"Chuck Hagel and the Return of the Old Right"

It's been a long time since Barry Goldwater lost to Lyndon Johnson, but it hasn't been that long since his ideals were lost to the post-9/11 hypnotic blur that we as a nation have endured. While many throughout the country have harbored concerns in a debate about whether or not it is acceptable to sacrifice certain civil liberties in war time, I don't remember too many Republicans standing up to debate the idea of whether or not it is acceptable to sacrifice our core principles for the agenda of a few. Yet, we have, and the result has been the failures that we as a nation have been witness to.

Whether it be smaller, leaner, more limited government sacrificed to the notion of needing more bureaucracy to protect the homeland, forgetting that even the most imperialist of Republican Presidents warned to "Speak softly and carry a big stick," or pushing ourselves closer to isolation because our leaders are afraid to spar with half-wits on the radio who tell us that immigration is bad and free trade is to blame for a myriad of economic problems, we have been blinded by uncertainty resulting from leadership that has been placed in power not for their potential for greatness, but because they lacked the undesirable qualities that their predecessor possessed.

Finally, the idea that the "Republican party has come loose from its moorings" is starting resonate. I won't complain that those words have been spoken for well over two years and fallen on deaf ears, I am just happy that my fellow Republicans are starting to filter out the noise and truly listen for that pure note in the static. People are staring to remember what it was like when Democrats were the party of "Tax and spend." They are starting to remember what it was like to conquer an "Evil empire" without firing a shot. They are starting to remember what it was like to have leadership that stood behind the mantra, "The buck stops here." They are remembering these principles and looking for someone to once again embolden them.

So, enough of my banter that is far too rich in methodical bog and check out this article from Antiwar.com which articulates my points on a much clearer level. Enjoy.