Party over Principles...the end game

I have been talking about the immediate dangers of engaging Party over Principles. In private communication to someone I detailed the never ending sacrifice of principles. I think the lesson is important and I don't feel like re-inventing the wheel so I will just copy the text.

How much are you willing to sacrifice on that list of principles in order to gain a victory for the GOP? "This year is important." Yeah, yeah. Eventually you will realize that they all are 'the most important'. Being willing to sacrifice some your principles for ONE "important election" means you will always sacrifice those principles. I mean, 2000 was important because of the Supreme Court. Then came 2002 which was important because of 9/11. Then was 2004 which was important. Now is 2006 which is important, as will be 2008...you get the idea. If you were willing to sacrifice some of your principles for only the important then you are looking at 5 elections of sacrificing. That's why I said you cannot mix the goals when you prioritize them. They are actually very distinct and often conflicting.

There is another danger. It is when the party deems you to be an obstacle.

While you sacrifice your some of your principles for the sake of advancing the party banner what do you really get in return? Ask Joe Lieberman. He is the common sense Democrat Senator from Connecticut. On occassion he was willing to sacrifice his principles for the sake of his loyalty to the party. One particular instance was the impeachment vote. He sold out what he knew was right, what his principles were for the sake of the party's benefit.

All of that for what end? To be discarded as inconvenient years later.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a longtime supporter of Sen. Joseph Lieberman, said Tuesday she will not back the Connecticut Democrat's bid for re-election if he loses their party's primary.

"I've known Joe Lieberman for more than thirty years. I have been pleased to support him in his campaign for re-election, and hope that he is our party's nominee," the former first lady said in a statement issued by aides.

"But I want to be clear that I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats in their primary," the New York Democrat added. "I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe we must honor the decisions made by Democratic primary voters."

Wow. Loyalty is only rewarded by the party as long as you are in line with the party. And make no mistakes about this. It cuts both ways. Locally look at how the GOP treated Judi Dutcher just before she switched parties.

Basically all that the parties care for (at this time in history it is both parties...sometimes it is one and sometimes it is the other) is a person's fidelity to the platform. Actually just portions of the platform. Abortion, Iraq, and Religion.

So while some of you "fiscal conservatives" line up behind a Governor who is looking to spend more, just not as much as the other side of the aisle just remember that you are only good to the party as long as your are in line with the party. Your sacrifices on your own principles will not be rewarded later.

And while you Democrats oppose Lieberman just realize that he has sold out his personal principles for the sake of the party on numerous occassions...and you are showing us why the neither party deserves sacrifices any longer.