You know the kind of party I would welcome? I will take a crack at sketching it out:
A party that stands for the rule of law. Constitutionalism. Individual rights. Limited government. Free enterprise. Federalism. Civil society. National security. Fiscal responsibility. Personal responsibility, too. Character in office. E pluribus unum. Western civilization (with its flavoring by cultures everywhere).
That checks a lot of boxes. Name the party and sign me up.
I don't expect Elon Musk, likely the most disliked person in the US, being the person to catalyze a new party.
I can understand Jay's thoughts on a new political party, given that traditional conservatives have been wandering in the desert for some time, but I don't think the formula for such party is resurrecting traditional Reagan Republicans. We already have Libertarians who advocate most of what Jay speaks to - "... rule of law. Constitutionalism. Individual rights. Limited government. Free enterprise. Federalism. Civil society. National security. Fiscal responsibility. Personal responsibility"
My concept is the sane center of American politics. Studies show that there is majority support for Democrats on healthcare, environment, modest social safety net and Republicans on crime, secure border. Also majorities support reduction in debt and support for Ukraine. That is where I think a party could emerge, not just having another party on the right anymore than a further left party would succeed. The Libertarians and Greens have little to show.
So as a devotee of Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, I have a new Quixotic venture I am calling the Democratic Republican party. Yes, the once party of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe that disbanded in 1825 and split into the Democrats and Whigs. I have started a Facebook group which like my others are likely to go nowhere but check it out https://www.facebook.com/groups/1977756669701653
But Reagan Republicans I think need to work with conservative Bill Clinton Democrats like myself and notice the Chesterton Fence that a modest safety net with healthcare, environmental actions to preserve our planet, is what we have and what people want, just as they want secure borders, strong public safety, and no racial preferences.
I see an alliance as being between supporters of John Kasich and Bill Clinton, the compassionate conservatives and unwoke modest social Democrats.. The endless debate over amount of government and social welfare, and regulation vs laissez faire can continue but needs to be done in the spirit of compromise not in ideological purity. We all agree that rule of law and the Constitution and support for democracy trumps all these arguments.
Well he would have to join and stand for election. They have a democratic methodology, but I agree that his policies fit them more than any new party and they already have the structure. I think the problem with both the Greens and the Libertarians, are that although they have some differences in the normal right/left definitions, generally the Greens are left of the Dems and Libertarians right of the Rs, which is why they haven't gone anywhere, where the fertile ground, hopefully is in the middle.
I, too, would entertain a third party that embraces most, if not all your criteria. The Republicans left me decades ago. I am tired of writing in candidates because there are none on the ballot who share my values. The dearth of good candidates can be attributed mainly to the Fourth Estate, journalists, who see their mission as tearing down any who raise their head or voice to champion causes, values and/or principles that differ from their own. Another reason the media are in disrepute and deservedly so.
From the Column:
You know the kind of party I would welcome? I will take a crack at sketching it out:
A party that stands for the rule of law. Constitutionalism. Individual rights. Limited government. Free enterprise. Federalism. Civil society. National security. Fiscal responsibility. Personal responsibility, too. Character in office. E pluribus unum. Western civilization (with its flavoring by cultures everywhere).
That checks a lot of boxes. Name the party and sign me up.
Simply wonderful today: so varied, so thoughtful! And lilacs!!
Irwin has added you to his substack readings -- hope that OK.
Cheers,
I celebrate all things Stelzer. Thank you!
I don't expect Elon Musk, likely the most disliked person in the US, being the person to catalyze a new party.
I can understand Jay's thoughts on a new political party, given that traditional conservatives have been wandering in the desert for some time, but I don't think the formula for such party is resurrecting traditional Reagan Republicans. We already have Libertarians who advocate most of what Jay speaks to - "... rule of law. Constitutionalism. Individual rights. Limited government. Free enterprise. Federalism. Civil society. National security. Fiscal responsibility. Personal responsibility"
My concept is the sane center of American politics. Studies show that there is majority support for Democrats on healthcare, environment, modest social safety net and Republicans on crime, secure border. Also majorities support reduction in debt and support for Ukraine. That is where I think a party could emerge, not just having another party on the right anymore than a further left party would succeed. The Libertarians and Greens have little to show.
So as a devotee of Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, I have a new Quixotic venture I am calling the Democratic Republican party. Yes, the once party of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe that disbanded in 1825 and split into the Democrats and Whigs. I have started a Facebook group which like my others are likely to go nowhere but check it out https://www.facebook.com/groups/1977756669701653
But Reagan Republicans I think need to work with conservative Bill Clinton Democrats like myself and notice the Chesterton Fence that a modest safety net with healthcare, environmental actions to preserve our planet, is what we have and what people want, just as they want secure borders, strong public safety, and no racial preferences.
I see an alliance as being between supporters of John Kasich and Bill Clinton, the compassionate conservatives and unwoke modest social Democrats.. The endless debate over amount of government and social welfare, and regulation vs laissez faire can continue but needs to be done in the spirit of compromise not in ideological purity. We all agree that rule of law and the Constitution and support for democracy trumps all these arguments.
Why doesn’t Musk just seize control of the Libertarians the way Trump seized the GOP?
Well he would have to join and stand for election. They have a democratic methodology, but I agree that his policies fit them more than any new party and they already have the structure. I think the problem with both the Greens and the Libertarians, are that although they have some differences in the normal right/left definitions, generally the Greens are left of the Dems and Libertarians right of the Rs, which is why they haven't gone anywhere, where the fertile ground, hopefully is in the middle.
“Did you hear that a new political party has been formed? Yes, by Elon Musk.”
How dare a billionaire celebrity challenge the existing Republican Party leadership?
Thanks, Jay.
!
On the subject of future presidential candidates, you were born in the United States and you are 40+ years old, right Mr. Nordlinger?
I qualify on both counts!
I, too, would entertain a third party that embraces most, if not all your criteria. The Republicans left me decades ago. I am tired of writing in candidates because there are none on the ballot who share my values. The dearth of good candidates can be attributed mainly to the Fourth Estate, journalists, who see their mission as tearing down any who raise their head or voice to champion causes, values and/or principles that differ from their own. Another reason the media are in disrepute and deservedly so.
I haven't thought about Tom Jones in a long time. Great voice, interesting wriggling, but the song is drivel.