Populism and Conservatism

Gregory Rodriguez writes:

...[Sarah Palin's] take-no-prisoners populism is inherently radical; it's at odds not only with McCain's "I'm safe, he's an unknown" strategy but with the very things that conservatism claims to be about: stability, order and tradition.

That is nonsense. American stability has been destroyed by 70 plus years of corrupting government influences in the economy that resulted in the current financial crisis. The lack of stability may get worse not better. It will almost certainly get worse if Democrats gain unchecked political control and increase rather than decrease the corrupting influences of the government on the economy. Conservatives have never believed in an order and a tradition of government control over the economy.

Hence, Sarah Palin's "populism" is in line with what conservatives have been advocating for 70 plus years. The only difference is that the financial crisis has increased the urgency with which conservatives must act to save the wealth and prosperity of America.

Mike Huckabee was right

Many mainstream Republicans hated Mike Huckabee because they felt he was an anti-capitalist populist. However, there was a truthfulness to Mike Huckabee's populist rhetoric. Unfortunately, Mike Huckabee did not know how to make his rhetoric acceptable to the main stream free market advocates who dominate the Republican party.

Mike Huckabee's populism should be embraced, because it has a truthfulness to it, and it is also the most politically popular way to defend capitalism available.

The right of eminent domain

Congress should make a list of individuals who are most responsible for this financial crisis (Franklin Raines, Jim Johnson, etc). Then through the right of eminent domain, they should seize all of their property. After taking their property, they should use it to purchase the illiquid assets that are causing the credit crunch. Then, they should give these illiquid assets back to the individuals who had their property seized.

Actually, congress probably should not do this, but it would be awesome if they did.

Rabble Rousing

Jonah Goldberg writes:

...if there ever has been a moment when reasonable men's hands itch for the pitchfork, this must surely be it. No one is blameless. No one is pure. Two decades of crapulence by the political class has been prologue to the era of coprophagy that is now upon us. It is crap sandwiches for as far as the eye can see.

I already have my pitchfork in hand. I just need to no where the mob is at so I can join the crowd.