Smash Conservatism, Not Just Conservatives

Recently, Republican Senator and Presidential hopeful John McCain urged his party to return to "common sense conservatism".

But is conservatism, common sense or otherwise, good for America?  And does McCain truly believe that "the government that governs least governs best"?  What about Somalia?  Or Iraq?  And is McCain being a hypocrite?  After all, he thinks Washington politicians, like himself, should have the power to restrict womens' reproductive choices.

John McCain believes that his party has abandoned its "conservative" principles.  He says Americans prefer common sense conservatism to the alternative (whatever that is - he doesn't say).

Conservatism = Opposition to Progress
It's important to keep in mind what conservatism has been historically.  Let's look at the conservative position on a few issues thoughout American history:

Issue: Conservative Position
Freeing the Slaves: Opposed
Union Rights: Opposed
8-Hour Day: Opposed
40-Hour Week: Opposed
Child Labor Protections: Opposed
Social Security: Opposed
Medicare: Opposed
Ending Segregation: Opposed
Equal Rights for Women: Opposed
Protecting Workers: Opposed
Workplace Safety Regs: Opposed
Raising the Minimum Wage: Opposed
Protecting Consumers: Opposed
Protecting Corporate Power: Supported
Protecting the Wealthy: Supported
Strong Environmental Regs: Opposed

This table shows that conservatives have opposed everything that most Americans would regard progress in the last 150 years.  Not only that, but most Americans are proud of this progress.  And, Americans want even more progress.  For example, polls have shown that most Americans have said they would support drastic overhaul of our current health care system, such as Medicare for all, which would cover everyone.  And keep in mind that Medicare is essentially a single-payer system.

What this means is that, on the issues, most Americans do not agree with the conservatives' agenda, and that most Americans are really not conservative.

Conservatism is bad for America.  Conservatism is opposition to progress.  Progressives have supported the type of progress that Americans are proud of and that has made America a better place.  Progressives must hammer this point home again and again  And again.  Conservatives would take away rights and protections of workers and consumers, by giving even more power to corporations and the wealthy.

Does McCain Even Believe What He Is Saying?
What are we to make of McCain's statement that "the government that governs least governs best"?

It's easy for McCain to take this quote from Thomas Jefferson and pretend that he's merely following the wishes of the founding fathers.  But this ignores the Preamble to the U. S. Constitution, which says that our government is established

"in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity"

If John McCain thinks that the less government we have, the better, then he must really like the government in Somalia.

Or Iraq.  At the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Stephen Colbert said, "I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."

Is Senator McCain consistent in putting his alleged belief into practice?  Well, for one thing, McCain opposes abortion rights.  This means he thinks that government should interfere in peoples' reproductive decisions.  That's his idea of limited government?

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
The inspiration for this diary comes from Paul Waldman's excellent and insightful book, "Being Right is Not Enough".  Excerpts of the book are here.  Waldman argues that progressives must actively work to discredit conservatism itself, not just individual conservatives.

•  What I'd like to know is what do conservatives

  find MOST offensive about our government..... is because it's by the people, for the people or of the people?

  by Ghost of Frank Zappa on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 09:49:27 AM PDT

  •  Conservatives find government offensive....

    except when they are at the trough.

    by undercovercalico on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:06:52 AM PDT

    •  Ha! Yes!

      The blatant hypocrisy.  Good point.

      by Bob B on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:23:56 AM PDT

•  and there's more

  an unbiased judiciary - oppose
  democratic government - oppose

  by shirah on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 09:51:36 AM PDT

•  I loves me

  these short, pithy, bullet point talkblocks. This one lends itself nicely to spoken word; I'm always lookin' for 'em.
  Nice work, diarist. Thanks for this.
  Recommended and hotlisted.

  by kestrel9000 on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 09:57:17 AM PDT

•  I agree, but we need new terms

  That was part of my point a couple days ago (see my diary), and that is why the claim that new Democrats are conservatives is both spurious and damaging.

  Spurious because even the Blue Dogs are not conservative the way the Republicans are; they are populists and are generally for more progressive taxes, i.e. income redistribution downward, a progressive idea, and for fair trade, against free trade, and not for protecting corporations from the people.

  Damaging because the MSM really does want to persuade the incoming Congress that there is no mandate to change things, when in fact there was an overwhelming mandate for change.

  Perhaps, though, Conservative and Liberal are tags that no longer really describe what obtains in the real world. Conservatives were traditionally for small government and fiscal prudence. The so-called conservative Congress and administration have radically expanded government's reach especially over private individuals (not corporations), and at least as radically have driven our fiscal house to the brink of disaster. The politics most similar in the past was called, not conservative but Fascist.

  So, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the new Congress is populist, and the old one was Fascist, although the term is too inflammatory to be useful.

  Any suggestions?

  http://www.roman-empire-america-now.com

  by douglassmyth on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 10:00:48 AM PDT

  •  Waldman recommends "Progressive", not "Liberal"

    Perhaps this is a topic for a whole new diary, but in his book, Paul Waldman recommends that we call ourselves progressive, not liberal.

    This has dual benefits.

    First, whether we like it or not, conservatives have managed to trash the meaning of the word "liberal".  It would take lots of time and energy to reverse this.

    Second, if we call ourselves progressives (that is, in favor of progress), then we automatically define our opponents as being against progress.  Anytime we can define our opponents, we win.

    by Bob B on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 10:09:54 AM PDT

    •  agreed

      I hate the idea of surrendering the term 'liberal', but I think you're right. Progressive is the perfect term to identify democrats. It has a built in positive connotation and like you said, defines your enemies against progress.

      by Boulderinionian on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:14:24 AM PDT

  •  Progressives

    versus Regressives. 'Bout sums it up.

    by LightningMan on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:30:52 AM PDT

•  agree but disagree

  This like calling for a war on rain, or earthquakes.  Ainna gonna happen.  There will always be conservatives.  

  Also, if anyone can bring any 'common sense' back to the Republican party, I say go for it.  As long as that doesn't just mean tax cuts as I suspect it does.  

  by markymarx on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 10:18:56 AM PDT

  •  Yes, but we still must expose conservatives

    for the elitists, they are, out-of-touch with the American people, and against progress and justice.

    Conservatives would be relatively harmless (that is, powerless) if people just saw through them.

    by Bob B on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 10:34:59 AM PDT

•  Don't forget lead poisoning

  Conservatives want to make sure everybody gets a good strong dose of lead every day, too.

  See this post about lead poisoning from Christmas lights at the very interesting "Gordon's Notes" blog.

  by PhilK on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 10:39:33 AM PDT

  •  No only lead,but

    flouride too.

    by Rothbardian on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 08:26:17 PM PDT

•  it has always struck me as odd

  that conservative people consider themselves so "american" and any progressive/liberal as "un-american".  didn't they ever READ the Declaration and Constitution?  

  Conservatism is based on fear... plain and simple!  And I refuse to think "american" means cowardly in any sense.

  by zedaker on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 10:55:04 AM PDT

•  Wrong on Medicare: listen up!

  And keep in mind that Medicare is essentially a single-payer system.

  WAS a single payer system.

  Are you not aware that Bush and Republican Congress went ahead with a plan for Medicare that was REJECTED when proposed for Social Security?

  People who are on Medicare and Medicaid have been parcelled out to FOR PROFIT insurance plans.

  They've been forced to change doctors. They have been forced to go through a nightmare trying to re-authorize their medications through new doctors who don't want to prescribe their medications until they have been seen by their new doctors.

  People on DAILY REQUIRED meds have been told that they can't get their meds until they see a new doctor a month from now. I'm not exaggerating. This has happened to people I know. And the people I know spent hours and hours frantically calling up officials and doctors and insurance people and wailing to high heaven to get their meds.

  What about people too sick to do that? I don't know. I guess they fuckin DIE.

  Now, how is this like the Social Security plan? Think about it. For profit companies managing "retirement accounts" for people who should be getting a social security check.

  To relate this to your theme: How is this "conservative?" Answer: It's NOT. It's an amoral, radical idea that runs counter to our traditions and our culture.

  I think what we need to do is remind people what is traditional and what isn't. And just because someone says their ideas are conservative doesn't make it so.

  You know what's conservative in this country? A LIBERAL TRADITION. Going all the way back to the constitution. People can differ honestly about what kind of progress we ought to make or how quickly we want to change things and even whether some things should not be changed at all.

  But arguing that we don't address customs or laws that have grown up which don't agree with the constitution isn't conservative. Arguing that we reverse changes that we made in our society to AGREE with our constitution and our traditions, isn't conservative. Those things are decidedly radical.

  Like letting people DIE because they are too poor to get medical care.

  by taraka das on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 10:55:22 AM PDT

  •  OK, single-payer, except for the new drug plan

    I stand corrected.

    by Bob B on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:10:52 AM PDT

    •  NOPE WRONG AGAIN

      It's not just the drug plan. It's forcing people to SWITCH DOCTERS according to which doctors are associated with the private insurance companies that are now handling Medicare and Medicaid.
      If you are unaware this has occured, then you don't know what's going on with regard to this issue.

      by taraka das on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 08:45:32 PM PDT

  •  This is why

    KAlli-Fornia wants to outlaw insurance companies.The HMO model Reagan "pioneered" as governor is a disaster.

    by Rothbardian on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 08:35:10 PM PDT

•  The problem I have with conservatism-

  They claim to believe in family values. I believe in those too, especially since I never really HAD a real, LOVING family. But the GOP is hypocritical-if they REALLY PRACTICED what they preached, I'd be a Republican in a heartbeat. They don't. Their concept of family and religious values are foreign to my thinking. As the bumper sticker says- HATE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE.

  I am conservative with money- believing deeply in savings and investment. I better! At my income level I'm lucky to pay my bills on time.

  They claim to believe in helping people grow business. This is hogwash because I had 4 excellent business ideas that died a-borning for lack of capital- DURING A REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION- no matter how much I tried!

  They claim patriotism which as a vet- I know to be pure bullshit. They hate vets.

  I  really think the Republican Party needs to disband and reform itself after some intense retrospection of its collective navel.

  Thanks but I'll remain Democrat.

  by glbTVET on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:00:02 AM PDT

•  Conservatives hate the opportunity

  that our present political system gives the unwashed, the homeless,the minimum wage workers,the million prisoners in our jails, teenage women, doctors, lawyers, regular government workers any say and direction in how this country is governed or ouught to be governed. They complain about real democracy all the time and spread venom and loathing towards teachers, ordinary people  and pundits not on their payroll.

   There is now an American 21st century version of German fascism or Nazism (because the conservatives are all about using social power and the commons) to help their cliques and their friends and putting their feet on the necks of the rest of us.

   Why on earth spread death and destruction in Iraq as a "conservative value"?  Because it is profitable  for some whose greed is boundless and endless. If they make the weapons or monopolize the energy delivery system, they have no shame or no limit.

   They need to be brought to heel, shamed and broken and pushed out of public life.

   It is the same exact law of the jungle they exercize everyday on the rest of humanity that they have contempt for and use so cruelly.

   Conservative:  the obscenity that is worshipped by mindless goons and selfish parasites in the USA as a civic virtue.

  To hell with them.  Look at their "successes" in public life and try, just dare to justify one thing they have done.  Criminals from start to finish if there is to be an honest accounting.  They have so besmirched the word "American", most of us can't even admit to it when we travel...it is a badge of shame now , not of honor any more.

   

  by Pete Rock on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:01:03 AM PDT

  •  That's because Conservatives are Elitists

    Conservatives hate the opportunity
    that our present political system gives the unwashed, the homeless,the minimum wage workers,the million prisoners in our jails, teenage women, doctors, lawyers, regular government workers any say and direction in how this country is governed or ouught to be governed. They complain about real democracy all the time and spread venom and loathing towards teachers, ordinary people  and pundits not on their payroll.

    Conservatism has always been about elitism.I keep harping everywhere I can that this is the #1 lesson to take away from Katrina.Conservatives want a government of the rich,by the rich,and for the rich.Someone like Limbaugh,the Oxymoron can deny it all he wants,but the history speaks otherwise.You can talk about cutting social programs all you want,but the other side of the coin,is once Conservatives get into power,they pass more and more laws,specifically designed to take away whatever power the "lower" classes have.Nixon did this economically,Baby Doc Bush did it by destroying The Bill of Rights,and Reagan did it all.And that's not even getting into the war aspect of it all...

    by Rothbardian on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 08:50:46 PM PDT

•  YES!!!

  I can't agree with this statement enough:

  Progressives must actively work to discredit conservatism itself, not just individual conservatives.

  We can't settle for the 109th congress taking the blame for America's problems. Nor can we settle for George W. Bush being blamed for all of our problems. We must hammer it home that both the republican congress and W. did exactly as conservatives wanted (with a minor exception such as immigration reform here and there) - and thus it is Conservatism that failed, not any particular government official.

  by Boulderinionian on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:12:15 AM PDT

•  practically speaking

  How do you propose to do this?

  The mainstream media can't function with lazy point/counterpoint arguments pitting liberals (or what stand for liberals) against conservatives. Therein lies the problem.

  Your points are very well-stated and researched but I'm not convinced that:

  (1) the American public has the attention span nor interest to be educated enough on political ideology to soundly reject conservativism

  (2) the mass communication mediums currently exists to affect those needed discussions.

  by em dash on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:26:21 AM PDT

  •  Good Point. The full title of Waldman's Book is:

    "Being Right is Not Enough: What Progressives Must Learn From Conservative Success".

    Conservatives decided they were in this for the long haul.  They also stuck to their talking points, hammering home over and over how liberals were weak and just wanted to tax your money away.  It took years, but they finally succeeded in, for example, discrediting the word "liberal".

    So, one thing we must do is decide we're in this for the long haul.  We must use every opportunity to discredit conservatism.  It will take years.  But eventually, people will see that conservatism is against most of what they believe in.

    by Bob B on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:40:21 AM PDT

•  Progressives

  in and out of power have to work diligently to destroy the regressive (read:conservative) ideology. It has become a rotting corpse of a worldview that has consistently caused great harm to this and other nations. The only thing that really amazes me is that there are still any at all who would subscribe to it.

  by LightningMan on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 11:35:48 AM PDT

•  I agree; I'd even say

  that defeating the ideology is far more vital than going after every individual "conservative."
  Some, especially at the top, are simply greedy lying bastards who need to be exposed.
  Others, especially among their grass-roots constituents, are perfectly decent well-meaning people who haven't thought things through, have been misled, or are simply afraid of change in general, but can be won over if we focus on a) debunking the ideology and b) exposing the most egregious hypocrites.

  by Allogenes on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 02:51:15 PM PDT