Or liberals either, in American politics. Here are two I heard tonight from a conservative friend, with whom I had a phone conversation. We were talking about how frustrating it is to have a serious question about the deep challenges facing our country, partly because there are so many things that nobody wants to admit or face up to.

He told me that he’s sick and tired of everybody blaming “Washington” for our problems. It’s a convenient excuse for off-loading the responsibility a free people has for making hard decisions about how to govern themselves.

(But nobody ever won votes by telling people to stop blaming Washington and take some responsibility for the kind of people they send to Washington!)

My friend said that we need to face up to the fact that upper middle class people need to assume more of the burden of care for their aging parents. If they have the resources to do it, why should they expect the government to foot the bill?

He also said that we’re going to have to start having difficult conversations with ourselves and our families about whether or not this or that Medicare intervention is worth it. Should Grandpa get a knee replacement at 86, just because he can, when resources are limited and the need is so great?

Means testing. Health care rationing. Family values as more than mere sentiment, but actually assuming a greater financial burden for sick family members, because that’s what family members with money do.

Why can’t we speak these heresies now? I guess that’s why even though I’m not a Rick Perry fan, I appreciate his words about Social Security, simply because he’s saying what nobody is supposed to say. Similarly with Ron Paul.

If we want politicians who will tell us the truth about the world, we’re going to have to quit rewarding the panderers, and start rewarding the honest ones who will level with us.

Let’s try something in the comboxes, shall we? If you are a conservative, list one or more political things that you believe are true and that need saying, but that your side considers to be heresy. If you are a liberal, likewise. If you fall somewhere in the middle, just say the things you think are true and necessary to face, but that no politician who wants to get elected says. I’m not going to post any bomb-throwing statements, so let’s be constructive and thoughtful, okay?