Daniel Crandall argues that limited government is not just a matter of politics

A meme that pops up whenever the Left advances its agenda is the Right has lost the “Culture War.” If the Right lost, it is because it approached the arts, education, media and journalism as if these institutions were the enemy. They attacked Hollywood, New York, academia, etc. with the movie version of Patton’s speech to the 3rd Army ringing in their ears: “We’re going to hold onto [them] by the nose and we’re going to kick [them] in the ass.”

Inspiring people with the principles of liberty, personal responsibility, patriotic duty, public charity and other classic virtues is constant work every generation must take up. It is not a “war” to be won by overrunning the enemy position, planting a flag, declaring victory over the “those lousy Hun bastards” and going home to enjoy the fruits peace.

It is no surprise when conservatives and libertarians declare the “culture war” lost. The Right has been rebuffed at every turn on cultural matters, and the virtues noted above have been in general retreat. They mistakenly see promoting classical liberal ideas in Hollywood and New York as a rear guard action. Therefore, the Right retreats from these centers of influence and focus their energy and finances on the centers of power, on politics and the next election cycle.

The true rear guard action comes from approaching the struggle against the all-encompassing state as strictly a matter of politics. Day after day government growth continues, and conservatives and libertarians fight defensive action after defensive action like an ever-retreating army on the political battlefield.

Messages alerting me to health care reform town hall meetings inundate my email inbox. Those opposing nationalizing approximately 17% of the Gross Domestic Product went into high gear when it became clear that the President, Representatives, Senators, Union Thugs, the Media and almost everyone associated with “Organizing for America” were trying to marginalize the folks who oppose national health insurance as “zany,” “un-American,” “racist mobs” and “evil-mongers.”

One activist not only urged me to make my opinions known to the State’s Senators and Representatives, but also included a subscription link to Heritage Foundation newsletters. I realized, as these messages filled my inbox, that I’ve seen all this before.
 
A message from a conservative or libertarian group appears and activists on the Right are energized for another political fight. – illegal aliens, social security reform, supreme court nominees, Cap & Trade, education reform, Medicare reform, health insurance reform, increased regulation, increased taxation, increased government intrusion in our everyday lives – these causes and more kick off a flurry of activity among the politically engaged Right.

They donate money, generate petitions, and mass on street corners outside the offices of their elected representatives. They flood the Capital (whether in D.C. or their own State) with calls, letters, faxes and emails with the same general message: “You’ve gone too far! Limit Government Now!”

I have great respect for Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, CATO Institute, and other organizations struggling to limit government’s growth. It is tough work reigning in the bureaucratic beast, and these groups have been hard at it for decades. Despite all their activity, however, has the all-encompassing state’s growth been reversed? Ever?

Democrats feed the bureaucratic beast like there is no tomorrow. Thousand billion dollar deficits, promoted by the Obama-Pelosi-Reid trio, prove this.

Republicans make a show of slowing government’s growth (though recent history, unfortunately, refutes even that assertion), but how many work to reverse it once their in office? Furthermore, some may argue that cutting the growth rate limits government, but if one’s goal is a healthy lifestyle through weight loss, I don’t think it can be reached by gaining 10 pounds instead of 20.

In addition, it is strange finding conservative organizations selling tax cuts as ways to increase government revenue. An odd sales method for those who believe in limited government.

For decades, the majority has been comfortable with the obese creature in Washington D.C. Despite the anger over the bailout bills and the specter of national health insurance looming on the horizon, most people still expect government bureaucrats to “promote for the general welfare” with goodies paid by the national treasury

Throw a dart at a U.S. map and you are more than likely to hit a district whose elected representative works hard bringing federal pork home to his or her constituents. Even Rep. Ron “Dr. No” Paul (R., Texas), who garnered that nickname from his constant ‘No’ votes, brings home the bacon for those who put him in office.

There has always been a vocal and politically active minority calling for limited government, just as there has always been a vocal and politically active minority pushing America toward socialist Europe. The vast middle between these extremes seems generally content with the steady, day-by-day expansion of the all-encompassing state.

Why might this be so? People are taught to be comfortable with big government by the Cultural Influence Professions in pop culture, education and journalism. They continually promote the idea that the enormity of America’s problems render average person powerless before them.

Heritage, AEI, CATO, et al are needed to confront the cultural institution’s big government bias, and to remind politicians and the people that there are limits to what the State, through its legislative and judicial activity, can do. Political activism, however, will never create a culture that values limited government because politics cannot foster a culture that values and builds support for liberty and personal responsibility.

By all means, let us declare the “culture war” over. Now let us begin the long, hard work of reforming the Cultural Influence Professions by working within the arts, entertainment, education and journalism for a real culture of liberty.

—Daniel Crandall