What Is the Future of Conservatism?

Commentary Magazine ^ | Jan 2013 | Mark Steyn

[Sir Napsalot]

(Note: This same topic was posted by Jeff Jacoby, and discussed here. Now we get to read from Steyn)

Not to be too pedantic, but for there to be a “future of conservatism in America” there first has to be a future in America. And that’s a more open question than my more optimistic comrades like to admit. The Brokest Nation in History has just told the rest of the world that it is incapable of serious course correction–and around the planet prudent friends and enemies will begin planning for a post-American order. So at some point reality will intervene–either in the form of total societal collapse or, one hopes, something marginally less convulsive. The first responsibility of conservatives between now and 2016 is to have an adult conversation with the citizenry–the one that Mitt Romney chose to eschew in favor of vague jobs promises punctuated by bold assertions that “I believe in America.” So what? What matters is whether reality still believes in America.

And, when reality strikes, will Americans turn to conservatism? The evidence from November is not reassuring. .....(Read the rest, it gets better)

[Biggirl]

On the average, a country lasts 250 years. This country is how old, 233 years old?

[Sir Napsalot]

So far, “they” can not make the Colorado, CT cases to rightwing extremists, not that they haven't tried.

But the next horrendous ‘mass shooting’ might be manufactured, or the next one ...... I just know not to trust all what you hear or read, esp. within the 48 hrs of “Breaking News”.

I don't know the sign or if the trigger had been pulled (there are way wiser folks than me).

[Biggirl]

What took place in both CO and CT is to the present time as “bleeding KS” was in the years just before the civil war.

[Rodamala]

[Buckeye McFrog]

The future is to spend the next 20 years building a REAL opposition party. One that accurately reflects the values of the American people. That way we’ll be ready to start picking up the pieces after the Dems have taken the ship into the iceberg (by which time the GOP will be relegated to a historical footnote).

[Buckeye McFrog]

Also do not forget Pittsburgh, that must also be a LIBERAL city, on the level of Philadelphia.

Not even close. Philly is more liberal by several orders of magnitude. The average Pittsburgher is an Economic Liberal (having had it drilled into their heads for generations since the Homestead Strike of the 1890's that Rich Robber Barons are EEEEEEEVIL, Unions are GOOD! Democrats and Big Government bring pensions, public services, and FAIRNESS to life for the WORKIN' MAN and the LITTLE GUY.)

But once you move beyond economics, their views are quite Conservative. Most are traditional Catholics who are Pro Life and espouse a lot of those traditional views. And MANY, MANY of them have guns and carry permits.

Philly on the other hand is liberal to the core in just about every area. At the risk of sounding RAAAACIST, one reason for this I think is that Pittsburgh's minority population is a small fraction of Philly's. Our major problem here is with White Trash suckling up to Big Government.

[rbmillerjr]

Socialists control the culture now.

There is no turning back.

Next step is realization that we are in a Cold Civil War.

[Biggirl]

Got to remember that it goes all the way back to the days of the belching smoke stake still mills.

In regards to the Catholic faith, not just Latin rite Catholics but also Eastern rite Catholics as well.

[Biggirl]

.....Which will down the road, get “hot” the civil war.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Yep, it’s etched in the history around here going back to the late 19th. century. A kind of soft class warfare directed at the wealthy and the employers. Despite all of his philanthropy....the museums, libraries, being a major employer who put this town on the map....I remember a number of adults who would have gladly bought a ticket to Scotland to go take a p*ss on Andrew Carnegie’s grave.

[TheRobb7]

” culture trumps politics, and not just in the movies and pop songs, grade schools and mainline churches, but increasingly in the boardrooms..., conservatives need to start fighting on the turf that matters. “

Sounds like we need to invade the liberal’s turf. That’s where the hearts and minds are.