Now We Know What They Were Really After All Along

Do you remember when the Republicans were the party of liberty? Of states rights? Of small government? The conservatives of the 1980's and 1990's, whatever their other (innumerable) faults, at least seemed to have a real concern that government not become a threat to personal freedoms, that we preserve the republic from external danger and domestic passivity? Wasn't that the whole point of the otherwise lunatic projects of Hayek & Rand, Reagan & Gingrich, Goldwater & Taft?

Well that's over now: Exhibit A, Exhibit B.

There's an old line by Henry Clay: pay no attention to my words, watch where my feet move. These folks have finally won power in the name of liberty, and they are now working energetically to dismantle the Republic. This is not a new story. Hamilton predicted it a long time ago....

"This is the old story. If I were disposed to promote Monarchy and overthrow State Governments, I would mount the hobby horse of popularity - I would cry out usurpation - danger to liberty - I would endeavor to prostrate the National Government - raise a ferment - and then 'ride in the Whirlwind and direct the Storm.'"