In trying to understand how George W. Bush destroyed conservatism as a coherent governing philosophy, the figure of Michael Gerson is critical. In his religious fundamentalism and economic and social liberalism, Gerson epitomizes the withering of the tradition of limited government, personal responsibility and individual freedom on the right. It’s government’s task, in Gerson’s eyes, to tackle most every human problem – from family breakdown to religious upheaval in the Middle East – or face the terrible epithet of being deemed morally "cold". Freedom means selfishness to Gerson, because free people don’t always act up to his exacting moral standards. This quote captures Michael’s philosophy perfectly:
Campaigning on the size of government in 2008, while opponents talk about health care, education and poverty, will seem, and be, procedural, small-minded, cold and uninspired. The moral stakes are even higher. What does antigovernment conservatism offer to inner-city neighborhoods where violence is common and families are rare? Nothing. What achievement would it contribute to racial healing and the unity of our country? No achievement at all. Anti-government conservatism turns out to be a strange kind of idealism—an idealism that strangles mercy.
If you don’t believe big government is the answer to the problems of poverty, you have no mercy? Suddenly, Bush’s attack on the conservative soul becomes more comprehensible.
The Dish 