JFK Was A Fiscally Conservative Republican (Just Like MLK)

Was John Fitzgerald Kennedy a fan of Ayn Rand? I don't know. But if he were alive today I'm positive he would be a Libertarian. For his time the facts show that he was a conservative Democrat that could have run as a Republican. This conclusion due to the fact that he warned us about the dangers of big government, AKA "Leviathan".

"As the responsibilities of government become enlarged, there has been a corresponding assumption of authority by the state. It is obvious from the history of the past twenty years that whether we like it or not, whether we be Republicans or Democrats, the government will continue to play an increasingly large part in our lives. The theme of today - the scarlet thread that runs throughout all of the thoughts and actions of people all over the world - is one of resignation of great problems to the all-absorbing hands of the great Leviathan - the state. The trend is not divisible. We in the United States suffer from it, if less intensely". (10/18/1949. From a speech before the Miami Junior Chamber of Commerce). And two months later at the University of Notre Dame, this conclusion: "It is therefore vital that we become concerned with maintaining the authority of the people, of the individual, over the state".

Inspiring words and, yes, light-years different from the statist bull-crap currently emanating from Sanders and even Hillary now. So, you still think that only the Republicans have changed?

As for Martin Luther King Jr... he actually was a Republican. Yeah, I'm sure that, in response to my assertions, many Democrats will say that I'm with those on the Right who are trying to co-opt these figures because they're popular. And, since efforts to sully their reputations have largely failed, attempting to rewrite history and claim they were actually Conservative is a better course of action.

To that I say phooey. Sure, there may be something to these "co-opting" charges, but I say "so what". Personally I think it's a good strategy.

Byline: This insightful commentary was authored by Willis "I Love Strawmen" Hart. Purveyor of unfacts. LLIN-217.