Take George W Bush as an example, who declared that "I had to abandon free market principles in order to save the free market system." Liberty died a little more that day.  The interests driving such a thing were to powerful to overcome.  Much like the allure of free medicaid money in Michigan, a false promise made by those who have "skin in the game" went on to become policy, yet implemented by those who held the promise of principle.

Insert [sigh] here.

It really flies in the face of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc who said "Its easy to have principles when you're rich. The important thing is to have principles when you're poor." To which I say, hogwash. Its important at ANY level of prosperity.  Money does not make it any easier, but it may provide a way to salve one's conscience with good works and philanthropy.  

Ugh. Principle does not rise out of any particular income distribution, but from discipline and consideration. It requires intellectual forethought and commitment. It should not be given short shrift for the promise of the greater good, as it serves the greater good on its own when observed already.

And our leadership needs to take heed.

As an honored guest at the Mackinac Conference Bobby Jindal has opined: "The Republican party does have a lot of work to do. But changing our principles is not a winning strategy. We need to modernize, not moderate."