re: #535 Killgore Trout

The problem is that “normal” conservatives are starting to take Ron Paul’s economics seriously. That’s why you see so many “abolish the Fed” (code for gold standard) and “Fair tax” signs at Tea party protests. Even “normal” conservative bloggers like instapundit and Hot Air are entertaining these ideas now. Their readers seem to approve of these ideas.

Yup. You are right.

But the “fair tax” ain’t new - Steve Forbes used it when he ran for the POTUS nomination ages ago.

Whenever the Republicans are in the wilderness the same themes re-emerge. I am wondering who is going to fill the “natural law” void since Alan Keyes doesn’t get any air time anymore (except in Borat films).

Reynolds at Instapundit seems to want to be part of the “me too” movement to get a rival populist ball rolling.

The better approach, IMO, is to go anti-populist. Simply say to the Obamatons “Do you have it out of your system yet? Are you happy that your phone is still tapped and the national debt doubled?” Or “Got bridge?” which can be asked of all those who have convinced themselves that there was any actual infrastructure money in the “Stimulus” package.

Their passion bought them a pork festival with nothing to show for it but debt for their grandchildren. Let them bask in it. Let them marinade in it. And remind them that their passions got it for them, and perhaps it is time for some adults to move in.

As for the “K Streeters” that pulled the Republicans off track (abandoning everything but war funding and the socon agenda), let them co opt the Tea Party movement and die with it.