David Brooks writes today in the New York Times (subscription) about the obsolete message of the GOP.
…Today the big threats to people’s future prospects come from complex, decentralized phenomena: Islamic extremism, failed states, global competition, global warming, nuclear proliferation, a skills-based economy, economic and social segmentation.
Normal, nonideological people are less concerned about the threat to their freedom from an overweening state than from the threats posed by these amorphous yet pervasive phenomena. The “liberty vs. power� paradigm is less germane. It’s been replaced in the public consciousness with a “security leads to freedom� paradigm. People with a secure base are more free to take risks and explore the possibilities of their world.
People with secure health care can switch jobs more easily. People who feel free from terror can live their lives more loosely. People who come from stable homes and pass through engaged schools are free to choose from a wider range of opportunities.
…The Republican Party, which still talks as if government were the biggest threat to choice, has lost touch with independent voters. Offered a choice between stale Democrats and stale Republicans, voters now choose Democrats, who at least talk about economic and domestic security.
I tend to agree that the current themes of the GOP are obsolete for compelling the growing ranks of moderate independent voters. What I prefer is pragmatic management that aims to draw us together, rather than inflaming our differences. The Dems do their share of pandering and favoritism, as necessary to get and maintain power, but in comparison, at this time, they are aiming to do more good for more people than the GOP.
Unless the GOP has an epiphany I will be sending most of my campaign contributions to Democrats.
Born 1950, Married, Living in Austin Texas, Semi
Retired Small Business owner and investor. My political interest
evolved out of his business experience that the best decisions come out of an objective gathering of information and a pragmatic consideration of costs and benefits. I am interested in promoting Centrist candidates and Policies. My posts are mostly about people and policies that I believe are part of the solution rather the problem.