Noonan’s Right, He Shrugs
Friday, 16 May 2008 by Benedict Seraphim
It is no secret to any of my readers that I’m a philosophical, economic, and social/political conservative. But despite the American penchant for being utterly incapable of thinking outside the binary box, that doesn’t make me a Republican. Heaven forbid.
So, when I caught Peggy Noonan’s WSJ opinion piece, I sort of shrugged and went about my lunch hour (which now includes a little blog post). I would venture to say that many, perhaps most, of us who claim the rather nebulous “conservative” label, have found the present President Bush, and the Rove-ification of the Republican Party to be distinct but nonetheless distinctive let-downs. Bush began to let me down when he began the largest expansion of the federal government in my lifetime–especially when I saw some of the detrimental affects in the lives of people I know (prescription drugs anyone?). I can’t really say the Republicans let me down, because I didn’t have any hopes pinned on them (I’m registered as independent–or I better darn well be, this is Chicago after all). But since politics is largely the applied science of the pragmatic, the Republican Party has been, since Reagan, the one place conservatives could attempt, at least on the federal and state levels, to exert some political influence. Absent a viable third party, we Americans are limited to geometric extrapolations of Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. And, regrettably, we are faced with pressing present concerns that, if we attempt to address them through politics, will not await the development of a national-stage third party. So, with the devolution of the Republican Party into just another gladhanding, moneygrubbing, porkbarrel twin of the gladhanding, moneygrubbing, porkbarrel Democrat Party, one sighs and shakes his head and wonders what is to be done.
While I’m all about civic duty, I may just decide that it truly is not in chariots or horses but in the might of the Lord that our pressing concerns are addressed. And that may mean, come General Election Day, flipping the whole political process a sanctified bird of protest, and carrying on with the day to day. God’ll topple any president and raise up any Congressman he wants. I’ll support the good’un’s, but absent some good’un’s to support, might as well spend the evening with my daughters and leave the dandified horse-race announcers to their empty yammering.
You post an interesting thought, and I would say one that is shared by many. The phrase “lesser of two evils” has been eclipsing elections for far too long. It’s tempting to just forget about the entire process.
Unfortunately, neglecting the problem on election day won’t make the issue go away. Someone has to take the office, and they’ll be making policy choices that will affect all of us.
If you really feel like it’s between the lesser of two evils, then this is the time when it’s most important to speak up! And don’t just speak up in one race - speak up for all your representatives and legislatures! If everyone was truly civically involved, it wouldn’t just be the evil people running for office.
I concur with you completely. I’m thinking I’ll abstain from joining the demos in choosing their demagogue of the moment this round.
BTW, did I tell you that I’m now an Orthodox catechumen?
Tom:
That’s wonderful! Do you have a date set for your baptism/chrismation?
My priest actually just informed me this morning that it will be either on Pentecost or on the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, whichever I prefer. I’m very excited! In case you’re wondering, I’m in Colorado Springs now, and go to Holy Theophany parish.
Thanks for some very good thoughts on something that has been bouncing around in my head for some time. I’m not sure what I’ll do on the Big Day, but I figure I have to be aware that sitting it out does mean I don’t get to complain quite as much about whoever gets elected.
And maybe that’s a good thing, too.
I also try to remember that though I might not be able to make a difference in a national election, I might possibly in the local or regional contests. We’re so often talked into believing that the *only* election that matters is the presidential one.
Well you know me BSC, I’ll be voting for the candidate (having a reasonable chance of winning) who will not turn us into more and more of a leftist nanny state bent on fixing all of my problems and pitching tent in my spare bedroom to do so.
All of that said…I agree with much of what you say. So having voted ANYWAY, I’ll not have too much faith in the salvific nature or problem solving abilities of ANY government. And really, living in a decidedly blue state, my vote won’t even count.
I’m gonna cast it anyway. And get back on with worrying about the BIG issues in life which neither party really addresses.
It is simply mind numbing to think that folks will bail on this election process based on the “all or nothing” or “principled” argument. McCain is as frustrating to me as anyone but his political philosophy is closer to conservative than Obama. (i.e. judicial views and appointments; most life issues; finish well in Iraq and the region)
The “I’m bailing on the election” in November is “vogue” speak. Don’t buy into it. Hold you nose when voting but don’t hand the election to the far left.
“Que sera, sera” is no way to participate in life or politics.
Here’s to happy yet confounded voters everywhere!
I’m probably going to stay home too.