Why does anyone support the GOP?

Publius asks his conservative readers a simple question:

I’d really like my conservative readers to answer this simple question – what is the argument in favor of the GOP these days? What’s the affirmative case? Is there any reason other than that Democrats would be worse? Help me – because I just don’t see it. When I look at the GOP leadership and the White House, I don’t see one thing that I approve of – especially on "big picture" issues. I mean, seriously, what are they doing well?

Small government? Please. Limited government? The unitary executive is really consistent with that part of conservative philosophy. Lower taxes? The GOP isn’t cutting taxes – it’s shifting taxes to future generations. Anytime tax cuts cause the sort of structural deficits we have, they’re not really tax cuts. Good domestic policy? Rx drug bill. Katrina. National security? I just can’t see how anyone makes this argument with a straight face after seeing how the Iraq war and occupation were planned and executed. And that’s not even counting the authorization of torture, which is the most morally disgusting action by our government in the post-WW2 era. And then you add in corruption, the K Street alliance, the payment of journalists, the appointment of cronies to important administrative positions, and the more general disregard for policy – and you get a government that is an utter and absolute failure (miserable even).