Heroic Conservatism

I'm coming late to the pile-on, but you can find my take on Gersonism over at Slate today.

Comments

I'd find Gerson more "heroic" if he'd address what's "heroic" about the cowardly Bushpigs defecating on the Constitution every day and dragging America down into a cesspool of torture and murder. But hell, maybe Jeezus told them to do it.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | November 26, 2007 3:09 PM

Gerson, being an enthusiastic evangelical, fell for the mirage of compassionate conservatism. Conservatism is basically about limited government, a free economy, realistic foreign policy, and strong societal institutions of church and family, i;e. the Burkean little platoons are far more important than any such thing as compassionate governmental conservatism. Why the hell should anyone expect the guv'mint to pay for their drugs or set bureaucratic standards for education.

On the other hand, Gerson did turn a few decent phrases for Bush, who well knew his capacity to find the right language for the heartland that was helpful in winning two national elections.

Should the conservatives return to the political wilderness, they might understand that, however enthusiastic, Gerson and his evangelical friends contributed significant votes to their cause and at least had their hearts in the right place.

Posted by Peter Leavitt | November 26, 2007 3:12 PM

"Gerson and his evangelical friends contributed significant votes to their cause and at least had their hearts in the right place."

Unfortunately their heads were stuck in the dark nether regions of Bush and Cheney, and no good came of any of it.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | November 26, 2007 8:25 PM

Man, that sort of Christian, social conservative, big government philosophy has more enemies than Jesus himself. The entirety of the chattering classes, libertarian to liberal, unite in opposition. (As you see here, MoeLarryandJesus would crucify the adherents of this offensive philosophy in a heartbeat, if he could.)

All of which suggests that this politics, though it isn't my cup of tea, probably is what God wants. It wouldn't be so despised by the world otherwise.

Posted by y81 | November 26, 2007 9:59 PM

The alternative to Gersonism is old-fashioned neoconservatism? There were conservatives before Goldwater and before liberals turned into neoconservatives. Conservatism didn't begin in 1960's.

Posted by bjk | November 27, 2007 7:11 AM

y81 writes: "As you see here, MoeLarryandJesus would crucify the adherents of this offensive philosophy in a heartbeat, if he could."

No, he wouldn't. Unlike you wingnuts, he doesn't support the death penalty. Hell, he wouldn't even waterboard them. He would like to see Dumbya Bush jailed for the rest of his life, though.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | November 27, 2007 3:42 PM