Daniel Kane

I grew up Republican. Still am in many ways. But MAGA pushed the party so far right that I get called a liberal now. Let me explain the difference: Traditional Republicans believe in: • Fiscal responsibility (balanced budgets, not exploding deficits for tax cuts) • Limited government (actual small government, not big government that punishes your enemies) • Strong institutions (courts, elections, constitutional norms matter) • Personal responsibility (your actions have consequences) • Free markets (not tariffs and trade wars) • Strong alliances (NATO, international partnerships) • Rule of law (no one is above it, including the president) MAGA Republicans believe in: • Whatever Trump says today (even if it contradicts yesterday) • Loyalty tests (agree 100% or you're a traitor/RINO) • Conspiracy theories over facts (stolen election, deep state, QAnon adjacent stuff) • Grievance politics (owning the libs > actual policy) • Personality cult (Trump loyalty above party, above country, above truth) • Performative outrage (culture war theater instead of governance) • Ends justify means (storm the Capitol, ignore election results, whatever it takes) I didn't move left. The party moved off a cliff. I still believe in conservative principles. But when you say "maybe we should respect election results" or "fiscal responsibility matters" or "rule of law applies to everyone," you get called a liberal. That's not conservatism. That's a cult.