Reckless Endangerment--Obama in Action

In his book 10 Books Every Conservative Must Read, Dr. Benjamin Wiker addresses the question of what, exactly, the term conservatism means and begins by pointing out the most important consideration is "what is one trying to conserve?"

To understand the answer to that question, Wiker begins with Aritotle's The Politics. Aristotle believed--as I trust most Americans do--that "political life and morality are natural" versus the notion that "political life and morality are man-made." Aristotle captured, centuries ago, the salient argument that remains front and center in American politics today--from whom do politicians receive their authority?

As Wiker states: "Conservatives tend toward political caution, because they believe man is not infinitely malleable; and they believe that morality is objective and puts limits on what human beings can and should do. (emphasis mine) Liberals tend to believe the reverse: that morality is relative and that man is malleable and can rightfully be subject to political manipulation to some advance some heady notion of the common good to expedite some grand "progressive" project" (14)

But here is where the difference becomes most stark. Conservatives prefer experience. Liberals are just fine espousing some Utopian theory and then muddling along to see if it works never minding about what history or the Constitution say. Think: stimulus, then more stimulus and the promise of future stimulus in the face of deteriorating economic and employment results. Think Nancy Pelosi telling us that "we have to pass the bill to learn what's in it" after the notorious health care railroad vote.

History is written for a reason. To learn from it. As George Santanya famously penned: Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

"Playing doctor" with the world's growth engine is reckless endangerment of an unprecedented kind.

Enjoy your vacation Mr. President.