THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE

The American Conservative is a shock. Is not this the journal of popular commentator and Presidential candidate Patrick Buchanan? But where is he--his vibrant personality seems almost lost in the magazine’s reserved, practically academic pages? His column does not even appear in every edition--and, when it is, which is often-- it sometimes will deal with historical rather than current issues. Where are the dynamic Pat and his vision for reform?

Of course, Buchanan’s column often does showcase his fire and the issues he raises certainly are consistent with his well-known America First philosophy. But he is also listed as co-editor. This makes it even stranger that the larger-than-life Buchanan does not set the tone for the magazine. One must confirm that The American Conservative does not actually oppose the Buchanan philosophy--although there is a rare piece by a left-winger like Norman Mailer and support for animal rights--but, when one reads it all, it just does not have the punch of the Pat Buchanan we have come to know. The articles are mostly interesting but do not seem to have the urgency that one would expect from a magazine edited by a man who has said America is in fundamental crisis.

Certainly, many of Buchanan's signature issues get prominent attention. Opposition to immigration and free trade are regular themes. There is a frequently voiced concern over the occupation of Iraq and opposition to the neoconservative dream of a U.S. world empire. Dick Cheney is named “Man of the Year” for leading America into war against its best interests. There is criticism of George W. Bush’s big government conservatism. Yet, it all seems so polite and civil rather than Buchananesque. The criticism of Bush is actually by a libertarian, often a target of paleoconservatism.

Where one expects a bold paleoconservatism to confront and debate, there is little to disagree with outside trade and on aspects of immigration. From Ancient Greece to Middle Ages Europe to 19th century Britain and America, trade has historically brought wealth. That seems to us an unassailable fact. If there is something so different about modern trade that makes it immune to these past historical forces, the case has not been made by paleoconservatism or The American Conservative. All of the data show just the reverse. America is losing manufacturing jobs (but not more efficient manufacturing firms with fewer workers) but it is gaining service jobs, including a growing share of well-paying ones. The data may be wrong and modern globalism unique but that is where the issue should be joined and debated.

ConservativeBattleline outlined its immigration views in its last issue. It is not clear what is The American Conservative main concern. Is it the lack of assimilation among new entrants to the country, is it that they are crowding out American citizens from jobs, that they are so many they are depressing wages generally or the fact that they are breaking the law and must be punished or expelled? Of course, it can be all; but which is the most crucial? Given the establishment opposition to inculcating Americanism, assimilation will be difficult but, if it is the most important, and we think it is, we need to focus upon it and devise a plan. If the numbers are too high, it is possible to create a program restricting the total and focusing upon immigration that will help us economically. Even the Bush plan, as politically motivated as it is, rejects amnesty and has penalties. They are inadequate but that can be negotiated. None of these problems seem impossible of solution, in an area in which the national government surely has a Constitutional role, without simply throwing up one’s hands in despair.

Even on trade and immigration, The American Conservative does not convey the sense that these issues are so important that they threaten America’s survival in the way “fusionist” conservatives believe that unbridled government spending will lead to bankruptcy or Weimar-style inflation, or that a decline in attachment to Judeo Christian values, with no possible moral alternative in the U.S., could undermine limited government, effective markets, the family and the whole civilization. It seems to us, these are the urgent issues that demand discussion and debate.

It may be trite but is it not a time for light rather than cursing the darkness? Rather than fret about Hispanic Americans, why does the European American population not seem to have the moral courage even to reproduce itself? Why do Republicans--and too many conservatives--keep demanding more of government when resources are already strained to the breaking point? It was the GOP and right-leaning conservatives who passed a Medicare drug bill with a $7 trillion unfunded liability, equaling that of decades of Social Security obligations in one fell swoop, and higher non-defense discretionary spending than under Democratic presidents. Why have so many Republicans and conservatives suddenly become Wilsonians ready to occupy almost any nation that does not walk in lockstep, even if it is not a threat to U.S. interests?

Conservatives must first recapture the right on these and other fundamental issues before we can afford to worry about the middle and the left. We hope The American Conservative will join us in that great debate for the soul of America and for the future of Western civilization.

By Editor, Donald Devine