Economic Liberty & The Republicans

I just returned from a conference dedicated to advancing education on liberty and capitalism. From a political perspective, one thing stood out in my mind. Most of the participants–economists, historians, philosophers, and executives–probably vote Republican by default, but very few (myself included) assertively identify with either of the major parties anymore. In fact, the overwhelming consensus from this diverse group is that many so-called conservative Republications have been complicit in the raging growth of government that plagues all of us, albeit not as rapidly as their Democrat coconspirators. While President Obama is not seen as any friend of the cause, for better or worse, the problem of rediscovering economic freedom and all it entails is seen as having little if anything to do with getting a Republican in the White House.

I am reminded of what President Reagan said when asked why he switched parties in 1962. “I didn’t leave the Democratic party. The party left me.” The Republican party of Ronald Reagan would probably be close enough in spirit to claim most of the conference participants I saw last week, but today’s Republican party is not. In fact, the words Democrat, Republican, and conservative were rarely uttered. Many conference participants identify themselves as Libertarians but talk about principles and policies, not political conquests. The reform they seek is not in one party versus another, but in the system and way of thinking that creates moochers, looters, and what is incorrectly labeled crony capitalism. They call for a return to principles light years away from modern Democrats, but seemingly out of reach for Republicans as well.

I am not under the illusion that the participants at this conference are representative of the voting public. It is apparent, however, that the Republican party is currently viewed by the strongest defenders of liberty as a lesser of evils. The mainstream media tells us that the Republicans cannot win the White House unless and until they compromise on certain issues in order to attract individuals from traditional Democrat voting blocs, which means raising taxes on the most productive Americans to (partially) fund the growing welfare state and supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants. I’m suggesting that the opposite is true.

The Republican party has lost many of the most strident supporters of individual and economic liberty. These individuals don’t agree on everything, but they find it difficult to support a party largely consisting of politicians who are unwilling to stick to core principles. Many in this group vote Republican on election day, while some vote third party (Libertarian or Constitution Party), and some even become single-issue voters and supportĀ Democrats, reasoning that there’s no serious difference between the two parties anyway. This group might lean Republican overall, but it should constitute the party’s strong, vibrant, and persuasive core. It doesn’t anymore.

Leaders like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz offer hope for a productive future, but the likes of Boehner, Graham, and McCain represent a massive collective turnoff to serious defenders of liberty. I suggest that Republican leaders remember this the next time its strategists discuss how to “broaden the base.”

3 thoughts on “Economic Liberty & The Republicans

  1. What’s the alternative to the two big parties? Libertarians does not offer a political alternative. The vote for Ron Paul in the last primaries was so poor.

  2. A return to limited government is the only solution that won’t bankrupt the country. The democrats want bigger government and the republicans are satisfied with the status quo. The only difference between the two parties is the speed they’ll drive us over the cliff. Start with a flat tax with only a few basic deductions for individuals and corporations, a repeal of Obama care, elimination of unconstitutional government agencies, and a 10% cut in federal spending each year until the budget balances.

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