Power vs. Principle

The recent government takeover of General Motors and various financial institutions is distasteful to the business community and political conservatives. However, the nature of our national demographic means that this type of government intervention is more likely. Politicians will come under increasing pressure to meddle in the private sector to protect the financial well-being of the baby boomers as they reach their “golden years.”

If the speech given by Senator Lindsey Graham at the South Carolina Republican convention is any indication, then we will see more politicians willing to compromise principle to get reelected. Senator Graham vehemently challenged the delegates that “if you want to win, you’d better decide to moderate on issues to get something done.” Senator Graham went on to mention that because President Obama is such a likable guy that conservatives will have a tough time defeating his agenda.

So we already see the death of fiscal responsibility as there is no strident opposition to the Obama administration and influential members of Congress like Senator Graham have adopted the go-along-to-get-along mentality. If there isn’t the political will today to try to stop the taxpayer funded bailouts (with no union concessions) then how will there be any political will to ask for stewardship on any other issue that affects the boomer retirement hopes. Who will argue the other side for the future generations who have to pay for the government bailout of the pensions of the current retirement generation? The silence on government takeovers will allow the “likable” liberals to enact an agenda that erodes any hope of a resilient American economy in the future. Conservatives need to get the guts to answer the question, “What hill are we willing to die on,” and then stick to the principles of our founders.