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What Is A Conservative? Not a Pretty Picture, That's For Sure! Well, of course, "conservatives" come in all shapes and stripes, sizes and styles. You may even think of yourself as a "conservative". You may define "conservative" as being cautious, frugal, traditional, Christian, average American. You may believe in small government, low taxes and a strong defense. Those adjectives and values may well apply to the good-old-boy or gal out there in the populace, generally hard-working, meaning no harm, just trying to live their lives. But they actually do not apply to conservatives in positions of political, economic and cultural power, now and throughout American history. These individuals are a quantum leap apart from Mom and Pop Conservative. Conservative power-mongers are megalomaniacal, greed-serving, power-consolidating, exploitative and dangerous villains of the first order. Read that sentence again. It sounds like over-the-top hyperbole, but it is the simple truth. Conservative politicians and corporate, religious and cultural leaders have been among the most greedy, corrupt, incompetent and harmful individuals ever to walk the American landscape. These thugs and scoundrels have plundered America's treasure, raped its landscape, attempted to keep huge swaths of the general public under their jackbooted heel, sent us into ill-conceived wars, and violate the Constitution at will. Even a cursory glance at American history will reveal a slimy litany of abuses perpetrated upon the American people, and the republic itself, by those of the conservative persuasion. Have there been abuses by liberals? Of course. No one is immune to the temptations that await those in power. But a liberal must abandon their principles to engage in nefarious activity. Nefarious activity is built into the conservative ethos. The depth of the depravity and damage wreaked by conservatives over the span of this nation's existence far exceeds the liberal record of small-time corruption and lapse of judgement. The past two American presidents are precisely cases in point. Bill Clinton engaged in a sex act in office. There are no excuses. It was stupid, a betrayal of the American people, a betrayal of his party. But no one was killed. The economy was not affected. America's standing in the world was not diminished. Not an iota of lasting damage to the republic was the result. Indeed, as president Bill Clinton left the nation in better shape than he received it. George W. Bush has presided over a seemingly endless parade of debacles, lies, secrets, scandals, humiliations, incompetencies that actually do involve wars, people dying, an economy "in shambles" (John McCain's words), and the United States of America being left in a position severely worsened during his tenure, with an ominous future coming directly at us.
Defining Conservatism: Socrates was a liberal; the Athenean court that convicted him of "corrupting the minds of the youth" (yep, liberals are always doing that) was conservative. Jesus was a liberal; the Pharisees who could not tolerate his egalitarian philosophy and demanded he be crucified by the Romans were conservative. Galileo and Copernicus were liberal; the Church that imprisoned them and demanded they rescind their scientific astronomical discoveries was conservative. The American founding fathers were liberal; King George, the British government, and the American British loyalists that would throttle "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" were conservative. Charles Darwin was a liberal; the authorities (active even today) who would deny his seminal work on evolution were conserative. The pattern repeats itself throughout history.
Reason, or rationality, was a dangerous thing according to the so-called "father of modern conservatism", Edmund Burke (1729-1797). Like most conservatives in power, he didn't trust the reason of anyone but himself, and those very much like him. Instead, he believed that reason should be set aside, especially for the common man, and that the momentum of tradition, custom and heritage should prevail. In other words, don't think, conform is the undergirding of conservative philosophy. Blind faith in tradition is the very reason conservatives so often find themselves at odds with truth and progress. Burke also set the early template for the conservative's sense of entitlement. The concepts known as "property rights" and "the free market" established that a man (i.e. a wealthy man) should have unfettered control over his possessions, including goods for sale, regardless of how his control over those possessions may interfere with another man's rights or the common good. The wealthier a man was, the more "property rights" he could expect to acrue, even to the detriment of all of society. Governments should not be involved with interference of any kind or regulation of such rights or the free market (except in so far as a government might assist such a wealthy man to even greater advantage over his competitors... that would be perfectly OK). Much later, conservatives would conspire to bring this very same concept to the benefit of corporations. Edmund Burke would have loved that, being a shareholder in the notorious British East India Company, a monopoly, which would even before his death play a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Yes, the American Revolution was instigated by revolt against a corporation! Edmund Burke, the patron saint of conservatives, couldn't have been more different than America's founding fathers, who did believe in the rationality of the common man, and were very suspicious of corporations. Conservatism has always been about the rich and powerful. Yet the wizards atop this pyramid scheme are ever mindful that to prevail in their quest to maintain the status-quo that is beneficial to themselves, they must find a way to recruit great numbers of supporters who are willing to cast votes which may, actually, be against their own best interests. How to do this? Being honest, and saying, "Yes, we are the party of, by and for the wealthy and corporations, and our credo is may the rich get richer" just won't do. But long, long ago, the conservatives realized they would really only have to do two things: 1) Divert and deceive, and 2) Divide and conquer. (OK, technically, that's four things) To do it was easy. Conservatives are natural liars, connivers and love keeping secrets from the general public. And to divide and conquer, they would simply have to capitalize (they do so love that word) on natural ignorance and prejudice.
Thus the modern conservative politician's alchemic blend of "wedge issues" (gun control, abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, etc.), diverting the public's attention from their real motivations (putting more money and power in the pockets of the wealthy elite and corporations), encouraging public amnesia about
A certain, very large, segment of the American population just eats it up! This toxic blend of jingoism, clan-mentality, greed, fear of the "other" and of "the end of our civilization as we know it" has actually delivered innumerable elections, local, state and national to the conservatives. You have to hand it to them, they know how to win. In the short run. In the long run, they always lose. Why? Because you can only struggle against truth and justice for a little while. In the end, "the end of our civilization as we know it" comes to pass, and guess what, it's better! Conservative tradition, custom, the status-quo gives way to liberal reason and rationale, to knowledge and scientific discoveries, and even to greater morality than the older way provided.
Thus America broke away from England. Slavery was abolished. Women got the right to vote. Children were removed from workhouses. Workers unionized and got rights. Social Security came into existence. Black Americans received their full rights under the Constitution. Consumers got rights. The environment and endangered species became something to cherish and protect as national treasures. Gay Americans received rights. The conservatives fought, viciously, against each and every one of these advances. Thankfully, for all of us, they lost!
The legacy of George W. Bush is a complete and utter disgrace, and a permanent stain upon America. Now it is becoming crystal clear that conservative policies are no better now than they were back in the 1920s when the conservatives led us directly into the Great Depression. So, perhaps... yes, perhaps... the American public will do exactly what it did in the election of 1932 and kick the bums out!
Now you know the basics of conservatism. Now you know that anyone who says that "liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, they are all the same" is either stupid or conniving (hello, Ralph Nader). They are anything but the same; they are polar opposites on the serious issues. Liberals are by and large all for the American values of equality, opportunity, liberty, freedom and the pursuit of happiness, while conservatives really, deep down inside, oppose these values for all but their closest kith and kin.
Of course, we know that you conservatives out there in the cornfields of Iowa, the oil patches of West Texas, on the fishing boats of Alaska, the maple trees of Vermont, the forests of the Old South, are not like this at all. You really do love America. OK. But know this: your conservative leaders are scoundrels of the highest order; always have been and always will be. They are liars and crooks and thieves. It's in their DNA. They don't believe in freedom, they don't believe in equality, they don't believe in opportunity for all, they don't believe in reason, they don't believe in science, they don't believe in the pursuit of happiness. They don't believe in small government. They don't believe in your religion. They believe in money and power. Period. They think you are dumb as a stump, and they do not have your best interests at heart... nor America's. They've been on the wrong side of every major issue in American history, from 1776 through 2008. Read your history, carefully, and follow the dollars... you will see who these "patriots" really are.
The real conservative objective throughout American history (never more so than during the George W. Bush regime) has been to make the rich and powerful more rich and powerful.
By definition, policies which help the commoner and "common good" are generally opposed by the wealthy elite and corporations.
Since the founding of America, liberals have sought to expand opportunities for the average person, and even the downtrodden, seeking a more egalitarian society that works for everyone.
Historically, conservative policies sought to preserve and protect traditions that subjugated women, working men, children and minorities. Today, conservative policies seek to subjugate consumers, workers and the middle and lower classes in favor of corporations and the wealthy.
Liberals led the struggle to uplift and liberate women, workers, children, African Americans, Native Americans and other minorities. Today, liberals are struggling to prevent the erosion of hard-won rights for workers, consumers and the middle and lower classes in the face of an onslaught of conservative measures to reduce or destroy such rights and power.
See above. Also, conservatives habitually seek to depress voter turnout. The lower the turnout, the fewer voters they have to convince to vote against their own best interest, and the better the conservative's chance of winning.
See above. Liberals seek to expand voter turnout, realizing that the greater the number of voters, the greater the likelihood of the liberal candidate or issue prevailing.
Conservatives understand their policies serve only a select few, and that they cannot win unless they "divide and conquer". They do this by playing upon voters' prejudices, fears and "wedge" issue opinions, often successfully convincing voters to actually vote against their self-interest. They also seek to divide America from the rest of the world through bully tactics and unilateral actions.
In conservative ideology, it is the individual on his (or her) own, and America separate from and above the rest of the world.
Liberal positions actually serve the welfare of far more individuals than those of conservatives, therefore their policies are more likely to unite rather than divide. Liberals also seek to join and cooperate with the rest of the world through careful, nuanced diplomacy and organizations such as the United Nations.
In liberal ideology, we are all in this together, we work together, we help each other, as Americans, and as nations of the world.
Conservatives seek to preserve a white-bread world that supports the primacy of patriarchal, white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant culture, and do not generally bother to attempt to understand other cultures. Occasionally, they will allow persons or groups who are somewhat similar (i.e. Catholics, minorities) within their tent, but only if it is self-serving. This ignorance fuels suspicion and fear of "the other", and the overriding self-serving interest fuels animosity and distrust from "the other". In the end it is a losing proposition.
Liberals, even though perhaps a part of WASP culture, value a variety of perspectives and cultural traditions, and are more open to learning about them... thereby reducing fear of the unknown. They are free to develop true and lasting trust with "the other", and forge a better future that works for all.
Conservatives seek a homogeneous populace that conforms to their conceptions of "traditional values". Anyone outside this populace, whether voluntary or involuntary, is "the other", and is subject to ridicule, scorn, ostracization, bigotry, fear, and sometimes violence. In this regard, conservatives pay lip service to concepts such as freedom and individuality, but can become very unsettled when these American rights are put to any use which varies from their sense of conformity.
Liberals recognize that the full exercise of freedom, creativity and "the pursuit of happiness" not only allows non-conformity but in many cases requires it.
Conservatives by nature are exploiters... of workers, of women, of minorities, of the economy (for the corporation), of the environment.
Liberals defend, preserve and protect workers, women, minorities, the economy (for the middle class), and the environment.
Science and art often conflict with conservative concepts.
Liberals are far more free to learn from and enjoy science and art because these generally support liberal values and concepts.
Conservatives cling tenaciously to traditional, often archaic, systems, including clan mentality that fears any threat to established status-quo. That status-quo generally plays in favor of the conservative leader, thus his need to protect it. To do so, he transposes his own fear (though often in a distorted, exagerrated version) to his followers to ensure their loyalty.
A "boogie-man" or evil regime is actually an aid in securing such blind loyalty. Thus, you have Ronald Reagan ramping up his belligerent rhetoric against a fading Soviet Union (the "Evil Empire"), and Cheney-Bush with their "Axis of Evil" and "terror alerts" encouraging a fearful populace to freak out after being attacked by 19 guys with box-cutters.
Conservatives will try to frighten you because they want you to turn to them them for "security". They think you are sheep, and if spooked will follow right where they want you to go... wanting to be told what to believe in religion and politics.
Liberals are much less invested in preserving the status quo, and therefore much less fearful of change to such systems. Instead, liberals can allow themselves to see change as potentially positive and hopeful, even as it overturns some long-held traditions.
As for boogie-men, liberals have been far better at confronting and defeating them than conservatives... and without having to terrorize their own nation. "The only thing we have to fear... is fear itself," pronounced Franklin Roosevelt, rallying American resolve before taking on and defeating two of the most fearsome militaries in world history -- the Nazis and Imperial Japan.
Liberals will tell you to fear nothing because America is the home of the free and the brave. They think you are a lion or lioness for America, fearsome in your love for and defense of this country, and perfectly capable of thinking for yourself.
To achieve their objectives, conservatives often are compelled to distort and deceive so as to hide their true intent. Masters of "disinformation", their actions are often the precise opposite of their promises. This is not only common; the practice is built into conservative strategy. Thus, "The Clear Skies Initiative" was a giveaway to air polluters; "The Healthy Forests Initiative" a boon for timber companies; "The Patriot Act", actually an afront to the U.S. Constitution; the "Compassionate Conservative" and "Uniter not a Divider" became one of the least compassionate and most divisive presidents; "Fair and Balanced" Fox News is, in fact, the least fair and balanced television news channel in American history.
Liberal politicians have been known not to deliver on their promises, but rarely do they need to lie about their intent. And rarer still would be the liberal who does the exact opposite of what was promised. The liberal agenda revolves around helping average people. No wedge issues are needed. No disinformation required. Liberals rely on voters understanding the issues, and perceiving the holistic truth. Sometimes that is asking too much of the significant section of the populace that is vulnerable to fear-mongering, bigot-baiting, and manipulation.
Conservative ideology often clashes with actual facts, scientific discovery and natural truth, so it is in the interest of conservatism if the populace remains disengaged and dumb. Conservatives hope that the voter has amnesia when it comes to American history, lest they realize how wrong-headed conservatives have been for over 230 years. Conservatives have actively worked against, indeed fought tooth and nail, every step of progress that our nation has ever made. And conservative economic policy has always favored the ultra wealthy and coporations. Yet they have greatly benefitted from the general public not well knowing these very facts.
In election cycles they strive to divert attention from the real issues, consistently throwing up smoke-screens of "wedge issues" to further confuse and confound a huge segment of the population, as well as happily engaging in the "politics of personal destruction" style mudslinging. Anything to keep actual facts out of the mix. Mindless consumerism and entertainment such as sports, video games, most television programming and other diversions also serve the conservative cause. It is no coincidence that such programming often comes directly from huge corporations eager to perpetuate a the "dumbing down" of America.
The more education an individual has, the more likely they are to tend toward liberal values. Truly understanding the history of America means recognizing that this country was founded on liberal ideas, and that each and every stitch of progress made since 1776 sprang from a liberal font. The more information and knowledge a person has, the more they realize that issues can rarely be distilled down to black and white, but require a more nuanced approach. Scientists, researchers, professors, teachers, in general the smartest and most educated people in the country are liberals!
In election cycles, liberals struggle to keep the focus on the primary issues that affect each and every person and family, and not get dragged into 1) tangent issues, such as abortion, gun control, gay marriage, etc. that truly affect only a comparative few, or 2) personal attacks that serve to divert attention for the real issues.
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Copyright © Conservative Mythology Institute
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The modern conservative movement dates back to the 18th Century's 
Conservatives will eventually lose the political, economic and cultural battles going on today, as well. Up until recently, they were on a winning roll. With his smiley face and perfect hair, Ronald Reagan conned the nation (and swaths of the rest of the world) into believing that the free market, deregulation, free trade, slashing taxes (particularly for the rich), corporate mergers, corporate welfare, corporate tax-evasion, union-busting, reliance on oil, de-emphasis on environmental protections, savings & loan bail-outs, scandals, clandestine wars, war on drugs, propping up ruthless dictators, running up record budget deficits, running up national debt, running up the trade deficit, moving factories and jobs to third world countries, privatization, cut-backs in social services, cut-backs in infrastructure, and eternally battling a boogie-man (back then it was the Soviets; now it's the terrorists) were really, really, by golly-gosh, the way to go! Bill Clinton did little to turn the tide in his first term in office, then was stymied by a Republican Congress later on. By the time George W. Bush took office, conservatives had the White House, the Congress, and the Supreme Court. It really, really, by golly-gosh, seemed possible that the conservatives might be able to pull off, by hook or crook, that elusive "permanent Republican majority" they had long dreamed of.
The permanent majority... so close, but then they went too far. Politically, Cheney-Bush is Reagan on steroids. Oh, my oh my, who could have predicted? Only all of history. Only conservative greed exceeds conservative incompetence. Let's consider the damage. 9/11 on his watch (while he was asleep at the wheel). The unfinished war in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden still on the loose. Iraq. Billions lost? Privatization debacles. Over 4,000 dead soldiers. Tens of thousands wounded. Possibly hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis. Millions of Iraqis displaced. Trillions in debt from just the war in Iraq. Stop-loss. America's military worn out. America's moral compass smashed by an administration that believed in torture. America's standing in the world severely compromised. Katrina. Utter incompetency The economy "in shambles" (John McCain's words, did we mention that?). Foreclosures. Bankruptcies. Joblessness. America's manufacturing base a memory. Global Warming.... not a finger lifted. And more oil. Always more oil (follow the money). 