Let’s return, once again, to the death of conservatism as a governing philosophy. It’s worked its way into the grave slowly, through expansion of federal influence over education, expansion of Medicare, expansion of federal law enforcement power (Patriot Act), and an expansion of federal transportation spending. We knew conservatism was really dead when Tom DeLay said there is simply no fat left to cut in the federal budget.
But if DeLay’s remarks about a waste-free federal budget didn’t convince you of the death of modern conservatism, maybe former Sen. Connie Mack’s (R-Fla.) thoughts on fiscal responsibility will.
NYT: Well, the U.S. government has to get money from somewhere. As a two-term former Republican senator from Florida, where do you suggest we get money from?
Mack: What money?
NYT: The money to run this country.
Mack: We’ll borrow it.
NYT: I never understand where all this money comes from. When the president says we need another $200 billion for Katrina repairs, does he just go and borrow it from the Saudis?
Mack: In a sense, we do. Maybe the Chinese.
NYT: Is that fair to our children? If we keep borrowing at this level, won’t the Arabs or the Chinese eventually own this country?
Mack: I am not worried about that. (emphasis added)
And who is Connie Mack? He’s the man Bush tapped to lead a White House commission on reforming the nation’s tax code.
Don’t feel too bad, conservatives, you had a good run before your movement became corrupt, fraudulent and misguided. Now, if you don’t mind getting the hell out of the way before you make things too much worse…