Straight thoughts 61

March 1st, 2001

Although at times I joke about the oxymoron "Progressive Conservatives", I have to admit that the original idea might have had some merit.

For conservative philosophy and principles to succeed, not to be buried in the dust of time, by necessity we need to be forward looking, flexible and shrewd.

We need to adapt quickly to strategies of the opposition, and to a world that undergoes continuous change. One of the biggest hindrances to conservatism are those conservatives among our ranks who are obstinately locked into past solutions to present challenges, not using imagination and inspiration in their defense of traditional moral principles.

We need to be conservative in principles and morals, but progressive in the approach.

Today's "Progressive Conservatives", of course, understand all this backwards. They are progressively eroding the foundations of conservatism and morality, conserving only their traditional craving for power.