This country needs a Conservative and a Progressive Party. The dynamic between them, the conflict and the compromise, drive the system. One side tries to limit government, the other takes a more expansive view. The creative tension moves government forward in a world that is changing every day.
When one side pulls to hard, the system loses balance. It spins and wobbles and eventually crashes. We are now out of balance. Disaster beckons.
And in response, the Tea Party Right demands complete surrender. While John Boehner got 98% of what the Republicans demanded, and still the Right feels sold out. Michelle Bachmann makes voting against raising the debt limit a corner-stone of her presidential campaign, and she is one of the front-runners. And the others are rushing to out-stupid her. What would William Buckley, Jr. say?
The party of Limited Government has become the party of NO GOVERNMENT, while the party of Expansive Government has become the party of, well, maybe a little less government wouldn't hurt too badly. The center is moved to the right. Suddenly I, a Liberal Republican, become a Mainstream Democrat. But I'll not give up my party without a fight.
On the plus side, there still are a bunch of people to my Left, Mad as any Hatter.
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