The American Spectator

home
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The Largest Selection of Liberal-baiting Merchandise on the Net!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Print Email

AmSpecBlog

Unpatriotic Conservatives

Joe Klein has decided to clarify his views on conservatism and patriotism in the face of conservative criticism. After a detour into something about how the "right-wingnutters" started it, Klein explains, "I didn't question the patriotism of conservatives: I simply argued that it is more patriotic to be optimistic about the chance that our collective will--that is, the best work of government--will succeed, rather than that it will fail or impinge on freedom."

Klein continues that supporting civil rights laws, Medicare, Social Security, universal health care, etc. is more patriotic than opposing any of these goodies. (How many of today's conservatives actually oppose most of these things, Klein doesn't say.) In other words, liberals might not be inherently more patriotic than conservatives but taking liberal positions is more patriotic than taking conservative ones. Well, that clears everything up.

Unfortunately, the confusion of love of government with love of country is all too common. Klein does allow, "Conservative skepticism has its place; it can be a valuable corrective when government goes flabby and corrupt or engages in wild neo-colonialist fantasies abroad." Indeed, it can be. I wish it would correct these things more often.

topics:
Health Care, Social Security, Law, Conservatism, Medicare

Comments

Leave a Comment

Related Articles

ADVERTISEMENT

Are you in a mob?

The Democrats say Obamacare opponents are a mob. Are they right?

         

Participating in this survey will subscribe you to the American Spectator email newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Defending Cao

Quin Hillyer

* * * *

The Elite Search for Non-Meaning at Fort Hood

Robert Stacy McCain

* * * *

Members to Watch

Philip Klein

* * * *

The 39 Democrats Who Voted "No"

Philip Klein

* * * *

Pelosi's Pyrrhic Victory?

Philip Klein

* * * *

Pro-Life Amendment Passes Easily

Philip Klein

* * * *

One Step Forward, Two Races Back

George Neumayr

* * * *

Divisive Unanimity

Daniel J. Flynn

* * * *

Joe Wilson, Call Your Office

Larry Thornberry

* * * *

ACORN's Big Spender

Matthew Vadum

* * * *

The Spirit of 1989

Doug Bandow

* * * *

The Somali-Kenya Connection

George H. Wittman

* * * *

Tex Mess

William Murchison

* * * *

Feeding the Beast

Philip Klein

* * * *
ADVERTISEMENT