Why Republicans are better (A Spoof Piece)

A Story by Thomas Butler

In 1970, cartoonist Walt Kelly, in the comic strip Pogo, paraphrased a quote of some historical significance with the line: “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” No better description could be applied to the power base of the Republican Party. The party has long been dominated by two closely aligned factions that represent little affiliation with conservative principle or patriotic zeal: the Chamber of Commerce coalition, and the neoconservative crusaders.

The party has long been dominated by two factions little affiliated with conservative principle or patriotic zeal: the Chamber of Commerce coalition, and the neoconservative crusaders.

By its very title, it should surprise no one that the Chamber of Commerce lobby places as its top priority the almighty bottom line and corporate profits. Thomas Jefferson said it best when he declared: “The merchant has no country.” This was not an indictment against free enterprise or the aspiration of individuals to prosper and grow rich. It simply recognized the immutable fact that business decisions are driven chiefly by the principle of profit maximization, and that a business enterprise will always follow this maxim, whether it is realized in China, Mexico, or the United States.

Many transnational corporations and big business and financial concerns have profited greatly through foreign production and financial multilateralism, while America’s manufacturing base has been pulverized and the American middle class has been punished. A populist message that threatens to renegotiate trade deals and treaties and bring production and jobs back to the United States absolutely terrifies the big business boys. They will go to any lengths to ensure this does not take place.

As for the neocons, their position is just as self-serving. The neoconservative movement began primarily with a group of leftist ex-Trotskyites, who comfortably made their home in the Democratic Party of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the ’30s. Their foreign policy adamantly opposed the imperialistic adventures of Russia’s Joseph Stalin, while their domestic policies remained firmly progressive.

In the late ’60s they began moving to the Republican Party, when the anti-war messages of Gene McCarthy and George McGovern compelled them to align with the party that was more in line with their pro-intervention position. The transition was effectively complete by the end of the Carter administration, when the vast majority of neocons made the Republican Party their permanent home.

Neocons are practically single-handedly responsible for the mess in which we find ourselves today in the Middle East.

This group of political gypsies has always placed limited emphasis on domestic policy. Their primary mission in recent decades has essentially been to define and direct America’s leading role in the “new order” that Bush 41 ushered in, back in ’91. Importantly, by that time the Soviet empire was on its way out. They then turned their sights on the Middle East. They are practically single-handedly responsible for the mess in which we find ourselves today in that part of the world.

The idea that a populist candidate would offer up a more pragmatic and limited interventionist foreign policy terrifies them, as well. Just like the big business boys, they will go to any lengths to ensure this does not take place.

These two factions, by far the most influential and powerful in the Republican Party, are not only responsible for subverting the traditional conservative underpinnings of the party, they are endangering the future viability of the party altogether. The story becomes even more sordid when you consider how closely linked the two groups are in terms of defense spending and military intervention. Can you say “military-industrial complex”?

Donald Trump’s Slippery Road Ahead

Some might think such an impassioned show of support for Trump populism would be accompanied by a commensurate level of hope and optimism. Sadly, I cannot offer that. Until recently I actually thought Trump would have a much easier time winning the general election than the Republican nomination. I felt the Republican establishment would do anything, including try to force a brokered convention, to stop him. But if he could somehow find a way to get over this giant hurdle, his populist message of fair trade and limited military intervention would woo enough Independents and blue-collar Democrats to take him over the hill against Hill.

There is no doubt that these establishment turncoats will pull out all the stops to ensure that Hillary Clinton becomes the forty-fifth president of the United States.

But now that we see how incredibly pernicious the Republican attacks on Trump have become, there is no doubt that these establishment turncoats will pull out all the stops to ensure that Hillary Clinton becomes the forty-fifth president of the United States. This is because, contrary to her campaign rhetoric, she has demonstrated time and again, through action and deed, she stands tall with the Chamber of Commerce clan on trade policy, and stands even more firmly with the neocons on foreign policy.

Whether this unholy alliance is solidified through the promotion of a faux third-party candidate, or an even more devious form of subterfuge and attack, remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, though: Trump would have to defy all odds to emerge the winner.

But this is why conservative support for Trump is more important than ever. If the center or establishment wings of the two parties come together as a result of Trump’s candidacy, and Trump gets trounced, this will undoubtedly result in a tectonic shift in party politics. The likely outcome will be the formation of a populist party, which will find a home either under the Republican banner or a separate, independent party.

Either way, the Republican Party, as it was once known, will cease to exist. This is where it gets really interesting. In such a scenario, the driving force of this populist movement will either be fundamentally conservative (Trump supporters) or progressive (Sanders supporters). The internal battles will be ugly and brutal, and the only glue to keep these otherwise opposing groups together will be their unified policies on trade, defense, and immigration.

As the fight for this new party identity wages on, it will require a significant number of informed and principled conservatives to lead the charge for the A Team.

Okay, But Still"Donald Trump, Really?

When I measure Trump against someone like Ted Cruz, I have to admit I’m a little torn. Cruz is a true constitutionalist, a rare politician who understands very well that our nation was founded by a courageous set of traditional conservatives like Washington, Adams, and Hamilton, and an equally brilliant group of classical liberals, such as Jefferson and Franklin. It was the oftentimes contentious and combative debates between the two factions that gave us the remarkable framework for government that we call our Constitution and the Bill Of Rights.

If we consider Cruz’s position prior to the campaign, he has been far more allied to the neoconservative platform.

Cruz is a conservative, and an incredibly talented constitutional lawyer. I respect and admire his courage to take a sound and principled message to the American electorate. Unfortunately, I think his positions, specifically on trade and defense, are suspect. He has denounced TPP, but his decision wavered until he fully realized which direction the wind was blowing with the base.

He has also stated he is opposed to “regime change,” giving him lots of wiggle room in terms of military intervention. In fact, if we consider his position prior to the campaign, he has been far more allied to the neoconservative platform. In both of these areas, he has demonstrated a relatively shaky position, at least in comparison to Trump.

So, although I have serious questions regarding Trump’s position on a number of issues, I believe his core populist platform is the soundest and surest way for America to begin rebuilding her neglected middle class and restoring her sovereignty. Without these two imperatives in place, a true conservative message doesn’t stand a chance, as more and more Americans today, particularly young voters, are lured into a solidly entrenched progressive philosophy.

Every society, in every age, is composed of some combination of the haves and the have-nots. It is the primary objective of any civilized and compassionate culture to maximize the former and minimize the latter. A free and democratic nation is doomed when the have-nots become the majority.

A free and democratic nation is doomed when the have-nots become the majority.

This is because those whom the majority brings to power in the name of progressivism will always work to “rob Peter, to pay Paul.” Then the downward spiral of socialism begins. As history has shown us time and again, it is destined to meet a tragic end. As Margaret Thatcher said: “Socialism is just fine…until you run out of other people’s money.”

America is at a very dangerous tipping point. Due in equal measure to both progressive and globalist policies, the have-nots are quickly outnumbering the haves. If the scales are not rebalanced in a very short period of time, we’re in big trouble.

With all of its faults, America is still the most generous nation in the history of mankind. For over a century she has been the engine through which so many other countries around the world have been saved, both economically and militarily. Through sound guidance and by example, she has proudly and effectively promoted the principles of free enterprise, and demonstrated the prosperous results of market-based economics.

But, over the last 25 years in particular, in the name of globalism and the establishment of a new world order, the cost of America’s generosity and influence has been placed squarely on the back of the American taxpayer, and it has had a devastating effect on the backbone of our society"the American middle class. America will always remain a loyal ally and a defender of freedom, and a fair and proactive international trading partner. She will always open her arms wide to a healthy and legitimate process of immigration. But she can no longer afford, financially or philosophically, to be the world’s disproportionate benefactor. Our political leaders need to take a stand.

Sadly, but resolutely, I believe we need to take a “wrecking ball” to American politics today. That ball has to be in the form of a candidate who is willing to do whatever is necessary to bring our middle class back to the “family of haves” and restore our country’s sense of independence and sovereignty. I believe Donald Trump is the most qualified to lead this movement and to begin returning America to all Americans.