The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

What I’d Like To Hear From @DMataconis

Posted on | June 9, 2013 | 66 Comments

by Smitty

Over at The Liberty Papers, we have what amounts to an intriguing anti-SoCon rant:

Perhaps my biggest problem with fusionism in its current incarnation, however, is the extent to which it demands that libertarians silence their criticism of their so-called conservative allies in the name of “unity.” Even if one accepts the argument that libertarians and conservatives are on the same side when it comes to economics, there is no denying that there are significant differences between the two sides on many issues. The most obvious, of course, are social issues such as gay marriage, the drug war, pornography, and, for some but not all libertarians, abortion rights. In addition to that, it’s generally the case that libertarians have a far more restrained view of what proper American foreign policy should be than conservatives do, even in today’s era where conservatives suddenly seem to have become anti-war when the war is being led by Barack Obama. Based on those differences alone, the idea that libertarians and conservatives are just two sides of the same coin is clearly false.

It is true that there are some Evangelical absolutists who have their hobby horses.

It’s also true that a more Federalist read of the Constitution doesn’t concern itself with activity below the state level. Absolutely, Amendments 13-15 ended slavery, but what’s occurred due to Progress, and the unratified Second Bill of Rights, is that we’re now One. Big. Honkin’. State. We can all be unhappy that personal sexual and relational matters have to play out in contentious, Procrustean struggles in DC.

And this is precisely the way the Ruling Class prefers things. Keep the proletariat all thumb wrestling over whether the government is in your (lady|man)parts, or in your wallet, while the Federal Reserve-fueled vote-buying schemes continue apace, and liberty dwindles.

I should think Mataconis has enough low animal cunning to sense the game afoot. While I’m a SoCon’s SoCon on a personal level, even the most “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Evangelicals have got to be honest about the Constitution: it was States delegating powers to a Federal government, not a tool whereby I can enforce my personal taste for post-infant baptism by full immersion on everybody, Christian or otherwise*.

What I’d propose in lieu of the poo flinging is:

  • A focus on areas of agreement on the enumerated powers that we need to drive back toward.
  • A de-emphasis on the personal hobbyhorse issues. Marriage management isn’t a federal task. I don’t need a federal law to know the score on abortion. I’d prefer libertarian indifference prevail toward those states that I could not live in for cultural reasons.
  • A sober realization that our government has become as odious as the British Parliament of the 1700s. We can hang together and prevail in time, or hold the divisive course and hang separately. The Josephus types who’ve already cut their deals will continue to be no help.

And to all of the new Tea Party folks, let me pass on a warning: the two ears, one mouth rule applies. There is much to learn about the sordid realities of our government, as it’s deviated well off course. Relax. Focus the passion on sober, positive deeds that advance the Constitutional ball. Screaming about Barack Obama’s Martian birth certificate and obvious status as a High Priest of Cthulhu is ONLY ABETTING HIM.

I know it seems counter-intuitive, but spend some time studying. The history of How Things Got So Jacked Up is important if you want to help in ways that are actually constructive.

It’s easy to get pissed off, disgusted, drop some F-bombs, and leave. But half the recovery battle is showing up; the other half is staying engaged. Your foe has massive endurance. Our task is to execute Gramsci’s Long March through the Institutions in reverse. Stand by for a multi-decade struggle. Homeschool your children. Teach them right from wrong. Teach them history. Teach them to reject the corrosive Postmodern piffle passing for thought these days.

But don’t expect instant gratification.

*Smoochies to everyone who recoils at my conservative read there. 🙂

Category: Blogging

Comments

66 Responses to “What I’d Like To Hear From @DMataconis”

  1. DaveP.
    June 10th, 2013 @ 5:13 pm

    Nice dodge on explaining how the vast number of elections won by Libertarians and the incredible number of votes they control positions you to dictate to much of anyone.
    (“Wish in one hand…”)

  2. DaveP.
    June 10th, 2013 @ 5:15 pm

    “Haven’t been in a dorm room since ’91..”
    And in ALL THAT TIME you still haven’t learned anything?
    But you come here to lecture?

  3. DaveP.
    June 10th, 2013 @ 5:21 pm

    Are you Portugese? Are you trying to win elections in Portugal? Detroit is right here. San Fran in right here. Los Angeles is right here. The Arizona. New Mexico border is right here.
    Cities and neighborhoods where drugs are freely available are right here, little dude. Some of us live in them.
    And I repeat: As someone who has lost money and possessions to good libertarians (the police called them “junkie thieves”), will YOU volunteer to pay the social cost of a ballooning addict/user population? Or do you just expect to force others to pay the personal and financial costs for YOUR beliefs?
    Once again a Libertarian proves he’d rather watch a pretty theory inflicted on unwilling others than deal with an uncomfortable reality. They’re much like Liberals that way.

  4. Finrod Felagund
    June 10th, 2013 @ 5:32 pm

    I’ve learned about asset forfeiture, which is one more thing than you seem to know.

  5. Finrod Felagund
    June 10th, 2013 @ 5:33 pm

    You didn’t say ‘win elections’, cretin. That’s called ‘moving the goalposts’, and is a prime liberal arguing tactic.

    Marijuana will only become more legalized from here and all your incoherent ranting won’t do a thing to stop it.

  6. Finrod Felagund
    June 10th, 2013 @ 5:42 pm

    Has marijuana been decriminalized in Detroit, or San Francisco, or Los Angeles? No, it hasn’t. The War On Some Drugs is still in full force in those cities, so if you’re going to try to blame drugs for the shit-tastic condition of those cities, then you need to explain how the Wonderful War On Some Drugs hasn’t made everything all unicorn-friendly there. The War On Some Drugs has utterly, completely, and abjectly failed, and all you want to do is throw good money after bad continuing it. How is wasting money on a government program that by your own admission is a complete failure in any way conservative?

    I pointed out the example of Portugal as a prime counterexample. Here, I’ll put it in bold so you’ll actually see it and maybe comprehend it this time: Portugal decriminalized all drugs and there was NO increase in drug use there for more than a decade now. Keep on whining your dumb-ass line about the ‘social cost of a ballooning addict/user population’ because every real-world case to date shows that cost to be ZERO.

    Once again a SoCon with his head up his fourth point of contact fails to recognize the real world and how it works. Exactly like how liberals work, since you seem to want to throw that lame argument at me, right back atcha, buster brown.

  7. Ed Driscoll » ‘Your Foe Has Massive Endurance’
    June 10th, 2013 @ 7:58 pm

    […] Responding to what he dubs “an intriguing anti-SoCon rant” by libertarian lawyer-blogger Doug Mataconis, Smitty of Stacy McCain’s blog writes: […]

  8. SDN
    June 10th, 2013 @ 8:18 pm

    We’re also never going to have a limited government when being an alcoholic / addict is considered a disability under ADA. As I’ve said here and elsewhere, if you’re good with executing people who kill others with their cars under the influence of anything, if you’re good with making people eat ALL the consequences of their bad choices, including my being able to refuse to hire, rent, etc. to them,I have no problems with legalization.

  9. SDN
    June 10th, 2013 @ 8:20 pm

    As long as the government is encouraged to be in the position of surrogate father, forget limited government.

  10. SDN
    June 10th, 2013 @ 8:21 pm

    They don’t have to solve them as long as they aren’t stealing my tax money to pay for them.

  11. SDN
    June 10th, 2013 @ 8:21 pm

    Of course, you have zero evidence for that… not that the Left ever needs it.

  12. Finrod Felagund
    June 10th, 2013 @ 8:38 pm

    As long as all that is taken care of in a reasonable manner (i.e no “he had a hit off a joint 3 days ago therefore no matter what the other facts are in the accident, it Must Be His Fault” crap), I have no problem with any of that.

  13. K-Bob
    June 11th, 2013 @ 12:26 am

    Yeah, I’ve seen a few of those, too. Usually grumpy types that don’t seem to contribute much to the discussion.

  14. tracycoyle
    June 11th, 2013 @ 10:39 am

    I’m not of the left. And to the extent that pandering is evidence, it’s purely anecdotal. Let me suggest rather than ‘a church’, a dogma.

  15. dustbury.com » To those emerging from darkness
    June 11th, 2013 @ 10:51 am

    […] Smitty has advice. He who has ears, let him hear: […]

  16. Dick Stanley
    June 11th, 2013 @ 1:22 pm

    Martian? I could have sworn he was born in Uranus. Or somebody’s.