The Death of Conservatism

The heartless, spiritually bankrupt intellectual frauds who openly court -- and are disturbingly non-judgmental of -- the most intolerant loathsome elements of the political landscape (who for some unconscionable reason have been consulted about virtually everything our government has been doing or undoing for the past six plus agonizing years) -- these are the fruits of a particular strain of conservative idealogues with a shared affinity for the Hobbesian view of humanity, which postulates that people are essentially evil and the role of the ruling class, the government, was to have a standing army and police presence and little else. Essentially that the "people" were totally on their own, frontier-style with no public services, healthcare, college grants, headstart, maintenance of roads and bridges, public defenders, job training programs, Medicare, Medicaid; you get the picture.

Also violently opposed to the Jeffersonian assertion that people were basically good and part of a government's function is to engender the conditions where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are possible through education, hard work and a sense of community, whereas conservatives have only contempt for the notion of a fair playing field.

Conservatism is in its last throes if you will, twisting in the wind, dying like communism did because neither philosophy works by definition -- they both operate from the fraudulent premise built around contempt for and control of the people.

In the coming months and years history will not absolve them. These multimillionaire radio and television personalities who stoke and taunt "Joe Sixpack" with cleverly and sometimes not-so hate speech, railing about the danger of gays taking over and turning everything and everyone gay; Hollywood liberals seem to be among the most evil people since Sodom and Gomorrah, African-Americans are attacked in veiled terms that are usually not as veiled as they think, playing on people's fear of losing their job, demonizing foreigners seemingly from everywhere, scoffing at the notion that there is no class system in this country. All the while looking down on rubes and suckers who vote against things that are in their self interest and very survival to help further a cynical, mean-spirited political movement that has become a dangerous parody of the most astoundingly inept, impotent bully wannabes who can count among them physical and intellectual cowards who knowingly and smugly perpetrate lies that have literally cost untold lives.
How did this legendarily generous and open nation become fearful, distrustful, anxious and worried about our families, our country, our future?

We must resist being manipulated into thinking that a so-called "war on terror" is "winnable"; this is as patently impossible as trying to empty a river with your hat. Terrorism is a tactic, not a country -- there always were terrorists and will always be. This is not a war that can be "won" in the conventional sense -- that is clearly an impossibility. Recent events have shown that good police work can do more than an ill-conceived war that has become a recruiting tool. The sooner it ends, the recruits diminish and the police, with the federal government's support, can do what they are trained to do.

The Department of Homeland Security was a totally unnecessary boondoggle that is redundant and sadly ludicrous because it is now known that prior to 9/11, all the information we needed to anticipate and probably prevent the attack was in existence but not shared by different agencies because of turf battles and rivalries for funding and boys with secrets out of control and not sharing because it's their secrets.

As we continue to watch conservatism devour itself we can all hope that in the end, Jefferson's dream of fair governance can be realized before it is too late.

To be continued

-- Richard Belzer

Comments

[traveler501]

Well written...and good riddance!! So-called Conservatism is simply a co-mingling of some of America's worst weaknesses. Some funny mix of the early Protestant fear of difference (think "witch") and the Pioneers' almost superstitious fear of doing anything differently. Modern Conservatism is about fear and resistance to growth and change. It is neither useful nor a process in and of itself...it is simply resistance to process. Enough!

[blaze]

I think your comment about generosity really hits the nail on the head. Generosity of spirit allows for compassion; allows one to place the welfare of others above oneself; allows a space for non-violent conflict resolution. America considers itself the most generous nation on Earth, but it is only counting ducats and not the concept that we share this world with others and that we must accomodate others in order to live.
My statements above will be derided by many (smells like a hippy), but since we have continued to descend into permanent war, I think that we should check it again.

[oafishcad]

Americans think they're generous, but Denmark gives more per capita.

[blueshift]

If this were carefully edited, this could find it's way into wider print circulation...the concept is strong and worth the investment in ink and groundwood.

[adzeman]

Nice work Richard. Remember, we are the party of the people, they are the party of Enron, Haliburton, etc.. We are humanitarian, they are elitist. Fanning away the smoke and shattering the mirrors will leave conservatism naked in its moral bankruptcy. There are no ideas there, only greed and cynicism.

[oafishcad]

They are Royalists, and have finally won the Revolution.

[Gdebs]

Following the Constitution would be better than not but remember,Beard's thesis, that the Constitution was primarily written by property owners to protect property. But, of course it has some good parts.

[xenofile]

That's why the Declaration of Independence -- quoted by a previous commenter (esp. "to promote the general Welfare) -- deserves equal time. Speaking of Jefferson.

[ihavenobias]

Beard's thesis has been largely debunked by some (primarily historian Forrest McDonald) who point out, among other things, that originally it was going to be "life, liberty and property" but was changed to "life, liberty and happiness".

Also, the founders put forward laws (regarding debt and bankrupty for example) that directly contradicted their own economic interests at the time (but that of course would benefit the masses).

Were *some* of these men "greedy land owners", etc? Sure. But the evidence suggests not all.

[xenofile]

Nice rant, Richard!
As others have suggested, it would be fun to see you in a take-down match with Dennis Miller.

"As we continue to watch conservatism devour itself we can all hope that in the end, Jefferson's dream of fair governance can be realized before it is too late."

That was my theory in voting for Nader back in 2000: "Vote your conscience -- if people don't stand up for what they believe in, how can we ever amass momentum for positive change? Meanwhile, if the Republicans win -- well, give them enough rope to hang themselves."

I thought then (and still do) that contemporary so-called conservatism (I prefer "so-called" to "neoCon" because I don't buy the idea of the neoCons bastardizing a previously philosophically pure movement) was really a last-gasp effort to turn back the clock to an imaginary Golden Age ("Regressive", as someone suggested, might be a more accurate label).

What I didn't anticipate was that, given enough rope, they might hang us, too!

In spite of your hopeful conclusion, that possibility still worries me, especially as the Democrats seem determined to cut the Regressives more and more slack -- seemingly out of cowardice. We still have to survive the next sixteen months as well as deal with the apparent brain damage of a populace that seems too willing to act/vote against their own interests for the promise of shiny baubles.

[BigDan]

You should appreciate the genius of George Carlin, being a comedian yourself!

[BigDan]

Richard, why don't you write more, btw??? Gee, you just made more sense than 90% of the writers and propagandist being shoved down our throats.

Did you ever see this???

Please watch this George Carlin video, it's genius, I don't think he's trying to be funny here...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/757645/george_carlin_who_owns_you/

[givemycountryback]

My exact thoughts. Finally someone said it like it is. I wish people on this blog would not bitch about the Dems. They do not have enough votes in Senate to change much and I believe they are doing their best in the Congress. Do you expect 6 years of bad government to be changed over night. They are a million times better than the repugs who are evil to the core, and we should support them. Look at the liars and crooks they are coming up against. and dont blame the public for electing retard because he was never elected. Both elections were rigged. Daddy called in his markers.

[NightOwlCafe]

Great post Richard. The conservative governance/movement has wreaked havoc on this country and the world and I don't know that we have seen the full effect yet. We are a far cry from what Jefferson had envisioned thanks to conservatives, neo-cons and their enablers, Democrats included. There is an opportunity to expose the crimes and the criminals, hold them accountable and regain the trust of the U.S. Citizenry and the world. Then we can go about creating the government, as intended by Jefferson.

[CommanderWhitehead]

Dear Belz,

If it were only that simple.

It's not conservatism at all. It's corporate fascism, and it's doing just fine.

Wiretapping Americans without a warrant, the elimination of Habeas Corpus, pre-emptive endless war followed by nearly inconceivable profits to the "defense" industry, peaceful protesters harassed and arrested in D.C. and elsewhere, the vilification of legitimate dissent...and on and on (with complete cooperation by what is supposed to be the opposition party).

[BigDan]

Great comment! WOW! Did all the SMART people come to this thread????? WTF???????????????

"It's not conservatism at all. It's corporate fascism"

I've been saying this forever! And "the idiots", as I call them, just don't "get it"!

[KenTao]

Hi, BigDan! Welcome.

Yes, all the smart people are here. Just like you we've been talking about corporatism forever. Well, speaking only for myself I've been talking about creeping fascism since Reagan became President.

It is kind of a shame that actual conservatives get lumped in with the fascists, but then again they went along with the "Cultural War" and became reactionaries instead of holding to their conservative values.

Earthlings Unite!

[oafishcad]

It's what conservatism has become and supports.

[rovezaleeker]

Thank you, Mr Belzer. Outstanding insight.

[TonyOrlando]

I am a Human Being, who cares about by enviroment, my fellow brother, and a future for all of those to come.

It is when we attach labels, that everthing important slips through. So, it is not a matter of concervatism, versus a liberal. It is about what is right for the majority; and what is morally wrong. You use words to try to confuse us. But it is very simple. And the world now sees through this now. I suggest all those who only care of themselves; look for another place to reside. Meanwhile, shut the hell up; we have heard, and seen what you represent.

[GlockGal]

Belz, thank you for so eloquently stating everything that has been on *every* progressive-thinker's mind for over the past six years. Lest we not forget this current state of affairs was also perpetrated by the lies regarding 'hanging chads,' a coined term that most of use recognize as rigged voting.

It's especially disturbing to see Fred Thompson tryiing to reinvent himself politically as 'the new Regan,' when the last time I was subjected to a dearth of employment opportunities in the IT sector, bleedingly high interest rates, a real estate market in severe distress and a general pallor to the U.S. economy was during the Regan administration. It would appear the old adage of, "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" has come back to bite us squarely in the ass.

From the start of the "Dubya" fiasco parading as a 'presidency,' all I had to say was 'the Emperor has no clothes.' A country I was so proud of in the aftermath of the 1960s, which had shown such promise at one time, now seems to be pieces of pretty glass shards, littered around us with no one able to restore the pieces to a cohesive whole.

This sense of deja vu is far beyond merely disturbing, and well into frightening.

I look forward to your continuing your post, as well as your blog.

[NABNYC]

Today's Republican Party consists mostly of people who believe in and support dictatorships, supremacy of capital, police, and military, with no rights for the working people.

Unfortunately, the Democratic Party moved in and took over what used to be the Republican Party's positions in about 1950, 1960. They believe in and support the idea that a ruling class should select and appoint the leaders of the country and of the world, that U.S. police, mercenaries, and the military should take a firm hand here at home and abroad to keep us peasants down, with no rights for the working people.

Neither group ever seriously takes up causes which affect most of us. Pelosi's grandstanding over a dollar increase in minimum wage is a joke, since the minimum is still a poverty wage, and since most people don't work for minimum wage anyway. The real economic downturn has been people who used to make $50-70,000/year, and now make $30,000. Because their jobs have been sent away, or millions of undocumented workers have been brought in to force everyone's wages down.

Remember the big "debate" in Congress wasn't about restricting credit card interest to 10%, or even 12 or 15%, it was about "restricting" them to 30%. Which is like arm-busting interest rates courtesy of Guido and Carmine. And even that proposal failed. The Democrats were too afraid that the financial institutions would stop paying them bribes if they actually voted for something that helped most of us working people.

Conservatism in the form of sex-obsession may be dying. But democracy and liberalism have already been killed by the Democratic Party's sell-out to big business.

Let's make our own. Let's make our own party. We'll create a charity, give it money, hire people to draft our laws and hand them to Congress to pass. If they don't, we target them and throw them out until we do get what we want. Let's stop pretending that the Democrats will ever do anything to help any of us.

[oafishcad]

Any interest rate over 12% used to be Usury and was illegal.