NEWS: RIP Neoconservatism, 2006

POLITICS: RIP Neoconservatism, 2006

2006 saw a variety of changes in the American political landscape. But one that should make liberals especially happy is the complete and utter evisceration of the "philosophy" known as neoconservatism, moved out of dusty policy papers and finally put to the test in the real world. The idea that the world would benefit from a stronger, more active American military presence, particularly in the Middle East, had long been floating around think tanks like the Project for a New American Century for years, and with Bush and many PNAC signatories occupying high level positions in the federal government, now was the time that idea could be proven for all the world to see. Only, as now even Bush admits, the idea didn't really pan out the way the neocons had hoped. The net result is that some are saying that neoconservatism is dead.

Indeed, it's not just typical critics who claim that neoconservatism has completely failed.

Of course, the article cites neocons who hold true to the idea that neonconservatism will make a comeback, and considering the length of time that platform shoes have managed to remain somewhat in vogue the idea isn't completely out of left field. Bad ideas can have staying power if they appeal enough to a particular demographic.



But the good news is that with the rise of the congressional Democrats and the virtual end to the PNAC, the flagship neoconservative enterprise, any resurgence of the policy is years down the road when people have forgotten what a miserable failure it was this time around.

I would expect it to yo-yo as it has in the past. America decided that we "needed" a Republican congress in the 80s then decided it needed to shift to Democrats. Then we "needed" a Republican congress again. Now (obviously) we're in the midst of another shift.

Perhaps abolishing this outdated two-party system would be the most logical move. It probably won't happen in our lifetime though.

dimissing neoconservatism as dead is probably the best way to insure that it comes back within the next decade.

especially since the tenants of neoconservatism

are still likely to find a sympathetic audience in America, particuarly among those with power and money.

the policies of the current President have certainly been a disaster, but I'm sure neocons will still continue to seek their agendas.

Funny stuff. I didn't know this was a comedy thread.

Neoconservatism didn't loose. A lot of Republicans (and Conservitives) ran to the middle in the last elections. They abandoned their base to become moderate and that is why they lost.

Well, it wasn't, but then you posted something.

Most Americans don't even know what neo-conservatism is. However, it amounts to this in practical application:Big government, deficit spending, violation of personal liberties and states rights and international adventurism. I think that the people of America have noticed - and reflected that in their voting.

But, we will see, to paraphase Mencken, one has rarely lost money underestimating the American people.

People have short memories. If they didn't, we'd have recalled Ike's admonitions about the Military-Industrial Complex and maybe done something about it with our voices and our votes. If they didn't, we'd have remembered all the mistakes of Vietnam and not repeated them in Iraq. If they didn't, we'd have remembered Nixon and his entire cabal, half of whom are on the Bush team.

As a few people have noted (in so many words) above, what goes around comes around. We will go through a new cycle now, but when Iraq fades from memory in not all that many years, the neocon-style hucksters will be back, selling their faith, and the American people will be lining up to buy.

Oh you're right. The wholesale rejection by the American people of this administration's foriegn policy (coupled with widespread scandal) did NOT lead to the Republicans' utter and complete failure in the midterm elections. No, rather it was because all the folks who lost "went to the center" (whatever that means).

Do you have any evidence whatsoever to support this position? Especially in light of the ass-whippings that arch-conservatives and war supporters like Pombo, Heyworth, Hostettler, Santorum, etc received.

Don't you know? It's never about the electorate rejecting your position, it's only ever about your political cohorts' failures of will.

I always love it when you post.

In the US Political landscape you have as much choice as the difference between Pepsi and Coke.

If you want Sprite or Juice... your fucked.

The only difference between the two parties now a days is which Corporations get the best Tax breaks while they are in power.

A two Party only system made up of nearly identical parties ...Neither of which has people and constituents as its priority is utterly broken.

'By the Corporation! For the Corporation! Fuck the people... they wont survive with out us!"

We will see no changes in the priority of our Government as long as the process of getting into politics leads you through a Corruptive Lobbying system. You have to sell out to be sponsored and run for office. Its like a baptisim in Greed and Money before the party will accept you. You come into it dirty and later if you really try to change the system, you get your laundry thrown into the media so you are destroyed or worse.

Only a publicly financed truly multiple party election has a chance of producing anything close to a real fair election. Fat chance of that happenning anytime soon.

The only political power we Americans have, is to guide the Country is through Corporations. So your spending power and consumer feedback is about the strongest most direct tool you have.

Its frustrating, sad, and makes the "Common American" impotent as all hell.

How to change it? I am not quite sure.

Its a big fucking mess and it just keeps getting worse.

I feel an obligation to point out that Sprite is just a puppet candidate with direct financial links to Coke.

And juice? That's just crazy!

Might as well be Libertarian!

My fucked what? I don't get it.

Beat me to it. Your such an asshole.

Cheers! And here's to the hope that neo-liberalism (the belief that forced-open markets are the solution to every problem) dies a similar death soon.

ha. keep telling yourself that.

Your both retarded.

my what?

Is "your" now an Internet abbreviation for "you're" or "you are"?

I almost despise that more than "it's" being used as "its".

Please people. . .

Make a New Year's Resolution.

Improve your grammar.

Thank you.

Their Their. There doing They're best, you know.











what?

there is nothing wrong with my gramma.
she's awesome already. F you if you don't like her just the way she is.

I wasn't criticizing you.

no, you were talking about my dear old grams. and that's worse!

she's lived a long life. why can't people just let her knit in peace?

This was EXACTLY what Rush Limbaugh said the morning after. It is a good strategy; to loudly proclaim that "we hate it too!!!" but I doubt it'll work this time. In the absence of some other major socially conservative issue that Dems chain themselves to, Republicans will have a hard time living down the aftermath of this administration. Conservatives have wholeheartedly embraced this administration and everything it does. I doubt people will forget.

But they probably will. 10 years, and we'll have another puppet in office, and he may even have the same last name.

no. neocons have. fiscal conservatives have been wary of this administration from the start. that's where the base and the brains of the conservative movement in the US lies, and that group's opinions of conservative philosophies remain totally unchanged. they might not get the middle of the road mushy conservative swing voters for a few elections to help try to get a right thinker in the head office again, but there remains a lot of hope for a true conservative president eventually getting elected. not someone who increases spending for all these domestic and foreign social projects, and caters to religious extremists. not a hawkish liberal masquerading as a dove-ish tax-cutting conservative. the people that have steered the conservative movement for the last 40 years are still there, still steering.
no one's gone anywhere. if anything, people are just getting more focused on what the heart of conservatism in america is.