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The Civil War within the GOP

Posted by DrEdwardHudgins 10 years ago to Politics
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Ahead of the Republican Liberty Caucus’s New Hampshire conference, Edward Hudgins has published a commentary on “The Civil War Within the GOP.” Will the freedom faction win? Will the factions unite behind freedom? http://atlassociety.org/commentary/co...
SOURCE URL: http://atlassociety.org/commentary/commentary-blog/5839-gop-civil-war-election-2016


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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years ago
    If they really did this, I would become a Republican.
    "To win future elections and to save the country, the GOP must unite behind a consistent freedom agenda. It must reach out especially to the young tech entrepreneurs who value achievement and prosperity, love their work, are socially liberal, and will sooner or later run afoul of government regulators. The GOP must become a modernist party, offering a positive vision of a future as it can be and should be, if only individuals can be free!"
    This is saying they should reach out to the CircuitGuys of America.
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    • Posted by DrZarkov99 10 years ago
      The GOP needs to channel the late Jack Kemp, the original "compassionate conservative." He was a solid believer in a real free market, and capitalism as the strongest tool for upward mobility, if unshackled from excess government oversight.
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      • Posted by fosterj717 10 years ago
        "Compassionate Conservatism" is one of the prime reasons that the Republican party is in turmoil now! It is as bogus as the term "Social Justice"!

        What both parties need to do is stop spouting "feel good" giveaway rhetoric and start treating Americans as adults simply saying that it is time to start standing on your own two legs, for a change!

        Speaking "Power to the Truth" will ultimately go much further than simply blathering inane platitudes such as Compassionate Conservatism or Social Justice. The country has had way to much of that garbage and it is time it wakes up and realizes that fact.

        For what its worth!
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        • Posted by plusaf 10 years ago
          I gently disagree with part of that...

          "Compassionate Conservative" implies a defensive position of "No, we're NOT bad guys..." and that's a weak position to 'sell' to any voter. Basic psychology.

          I don't have any 'fer shure' suggestions for What Would Work, but my gut tells me that better advertising of "our truth" about free markets and their overwhelming benefits for Everyone and general education about How Economics Really Works for People (Hayek: yes, Keynes, NO) might lead to long-term success.

          The electorate actually believes the bill of goods they've been served... that Big Government Is THE Solution-Provider to Solve Any Problem Anyone Comes Up With. And like the definition of insanity, when those Big Government Solutions don't work, they believe we should turn up the volume on them (i.e., piss More Money down the rat-holes.)

          So long as the Electorate holds their current beliefs, I don't see any hope for positive change (pardon the O-expression).
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          • Posted by fosterj717 10 years ago
            I "gently" agree with your statement. Yes, Hayek and not Keynes would be the correct answer to the operational issues dogging the Republicans with the electorate.

            Unfortunately, the average person does not understand the nuance and probably doesn't care, as long as they have their TV, Internet and other trappings of "civilized" American society.

            For these reasons, the "soundbite" is the rule rather than the exception....unfortunately!
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  • Posted by freedomforall 10 years ago
    "Others believe deep down that radical change would be best, but think that it is politically impossible. Yet it is impossible in part because they refuse to take a stand against the system."
    This is the unvarnished truth about the GOP and those who vote for the GOP.
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    • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years ago
      Given the majority of the GOP a vote for a Republican is a vote for another four years of Demo-rats in charge.

      One little contrived throw the voters a Boehner is not change...it's nothing and McCarthy is just warmed over McCarthism
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  • Posted by fosterj717 10 years ago
    This is a very good thing because it is forcing the party to take a very close and critical look at itself. The party has been moribund now for decades and many believe it has lost its reason to exist.

    It is a very healthy thing when such a structure is forced to reinvent (or redefine) itself. A change of leadership with fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose is required from time to time. Now is that time for the Republican Party.

    Incidentally, it is high time that Democrats look at their co-opted party as well. The Establishments of both are way past their prime and in need dire need of soul searching and renewal!
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  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 10 years ago
    Could not have said it better except for the observable fact that it is gOVERNMENT! and everyone in it, that are the main 'Takers of value; otherwise it couldn't exist.

    "This brings us to the faction found in the Republican Liberty Caucus. Libertarians and Constitutionalists—many also social conservatives—understand that America itself is in a civil war between makers who live by producing goods and services to trade with their fellows, and takers who use government to steal from productive individuals. In our corrupt, crony system, political power—not free markets or merit—determines who gets what. In the end, the system that punishes achievers will run out of victims and collapse. To prevent this, radical change is needed."
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  • Posted by cjferraris 10 years ago
    I have always felt that the GOP, while discussing how important values are, usually capitulate when being confronted. If they would actually STAND UP for their values, they could win the argument of ideas, yet, the GOP wants to be "liked" and that will never happen. If your parents are doing their job, you won't "like" what they have to do, but if they ARE doing their job, you will respect them for doing what they say they are going to do.
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    • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years ago
      You are thinking of small minority most GOP are supporters of the left wing and do as they are told. RIno = Democrat = Government Party. Rocket sciecne it 's not even 4th grade arithmetic
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