Sighting-In: The "Ideologues" in Today's GOP (Or, Would Reagan Have Had a Place?)

Over at PJ Media, Rick Moran covers comments by Bob Dole to that effect:

Former Kansas senator and 1996 GOP candidate for President Bob Dole echoes a complaint from a lot of 1980′s era Republicans; the party has lurched too far to the right.

That the Republican party is more conservative today than it was 30 years ago is beyond dispute. Some might even argue that conservatism itself has been redefined to become far less inclusive, open minded, and tolerant than it was in Dole’s days as well.

But I think what Dole is really talking about is that today’s Republicans are simply too ideological; rigid, unyielding, and allowing passion to govern their intellects rather than logic and reason.

In a lot of ways it would appear to be that the "ideologues" have begun to hold the party hostage. I think, though, that the point is being missed by too many that this has become a legitimate response—a line in the sand, so to speak—by many who don't feel that we have to push ourselves further into the polarized right so much as begin to hold firm against too much:

• Cronyism;
• Placing the maintenance of the establishment over the common good;
• Lack of firm leadership and realistic adherence to common ideals; and,
• Excessive surrender of positions in a feckless guise of compromise (we keep giving half our cake while they offer nothing of similar value in return).

By its very nature, any act of drawing and holding to a set line or position is seen as extremist. It can be called by many things including, "making hard choices" and "tough love", depending on the circumstances.

I've always leaned Republican, as this has been the most viable party to realistically represent the more libertarian aspects of my nature. I'm not so sure anymore (although, by my previous posts, you've probably guessed one party I will not turn to with any consistency).

My issues aren't the horrors of Adam and Steve getting married and adopting pregnant teenager Eve's illegitimate baby. My issues are ensuring that said baby grows-up taken care of by a stable, loving household; has realistic access to good healthcare; goes to good, non-indoctrinating schools, where teachers educate based on merit and not union-enforced longevity; has the ability to seek good employment; and maintains the right to protect him/herself, family, friends, and community...

...And, all without a f#cking government, composed of nagging busybodies who all believe they know better than us, trying to intrude and dictate and regulate every minor aspect of this baby's life.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.