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Why Do I Blog About Politics Anyway?

A recent Salon excerpt, saying how the Republican party has changed:

"If you're fiscally responsible, this is not your party. If you believe in a moderate foreign policy characterized by alliances, free trade and the ability to operate in an international environment, this is not your party. If you believe in limited federal government, this is not your party. If you believe that the government should stay out of your bedroom, this is very definitely not your party. In fact, I would argue that unless you believe in the American imperium, imposed on the world by force, or unless you believe in the literal interpretation of the Book of Revelations, this is not your party."

Let's examine these:

If you're fiscally responsible, this is not your party.

What will potentially bankrupt the country is not temporary spending but long-term entitlements. To the extent current spending makes long-term promises impossible, it is a good (if very imperfect) solution. Witness Reagan's deficits which were both temporary and thwarted lasting damage. Left-of-center columnist Michael Kinsley says Americans are big babies who want big spending programs without big taxes. Deficits are ultimately the voter's decision. The die for a sizeable budget was cast when Bush lost the popular vote in 2000, and by 9/11. That said, the unfunded mandates of the No Child Left Behind program were extremely irresponsible.

If you believe in a moderate foreign policy characterized by alliances, free trade and the ability to operate in an international environment, this is not your party.

There is no party more dedicated to free trade than the Republican party. The politically popular thing would be to outlaw outsourcing, but you don't see that happening. Alliances require two to tango, and I think both sides are to blame. But this is the strongest Salon point, imho.

If you believe in limited federal government, this is not your party.

See explanation above.

If you believe that the government should stay out of your bedroom, this is very definitely not your party.

A non-sequitor. Everyone believes the government should stay in their bedroom, if it's incest we're talking. And no one cares what a homosexual couple do in their bedroom. It's the gay lobby who wants the government to stand over the bed giving its imprimatur. If it were only about financial issues, the problem would be resolved by now.

In fact, I would argue that unless you believe in the American imperium, imposed on the world by force...

Gag me. Regime change in Iraq after twelve years of brutal sanctions that hurt only the Iraqi people is imperial? The U.N. nations that voted against U.S. use of force turned out to be in bed with Saddam (not that we should care what goes on in Saddam's bedroom). Not only is America not intent on making Iraq the 51st state, but is racing to hand over power, desperately looking for a way to withdraw while saving face. Somewhere Alexandar the Great is laughing.