Notwithstanding the fact that historically, Democrats in America have been and are THE party of dependence, Republicans are nonetheless complicit in the politics of emasculation. At least some Republicans (more on this later). In the wake of Senator Ted Kennedy’s recent passing, the complicity spotlight shines not only on Kennedy but on his partner in “dependency crime”, Orrin Hatch, who together expanded government control over health care decisions, (for the children of course), via the SCHIP program. Former Kansas Republican Nancy Kassebaum is similarly complicit vis-a-vis HIPPA regulations. One could go on (McCain-Feingold, Kennedy-McCain, etc.). Holman Jenkins sardonically crystalizes Republican guilt in the following Wall Street Journal paragraphs:

I want to give a shout-out to our Republican friends, who have been with us every step of the way, who have been an important part of our salami progress so far—by pushing various “patient’s bills of rights,” defending the tax giveaways that encourage spending regardless of cost or benefit; by expanding Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits and subsidized health care for middle-class children.

I say tonight, without Republican help, we could never have brought the system to its current dysfunction and I thank you.

Sarah Palin’s Wall Street Journal opinion piece suggests the outlook for choice, competition, and the GOP may be brighter than they currently appear to be:

Common sense tells us that the government’s attempts to solve large problems more often create new ones. Common sense also tells us that a top-down, one-size-fits-all plan will not improve the workings of a nationwide health-care system that accounts for one-sixth of our economy. And common sense tells us to be skeptical when President Obama promises that the Democrats’ proposals “will provide more stability and security to every American.”

With all due respect, Americans are used to this kind of sweeping promise from Washington. And we know from long experience that it’s a promise Washington can’t keep.

We often hear such overblown promises from Washington. With first principles in mind and with the facts in hand, tell them that this time we’re not buying it.

Dear Governor, please continue to advocate for those first principles. If you do, they will take you and the country a long way in the right direction.

Here’s a view of Colin Powell’s Obama endorsement that makes sense to me intuitively. What’s your take?

The following article appears courtesy of Karl Rove in The Wall Street Journal. What do YOU think??? Patriot Games Radio is preparing to Get Grizzly September 1-4.

Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) has earned my respect as a consistent and principled advocate for fiscal restraint in government spending. Unfortunately, his is a minority opinion within the soon to be minority Republican contingent of United States Senators. John McCain is by no means an ideal presidential candidate, but perhaps he would in fact pursue fiscal restraint were he to become President.