Posted under Conservatism & Political Philosophy
Over at David Horowitz’ NewsRealBlog site, Rob Taylor makes the case for a bold, modern version of conservatism that is so bold and so modern that it should be called liberalism — because that’s exactly what he’s selling. He opens his strange piece with this:
American values are also universal values, and it is in our best interests as a nation to encourage the ideals of liberty, economic freedom, personal autonomy and the right to self-determination that are so central to conservative thought.
Ah, yes, “universal” values — the very essence of liberalism, which proponents of “muscular government” refer to whenever they call for the use of force at home and abroad. In fact, universalism is the Bizarro World opposite of conservatism, which stresses tradition, continuity, and affection for the particular while shunning abstractions. Affection for one’s own people is basic to true conservatism.
Taylor’s psychedelic version of conservatism calls for expelling some people and embracing others (Taylor’s recommendations are in block quote; my observations follow):
Sikhs: Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that believes in the equality of all people, has a strong marital [sic] tradition and emphasizes dedication to the family and sexual morality identical to most Christians.
He meant to say “martial tradition.” (The comments section of this piece may explain his confusion.) Hey, Maoists and Al Qaeda have martial traditions. Can they join the club, too? And since “the family” forms the basis of every civilization on Earth, who isn’t a conservative?
Single Mothers: Single mothers are also already embracing social conservatism.
Right. There’s nothing like irresponsible sexual reproduction to advance traditional morality.
The Neo-Pagan Right: As a Pagan I can tell you that I, like many others, strongly support economic freedom, limited government, a strong nationals [sic] defense and law and order.
Who needs Christianity to preserve Western Civilization and its unique traditions?
African-Americans: Yet, the conservative movement is not only seemingly blase about this development, but we still tolerate voices withing the movement – like neo-Confederates and “Southern Nationalists” – who go out of their way to make Black conservatives feel unwelcome.
Yes, once conservatives expel Southerners from their ranks, victory at the voting booth is assured. Look, a simple Google search of this blog will show numerous quotes of Walter Williams and Thomas Sowell. So Taylor’s charge that Southerners are hostile to black conservatives is false.
Gays: The Pink Pistols have worked hard to protect our 2nd Amendment rights and bring people who are otherwise not political into the fight to stop leftist gun control. Is their sexual activity more important to you than having an ally in the fight against civilian disarmament?
Where does this stop? If NAMBLA handed out National Rifle Association bumper stickers at their conventions, would that make them natural allies?
Although I do like the name “Pink Pistols.” Catchy.
Woden on 24 Jan 2011 at 5:03 pm #
Ahh yes.
With its high rates of abortion, illegitimacy, drug use, state dependency, and incarceration, the ‘African-American’ community is a natural resevoir for conservatives.
Weaver on 25 Jan 2011 at 1:43 pm #
Evola was right about neopaganism:
Pagans should settle with the classics.
Weaver on 25 Jan 2011 at 1:48 pm #
Pink Pistols and MARsian hunters and militia members should be able to get along within the NRA. Similarly, we should all unite in other single-issue groups.
But separately conservative Americans need their own exclusive groups. Both approaches are vital.
Weaver on 25 Jan 2011 at 2:27 pm #
This sounds like “fusionism” which was essentially libertarianism that led conservatives along – similar to the “Sharon Statement” of Young Americans for Freedom.
Kennedy’s book A Nation of Immigrants published by the ADL in 1958 is how America was fooled into passing the Immigration Act of 1965. Before that, America saw itself more as a normal nation, and the South, until recently, didn’t receive most of these new immigrants.
Reg. AA: Stanley Levison, who was an attorney and manager of the finances of the Communist Party USA, was MLK’s leading adviser and speech-writer. One thing aweful Southerners often attempt is to replace MLK with a more authentic pro-black leader.
Woden on 26 Jan 2011 at 2:34 pm #
I guess this would classify as ‘neo-pagan right’:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article7106865.ece
Weaver on 26 Jan 2011 at 3:32 pm #
“mother of ten children” That’s impressive!
I’d be wary of those folks though. Generally Wicca (left-wing) is what comes to my mind reg. neopaganism, but from a very different English “right wing” group, Woden’s Folk:
Sounds like Pierce’s cosmotheism, eh? I’m not sure it matters whether the West endures if we’re all going to replace ourselves with some new being that’ll fall into a trap of relativity (we’d cease having an authority to stand upon, thus any standard of value would become void).