Conservatives Have A Secret

American Thinker ^ | August 3, 2012 | Daren Jonescu

[Still Thinking]

The entire Democratic Party, from the top down, now looks like Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright. The hatred of America is open. The desire to undo American constitutionalism is explicit. And this exposure will only accelerate in the coming months and years, as the left realizes ever more acutely that its days as an accepted political faction are numbered,

I'm not sure I buy this premise. Compare where we are now to where we were 30, 40, or 50 years ago. Attitudes towards guns and gun control seem to be moving in decidedly the right direction, but the argument seems to be moving left on so many other issues. I think the left is ahead on points. I realize tons of people despise this administration and a big GOP Presidential and Congressional win this fall wouldn't surprise me in the least, but that doesn't a trend make. Plus, look what the "victory" would consist of, Romney!

[Still Thinking]

Excellent post! A more fleshed out solution to the conflict of interest problem I’ve harped on when federal courts decide cases in which the federal government is one of the parties. In other cases, that would never be tolerated, nor should it be here.

[TBP]

Encourage their destruction to play itself out? Doesn’t that just speed up the harm they do to society?

[loveliberty2]

Thank you for the ping! Technology helps us to lift the veil, as it were, on the massive effort which has been under way since the late 1800's to "change" America from its solid foundations and enduring principles. Those who currently dominate the political scene represent the culmination of that effort. They have been emboldened to the point that their coercive form of tyranny is being revealed.

So-called "progressives," beginning as self-described "liberals" in the late 19th, 20th, and early 21st Century have worked, like termites to erode our foundations in liberty by eliminating the ideas from textbooks and from much of the public square.

Every citizens with a computer, however, now can rediscover and spread the light of those founding ideas in ways never imagined by the destroyers of individual freedom. Witness this week's reaction to attempts to silence one business owner's freedom of conscience and speech by intimidation and government intervention.

Thanks again. The article should be shared with many opinion makers among our acquaintances throughout the states.

[rlmorel]

Publius, I agree with you. This is one of the best treatises I have ever read on Free Republic.

This subject is one that most people, including many Freepers, have difficulty immobilizing for analysis and commentary.

This article does just that, like a pin through a moth so it can be examined in a box.

One of the most demoralizing aspects of this culture war is that we ARE on the "losing side" and the reasons are not hard to understand. Those of us who stand with conservative principles are akin to the boy at the dike, or the guardians of a border. Our lot is to be on guard, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are constantly vigilant, fighting a defensive battle because we are outnumbered by the combination of the one third who wish to actively destroy conservatism and individualism, and the one third that is composed of good hearted people who are misguided or misinformed, rounded out by those who simply don't care either way.

Liberalism is a one-way ratchet. Cultural territory lost is rarely regained. We become the boy on the dike who can't see all the leaks that develop and who eventually runs out of fingers and toes. We become an outmanned army that rushes forces to and fro inside a besieged position trying desperately to marshal forces to the point of impact to stave off inevitable defeat.

Pretty depressing stuff, I admit.

But then, we see the Taxpayer March on Washington on 9/12/2009. We see the outpouring of support for Chick-Fil-A. And we see the solid, American nature of those who take part in those types of events to express themselves. Even in a blue state like Massachusetts as shown below in this picture I took at a Chick-Fil-A this past Wednesday. This was in Massachusetts, the bluest of the blue states! 200-300 people, later up to as many as 500.

And look at the people in line in my picture. I saw all races, male and female, young and old. All standing in line for hours, just to make a point, and doing it with pleasant countenances and no griping. Make no mistake, it wasn't about food. There were no more than one or two people in line at ANY other food establishment within 10 seconds walking time from Chick-Fil-A.

I saw this, and I thought "Perhaps...just perhaps...all is not lost."

So, in that fertile frame of mind, I login to Free Republic and see this thread. I am a huge fan of the American Thinker, and I believe it is one of the most important conservative sites out there. As I read this incisive article, there were two passages in this article that jumped out at me:

"...the smooth transition into collectivist authoritarianism has not happened in America as it happened, or is currently happening, everywhere else, because conservatives have not let it happen. The "democratic" left has had to work harder in America than anywhere else -- and, consequently, has had to show its teeth more plainly in America than anywhere else..."

and

"...whereas the European left presents itself, and even sees itself, as a friend of Europe, the American left has been antagonized into presenting itself more and more openly as the enemy of America..."

Both of these passages indicate a key concept put forth by the author, that liberals are taking more aggressive tactics to achieve their goals because there still exists too many people who won't quietly allow the Left to "gently fastens its shackles on the ankles of mankind", and especially not their own ankles. (A brilliantly written passage, by the way. Just superb.)

The reasons this intractability so irritates and enrages the left are twofold, first because it is a demonstration of "American Exceptionalism" (a concept they abhor) and secondly, that quality of American Exceptionalism traces its roots, foundation and staying power directly back to The Constitution of The United States, a document they despise with a deep contempt.

American Exceptionalism is the antithesis of cultural relativism, a concept that is near and dear to their liberal hearts.

For them to admit that there IS something different about America by acknowledging American Exceptionalism would be tantamount to lighting the fuse that demolishes their own foundation. Liberals view the concept of American Exceptionalism as a virulent form of jingoism.

To them, it is diametrically opposed philosophically to cultural relativism, a concept they use to buttress their own twisted concept of equality, a mutated and deformed version of that ideal to attack conservatism and conservatives.

What liberals (and many, if not most conservatives don't either) is that the weapon liberals use so freely and to great effect is easily turned against them. Doing so will, in one stroke, both refute the hideously damaging concepts of cultural relativism while proving and fortifying the concept of American Exceptionalism and highlighting the enduring strength and validity of The Constitution.

The key is: Conservatives believe that all INDIVIDUALS have equal value. We believe in Individualism, and we treat it as something to be treasured. We inherently value equality in people. Liberals believe that all CULTURES (states) have equal value, and they DESPISE individualism. As such, they inherently despise the individual, as long as it is not THEM.

[Loud Mime]

Thanks for the worthwhile ping. I hope you are doing well.

Jonescu's writing is on point for most of its path, but I do not agree with his idea of letting leftism play out; it is an optimistic vision. Since I live near gangland I see things differently.

Our national problem is not simply the course of government or arguments; it is the incredible burdens that government has placed on the future of our nation. History has never seen a nation with our level of debt and with so many characters depending on government for their sustenance. When the debt is addressed and the sinecures and payments to the jobless and indolent masses end, we will see a different U.S.. God help us.

I liked this article. It reminded me of another by John O'Sullivan that was in National Review in 1997.

[Loud Mime]

We will not solve our problems by buying chicken. There will come a time when the ugliness of liberalism will have a contest with the ugliness of conservatism. We’ve been very nice, so far.

[Bigun]

The dissenting opinion has the right of it. The Court has no Constitutional authority to rule as it did. None at all. The Constitution grants the Court the power to interpret the law, not the power to rewrite it. The power to amend the law is granted solely to Congress—and so is denied anyone and everyone else.

Amen! Amen! and AMEN!!!

What Roberts court did is, in my humble opinion, an impeachable offense and if I were a member of congress that action would be underway!

[rlmorel]

TBP, that isn’t the point, to encourage their destruction.

The point of the article is, liberals are losing patience due to the intractability of conservatives who continue to resist just allowing liberals to “gently snap on the shackles” and they are being forced to show the iron fist of liberalism and statism before they really want to. In short, they are losing their patience.

Think of a person who has a dog, and they beat and mistreat the dog. But they must call the dog and get it within arms reach to attach the chain, so they smile, call the dog, crouch down, display foods the dog likes, and so on.

All the while holding the chain behind the back so the dog can’t see it.

But the dog approaches, grows cautious, just out of reach, and continually backs away, only to stop and stare while the owner begins the wheedling and pleading and displaying of the food.

But time grows ever tighter. The owner must get the chain on the dog’s neck soon, or all is lost. Tones of his voice change in subtle ways, the stress is showing through. The owner keeps a smile, but now it is forced. The teeth are gritted, the jaw muscles clenched, the motions with the plate of food are becoming a bit jerky, as if the plate would be shoved wholly into the mouth of the unfortunate dog should it get too close.

Soon, the Owner stands upright and begins to yell at the dog “GET THE HELL OVER HERE!” and in doing so, the dog catches sight of the chain being concealed behind the Owner’s back.

The Owner has just inadvertently shown the dog the iron fist behind the velvet glove.

At this point, the dog will turn and run, deserting the owner forever.

The Owner is liberalism and statism.

The Dog is the American citizen.

THAT is our hope.

[Bigun]

I cannot thank you enough for pinging me to this most excellent analysis of the current state of affairs!

[Bigun]

Constitutional conservatives must do it themselves, using the GOP apparatus as just one tool.

There are many who realized this fact a LONG time ago and acted accordingly. We are just beginning to see the fruits of their labor.

[Bigun]

I, for the most part, agree with what you have written here. The shell of lies that comprises what we refer to as “the left” is about to collapse and when that happens the death roars will be deafening!

[Bigun]

The media is 100% of the problem.

I disagree! The problem is those who cannot figure out what the purpose of the media is and thus apply the correct filters.

And we have that because of what we have allowed to occur in the halls of academia! THAT is the problem!

[Bigun]

VERY interesting ideas! Very interesting indeed!

[antisocial]

“Unfortunately, they could never have achieved such leadership positions in the Democrat Party if a large and growing segment of the American population did agree and identify with them.

Remember, the problem is not Obama. The problem is the people who voted for Obama.”

Yes and meanwhile the left continues to pad their numbers with the non enforcement of immigration law. Time is growing short for this strategy to be successful.

[Dysart]

I think the left is ahead on points. I realize tons of people despise this administration and a big GOP Presidential and Congressional win this fall wouldn't surprise me in the least, but that doesn't a trend make. Plus, look what the "victory" would consist of, Romney!

The author, I think, would point toward damming up here. Romney will/would do that because he will/would be compelled to by Constitutionalist factions and the will of those who elected him. Will he roll back years of progressivism? No. Look here:

The left co-opted the education system, the judicial system, the bureaucracy, the press, and the arts.

They are so entrenched it will be impossible to root them and their sickness out. I agree with the author that they will have to self-destruct. And it won't be pretty.

[wintertime]

They are counting on enough self-described ‘conservatives’ to compromise their principles,
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

There are also well-meaning but very stupid conservatives.

For example:

Nearly every day, here on Free Republic, there are stupid conservatives who **insist** that their child's godless and socialist-entitlement K-12 school is “different”.

Every day here on Free Republic there are conservatives who can NOT understand that government K-12 schooling is a godless socialist entitlement. They continually cling the the idea that somehow this godless socialist-entitlement can be reformed if only we could go back to some magical era in government schooling.

Government schooling isn't the only issue. There are other issues in which conservatives are very stupid.

[wintertime]

By the way....I **love** this photo. Imagine that! Nice unscary people. No one is pooping or urinating in public and the place looks neat and clean with no trash trampled about.

[Matchett-PI]

Agree! bttt!

[wintertime]

“The left co-opted the education system,”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The above is an example of **STUPID** conservatism. It drive me to exasperation!

The education system K-12 and state universities have ***ALWAYS** been a socialist-entitlement!!! These institutions are the very definition of socialism! They weren't *co-opted”.

Tuition-free K-12 schooling and state subsidized colleges were are a **PROGESSIVE** idea from the beginning. Progressives have always controlled teacher training and curriculum development. The goal of the progressives was **always** toward increasing secularism and godlessness.

Geeze! Children and young adults who attend our nation's socialist-entitlement schools and colleges risk learning to be comfortable with socialism. They learn that any voting mob powerful enough to give them tuition-free schooling or subsidized college is powerful enough to give them **LOTS** of “free” stuff!

And...They **WILL** learn to think and reason godlessly. They must just to cooperate in the godless classroom.