" I'm a Republican. What on Earth Is Wrong With My Party?"

[Hortensis]

20. Compassionate conservatism is not completely

devoid of a moral base by any means. Like anything else, taken too far it becomes very bad, and that's what happened. If some on the right always had a tendency to take things too far, at one time decent, typically moderate conservatives wanted to work with us to arrive at agreements that made both sides think some progress and balance had been achieved.

Let's face it, making sure we aren't supporting people who are both mentally and physically able to work--and able to get a job--is only reasonable. Their compassionate part is about their belief that making people living dysfunctional lives work is good for them and for the children they're raising. There's not only something to that, but both sides agree on it.

Now, of course, warped by toxic anti-tax forces into extreme partisanship, most on the right have adopted the vague but extremist notion that everyone benefiting from our social support net is a slacker who could be working. An irrational position.

But not one this woman shares, and we should be supportive of all who speak out to remind conservatives of what compassionate and decent, and sensible, really are. We have to rebuild the center if our democracy is to survive. The natural divisions between wellmeaning people on both sides are healthy ones we can work with.