Florida voted "none of the above". What other choice do they have? Voting for Caine 'proves' the Republican Party is the party of the big tent and that those who believe that most R's are bigots are wrong.
The last debate and its result is beyond funny, it's hysterical. There is no leader in the R party today, not one, not even on the horizon. Sen. Goldwater was considered too extreme in 1964; he would be considered a liberal and a RINO by the New Right who control the R. Party today.
2012 maybe the first time an incumbent president is elected with an economy in free fall, not because the plurality has confidence in his leadership, because the opposition is ridiculous.
Wrong. Goldwater was 'too conservative' for Republicans in 1964 and he did not get party support. He almost certainly would have lost anyway, but it would have been a closer election except for 11th hour Democratic ads portraying him as untrustworthy with nuclear weapons and leaving Goldwater with too little time to respond. The 'daisy ad' was particularly damaging:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63h_v6uf0Ao]Lyndon Johnson - Daisy - YouTube[/ame]
Goldwater then would be almost certainly be warmly embraced by the Tea Party now. From his 1964 campaign brochure that could have been written by the leader of the Tea Party Express:
Barry Goldwater for President 1964 Campaign Brochure
‘BARRY GOLDWATER SPEAKS OUT FOR A STRONGER AMERICA’
Barry Goldwater is troubled by attempts to change our form of government - and is resolved to maintain the historical balance of our Republic.
GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY
"Our tendency to concentrate power in the hands of a few men deeply concerns me. We can be conquered by bombs or by subversion; but we can also be conquered by neglect - by ignoring the Constitution and disregarding the principles of limited government.
"I am convinced that most Americans now want to reverse the trend.
I think that concern for our vanishing freedoms is genuine. I think that the people"s uneasiness in the stifling omnipresence of government has turned into something approaching alarm. But bemoaning the evil will not drive it back, and accusing fingers will not shrink government."
STATES RIGHTS
Barry Goldwater knows that government to be responsive must be close to the people.
"There is a reason for (the Constitution’s) reservation of "States" Rights.
Not only does it prevent the accumulation of power in a central government that is remote from the people and relatively immune from popular restraints; it also recognizes the principle that essentially local problems are best dealt with by the people most directly concerned. Who knows better than New Yorkers how much and what kind of publicly financed slum clearance in New York City is needed and can be afforded? Who knows better than Nebraskans whether that State has an adequate nursing program? Who knows better than Arizonans the kind of school program that is needed to educate their children?
"The people have long since seen through the spurious suggestion that federal aid comes free. They know that the money comes out of their own pockets, and that it is returned to them minus a broker’s fee taken by the federal bureaucracy. They know, too, that the power to decide how that money shall be spent is withdrawn from them and exercised by some planning board deep in the caverns of one of the federal agencies. They understand this represents a great and perhaps irreparable loss-not only in their wealth, but in their priceless liberty."
CIVIL RIGHTS
Barry Goldwater wants equal treatment for all Americans, but preferential treatment for none."The right to vote, to equal treatment before the law, to hold property, and to the protection of contracts are clearly guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. These rights should be rigorously enforced. Existing law demands it.
"In the schools, the Attorney General already has the authority through court decrees to effect integration. But if more authority must be granted, we should write a law that is tightly drawn, that can be used like a rifle, not a shotgun.
"As for the proposed public accommodations law, it is unconstitutional and a clear example of a new law which will only hinder, not help the cause of racial tolerance. Such a law could even open the door to a police-state system of enforcement that would eventually threaten the liberty of us all.
"No matter how we try, we cannot pass a law that will make you like me or me like you. The key to racial and religious tolerance lies not in laws alone but, ultimately, in the hearts of men."
He is a staunch defender of personal freedom and the rights of every individual.
"Unenforceable government edicts benefit no one. Continued public attention and moral persuasion, I believe, will do more, in the long run to create the good will necessary to the acceptance of decent racial relations in all segments of our society.
"Our people must not be herded into the streets for the redress of their grievances. We have better ways, more lasting and more honest ways."
LABOR
Barry Goldwater is not afraid to challenge vested interests, either in management or labor. He has challenged "bossism" everywhere.
"The labor movement was born out of the threat of the loss of freedom through excesses of overbearing business monopolies. It has served well to bring the pendulum back from the extreme. I believe that unionism, in its proper sphere, accomplishes a positive good for the country.
"But the pendulum has now swung too far in the opposite direction and we we faced, as a people, with the stern obligation to halt a menacing misappropriation of power before it completely engulfs the liberties of labor, management and the general public."
SOCIAL SECURITY
Barry Goldwater wants to safeguard the "security" in Social Security.
I favor a sound Social Security system and I want to see it strengthened. I want to see every participant receive all the benefits this system provides. And I want to see these benefits paid in dollars with real purchasing power.
"Social Security is a system of basic protection for the aged. In addition, most Americans now participate in private pension plans while many have their own savings and investments Social Security was never intended to replace these voluntary programs. Its prime purpose was and is to supplement them, to provide a basic floor. I am convinced it can do this job, the job for which it was created.
"Essentially, protection against need in America depends upon a free economy which produces an ever-growing abundance and an ever-greater opportunity for all. In this framework, I believe Social Security has a vital and legitimate supporting role."
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Barry Goldwater believes that the first fiscal responsibility of the Federal Government is to preserve the value of the dollar.
"Government must do everything within its power to guarantee a sound dollar. It can do this by reasonable budgets, by living within the means of the people who pay the bills, and by encouraging the individual enterprise from which the real value of money is formed.
"We need clearly stated and clearly understood priorities for national programs. We cannot do everything at once and there are many things the Federal Government should not try to do. Local governments must take on more and not, less responsibility in meeting needs when those needs are fully established."He will trim unnecessary and unwarranted Federal spending.
"Let us, by all means, remember the nation's interest in reducing taxes and spending. The need for economic growth that we hear so much about these days will be achieved, not by the government harnessing the nation"s economic forces but by emancipating them. By reducing taxes and spending we will not only return to the individual the means with which he can assert his freedom and dignity, but also guarantee to the nation the economic strength that will always be its ultimate defense against foreign foes."
THE WELFARE STATE
Barry Goldwater has issued a clear call to halt the relentless drift toward the welfare state.
"We, the people, can change all of this. We can unite. We can reject appeasement. We can deny self-indulgence. We can restrain our pressure groups from seeking special privilege favors at the expense of the general public taxpayer.
"We can meet our obligations and not postpone the debt payment and place that burden on the next generation. We can do all of these things, for the people of America are strong, capable and courageous.
"To do these things, to restore the flaming beacon of freedom and opportunity which for so many generations enjoyed the admiration and affection of all the peoples of this earth, we must make our voices heard in the election of those who are to represent us in the governing bodies of this republic.
"We must elect uncommon men to do an uncommon job for an uncommon country."
When one of the candidates emerges with this kind of clarity of message, we'll have our nominee. Herman Cain is getting close.
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