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Apparently, some people need reminding: Conservatives believe in a strong military, which is why candidate Bush campaigned on strengthening the armed forces. Conservatives believe in police and firemen and a well-funded defense infrastructure. They don't support a federal takeover of — or excessive meddling with — local schools, hospitals, milk prices, museums, or nativity scenes.
You could much more easily argue that this disaster was caused by having too much government. Not too little. If you're "multitasking" while driving your car, and then you crash into a tree, nobody in their right mind would say "this only reinforces the need to allow drivers to use cappuccino makers and microwave ovens in their cars."
There have been numerous reports, with more sure to come, that America's political leadership had ample warning about the dangers of terrorist attacks. It only makes sense that all of the stupid things the United States government — and particularly Congress — puts a high priority on, from the Northeast Dairy Compact to hate-crimes legislation to bilingual education, would distract our leadership from the core mission delineated in the U.S. constitution.
And, of course, there's Bill Clinton. He even bragged about his ability to do 100 things at once. Hell, he multitasked Monica Lewinsky senseless. But, as Andrew Sullivan has been cataloging so ably, Bill's juggling act is one of the reasons we're pulling bodies out of the rubble.
Sure, I'm glad that FEMA, the FBI, and the FDNY exist — but as a conservative, I never really wanted them to go anywhere. I would, however, like to see these "strong institutions" as Friedman puts it, made stronger by being given both the money they need and the undivided attention of the government. The libertarians are right when they say that war fuels big government. But it doesn't have to be that way. When soldiers go into battle, they carry only what they need, and jettison everything else. Wouldn't it be nice if the federal government did the same thing, Ryan?
You could much more easily argue that this disaster was caused by having too much government. Not too little. If you're "multitasking" while driving your car, and then you crash into a tree, nobody in their right mind would say "this only reinforces the need to allow drivers to use cappuccino makers and microwave ovens in their cars."
There have been numerous reports, with more sure to come, that America's political leadership had ample warning about the dangers of terrorist attacks. It only makes sense that all of the stupid things the United States government — and particularly Congress — puts a high priority on, from the Northeast Dairy Compact to hate-crimes legislation to bilingual education, would distract our leadership from the core mission delineated in the U.S. constitution.
And, of course, there's Bill Clinton. He even bragged about his ability to do 100 things at once. Hell, he multitasked Monica Lewinsky senseless. But, as Andrew Sullivan has been cataloging so ably, Bill's juggling act is one of the reasons we're pulling bodies out of the rubble.
Sure, I'm glad that FEMA, the FBI, and the FDNY exist — but as a conservative, I never really wanted them to go anywhere. I would, however, like to see these "strong institutions" as Friedman puts it, made stronger by being given both the money they need and the undivided attention of the government. The libertarians are right when they say that war fuels big government. But it doesn't have to be that way. When soldiers go into battle, they carry only what they need, and jettison everything else. Wouldn't it be nice if the federal government did the same thing, Ryan?
