Conservatives were once guided by the moral principles of economic liberty, free markets etc. what happened?

[Fly In the Ointment]

Conservatives were once guided by the moral principles undergirding economic liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government. After 8 years of Bush and the Conservatives we now have a disaster on our hands. A broken economy and two un-finished costly wars. Now that we have the proof their policies were just bad for the country do you know why they failed so miserably?

[abfabinri]

And what's pathetic about all of this is that conservatives continue to mouth the principles for which their forebears stood. "We favor free enterprise, private property, and limited government," they often remind us. Yet, when you ask a conservative, "Does this mean that you favor abolishing public schooling and having a totally free market in education?" he answers, "Oh, I believe in free enterprise, but education is just too important to be left to the free market."

Or if you ask conservatives, "Does this mean you favor repealing Medicare and Medicaid and occupational licensure so that there will be a totally free market in health care?" they answer, "Oh, we believe in free enterprise, but health care is just too important to be left to the free market."

Or: "Does this mean you favor abolishing Social Security and leaving retirement and the honoring of mother and father totally to the free market?" Their answer: "Oh, we believe in free enterprise, but that would cost us votes."

The sad truth is that there is no difference in principle between a leftist (or a "liberal," in the corrupted sense of the word) and a conservative. And both sides know it. The "liberals" will always have the upper hand on the conservatives, because as soon as conservatives start preaching such mantras as "We favor free enterprise and small government," all that "liberals" have to do is bring up Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and public schooling. They know that conservatives will hightail it for cover, proclaiming for all the world to hear how they will fight to support these socialistic programs along with the taxation needed to fund them.

[bmovies60]

"Conservatives were once guided by the moral principles of economic liberty, free markets etc."

We still are.

"what happened?"

Democrats took over congress.

"Now that we have the proof their policies were just bad for the country"

You have no such proof.

"do you know why they failed so miserably?"

Yeah, because Bush leaned to the left. He was no conservative.

[....]

What are you guided by....more failure looks to me.
The proof is Nancy Pelosi,Reid and Barney Frank and the fact Obama is a liar that makes every thing all better doesn't it.

[serenely, soMEone]

See Eisenhower's Farewell Address.

Then notice the path DC has taken since.

That should clear a lot of things up.

...

[bmoc2525]

Conservatives have been replaced in the republican party by centrists and liberals who believed in tax cut while increasing spending. the two don't mix well.

[Roadkill]

You've confused GW and the country club republicans for conservatives. The republicans got away from principles as soon as Reagan left office. Bush 1 was a country club republican they are mercantilist not conservatives.

The libertarian party is the only one that is based on principles.

[jamie]

you have the nerve to ask that when liberals have nancy pelosi?
no really are you serious?
no i am serious
nancy pelosi?
rofl

[Insite]

It is simple. Those in charge did NOT follow Conservative principals. You can't blame the Republican party and conservative beliefs for what others did. Its the simple "if then" theory where reversal does not apply.
Example: If a priest molests a child then they are a pedophile, is not the same a if they are a pedophile then they are a priest.

The argument "what about schools,police,firemen. bla bla bla is so poor. The need for absolutely necessary public servants is never argued by a conservative. However the government getting it's dirty inefficient mitts on everything will destroy our country.