Our government attempted to bring the best features of a monarchy, and aristocracy and and democracy together without the faults; an ambitious project. Our representatives are not just reflections of a majority will; but executors of judgment with an eye towards more that the next election. This means that sometimes they must say “no” to the populist majority. The Constitution makes this easy on some issues but not all.
Read More“Fear instead of reason—fear of losing a job in the next Twitter eruption, fear of being knifed by ideologically obsessed colleagues—determines what you can see, hear or be taught in certain of our institutions. “
Read MoreWhat distinguishes a republic from a democracy is recognition of the need to say ‘no’ to the majority every now and then.
Read More“Above all, we must at all times remember what intellectuals habitually forget: that people matter more than concepts and must come first. The worst of all despotisms is the heartless tyranny of ideas.”
Read More“True conservatives tend to have a particular understanding of the fragility of things. They understand that every human institution is, in its way, built on sand.”
Read MoreThe world of ideas tempered by a realistic notion of human nature, moral considerations, and actual experiences is illuminating and useful. Attempting to bend human reality to theories in isolation is the definition of fanaticism.
Read MoreThe left that so opposed the Electoral College in 2016 should appreciate its genius today. They should also appreciate the nature of federalism with state and local governments that are not beholden to the president. The framers had a realistic view of human nature that they should not be trusted with concentrated power. It was as if they understood the possibility that just occurred.
Read More“But we must not imitate and escalate what we repudiate. Our duty is to govern for the public good. The United States Senate has a higher calling than an endless spiral of partisan vengeance.”
Read More“We all like being told not merely that our opinions are reasonable but also that we’re the only group left standing between America and an imminent socialist or fascist hellscape.”
Read MoreThis is the narcissism of minor differences. We will react more strongly to disagreement within our tribe than a greater threat from outside the tribe. Sunnis and Shiites; Catholics and Protestants.
Read MoreThe dignity and flawed nature of man and the need to restrain his access to central power, the necessary limits on democracy, and the need to view freedom in the individual rather than collective have become the defining tenets of modern conservatism. History has confirmed their value.
Read MoreEach side justifies divisive means to achieve their ends; but even when you win a race to the bottom you end up at the bottom.
Read MoreAs a rule of thumb I lean towards volumes that are at least 20 years old- if they are still in demand today they must have some staying power. I always find a few volumes that I have read before. There is usually much to be gained from the second reading.
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