Comments on: Intellectual Conservatism Isn’t Dead: Maintaining a Consistent Philosophy (Guest Voice)

By: COACHEP » Blog Archive » Posts about Obama Health Care Failure as of October 13, 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:01:47 +0000

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By: SteveK

SteveK — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:29:43 +0000

You can lead a whorse to water but you can't make them think… Maybe the new law regarding the illegality of bloggers that claim to be expressing their own opinions while on the payroll of a lobby or interest group will encourage them to either 'fess up' or spend a little less time at the watering hole.

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:51:07 +0000

The leading of horses to water isn't really so hard… after that it's' the horse's move.

By: Dr J

Dr J — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:45:58 +0000

You're applying your tar with an awfully broad brush, Rick. That Republicans haven't been long on fiery crusades lately is certainly true. That they're heading off a cliff is not. They're the opposition party; all they have to do to maintain the status quo is oppose. The ball is the Democrats' to fumble.

That any of that implies a lack of critical thinking in conservatism in general is absurd. Though obviously criticism is priced to move everywhere, I see critical thinking in greater supply on the right and the center. The left is rich in feeling and has an unfortunate habit of mistaking it for sensible policy.

By: DLS

DLS — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:22:17 +0000

“seem incapable of”

If you lack the capability to witness it…

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:46:53 +0000

Well, I seriously doubt we are going to see many changes in healthcare that will be deserving of the term, “reform”, not when lobbyists are so heavily influencing legislation, but back to the topic: Great article Rick! Kudos to you for having the perception and courage to engage in the very self-examination that so many on the right (DLS being a typical case in point) seem incapable of. I believe the GOP is down but not out. As you suggest, any rising from the ashes will certainly require more than tea parties and reflexive rejection of all things left of center. I'd actually like to see true bipartisanship cooperation in my lifetime, not just lip service or posturing. It didn't use to be so terribly rare… long ago.

By: DLS

DLS — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:04:13 +0000

Intellectual conservatives have nothing to fear, intellectually, from the other side, given what it “contributes.”

By: Kastanj

Kastanj — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:26:06 +0000

"Conservatives have long argued that it’s unhealthy to use courts to decide policy questions because it removes contentious political issues from the realm of democratic deliberation."

Yeah right. Before Sotomayor the right-wing SCOTUS had a history of *liberally* making legislation from the bench, and no one complained about that. Bush v. Gore was a typical example of removing a contentious issue from the realm of democratic deliberation.

Republicans never manage to discipline themselves from cramming things down throats or ignoring the center once they are in power. They do, however, have a better marketing team that lets them define the subjective center.

Example:
Prop 8? DOMA? Naah, that's just going with the will of the people, even if it harms the civil rights of others. Don't be an elitist now.

Health care reform? WAAAAAAAH how *dare* the democrats do something that doesn't encroach on anyone's civil rights and has the support of the majority!!! TOO MUCH TOO SOON CRAMMING DOWN THROATS!!!!

Conservative thinking isn't dead. It's just resting... It's "pining for the fjords".

By: SteveK

SteveK — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:12:19 +0000

Good article Rick.

Intellectual Conservatism IS NOT dead they've just rolled over and look like they are!

Rush Limbaugh and his 'ditto head' wingnuts have been setting the agenda for the entire right side of the room for the last several years with nary a peep or sign of life from the IC's. I look forward to seeing Intellectual Conservatives getting off their knees and taking control of the morons who are currently running the show.