poorly thought out plank around.

    Conservative heroes are hard to find. Squishy losers are a dime a dozen.

    If you term out the squishes, they’re easily replaced with more squishes.

    If you term out the conservatives heroes… they’re easily replaced with squishes.

    Term limits are just the lazy man’s way to give himself an excuse not to get off his tail and get to work primarying people.

  • Repair_Man_Jack

    were sadly in charge of Congress from 2004 to 2006. They are part of why the Progs were able to get so medeival upon us in 2006 and 2008. We owned Congress in 2005. Much to our demise.

  • Finrod

    .

  • Tbone

    that it is a “conservative” organization?

    Nope, I didn’t think so.

    Politically, the NRA is focused on gun rights issues. Its membership is very bi-partisan and a member survey that my firm did for the NRA a few years ago showed less than 20% of its members belonged for political reasons. I would guess that is up a bit with the advent of Obama.

    As for Heritage or any other organization rating the conservatism of the NRA, I’m sure it couldn’t care less. It will continue to back politicians whose voting records indicate support for gun rights issues whether Democrat or Republican.

  • acat

    Actually, they make it worse.

    Term limits move the seats of power from Congress to the bureaucracy, which is already Dem-dominated. “All we have to do is wait out this latest figurehead…”

    Now, if you want to term limit *all* government service, i.e. person X can work for the federal government for a maximum of 20 years, in elected or non-elected office, I might get on board.

    Mew

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    To propose the death penalty for thieves is… silly.

  • Finrod

    They both need to be changed often, and for the same reason.

  • YnotNOW

    I’m talking about the Republican Party, not Welfare reform ;)

    We have a 2-party system, for better or for worse, and those parties provide significant benefit via organization and infrastructure (as well as their drawbacks). Therefore, the solution is for Conservatives to get involved in the Republican Party, as the closer of the two parties to our principles, and reform it from within.

  • tommyfrisco

    that the Republicans couldn’t even do something as simple and easy as getting the Light Bulb Act repealed. If they can’t even do that, how can we expect them to repeal Obamacare or dump our existing tax code in favor of a simple flat tax system?

    I don’t think I’ve lost perspective, I just pointed out that we often discuss things of a very important nature while ignoring the reality that even the minor issues are not being dealt with.

  • YnotNOW

    ’nuff said

  • YnotNOW

    Just not “zero-government” libertarian.

  • acat

    (end transmission)

  • YnotNOW

    Yes, these are the avenues to actually enact conservative legislation. And it takes not just a R takeover of the Senate, but actual Conservative leadership and majorities. Go Jim DeMint and the Senate Conservatives Fund!

  • YnotNOW

    Here is just yesterday’s post on this topic:

    http://www.redstate.com/erick/2011/10/31/will-the-tea-party-in-oregon-primary-him/

  • Common_Cents

    but indicative on the level of conservatism in our party. This should be an easy repeal.

    Time to roll up the sleeves everyone and continue to purge the R party from the ground up!

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    If you want to measure the Republicans, measure them by the substantive things they do pass, like any number of balanced budgets they passed, or the Net Neutrality repeal.

    Measuring them by a piece of fluff like light bulbs is to miss the point entirely.

  • ihateliberals

    Several people corrected me. What i meant was the last time the republicans had control and actually took action against Democrats was 1995. yes we had the house several times since then but we were never really in charge just like right now. Boehner is a Liberal Republican. He bends to the will of the dencorats in the Senate for the most part. he has to sound good so sometimes he lashes out at Reid but I think they are best Drinking buddies behind the scene and Reid is an alleged Mormon like me.

    Otherws told me mend it don’t End it about the Republican Party. That use to be my thoughts but I thinkitis too late for that to happen. the elites have gained too much power in the Party and we are going to have to take it down. having a third party of conservatives would for the most part at least I think end the Republican Party. Just like the Republicans ended the Whigs 150 years ago.

  • RDCook

    The problem with so called Conservatives in Washington is their approach to the damage Liberalism has done to our country. Too many are satisfied with just trying to slow the Socialism taking over our country. They should be using every tactic possible to reverse it.

  • Repair_Man_Jack

    The GOP had the ball from 2004 to 2006. The Conservative Movement didn’t get any carries.

  • tommyfrisco

    “The light bulb ban has become a symbolic representation of the federal government?s intrusion into the American individual?s freedom.”

    http://blog.heritage.org/2011/07/11/repeal-of-the-light-bulb-ban-under-the-spotlight/

    I should add that I was reminded, this past weekend, about the failure of our GOP controlled House to repeal the Light Bulb Act. While unpacking a ceiling fan that I had purchased, I noticed it included CFLs which, of course, do not work with my existing,dimmable light switch. Light bulbs were never included with new light fixtures before this Light Bulb Act was passed. I guess the CFLs are included now because that’s the type of bulb that the Government demands that we install. I hold Republicans responsible for taking away that choice from me.

    This is not an important issue for Neil, but it is a constant reminder to me that many of our Republicans in Congress are not as interested in a less intrusive Federal Govenrment as they claim to be.

  • mkozikowski

    SoH J. Boehner.
    This guy plays the ‘good old boy’, protect the past, play the game, give in to liberals, please keep me here GAME.

    He has not once, since taking the SoH position, posted a Conservative position without being forced to do so by the Young Conservatives.

    He has to go, or at least moved out of the position.
    NOT to be replaced by Mr. Cantor, who is no better, but by someone who is truly conservative in past actions.

  • johninohio

    As I recall, the NRA supported Harry Reid in Nevada the last go round because he supported gun rights. Thanks a lot, NRA.

    We already have the Constitution and the SCOTUS on our side, why did you think we needed Reid, too? Idiots!

  • Tbone

    http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/parks/Pages/clark-county-shooting-park.aspx

  • bs61

    If you want to see the supposed conservatives like John McCain never called out on his Libya support.

    I come to RedState because they report on the good and the bad in the Republican Party. The truth matters. Some people are too partisan to admit what the R’s spend, or think it’s okay because it’s on things they like.

    We’re on the edge of Financial Collapse, yet only one sit has the guts to call people out.

  • cbfisher64

    For a LONG time now (hence the dig-back reference from 2000, which in itself references the Gingrich Congress and CwA from the mid-90s) … ‘GOP’ does NOT equal ‘conservative’. For those in love with operands, that’s “GOP” “conservative”. Get that right and you’ll see clearer and better than ever.

    Locally, I have vowed to push our own lovable (said with dripping sarcasm) RINO, Dick Lugar, to the curb. A caller the other day from the local (county) GOP organization asked me first if I was going to vote next week for US Senate, and then for whom I would prefer. I simply said, “Anybody but Lugar”. He actually laughed … a succinct confirmation that I wasn’t the only one telling him that.

    Letters and emails to him have been regular and pointed. To them, he always provides boilerplate responses which bear little resemblance to the issue or matter at hand.

    So … thanks to EE for his weekly call-out of “someone who needs to be primaried” and to the Heritage Fdn … for waking up.

    Check’s in the mail boys.

  • cbfisher64

    For a LONG time now (hence the dig-back reference from 2000, which in itself references the Gingrich Congress and CwA from the mid-90s) … ‘GOP’ does NOT equal ‘conservative’. For those in love with operands, that’s “GOP” “conservative”. Get that right and you’ll see clearer and better than ever.

    Locally, I have vowed to push our own lovable (said with dripping sarcasm) RINO, Dick Lugar, to the curb. A caller the other day from the local (county) GOP organization asked me first if I was going to vote next week for US Senate, and then for whom I would prefer. I simply said, “Anybody but Lugar”. He actually laughed … a succinct confirmation that I wasn’t the only one telling him that.

    Letters and emails to him have been regular and pointed. To them, he always provides boilerplate responses which bear little resemblance to the issue or matter at hand.

    So … thanks to EE for his weekly call-out of “someone who needs to be primaried” and to the Heritage Fdn … for waking up.

    Check’s in the mail boys.

  • tommyfrisco

    I’m supposed to get excited about the House passing bills that they know won’t come up for a vote in the Senate. Very brave of our Republican leaders. (more sarcasm) I realize they have to show they’re trying, but the results are still the same…the Federal Govenrnent continues to grow and become more intrusive.

    What I am not missing is that you (editors and moderators) here at Red State are not much different from the Marxist regime that is currently in power. Guys like you and Martin Knight slap around any commenter that you disagree with or brings up an issue you don’t want addressed. You think you are much smarter than us, but you’re not, which explains why you use the same tactics that the Left uses against their opponents…you ridicule and demean those who disagree. You don’t even understand that I am not your opponent. I would bet that I’ve been a conservative much longer than you have, yet here you are trashing me.

    I guess you’d rather talk about a border fence between Texas and Mexico. It’s never going to happen along that 1200 mile river. It wouldn’t solve the immigration problem from Mexico anyway since most of them come here legally using their Visas and Border Crossing Cards. They don’t become illegal until they are already here in the States. Did you know that smart guy? How can DC fix a problem they don’t even discuss?

    Feel free to remove this post and ban me from making another one.. I’m not coming back to Red State. I may vote for Rick Perry (again), but right now I’d say he can KMA too if I he endorses the abuse RS dishes out.

  • bs61

    I’ve been tweeting RS comments to @SpeakerBoehner… not that he’ll get a clue!

    But I will ask anyone running for Congress if they will have the guts NOT to vote for him as Speaker.

  • bs61

    I tweeted Fred Upton for months, to no avail. We need to replace more spineless people who believe that we want to be poisoned by mercury!

    And stock up on Thomas Edison bulbs! :)

  • bs61

    Definitately, Republicans have us creaping to socialism, while Dem’s have us leaping to socialism! Vote Republican.

    We must do more work to rid ourselves of Big Govt R’s.

  • bs61

    Gov. Brewer vetoed all of our buy insurance across state lines bills and now she is working with the Chamber to implemented Obamacare, while simultaneously challenging Obamacare in court! Disgusting, but she had no challengers.

  • carolynr

    I liked Ronald Reagan. I was too young to really appreciate all that he did. I did not vote for Daddy Bush and helped put Clinton into office. I thought that GWB was different, but he spent a lot of money and Denny Hastert was a disaster. Fast Forward to today.

    1. I am voting for Rick Perry…warts and all. He is the closest to Ronald Reagan in ideas.
    2. Herman Cain is not ready for prime time, nor does he understand government all that well.
    3. I will work through the night to defeat Romney.
    4. I’m not sure Newt is part of the problem written about in the article. This has always been my suspicion.

    Now, about our Congress. They stink. Executives orders to spend our money. Obama is regulating policy and the Congress does nothing. Boehner says he is “keeping an eye on Obama”. What! The man is taking our rights away from us.

    I have an excellent rep in Paul Broun…true blue Conservative. My senators are RINOS. Isackson and Chambliss. Chambliss I will vote out and support anyone that wants to replace him on the ticket. I love DeMint and hope that he continues to try to put us back on track with Conservative thinking…which is the solution.

    If this does not happen…The GOP will find the same grave as the Whigs and be taken over by Conservatives or we have a three party system which favors Democrats. I agree with EE…this upcoming congressional vote is paramount…AND MITCH MC CONNELL NEEDS TO GO along with Lugar, Hagel, the NE twins, Collins and Snowe, Lindsey Graham, McCain, I’m not even sure if Orin Hatch is a real Conservative. I agree with EE…Cantor is not Conservative and I really wonder about Boehner….why hasn’t he voiced opinion about Obama’s usurping of the Constitution? EE…you are right…they aren’t Conservatives.

  • cbfisher64

    s/b ?GOP? ?conservative?

  • Bill S

    .

  • paladin1

    with your statements on term limits. A historical review of past strong conservatives who have retired show thaqt, more often than not, they are replaced by a much less satisfactory candidate who, whicle more conservative thatn the opposition candidate, has never, even in the long term, measured up to the retired conservative member.

    It is about electing and forcing conservative candidates to remain conservative with constant diligent review of their performance routinely, and enforcing the reiew at each election.

  • paladin1

    with your statements on term limits. A historical review of past strong conservatives who have retired show thaqt, more often than not, they are replaced by a much less satisfactory candidate who, whicle more conservative thatn the opposition candidate, has never, even in the long term, measured up to the retired conservative member.

    It is about electing and forcing conservative candidates to remain conservative with constant diligent review of their performance routinely, and enforcing the reiew at each election.

  • paladin1

    nt

  • spolson

    MSNBC is not a journalistic source so I cannot reply to it. I will say that we only win when we show a distinct difference between us and the liberals. Look how they hated Bush when he was trying to compromise with the Democrats.. Even the Republicans were convinced he was an idiot. He made mistakes but he was not stupid. McCain didn’t win because he was too prone to compromise too. You don’t have to win over the enemy by being like them. Nothing will change there minds they don’t think logically. If you can’t be a conservative don’t say you are.

  • aesthete

    There were two wars — one with great amounts of public support that got started in late ’01, and one somewhat more controversial one started in mid-’03. Whatever your opinion of the latter war, that’s still 3 good years that the Republicans had political capital out the wazoo and pretty much unrivalled control of government. Reagan would have killed for GWB’s majorities and Supreme Court composition. I would agree that the problem dates much further back than the wars (around the time that Republicans decided to make hay of Clinton’s peccadilloes, IMO), but the excuse that the wars made it impossible to do anything else was just that for at least three years: an excuse. One that, quite frankly, wore thin as an excuse used for every one of the Bush administration’s deviations from conservatism and fiscal sanity.

  • aesthete

    Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, or most mainstream figures in the libertarian movement “zero-government”.

  • Wes_W

    nt

  • earlgrey

    than the Heritage Foundation, but the two organizaitons are related???

    sorry I didn’t read all the posts. I am trying to figure out a possible donation as I have given to the Heritage Foundation, but not this group.

  • http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

    blogs on this site prompted a leader thereof to send me an e-mail

    we chatted and will continue to interact aggressively, on multiple fronts

    they are revamping their website to add more hyperlinks to relevant data

  • jimmyneutron

    simply for the fact that many of us out here in the real world are looking for two things from those people in DC: Principles and a willingness to fight for them. So far I am not seeing a lot of either one.
    Maybe a light bulb ban isn’t important and maybe it is, but it is definitely a very visible example of government overreach and over regulation and repealing it would be a good sign that the current crew understands the issues and is willing to put in the effort, dirty work and hard fighting required to put things right.
    I make no secret that I have little to no respect for Boehner, Cantor or McConnel. But then I love no politician and have no loyalty to any of them. As soon as they quit voting conservative I will try to vote them out of office. Our Republic and way of life is at stake and we need Generals/leaders who will not only fight, but who really understand the principles for which they lead the fight!

  • YnotNOW

    That serious libertarians are “zero-government” – I was referring to the extreme radicals who would call Heritage “not conservative” enough. That would be like saying water is “not wet” enough.