Misguided Minstrels–Keillor and Schwartzenegger Criticize Conservatives

On Tuesday, writer and talk show host Garrison Keillor criticized the hypocrisy inherit in the idolization of leaders who talk the small government talk, while simultaneously increasing the size of the federal government.  “Look at the recent powwow of the conservative choir in Washington. Their goal is to reduce government to where it was in Coolidge’s time. They are sticking to this, though their presidents, Reagan and Bush II, only succeeded in enlarging government.”  Later that night, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Governator of California, added insult to empirical injury, criticizing conservatives for “not going anywhere …” and concluding that, “in the end, when the economy comes back … the tea party will disappear …”  As wonderful as Gary’s writing and Arnie’s acting truly are, their analytical reasoning leaves much to be desired.  Conservatism is the most coherent and orderly political ideology ever conceived.  At its heart, it is purely pragmatic, seeking the highest quality of life for the greatest number of individuals possible while, at the same time, cultivating ingenuity and creativity by allowing for the greatest degree of personal liberty.  To accomplish that end, it requires fealty to the republican tenets of the Constitution, namely, a Federal Government limited, almost entirely, to national defense, and deference to state and local government for the administration of social programs and corporate oversight.  And, while many modern politicians, including Reagan and Bush, have ultimately failed to implement conservative policies, that does nothing to undermine or defeat the cause.  Rather, such failure is responsible for the the large influx of converts to the conservative movement.  Contrary to Governor Schwartzenegger’s prediction, this tea party has just begun.