Dede Scozzafava’s decision: Great for conservatives, not so great for moderates

I was surprised to hear about Dede Scozzafava’s decision to suspend her campaign for a Congressional seat in New York’s 23rd district. Since she is currently running third in the polls, her chances of winning were slim, and the chances of splitting Republican votes and handing them to the Democrat were likely. It’s important to pick up as many seats as possible in order to eventually remove Nancy Pelosi from power. Ms. Scozzafava realized that, and I commend her for her selfless decision. With that said, I’m also a bit worried.

While Dede Scozzafava’s decision will likely lead to greater unity for Conservative candidate Douglas Hoffman, it certainly doesn’t bode well for moderate Republicans in general. I’ve never been a big fan of the two party system, since it essentially forces people to pick the side that is closest, rather than a side that is close. That results in a certain ideological heterogeneity that you wouldn’t find in a multiparty system. Unfortunately, it seems that some on the far right don’t seem to get this, and have a tendency to lash out at moderates the same way they would at Nancy Pelosi. It’s similar to a “with us or against us” mindset.

I’m a registered Republican who is a staunch supporter of limited government. I strongly support low taxes, reduced spending, and less bureaucracy. On the flip side, I’m pro-choice, support gay marriage, and the decriminalization of marijuana. If I were running for Congress, I’d probably have social conservatives from all over the country rooting for my political demise. Why? Because I’m ideologically consistent. I truly support limited government, not only in fiscal matters, but also those of a personal nature. Just like excessive taxation is an impediment to liberty, the same is true of a government which attempts to control our personal decisions.

For many, there seems to be a disconnect. They want limited government, but they also want government to control and legislate morality. I respect socially conservative views, and in many ways, lead my own life in that fashion. With that said, it isn’t the government’s role to impose these views on the citizenry. It is the responsibility of families, and most importantly, the individual.