The root of the word Conservatism is “conserve” — to maintain and enhance the original ideas that are America. But if you look at what the Republicans have done in the name of conservatism, you have to wonder if they’re living up to the name.
Have they conserved on spending?
Despite all the noise about fiscal responsibility, modern Republicans have made deficit spending an art form. Over 70% of the national debt for the entire history of the country has been incurred during the 16 years of the Reagan and G. W. Bush administrations. This happened not just because of tax cuts, but because of amazing spending programs that benefited corporations (such as the prescription drug bill and the Wall Street bailouts).
Have they protected the middle class?
American middle class incomes have gone steadily down since 2000. Their share of the tax burden has gone up, even though they got “tax relief.” Lax controls have let corporations raid middle-class pensions (to the tune of billions). Government retraining funds (for those who lost not just their jobs, but their entire job category) have been reduced.
Ask yourself that famous question: “Are you better off than you were 4 years ago? 8 years ago?
Have they conserved the value of the dollar?
Look no further than the value of the dollar vs the Euro, or even the Canadian dollar. In the last 8 years, the value of the dollar has sunk over 40%. Thanks to the rot of our industrial base, we import too much. Our deficit spending has undermined the dollar’s trading value. Our savings rate is non-existent because all the tax incentives have gone towards equity investment (too much of which flows overseas).
Have they conserved our international stature?
The United States of America has been the beacon of freedom, fair play, human rights, and internationalism without bullying or colonialism. Even our enemies admired our principles — we’d earned the label “leaders of western democracy”. When we made a mistake, we quickly corrected it.
Due to Bush doctrines of torture, extraordinary extradition, bullying on issues large and irrelevant, and pre-emptive war, we have lost our moral leadership. It is impossible to argue that our stature now is as good as it was 8 years ago. It will take us decades to restore our international reputation.
Have they conserved American competitiveness?
There is no way to deny that we undergoing de-industrialization. The only area of the manufacturing economy where we are truly world class is military hardware. It’s also the only area of the economy that has a government-sponsored industrial policy.
The rest of our industrial base is left to nearly limitless international competition. Free trade is good, but not when you have policies that guarantee the domestic companies lose. Not when you don’t have serious investment incentives for plant and people. Not when you oppose pollution taxes that would make international “dirty” products more expensive than clean ones. Not when you oppose consumer safety inspections that would keep out poisonous Chinese dog food, candy, and toys.
Have they conserved our environment?
Forget about global warming — let’s look at things that are undeniable.
What’s happened to clean air, clean water, wildlife preservation, wilderness, and the EPA itself? There isn’t an area of the environment where the last 8 years hasn’t meant deliberate and noticeable degradation. The conservatives have advocated strip-mining of coal, lowering air-quality standards, and drilling for oil in wildlife preserves. They’ve decreased the EPA and department of interior staff. They haven’t advocated trade agreements and standards that would help limit pollution from China and India. They haven’t incented clean technologies in America, so the next generation will all come from overseas.
Have they conserved religious tolerance?
Religious tolerance is one of the reasons we have a United States of America. But religious tolerance must include the freedom from religion, not just the freedom of religion.
If you listen to the rhetoric and the noise of talk radio — completly dominated by conservatives — you hear nothing but Christianity. The Musliim faith is demonized. The Jewish faith is ignored. Agnostics and atheists are ridiculed. The Ten Commandments are to be enshrined in the Capitol and courthouses across the country.
For the first time, the Federal government has invested billions of dollars in “faith-based organizations” — Christian denominations only, please. Does that sound like tolerance to you?
Have the Republicans conserved our liberty?
Over the last 8 years, we’ve seen important parts of the Bill of Rights shredded in the name of security. Millions of Americans’ phone conversations have been listened to without a court order, and billions of emails have been read. Over 500,000 people are on the terrorist watch-list. Constitutional protections against habeas corpus, right to speedy trial, search and seizure of evidence, and due process have been compromised or waived. Eminent domain has been expanded. The right to privacy has been degraded by government policy, and the right to a free press has been degraded by unfettered mergers that result in all news outlets being owned by five corporations.
Have they conserved the meaning of our Constitution?
Under the theory of the unitary executive, the Constitution’s balance of powers has been weakened. When Congress passes a law, the President now makes a “signing statement” that indicates what parts he’s going to ignore. When the President doesn’t like an existing law, he simply deosn’t fund the agency that enforces it, or neuters the funding by “forgetting” to appoint the agency leader. He goes to war without declaring war. Congress is now the weakest branch of government.
When it comes to the Judiciary, the Executive branch has weakened or neutered judicial oversight. This has been completely obvious (although secret) in the case of the FISA court, but has been documented in other areas as well.
The only part of the Constitution that has been improved under modern conservative administrations is the second Amendment and the right to bear arms.
So just what have they conserved? It seems that they have done a world-class job at conserving and amplifying:
- Property rights
- The rights, powers, and freedoms of the corporation
- The power of law enforcement and the military
- The ease of getting guns
- The rights of the unborn
- Low taxation for the rich
Is that what you want to conserve?
WiseUP! Labels like “conservative” or “liberal” are just emotional branding, they don’t mean very much. Think about what you’re supporting — and it’s consequences — don’t blindly support what “your brand” is promoting.
