Why Conservatives Can’t Govern – Alan Wolfe
(2006)
Contemporary conservatism is first and foremost about shrinking the size and reach of the federal government. This mission, let us be clear, is an ideological one. It does not emerge out of an attempt to solve real-world problems, such as managing increasing deficits or finding revenue to pay for entitlements built into the structure of federal legislation. It stems, rather, from the libertarian conviction… that the money government collects in order to carry out its business properly belongs to the people themselves… : taxes must be cut, and the more they are cut–especially in ways benefiting the rich–the better…
As a way of governing, conservatism is another name for disaster….
Conservatives cannot govern well for the same reason that vegetarians cannot prepare a world-class boeuf bourguignon: If you believe that what you are called upon to do is wrong, you are not likely to do it very well…
Mabon ap Gwynfor 