Divided We Fall

by Walter Scott Hudson

There seems to be a false dichotomy in our political discourse, a choice between principle and pragmatism. In truth, there are three options. One can be dogmatic to the point of impotence, principled, but unrealistic. One can be willing to compromise anything for power, pragmatic without principle. Or, one can define their pragmatism within principle. The latter choice is the most desirable, for little good comes from unprincipled action, and nothing comes from impracticality.

The rise of the Tea Party, and broader liberty movement, has progressed through the Gandhian phases of being first ignored, then ridiculed, and now viciously attacked. Whether it will reach the final phase, and win, depends entirely on the capacity of its members to coalesce their effort around practical actions consistent with the principles they share – fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free enterprise. The single greatest threat to this capacity, in this writer’s opinion, is the tendency of many within the movement to retreat into narrowly defined factions when pet issues or puritanical ideologies fall by the wayside.

Libertarian activist Corey Sax posted a note on Facebook late Wednesday which rebuked “former compatriots that have now… cheapened their standards.” Sax seemed to refer to those in the liberty movement who became involved with the Republican party through the Ron Paul presidential campaign, or subsequent Tea Party phenomenon, and have since come to support comparatively moderate politicians. Sax expressed his disappointment with the leading Republican gubernatorial candidates in Minnesota, Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert.

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