The Problem is Power
2 September 2006
The Editor, New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
John Tierney is correct that the GOP fusion of libertarians and conservatives is breaking down ("Can This Party Be Saved?" Sept. 2). The lesson here is important.
Although it hides its nature behind a glorifying facade of marble columns, grandiose titles, and stately ceremonies, government is brute power. And so in politics those who long for power, either because of their ideology or because of their vanity, will over time out-compete those who detest power. Because true conservatives itch to control the lives of others no less than do modern "liberals," it was inevitable that conservatives would overwhelm the libertarian voices within an organization - the GOP - whose sole purpose is to grab as much power as possible.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
The Editor, New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
John Tierney is correct that the GOP fusion of libertarians and conservatives is breaking down ("Can This Party Be Saved?" Sept. 2). The lesson here is important.
Although it hides its nature behind a glorifying facade of marble columns, grandiose titles, and stately ceremonies, government is brute power. And so in politics those who long for power, either because of their ideology or because of their vanity, will over time out-compete those who detest power. Because true conservatives itch to control the lives of others no less than do modern "liberals," it was inevitable that conservatives would overwhelm the libertarian voices within an organization - the GOP - whose sole purpose is to grab as much power as possible.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Thursday May 17, 2007 at 3:53pm