Reblogged:The Zombie Party

[Gus Van Horn blog]

An article about the Republican primaries written before the debacle in New York contains the following bit of wisdom:

GOP chairman Reince Priebus deliberately encouraged the clustering of 30 primaries and caucuses in March on the dubious theory that a foreshortened presidential race would produce a consensus nominee.

Instead, Priebus earned a place of honor among political leaders who arrogantly believed that they could outsmart the Law of Unintended Consequences. Democracy without time for deliberation produces chaos -- and a delegate lead for Trump, a candidate who embodies the authoritarian temptation in 21st century garb. [bold added]

Too many Republicans, Priebus included, merely oppose (or reluctantly go along with) the left, rather than standing for individual rights. And among the "opponents," how many make arguments that some leftist proposal is noble, but impractical, or otherwise object only on pragmatic grounds? And how many -- including the few ideologues -- disparage ideology as such? Freedom provides obvious benefits over serfdom, but understanding or supporting it is not just a matter of common sense. It is precisely this fatal allergy to ideas or the discussion thereof that has led to a candidate selection process devoid of debate and designed to avoid substance. The fools in the GOP got exactly what they deserved, but I am not gloating about this: I had hoped for a real alternative to whichever socialist or fascist the Democrats nominate this fall. Should Trump be the nominee, I will almost certainly vote against him or abstain from the top of the ticket.

Has this election killed the GOP, or has it merely proved that it was dead all along? Judge for yourself.

-- CAV

Updates

Today: Added formatting note to block quote. 

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