As the nomination for the Republican candidate has progressed we have begun to see a disturbing shift in the Republican Party.   To be honest, the Republican Party is beginning to look a bit schizophrenic. “Hi, I’m a fiscal conservative and thus the TRUE conservative!” “No, I’m a social conservative and thus the TRUE conservative!” All from the same Republican Party “brain”…

Somehow, we have begun to argue with ourselves over what a true conservative really is. Such political rancor is harmful to the party on many levels. In my opinion, the die-hard “fiscal” lobe of this “brain” is the one most responsible for the current headache.

Just what constitutes a conservative? Do we really want to pretend that being a fiscal conservative is one who never raises taxes? EVER? Come on…that dog don’t hunt. 

Consider fiscal conservatives’ attacks on Mike Huckabee.

Isn’t it the underlying economic philosophy of a candidate that matters? Have any of these “fiscal” sticks-in-the-mud ever looked at Mr. Huckabee’s website?  He is a fiscal conservative - albeit a realistic one.  Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingraham, et all need to ponder what a conservative really is.

Do we, as Republicans, not see the message we are sending to the country? If we are unwilling to bend even a little in order to allow a governor to manage his State, we are guilty of managing by rote more than by wisdom. Some companies manage this way. Managers in such facilities are instructed to go strictly by the company handbook and, believe me, they do. What is wrong with that? It creates a plethora of robot managers that are powerless to deal with individual circumstances. Just follow the book. Frankly, one of my kids could manage in such a place. All you have to do is read the handbook and mete out decisions on cue to your employees. No wisdom. No decision-making. No special cases. In short, no dealing with life. And we all know that life happens.

Die-hard fiscals are in danger of doing the same thing. My 15 year-old son could be President if some of these fiscal conservatives had their way. Just follow the party line – “NO TAXES”. Is our greatest mantra as conservatives, “No tax increases! Ever!”? Has someone, somewhere reduced all the priorities of the Republican Party to this one?

I didn’t get the memo.

Fiscally, a conservative President must be able to weigh all circumstances presented to him and manage accordingly. As a conservative, tax increases should be rare. Attack government waste first, be a supply-sider first, but one cannot rule out completely the possibility of increasing taxes at some point during a Presidency (Just as George W’s dad can attest). To do so is reckless, irresponsible, and dishonest to Americans. You might as well hang a sign outside the Oval Office – “Check Management Skills at the Door”.

On the contrary, if there were to be anything unbending about conservatives it should be our social positions. At a time when our country has lost its soul, we have an opportunity to be a beacon of light and truth to a country obsessed with freedom from government restraint as its highest ideal. In supply-side economics this works wonders. On social issues, such “freedom” can destroy a nation. We have an opportunity as conservatives to say that the social issues we stand for are the heart and soul of our nation and if surrendered will make any economic gains turn to sawdust in our mouths.

I guess you can tell which type of “conservative” I am. Be that as it may, I believe the polarization within the party must cease. How can we present ourselves as willing to work with liberals in Congress if we can’t even come to terms with ourselves? We better begin deciding who we are. Or, come November such brain damage among Republicans will be met with decisive surgery by the American public…

A lobotomy.