Lee Ellen Fleming’s letter (“The Minority Opinion,” April 20), which tries to justify the Tea Party demonstrations, represents what frustrates me about modern conservative thought. I am writing as a Ron Paul supporter — against the welfare state, against the military state, against socialism, against collectivism, for limited government, and against bailouts.
First of all, I don’t have a grievance with Fox News because it is conservative (a false, neoconservative brand that is). I have a problem with it because it’s tabloid, anti-intellectual, crude, and propaganda-based. (The NY Times is liberal, but at least it’s intellectual.) I watch Fox News regularly (for entertainment) and always notice the countless stories involving good looking women and sex. (Why was Jenna Jameson on Fox and Friends in the Morning?) Watch the YouTube video “Fox News Spring Break Serial Killer.” You’ll think you’re watching MTV Spring Break. It’s crude and disturbing.
I agree with Fleming’s statement: “What these people ... believe is that officials in Washington have abandoned the country’s founding principles of limited government.” My question: Where have you been the past 8 years? Bush expanded the Executive Branch more than any President since FDR. Not to mention the ways Cheney expanded the role and power of the VP. How does this fit into limited government? I see it as more akin to big government Republicanism.
Fleming should have complained about overspending in Iraq. She should have complained about the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, a complete bureaucracy that encourages collusion between government and big businesses. She should have complained when aggressive military action was pawned off as necessary for the country’s national defense. National defense is exactly that — defense. There is no element of offense, and if there is, then it’s unconstitutional.
Believe it or not, Bush and the neoconservatives are socialist in nature. Whereas Obama supports a socialized welfare state, Bush supported a socialized military state. I don’t support either. However, I would rather my tax dollars go towards bank bailouts and universal healthcare, rather than contributing to aggressive military action.
Modern conservatives pick and choose when they complain about overspending and big government. They always talk about small government, yet when gay marriage and sanctuary cities come up, they want these to be federal issues. If upholding the constitution leads to a “liberal” or “secular” society, they’re not for it. Modern conservatives only support limited government (and the Constitution) when it fits into their republican vision of the world. This vision emphasizes tradition, heterosexuality, order, religion, God and the “American Way.”
True conservatism (Barry Goldwater conservatism) has no vision of the country behind it. It’s simply about upholding the constitution and interpreting it in a “conservative” manner. Whether this fits into the Republican vision or not is irrelevant.
Read More
LETTER: Misunderstanding the Honor Committee’s mental health procedures
By Seamus Oliver and Alexander Church | March 15, 2024We recognize that the Honor process can be stressful and that any student may benefit from support, regardless of an underlying health condition.
LETTER: Mischaracterizing a tangled war
By Michael Liebermann | February 2, 2024We should not address this war with blind idealism. We should address it, instead, with nuance and care.
P.U.M.P.K.I.N. SOCIETY: Happy Halloween 2023
By P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society | October 31, 2023The P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society Recognizes Individuals Who Enrich The University Community Through Their Silent And Selfless Service.
