Skip to main content

Pork and Conservatism... pass the antacids

I have been quietly watching the ramp-up to 2008's elections. I've tried to hold my tongue. Really, I have. However, my eyes have been opened now to the stupor into which I allowed myself to be lulled by the same old songs of Republican politicians. I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!

So why am I all up in arms this afternoon? In preparation for some tough choices in the GOP primary in 2008, I began doing some research online. Lo and behold, among my travels online, I found some of my favorite Conservatives rated badly on the Club for Growth's RePORK Cards for the Senate and the House. Let's just say that I was offended to find only ONE of Kentucky's Senators on the list of Top 10 Anti-Pork Senators! (Again, thank you for your true Conservatism, Senator Bunning.)

In the "good old days," Conservatives rejected an overblown federal government whose voracious appetite for bigger and bigger spending meant more taxes and subsequently an overabundance of dollars that weren't actually even needed at the federal level and thusly could be granted willy nilly back to the states as "favors." In a nutshell, "pork." I thought that pork was anathema to Conservatives who struggled to downsize the cost and the span of our federal government. I thought getting federal government to stick to its charter was the general idea.

Heck, it seems to me that pork and Conservatism are just a recipe for political indigestion. Is that an outdated taste? Have I missed the appeal of the trendy, embellished plate of Conservatism that was pushed on a cart past my table? It now seems to be a big hit among those at other tables.

I ask this because, in the Republican party of today, the taste for that trendy, bigger plate seems to have replaced the sparse, yet functional smaller dish that was my Conservative plate. Granted, it wasn't as pretty; there are no drizzles of dark chocolate with a fresh flower on the edge; however, it filled a need and did it without causing harm. I'm left wondering what has become of my Conservative ideology. The one from back in the "good old days" when pork was pork and Conservatism meant you simply said "No, thank you" and had a slice of lean beef instead.

Shouldn't Conservative Senators and Congressmen be cutting our taxes at the federal level and promoting federal legislation that promotes a reduction in the dictatorship over the economy and future of each state? Isn't it time to allow the states to determine their own futures and to build environments in which individuals thrive? Fire the fancy chef and get me a good short order cook, please!

Look, I'm not going to name names in this post. I'd prefer not to because it only aids and abets the Liberals and, let's get one thing straight, I do not intend to further ANY Leftist agenda for this country. I am not a fan of socialism, communism, or any other political ideology that denies the individual. What I will say is that some of the current election ads running in my state are really causing me intestinal upset. I cannot believe I am watching an alleged Conservative advertise the pork he has brought home to his state! Why not work to get federal legislation back in line rather than putting your state at the teat of Nanny Fed so that she can grant us "favors?" I am ashamed.

So, for Republican candidates and pundits, allow me to issue a polite warning. Don't come to ConservaChick looking for favorable commentary on "compassionate conservatism," "Christian conservatism," or any other flavor but Goldwater Conservatism. I will no longer idly support a Republican in the hope that he or she will come back home to true Conservatism.

It's time to pop some antacids and get back to the true work of Conservatism before we are all devoured by the voracious monster we call the federal government.

(*burp* Excuse me!)

Comments

Anonymous said…
I can't decide if this is Bush's fault or not.
He seems to be spend, spend, spend... and maybe the masses are following his lead.
I fear however that this is a chicken or egg argument and we may never know what went wrong.
Rena Bernard said…
Yeah, I think you're right, Tammy. I would really like to blame Bush a bit for the trend toward big spending because when he started using the term "compassionate Conservatism" I think he really meant "Nanny State."

I like the guy, don't get me wrong. He's a decent human being. I just think he and Rove are partly responsible for derailing the Goldwater vision of Conservatism. It's a shame. Sure hope we get it back!
Anonymous said…
Ballsy and right on, Chick. Kudos. SCOOBY
Rena Bernard said…
"Ballsy," Scooby? I don't know about that. If I want to be sure I'm included in the GOP club then maybe it was ballsy of me to point out the failings of the party; however, at this point in my life, I'm finished saying what people want to hear. I prefer to say exactly what I mean and let the chips fall where they may. I've found out over the years that the chips, given their freedom, will generally fall where they are supposed to.

Thanks for the kudos. You're obviously a cartoon dog with intellect! ;-)

Popular posts from this blog

As the Blog Turns...

Gee. I have found myself fascinated by the soap opera unfolding in the comments section of this blog since last night. One little mention on a controversial Democrat's blog and it's High Noon on ConservaChick! (Yes, I'm laughing while I type this.) For those of you who have no idea what's happening in the ever-expanding comments section , join the club! Here's what I know about Mark Nickolas from bits and pieces I've read on his blog, and from a local news report: Nickolas likes to sneer at Republicans and call them snide little nicknames as he provides his "Unfiltered and Candid Look at Politics, Politicians and the Media in Kentucky;" he raised a ruckus within the Democrat party here in Kentucky by filing a suit against the chairman of the party , Jerry Lundergan; and he will be appearing on the same panel with yours truly on Thursday night. That's about it. You now have the benefit of my not-so-extensive knowledge on this subject. Nickolas poste...

Friday Night with Hugh and Friends

The consummate Conservative host, Hugh Hewitt, and yours truly! Shameless of me to post this, I know; however, I'm too jazzed to care. :-p What a wonderful way to spend a Friday night! After an hour or so wandering through some of the exhibits at the Frazier Historical Arms Museum, I then got to spend three hours with Hugh Hewitt and 599 other fans of his show. I absolutely MUST say that not only was Hugh wonderful and the live show very entertaining, but his fans are absolutely the nicest people! I've seen other radio talk show s done live and mingled with fans of those shows. Hugh Hewitt's fans are the nicest, most down to earth, friendly people I've ever met. It's quite a credit to Hugh that he draws such a fan base. If you haven't been to the Frazier Historical Arms Museum here in Louisville, it's a must-see. The museum shows an amazing artistry with the exhibits and places them in the context of the times in a very entertaining and educationa...

Is conscription the prescription?

US Representative, Charlie Rangel (D-NY) is at it again. Rangel's prescription for fixing the ills we're feeling in Iraq is a draft . I have very mixed feelings about this. Conscription is conscription no matter what you choose to label it. Is that appropriate in a free country? On the flip side of this coin, I've often thought that compulsory national service would be a great idea for American kids right out of high school. It might have been a better start for me than learning to down beer at a Liberal Arts university! Two years in the service might give kids time to think about their future, learn higher levels of responsibility, and begin to take life more seriously. There are many countries who require some level of mandatory military service: Belarus, Chile, China, Croatia, Serbia, Russia, Iran, Lebanon, our neighbor Mexico, and our old buddy Germany, to name a few. Gee, now that I look at that partial list... aren't many of those countries Socialist or at battl...