Finally, it is nice to see the cult of personality being discussed out in the open:
I should say that there's something to like in the Limbaugh speech; I share a degree of his skepticism over the expanding role of the state in American life under Obama, and his confidence that the greater responsibility for our own condition lies in individual and private-sector initiative. But good grief, is this what constitutes popular conservatism in 2009? This ideologically-driven right-wing Rousseauism, with Leninist overtones about the Enemies of the People? If so, then count me as an Enemy, because I want nothing to do with it, as I recognize it as simply a crudely politicized form of philosophical liberalism.
The odd self-appointment of Limbaugh as a spokesperson for anything is one of the weirder turns of the last few months. Is there no politician on the US right who can stand up and tell him to stuff his vanity and self-promotion. Ben is on the story even though he has an ill-placed soft spot for the great addled one.
Comments
Ben (The Tiger) - March 2, 2009 9:08 AM
I tend to agree with Rush.
I like his political philosophy, what can I say?
Ben (The Tiger) - March 2, 2009 9:12 AM
But it's thoroughly unsurprising.
Conservatives and (classical) liberals spent the 19th century trying to beat each others' brains out.
They're now stuck in one party, allied against the democratic socialists.
It's a necessary coalition, but not a happy one -- and so conservatives like Dreher are not so keen on classical liberals like Limbaugh.
Alan - March 2, 2009 9:21 AM
But that is the thing. There is little classical liberalism there. There is plenty of statement that he is classical literalism but not a "philosophy" per se. Hence my comment that he is the cotton candy of political thought: seemingly appealing but gives you a belly ache after.
Ben (The Tiger) - March 2, 2009 9:23 AM
I like his tax ideas, though I like Arthur Laffer and Steve Moore's proposal even more...
Alan - March 2, 2009 10:02 AM
And that's what gives me hope about you.
Alan - March 5, 2009 7:44 AM
I think this just has it.
Alan - March 6, 2009 9:22 PM
In a similar theme: Click.