In 2003, conservative Republicans vocally championed war and opposed civil liberties. In 2013, conservative Republicans vocally opposed war and championed civil liberties. In 2003, conservative Republicans led efforts to expand entitlements, grow the Department of Education, and nearly doubled the national debt. In 2013, conservative Republicans feared big government so much they shut it down.
These are pretty significant shifts. So what happened?
Obviously, the futility of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars had an impact on all Americans, including conservatives. Similarly, protecting constitutional rights seems more important a decade removed from the fear that gripped most of us after 9/11.
Conservatives’ changing attitude toward government growth is more complicated, but becomes less so when you realize it is connected to changing attitudes on foreign policy and civil liberties.
What “conservative” means has changed dramatically in the last decade.
The presidency of George W. Bush has been described on both left and right as the most neoconservative in history. His policies and legacy, from the Iraq War to the Patriot Act, certainly support the accusation.
Neoconservatives’ predilection for an aggressive foreign policy and increased executive power has always contradicted conservatives’ desire for limited and constitutional government. Having a massive, permanent presence abroad and a vast, overreaching national security apparatus at home
obviously requires significant government growth. Such growth often coincides with increased acceptance of big government overall.
obviously requires significant government growth. Such growth often coincides with increased acceptance of big government overall.This contradiction on the right is rarely addressed until it is too late. This is exactly what happened within the Republican Party circa 2003.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/31/2013-was-a-banner-year-for-libertarian-conservatism/#ixzz2pGLcz2ap
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/31/2013-was-a-banner-year-for-libertarian-conservatism/#ixzz2pGLTNQb6
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