For a few months now (with Lewrockwell.com currently running a very close second) my favorite website for what I consider the “real” Right (paleoconservative, paleolibertarian, traditionalists, etc.) has been Taki’s Magazine (takimag.com). Some of the most thoughtful, young new writers on the Right are featured along with long established thinkers like Pat Buchanan, Paul Gottfried, Justin Raimondo, and of course, the man himself Taki Theodoracopulos, of London’s The Spectator.
This piece by Richard Spencer on Mike Huckabee’s ignorance of historical conservatism is a perfect example of the kind of quality thought found regularly on Takimag. Writes Spencer:
“Give credit to Huckabee for at least admitting there’s a problem, a big one, within the GOP. Here’s the Huckster’s solution:
(Huckabee:) ‘Republicans need to be Republicans. The greatest threat to classic Republicanism is not liberalism; it’s this new brand of libertarianism, which is social liberalism and economic conservatism, but it’s a heartless, callous, soulless type of economic conservatism… ‘
Justin Logan of Cato was one of the first to pick up on this, and what he says is right on the mark. I’d also note that it’s getting pretty sad when a supposed “social conservative” wants to fortify the social order through massive entitlements and dolling out the meds. The GOP’s stars now seem oblivious to the fact that there was once a time before Bush…
There’s also a more pragmatic question: I guess the GOP can promise Americans everything that the Democrats do, indeed, try erase the free-market/welfare socialism distinction between the parties (or what’s left of it.) Then of course the GOP can use the Bush Doctrine and the Iraq war as a wedge issue in November! Wow, what a great idea! That’s gonna bring in the voters!”
Responds Takimag’s Christopher Roach with his vision:
“The new conservatism will have to be isolationist, nationalist, interested in restraining the unpatriotic tendencies of big companies, and concerned generally with maintaining American independence and freedom. This will require jettisoning the false freedoms of open borders and unrestricted trade with despotisms and other enemies of America. It will require an energy policy not based on the imaginary problem of global warming, but the real problem of a global oil market.”
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
