The word "compassion" is a great word. That is until it is bumped up against the word "conservative". Then you just have an oxymoron. A clashing of ideas and principles that creates ambiguity rather than clarity.
In 1994, "compassionate conservatism" led to a really bad idea called the K Street Project.
I would place myself in the reform camp, but my idea of reform doesn't involved abandoning traditional conservatism in the process.
The key to revitalizing the party is to make its message more relevant, not to spend more money.
The key is to generate descriptive words that compliment conservatism and generate transformational ideas rather than undermine its core principles.
Who would have thought a simple word like compassion could wreak so much havoc?
In 1994, "compassionate conservatism" led to a really bad idea called the K Street Project.
Following the Republican takeover of both houses of Congress in 1994, the conservatives made a conscious, concerted attempt effort to build a permanent governing majority based on interests and not just values. Anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist, House leader Tom Delay, lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others launched “the K Street Project” --- an ambitious plan to align major industries and lobbying concerns with the Republican Party in the same way that organized labor, teachers, social workers and trial lawyers became permanently bonded with the Democrats. The effort to expand the party’s base and raise unlimited funds through the prospect of constituent gain brought notable election victories for the Republicans but also led directly to the lavish spending on “earmarks” and other dubious appropriations that represented the most conspicuous failing of the Bush administration. When it comes to federal activism or sweeping new initiatives, no party of small government and constitutional limits can hope to compete with its welfare state opponents without sacrificing its credibility and its very soul. In part, the GOP effort to out-do the Democrats in pandering and the service of special interests led directly to the disastrous Congressional defeats of 2006, and to the difficult campaign season of 2008.Today, conservatives are left with the elites battling between two unsatisfying choices. On one hand, we have a call for a return to principled traditional conservatism (a good start, but not enough). On the other hand we have the reformers who want to continue down the path exemplified by Bush and McCain (marked by ridiculous spending and the abandonment of basic conservative principles).
I would place myself in the reform camp, but my idea of reform doesn't involved abandoning traditional conservatism in the process.
The key to revitalizing the party is to make its message more relevant, not to spend more money.
The key is to generate descriptive words that compliment conservatism and generate transformational ideas rather than undermine its core principles.
Who would have thought a simple word like compassion could wreak so much havoc?
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