Conservatism is really very simple in today’s political environment. It’s based on three little words.
It’s hard to believe that three little words can set the course of one’s political philosophy: and that, in turn, affects the course of our national politics and policies. There’s no logical connection between the three words and reality, but nevertheless they forge such a strong loyalty they even excuse one’s own intellectual cowardice, laziness and dishonesty. These words have such strong emotional appeal they even excuse racism. They allow one to vote for people with low moral character, convicted criminals, known drug users, liars and just plain ignorant people; people who don’t have the public interest as their guiding motivation.
Three little words have changed the United States government from a republican form of representation into an effective plutocracy: rule by an elite rich. These words have allowed voters to overlook the faults of political candidates, who vote as their financial supporters tell them. They know this, yet these three words trump decency and excuse their cowardice in not voting for the more qualified person. Three words that killed 4,400 people in wars of choice so military contractors could get rich. Three words that keep drug costs artificially high so drug companies can get rich. These three words allow people to die for lack of health insurance so health insurance companies can get rich.
Three little words have allowed misogynous men to have undue control over the lives of women and their reproductive health. Three little words that elect politicians that would put women in jail for still births and miscarriages (seriously). Three little words that get people elected that think our constitution should be changed and based on the bible, and people who think the most important item on the federal agenda is to get rid of a black President. Three little words that are demonstrably a lie, but elect crooks, kooks, hypocrites and demonstrable self-serving individuals with low moral values. A simple slogan that gets politicians elected who think corporations have the more votes than people, and that don’t believe in the one man/one vote philosophy.
Three little words that trump all reason; words that generate such animosity that people vote insanely against their own best interest.
Tax and spend. Yes indeedy…rather be dead than caught voting for “tax and spend”!
On second thought, one could add “smaller government, less tax”. That makes it, what, seven little words? Let’s not forget the whopper of all, “WELFARE”! OK, that’s eight words. Still, it’s hard to believe that those eight words are the basis of destroying the middle class of the United States.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with the general philosophy of those eight words. What’s wrong is that they don’t represent the reality of the Republican policies.