Call to Arms: NY-23

I am a Conservative hanging loosely onto the GOP, but uncomfortable with doing that. I wrote a book called THE CHANGING FACE OF DEMOCRATS, on Amazon as well as my site www.claysamerica.com.  In that book, I compare 19th century Democrats, beginning with Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, of course, all the way to Grover Cleveland to the 20th century Democrats. The 19th century party was more libertarian than are the current crop who calls themselves libertarians. The 20th century Democrat is in lockstep with Rousseau and Marx, rejecting the Jefferson crowd. They believe, and demonstrate it, that a few elite like themselves should rule the many, like us.

 Marx, and those like him who condemn capitalism (their word) and individual freedom, say the interests of the community, which they define, are far more important than are the interests of individuals. It was Bastiat who said the legitimate self interests of individuals generate harmony in community, something the modern Democrat rejects with passion. Individual freedom began as an active philosophy following the landing and settlements of the Pilgrims in 1620. It created the free market and the enormous prosperity experienced in America. Jamestown brought us more of the European style of the few ruling the many, which, thank God, failed to gain permanent traction in America as a tradition. However, it is the modern Democrat who would accept Jamestown and its ideals of king and serf over the Judeo-Christian ideals of Plymouth. So, in my studies and comparing the earlier Democrats to the newer ones, I have developed a soft spot in my heart for the Jefferson Democrats of libertarians who fought so hard to retain the sovereignty of individuals, their local governments and the rights of the states that formed the Union. I simply wish we could have them back in charge, and at that time I would drop the Republican Party like a red hot piece of coal.  The Republicans have been somewhat consistent since Alexander Hamilton (a Federalist), Henry Clay (a Whig), Abraham Lincoln up to Teddy Roosevelt, all of whom desired a strong, interventionist central government in either New York or, later, Washington, D.C. The Republicans, except for Goldwater and Reagan, actually have more of what they wanted all these years, with the current Democrat leadership. They have a herd of confused libertarian-leaning conservatives like me being dragged along unhappily behind their anointed ones who so often compromise with the elite. How can we get those early Democrats back?