Barry Goldwater Jr. laments nation’s drift toward ‘socialism’
Barry Goldwater Jr. Photo via Florida TaxWatch.

Goldwater
The son of the one-time presidential nominee also discussed the need for more civil discourse.

As Barry Goldwater Jr. walks into a room, his resemblance to his father proves immediately striking. The late U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, best known as the Republican nominee against President Lyndon  Johnson in 1964, became a conservative standard-bearer for a generation, and his son still embraces the labels of “conservative” and “libertarian” today.

During a keynote address at a Florida TaxWatch event, he also made clear how far he believes the United States have moved from those values.

“We’re moving into socialism, more government, less freedom, ‘cancel culture’ everywhere,” he said.

He made clear his own political leanings, including opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and concerns about crime and immigration. Days from a Presidential Election between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, he made clear a preference and offered prognostication.

“There will be a winner and there will be a loser,” he said of the election. “So, all I can say to her is, the election is over, the talking is done. Your side lost, my side won.”

Of both sides, he expressed some displeasure that neither the Republican nor Democratic ticket want to discuss the budget. That’s despite a massive national debt.

“Most people can’t visualize a trillion dollars, much less $37 trillion,” he said.

He expressed concern about the state of foreign policy under Democratic President Joe Biden, referencing a sloppy withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“China and Russia and Iran, North Korea, saw weakness in the United States and started following,” Goldwater said. He attributed issues like the Ukraine invasion to a lack of strong leadership in Washington.

But he also discussed a need for civility in American politics today. He served seven terms in the U.S. House representing Southern California, while his father served in the Senate representing Arizona, and recalled a collegiality even over divisions.

He also shared an anecdote about Navy Captain Charles Plumb, who had survived parachuting from a crashed plane and years later met the sailor who had packed Plumb’s parachute before the flight. Plumb hadn’t recalled meeting the enlisted man before, but the parachute saved his life.

Goldwater said in that regard, many go through life unaware that a deed done by those we may never meet could well be what ensures our future.

“From here on, let’s recognize those who packed our parachute,” he said.

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


4 comments

  • White Spiteful Devil Rapist Trump

    October 31, 2024 at 3:24 pm

    It started with Rush Limbaugh’,you have a 24/7 hate fest,with FoxNews and talk radio crazies,who.peddoes in disinformation

    Reply

    • Biden is Garbage

      October 31, 2024 at 3:58 pm

      So said the brainwashed leftoid swallowing mass propaganda. Flush yourself

      Reply

  • Biden is Garbage

    October 31, 2024 at 3:57 pm

    It started with blue Anon cultists.

    Reply

  • A Day without MAGA

    October 31, 2024 at 4:51 pm

    I critically think.all the times,maybe insecure White people like you should grow a backbone,and realize the world do not revolve you own insecurities,since are always projecting your insecurities

    Reply

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