Extreme Makeover: IL Conservatives 2009 Edition, Part 2
In IR's Extreme Makeover Part I, we asked two questions:
The IR commenters' consensus is that conservatism is worth preserving (really not surprising, but needed to be asked) and that there are some things we should not include in the movement's pending reconstruction. As we continue the planning stage, let's consider today that which commenter Donna said we should rid our movement:
We should rid ourselves of corruption. We should rid ourselves of the judgmental tirades that occur within our bounds, like the recent one against Christine Radogno. There has to be some room-to-move in our house. We should rid ourselves of elitism. There has to be some sense of welcoming for Illinois Republicans, and there hasn't been for a long time.
No one would disagree with the need for corruption to end. But what about the "judgemental tirades" she mentions? In Part 2, let's discuss the following:
- Does a firm commitment to basic conservative principles demand exclusion of others who don't agree?
- If so, should the conservative foundation formula of less government, individual rights, free market and traditional values be changed?
- If not, how do we put out the welcome mat for those who aren't as passionate on those issues?













