The Republican party lost its way when it decided to emphasize the naïve Libertarian view that laissez-faire capitalism would produce the best economy and the best society and deemphasize social conservatism. The party hoped it would gain voters by promoting unfettered consumerism and walking away from cultural wars that must necessarily be fought to conserve our moral Judeo-Christian heritage.
Not only did the libertarian view of free trade devastate manufacturing in the US, but it made us dependent on foreign supply chains, which came back to haunt us during the COVID pandemic.
Furthermore, the Republican party’s large religious base now unenthusiastically votes Republican simply because it’s better than the alternative. They recognize the GOP’s talk of social conservatism (that ramps up before each new election) is largely nothing more than lip service designed to ensure their vote.
Is there a place for deregulation and individual liberty within the Republican party’s platform? Of course, but the goal must be creating a strong sovereign nation that honors federalism and is more accountable to the American people (i.e. eliminating the bureaucratic state). Likewise, social and economic policies must be designed to serve the general welfare of the nation; those that do not, must be rejected and repealed.
Furthermore, the state must ensure order is sustained so freedom can flourish, not the absolute freedom sought by Libertarians, but in the words of Russell Kirk, the kind of freedom that “protects minorities against majorities and majorities against minorities, and gives meaning to the concept of human dignity.”
The Republican party needs to recognize its growing impotence and irrelevance and reform itself. It needs to place its focus back on social and fiscal conservatism.
WiggleFlump 