According to the template the two Big-Box parties are separated by their relative location on a straight line having a Right a Left and presumably a Center. This is taught using charts and graphs in every American Government class and by endless repetition in what passes for journalism in America today.  However the fact is we have an over homogenized political establishment with boring elections between Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumber.  What relevance does this artificial construct have in the post-Christian, post-Constitution America we find ourselves in today?

As America careens toward a centrally-planned economy, a videotaped public life, and a wire-tapped sense of security we the people sit silently as perpetual incumbents debate adding more taxes to gasoline while giving thousand dollar-a-plate speeches about the “obscene” profits of the oil companies.  They tell us there is virtually “No inflation” forgetting to mention they have removed food and fuel from the mix when figuring the inflation rate while pumping trillions of new made-from-thin-air dollars into the economy.  Does someone need to explain what inflation is to our money managers?

The sons of the Pioneers drive to MegloMartt to buy the latest Chinese-made necessity. We watch the latest ad for a Mexican-made car on our Korean television.  Collectively we charge our Visa to our MasterCard because Discover is over the limit and wonder what happened.

I once called myself a Conservative but there is precious little left to conserve.  I have called myself a Classical Liberal because I seek as the Liberals of the 1790s liberty and opportunity for all.  I have called myself a Revolutionary because I advocate a return to Constitutional government something which I am more and more convinced would take a revolution to accomplish.  What I don’t want to do is call myself a Victim as I watch Rome fall and realize that just as Khrushchev predicted the barbarians are us.

Recently I sat and listened to 40 young people explain why the Obama administration makes them optimistic about the future.  It left me very pessimistic.  I look to the youth to save us from the rapid decline the boomer generation has purchased with the national charge card.  All I heard was 40 young people repeating the campaign slogans of 2008 and pointing proudly either to things that haven’t happened or to things that are actually the opposite of what they think they are.  I ended up feeling like I was in Denver hearing the chants of “Yes, We Can!” reverberating between the imposing looking Styrofoam columns and the ever-present teleprompters.

The Republicans are traveling the country with a listening tour as if they need to learn what Republican stands for so they can lead their dwindling tribe out of the wilderness.  From the looks of things they will jettison the Conservative brand for something more up-to-date.  Meanwhile the Democrats have decided their not Liberals anymore they’re “Progressives.”

This is how the story looks on the nightly news as reported by the mainstream media.  Yet when we look at more than one source of data we get a wider view and a different picture.  A recent Washington Post/ABC News poll tells us only 21 percent of Americans identify themselves as Republicans, 35 percent as Democrats, and 38 percent as Independents.  The subtext is usually about the death of the GOP and the efforts of party leaders to get away from the repudiated Conservative label.  This is usually as far as the reports go in their balanced and objective effort to shape the mind of America.   However there's a significant difference between what party people identify with and what ideology they claim as their own.

In August of 2008 the Battleground Poll found that 60 percent of Americans identify themselves as Conservative and only 36 percent as Liberal.  Forget about Right or Left and choose instead Right or Wrong.  If somehow those who want a return to Constitutional government, those who want a return to traditional values, those who want their children and grand children to live in the USA not the USSA could rise above their inherited party loyalties and coalesce into one group we could stand against the tide, reverse the slide and return America to the Constitutional government which is their heritage.  What’s a Conservative?  What’s a Liberal?  What does it matter?  In the end it might matter quite a bit.

Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, Religion, and Leadership for Southside Virginia Community College.  Contact Dr. Owens. © 2009 Robert R. Owens http://robertrowens.com/
Dr. Owens is available for speaking engagements.

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Anonymous   |96.15.195.162 |05-14-2009 05:07:14 We must quit using our feelings to gage a candidate or a piece of legislation and use logic and look at the facts to make our decisions. Because they say something does not make it a fact. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....... The liberals when they want to pass some of their social programs always run out the old slogan "what about the poor children", that we must throw our good sense out the window and be for any give away they want to throw our way. If we do not see it their way way we are cruel and uncaring because we do not want to give away money we have to borrow or tax someone to get. If the Republicans have to go around to listen to what the people of this country want, they do not have a clue and when they get through with their dog and pony show they will still be lost as a goose. They need to have the testicular fortitude to tell us where the stand and not waiver, we are tired of their excuses. If not they can be the second rate liberals they are trying to be and sit on the sidelines while we elect someone that does have principles. Ronald Reagan gave us the formula of how to win we just need to look back at history and learn from it. If the american people were as liberal as we are lead to believe Obama would have won with a much wider margin than he did. People wanted to get rid of Bush because of his arrogance and he spent like a drunken salior. Reply 0   0

Bob Sordahl  - Logic versus emotion   |71.112.150.54 |05-17-2009 09:16:13 The Libs have alway used emotional arguments when logic fails them. That seems to appeal to a certain class of Americans who don't want to think too much about our problems but just want to feel good about themselves. Unfortunately there is only so much "feel good" to go around. Canter, Romney and company are dolts. You don't have to have a town meeting to figure out what Americans want. Truth, a moral compass and dedication to do what is best for ALL Americans, not just the ones who voted for you. Reply 0   0

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