Conservatism's death throes?

[Stephanie]

Posted: November 13, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series on the failure of conservatism as an ideology for moving America forward with a positive agenda for expanding freedom and reviving morality and restoring justice.


The conservative mantra about the Republican drubbing in the midterm congressional elections is: "Conservatives didn't lose, Republicans did."
With all due respect to my conservative friends, this is the kind of thinking that will take them the way of the Whigs.

Don't get me wrong. I love conservatives. Some of my best friends are conservatives. But being "conservative" is not a bold vision for the future. Being "conservative" will never inspire Americans to reject socialism and immorality. Banking on this word, this wholly inadequate, timid ideology is, instead, a sure-fire recipe for political defeat for the foreseeable future.

Conservatives are both right and wrong in their critique of Republicanism in 2006.

It's true that Republicans did not distinguish themselves from their Democratic counterparts. It's true that Republicans did nothing to hold on to their political base. It's true that Republicans governed just like Democrats.

But, I have to tell you, "conservatism" is not the recipe for taking America back. It won't work.

There are three fundamental problems with conservatism:


It is a defensive movement rather than offensive;

Its exclusive field of battle is electoral politics;

It lacks the vision of a better future;
America is sliding inevitably toward socialism and immorality. I'm not going to call the direction we're moving "liberalism," because that description is simply too kind and understates the seriousness of our crisis and the lateness of the hour.

Forget about who won Congress. Look at the way Americans voted on issues.

While it's true that marriage amendments passed in all but one state – Arizona – the closeness of all those tallies is what disturbs me. It persuades me that the conservative agenda is an agenda that just keeps losing ground.

You would think that amendments simply declaring marriage to be an institution between one man and one woman would garner at least 90 percent support among Americans.

Yet, even in four states in which the amendment passed, opposition exceeded an astounding 40 percent of the vote.

Conservatives look at those numbers and see victory. I've got news for you: So do the same-sex marriage activists. I look at those numbers and see inevitable defeat. It might be in 2008 or 2010 or 2012. But the die is cast. There is no question that the American view of marriage is changing.

The defensive agenda of conservatives is failing – and it will continue to fail. And this is just one example of hundreds in the way it is failing.

It's time for conservatives to realize the problem is not limited to the Republican Party. There is something inherently inadequate with the conservative vision.

Let me put it to you this way: After Nancy Pelosi and Charles Rangel and John Conyers have their way with America, will you, as a conservative, be satisfied with preserving or conserving what's left of America?

I'm not even content with that prospect right now – before they take the country further down their slippery slope of moral relativism and tyranny.

At some point, and I believe we're long past that point, "conserving" the vestiges of American institutions will no longer be adequate. I think we've already lost way too much freedom and morality. We need a counter-revolution to restore them – not an effort to save what's left.

Let me illustrate what is happening this way: Imagine American politics as a tug of war. One side in the battle is actually playing to win – to pull its opponents into the moat. The other side, though, is simply trying not to get pulled into the moat.

Who is inevitably going to win? Which political ideology do you think is represented by the team whose goal is a standoff?

I know this is hard to understand because no one else – and I mean no one – is saying what I am saying.

Like it or not, the very nature of the word "conservative" defines the ideology. It is not a radical movement to expand freedom and economic opportunity. It is not a radical movement to restore justice and morality. It is not a radical movement to achieve victory over evil.

Instead, it is a "conservative," defensive movement that is merely content standing still.

Unfortunately, in the history of the world, there is no such thing as a social movement that stands still. You are either moving toward your goal or moving away from it.

What are the conservatives' goals? Let's say "preserving marriage" is one of them. The way conservatives fight to achieve their status quo goal is to get marriage amendments on ballots. At first they win one referendum after another. Conservatives see victory at hand – even though, if they are 100 percent successful, all their hard work and sacrifice will have gone to the goal of achieving the status quo.

Meanwhile, the other side doesn't worry too much about those votes. Instead, they are fighting in a whole different arena – the battle for the hearts and minds of the American people using the cultural institutions of the press, the entertainment industry, the foundations, the corporations, even the churches.

That's why each successive vote on marriage amendments is a little closer. Their goal is the destruction of the very building block of western civilization – the traditional family.

The American people have been softened up and are starting to believe that marriage between same-sex couples is perfectly normal and acceptable – a notion that would have been anathema to them 20 years ago.

This is an illustration of the inadequacy of the conservative agenda.

It's hard to accept for conservatives who have placed so much faith in this ideology of defeat.

"Are you saying, Farah, that conservatism can never triumph?" you might ask. "What about Ronald Reagan?"

It's a good question. Conservatism does have its momentary political triumphs. They can occur when life under socialism and immorality becomes intolerable for people. If conservatism is packaged well and articulated by an articulate and passionate personality, it can win at the polls – no question about it.

Yet the cultural march toward socialism and immorality continues unabated – just as it did during the Reagan years.

If you think there is even a grain of truth in what I am saying today, I urge you to read my book, "Taking America Back," where I have the opportunity to expand on these ideas.

TOMORROW: A glimpse of a radical new agenda for the future.
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52927

What do you think?

 

[Mr.Conley]

He's wrong.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Conservatism is a bold vision. THe problem is conservatism has come to mean naked coporate favoritism, and a globalist vision, one in which people are enslaved irrevocably by the corporate machine.

 

[Hobbit]

Conservatism is a bold vision. THe problem is conservatism has come to mean naked coporate favoritism, and a globalist vision, one in which people are enslaved irrevocably by the corporate machine.

No, the problem is that conservatism keeps getting abandoned in favor of power-grabbing idiocy such as pandering to the uneducated or to large businesses.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

No, the problem is that conservatism keeps getting abandoned in favor of power-grabbing idiocy such as pandering to the uneducated or to large businesses.

What is the specific pander that's the pander to the uneducated, within the republican party?

 

[Nienna]

No, the problem is that conservatism keeps getting abandoned in favor of power-grabbing idiocy such as pandering to the uneducated or to large businesses.

The problem with conservativism is that we have erred so far from the founding principles of the nation that even conservatives don't know what we are supposed to conserve.

I don't want to be a conservative any more... I want to be a "restorative."

 

[rtwngAvngr]

The problem with conservativism is that we have erred so far from the founding principles of the nation that even conservatives don't know what we are supposed to conserve.

Yes. We have accepted the globalist delusion that somehow we don't have a horse in this race, that increasing profits it's positive regardless of possible devastation to mankind, physically, morally, or spiritually.

Can't we as conservatives remember a time when unions were necessary, when children worked? Didn't we as a society put limits on commerce due to other standards of society? Why are we now told that profit justifies slave labor in china? or it contributes to stablility? Accept slave labor because it contributes to stability? What kind of christian would accept this? Yet trade with china is nearly off the table, because it's a foregone conclusion that it's a MUST DO for both corrupt parties.

 

[Avatar4321]

Actually, I think he is right to a point. And his example of the same sex marriage bans is key.

The fact that we have to make laws preserving it is evidence that we are losing the culture war. If we were winning the war, we wouldnt have to make it a law.

And if we can't find a way to successful face this culture war and win we will be in trouble.

 

[Bonnie]

Actually, I think he is right to a point. And his example of the same sex marriage bans is key.

The fact that we have to make laws preserving it is evidence that we are losing the culture war. If we were winning the war, we wouldnt have to make it a law.

And if we can't find a way to successful face this culture war and win we will be in trouble.

Yes!!!

 

[Hobbit]

What is the specific pander that's the pander to the uneducated, within the republican party?

There's "There's no way we can handle this illegal problem except by granting all the lawbreakers citizenship," and "Look at all this pork I brought home for you, my constituents," not to mention, "The best way we can enhance education is by making it illegal to leave people behind when they're lazy or stupid, letting them drag down the rest of the class."

 

[rtwngAvngr]

There's "There's no way we can handle this illegal problem except by granting all the lawbreakers citizenship," and "Look at all this pork I brought home for you, my constituents," not to mention, "The best way we can enhance education is by making it illegal to leave people behind when they're lazy or stupid, letting them drag down the rest of the class."

Good examples!

 

[Nienna]

I have to agree, though, that America is sliding into decay, socialism, moral relativism. If America is ever to be revived, it will not be done while we languish in financial comfort. People are too comfortable in their lives. They really wish things would change, but they don't really care all that much because they are still well-fed, clothed, sheltered, and safe whether the Dems take over Congress or not. The Great Depression produced the Greatest Generation, and stopped the moral decay of the twenties. It will take a lot of physical and financial discomfort to shake people out of their apathy.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

Actually, I think he is right to a point. And his example of the same sex marriage bans is key.

The fact that we have to make laws preserving it is evidence that we are losing the culture war. If we were winning the war, we wouldnt have to make it a law.

And if we can't find a way to successful face this culture war and win we will be in trouble.

Whenever Americans want to bring back morality into our culture we are attacked as "religious zealots" imposing our religious values upon others. The Left has been very successful at marginalizing our good Christian values. This idiocy has got to stop. We need to learn to wear our Christian values (Boy Scout values, patriotism, whatever) on our sleeves with pride. Hey, if a bunch of queers can have pride, so can the rest of us...

It's time we ATTACK them right back especially on two major fronts: the educational front and the media front and stop them from propagandizing their sick values by confronting them head on. We need to expose them for what they are and marginalize THEM. This can be started at the grass roots level as well as with lawyers, just like they did. We also need better leadership with backbones who can stand up to liberals. Enough of this "going along to get along" bs...out and out confrontation and actively beating the shit back is necessary at almost every turn. We need to reform our schools and our media to reflect OUR good values while we still have some. :bangheads

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Whenever Americans want to bring back morality into our culture we are attacked as "religious zealots" imposing our religious values upon others. The Left has been very successful at marginalizing our good Christian values. This idiocy has got to stop. We need to learn to wear our Christian values (Boy Scout values, patriotism, whatever) on our sleeves with pride. Hey, if a bunch of queers can have pride, so can the rest of us...

It's time we ATTACK them right back especially on two major fronts: the educational front and the media front and stop them from propagandizing their sick values by confronting them head on. We need to expose them for what they are and marginalize THEM. This can be started at the grass roots level as well as with lawyers, just like they did. We also need better leadership with backbones who can stand up to liberals. Enough of this "going along to get along" bs...out and out confrontation and actively beating the shit back is necessary at almost every turn. We need to reform our schools and our media to reflect OUR good values while we still have some. :bangheads

Yes SE! I respect and encourage your warrior spirit!

 

[flaja]

Conservatism is a bold vision. THe problem is conservatism has come to mean naked coporate favoritism, and a globalist vision, one in which people are enslaved irrevocably by the corporate machine.

What you are describing is more accurately called libertarianism. Ever since Burke's day a true conservative would acknowledge human nature and thus support enough government regulation to lessen the extremes of rich and poor so neither can disrupt society with tyranny or revolution.

Any conservative who rejects pure laissez faire economics will be termed a socialist by the internet’s resident libertarian population just because the conservative does not support the dog-eat-dog society libertarians want.

 

[flaja]

"Look at all this pork I brought home for you, my constituents,"

The solutions to this problem include expanding the size of the House of Representatives, imposing term limits, opening the ballot any and all candidates and electing the House by proportional representation.

The more interests that are represented in Congress the harder it will be for the interests of just a few to set the agenda.

 

[flaja]

I have to agree, though, that America is sliding into decay, socialism, moral relativism. If America is ever to be revived, it will not be done while we languish in financial comfort. People are too comfortable in their lives. They really wish things would change, but they don't really care all that much because they are still well-fed, clothed, sheltered, and safe whether the Dems take over Congress or not. The Great Depression produced the Greatest Generation, and stopped the moral decay of the twenties. It will take a lot of physical and financial discomfort to shake people out of their apathy.

America's new religion is materialism. As long as we are fat and happy we won't care about moral issues.

I have distinct memories of the Carter Administration: rising unemployment and double-digit inflation. Back then Americans knew not to waste anything and we paid more attention to our needs rather than our wants.

 

[Annie]

America's new religion is materialism. As long as we are fat and happy we won't care about moral issues.

I have distinct memories of the Carter Administration: rising unemployment and double-digit inflation. Back then Americans knew not to waste anything and we paid more attention to our needs rather than our wants.

:shocked: What country were you living in?

 

[dilloduck]

America's new religion is materialism. As long as we are fat and happy we won't care about moral issues.

I would say America's religion is consumerism. If we worshipped material things we would respect them as opposed buying them one day only to throw them away the next for the "newer improved model".

 

[flaja]

:shocked: What country were you living in?

You can’t remember seeing black-and-white labels on generic products in the grocery store that were supposedly cheaper because they didn’t have fancy labels and were not advertised?

You can’t remember learning to get your groceries from the back of the shelf because there was a chance you could get something that had not had this week’s higher price sticker put on it?

You can’t remember gas lines?

You can’t remember seeing store clerks re-price merchandise while you were shopping?

You can’t remember Jimmy the Jackass Carter telling Americans they need to turn down the thermostats in the summer and turn them up in the winter?

You can’t remember the standard joke of the time that the surest investment you could make was a buggy full of groceries because the price was bound to go up by the next week?

You can't remember reading about inflation in your 4th grade Weekly Reader?

There were two back-to-back months in 1980 where the consumer price index rose by double-digits. If I remember right the CPI was up around 13% one month and then 15% the next.