Conservatives spent an awful long time ignoring things: the birthers, the bigots, the xenophobes, the alternative-reality media. We had assumed that they were postcards from the fringe. Charlie Sykes More Quotes by Charlie Sykes More Quotes From Charlie Sykes Despite the evidence that we already have too many students in higher education, the hot new idea among the political class is to double down by pushing for 'free college tuition.' The problem with the 'free college' idea is, however, not merely financial. It also reinforces the myth that college is appropriate or even possible for all students. Charlie Sykes down political hot education The GOP was once the party of William F. Buckley Jr., Ronald Reagan, and John McCain. Charlie Sykes ronald-reagan reagan once party I have a confession to make. When I was a child, I was a chronic, repeat doodler. Charlie Sykes repeat make child confession In our era of zero tolerance, I would surely have spent most of elementary and middle school shuttling between suspensions and expulsions, with an occasional time out for social studies. Charlie Sykes tolerance zero time school The N.R.A.'s blessing of restrictions on bump stocks - devices that make semiautomatic weapons fire faster - is designed to pre-empt anything more serious by giving the illusion of action. It substitutes accessory control for actual gun control. Charlie Sykes gun-control gun fire blessing I'm not usually absolutely speechless. Charlie Sykes absolutely speechless If a university announced that henceforth, it would be offering a three-year bachelor's degree, in one stroke it would cut the cost of a college education and provide a distinctive way of competing for students - as well as put the institution on the cutting edge of reform. Charlie Sykes university college education way We would naturally prefer not to reckon with the worst of what people do or say on the margins, but we have to. Especially if it seems possible to trace a line from vicious rhetoric on a computer screen to violent action. Charlie Sykes say worst action people We have to have a revival of the concept 'truth matters.' Charlie Sykes matters concept revival truth Since the election, President Trump has shown a persistent penchant for conspiracy-minded suggestions about his political opponents and elements of his own government. Charlie Sykes own election political government There was a time when the Republican Party could discuss possible reforms to our gun laws: Ronald Reagan himself endorsed the Brady Bill and the assault weapons ban that passed in 1994. Charlie Sykes possible party gun time In many ways, anti-anti-Trumpism mirrors Donald Trump himself because, at its core there are no fixed values, no respect for constitutional government or ideas of personal character - only a free-floating nihilism cloaked in insult, mockery, and bombast. Charlie Sykes respect government character ideas To put it bluntly, the push for 'college for all' sets up students to fail. Charlie Sykes fail push students college It is an uphill fight to persuade workers that the minimum wage is not in their interest. Charlie Sykes fight minimum-wage workers interest Some people ask how the conservative media can continue to defend Trump. It's very easy for them: No matter how bad Trump is, the mainstream media and the Left will always be worse, you know? Don't expect Rush Limbaugh to turn on him. Charlie Sykes some-people you media people Denouncing Nazis is the easiest thing in the world: All it requires is a modicum of historical perspective and a working moral compass. Charlie Sykes moral perspective historical world I have long admired Paul Ryan and thought of him as the future of the Republican Party. Charlie Sykes thought future party long In 2010, conservatives won big majorities in the Wisconsin State Legislature, and I openly supported many of their reforms, including changes to collective bargaining and expansions of school choice. Charlie Sykes changes big choice school As our politics have become more polarized, the essential loyalties shift from ideas to parties to tribes to individuals. Nothing else ultimately matters. Charlie Sykes more nothing politics ideas When it became clear that I was going to remain #NeverTrump, conservatives I had known and worked with for more than two decades organized boycotts of my show. Charlie Sykes show going more two
