Parties versus principles
One argument for political parties is that they help individuals navigate the complex world of policy by providing a set of principles or basic worldview from which they reliably advocate. If you agree with a party’s principles, then you have confidence that the party will correctly apply those principles to individual cases.
In the face of a rather amusing SM/bondage scandal involving Republican donors and the Republican National Committee, prominent social conservative Tony Perkins (who heads the Family Research Council), is asking conservatives to stop donating directly to the RNC:
“I’ve hinted at this before, but now I am saying it: Don’t give money to the RNC,” Perkins will tell FRC members in the group’s next e-mail newsletter. “If you want to put money into the political process, and I encourage you to do so, give directly to candidates who you know reflect your values.”
This raises an important question. If a political party cannot be counted on to uphold one’s basic values, what then is its utility in governing?
-Sam
Related posts:
- First principles and the court
- Tea parties and terrorism
- How we feel versus what we do
- Arrrrrr….pirates and principles
- The curious case of Arlen Specter
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