Posted by
The Voice of Reason on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 10:24:47 AM
It is time for a detailed examination of our Republican party. Do we even have a unifying philosophy or is the only requirement being the need to answer the same way on certain issues: taxes (low/none), abortion (no), war (yes). It's my contention that on these complex issues there is no black and white standard answer and the Republican party should realize this. I would like to examine not only the "answers" but the reasons, the underlying philosophy, behind our answers.
What do I hope to accomplish with this blog? I would like to end the Bloods vs. Crips 'cliquetocracy' currently dominating American politics. So often the red/blue fight on many issues seems to revolve less around actual philosophical differences and more about disdain for rival party members.
Since I find personal attacks repugnant (though I admit I'm not always above using them myself) I intend to monitor blog comments intensively. My goal is not to stifle dissent but to foster real debate. So my first blog entry is to ask, "What is a Republican?" This is not a multiple choice test, so I would like answers to be detailed and backed up with evidence.
Therefore, what is our unifying philosophy?
My philosophy is: limited government is preferred and optimal. Markets exist for all goods and services and Free Market economics, lead by the private sector, is preferred and optimal for advancing humanity. However, we recognize that the existence of a Free Market is an ideal -- an illusion. Inefficiencies brought about by imperfect information and moral hazard, among other problems, require some effort by government to mandate and adjust for these elements. As the Government is not fit to manage every business, it is not fit to manage every household. Personal freedoms (will, speech, press, etc.) are a paramount necessity for the advancement of the American nation. Again, imperfect information as to personal, potentially violent, intentions requires government attention to preserve public safety -- where just cause and due process determine it necessary. Following cultural and religious norms, life is sacred. As before, there are reasons to believe some individuals, through their own intentions or otherwise, are counter to the preserved safety and advancement of our society. This may sound cold, but there may be people (Osama bin Laden) who's existence threatens not only public safety, but threaten the destruction of our society.
My idea is to debate the underlying philosophy behind our individual policy beliefs. Some of my readers may agree with every word above, yet disagree with my own policy stances. Still others will find fault with much or all of what I have (including myself) yet agree with my policy positions for other reasons. I have not laid out my own policy beliefs here because I'm not God. I do not claim to have all of the absolutely correct answers to all policy questions. I have, I believe, some very good ideas -- some I'm tied to, others are much more open to debate. As this blog progresses, I imagine people will not only discover my policy positions for themselves, but may also watch them evolve as I learn through personal experience.