Pay attention to what Powell is saying. "I am concerned that we may be trying to do more than we can handle." That, my friends is -- wait for it -- CONSERVATISM! The real meaning of the word, not a synonym for right-wing wacko craziness. A conservative's role in the political dialogue is to look at the changes advocated by liberals and say, "Wait a minute. Is this really a good idea? Is it a good idea NOW, even if it might be some day? Can we afford it? Will it do more harm than good?"

I happen to think Powell is wrong, and that the things Obama is trying to do are things we desperately must do, that have been put off far too long. The time for a gradual approach was several decades ago, and yes, that would have been better. But it's too late now. Nothing to do but go for it and hope for the best.

But nonetheless, we need people saying what Powell is saying. We need voices of caution. We need conservatives. That's the role the Republican Party ought to be taking on right now: the loyal opposition. Loyal, in that they accept the values which the Obama administration is putting forth, and wish to serve for the good of America. Opposition, because they oppose the way he's trying to do it, and want a slower, more cautious approach. Or, just to keep him honest ('cause I sure don't trust him, or any politician, unopposed).

The word "conservative" has lost its meaning by being hijacked by fundamentalist theocrats, greed-is-good plutocrats, and rule-the-world neo-fascists. The GOP is no longer a "conservative" party, and those who say it ought to be usually mean one or more of the three travesties named above, not genuine conservatism. But real conservatives are needed. And Colin Powell is one of them.