Barrett Garese

An open letter to conservatives

This is the letter I always wanted to write, but never found the time to (exhaustively) research; so thank you to the author for doing so. I respect and agree with most conservative (small c) ideologies, however the current “conservative” party is so bereft of these ideas that it’s an embarrassment to rational thought. I’m not a party affiliate by any stretch, so as soon as someone with an ounce of reason comes back into the fold, I’ll consider them. As much as I’ve searched though, the only thing I can find is panderers and shysters occupying the ranks of (R).

Some of us like the ideas of “small government” without the ideas of “fuck the poor.” Some of us like the idea that personal freedom means not having to be Christian or abide by that specific religious philosophy.* Some of us realize that it’s a hell of a lot more complicated than “Capitalism = good, Communism = bad” and that given the “scorched earth” philosophy many companies exhibit, maybe a few regulations to keep the boat afloat isn’t such a bad thing after all. Some of us think that there’s too much spent on war, and not enough protecting the people of this country from other - more dangerous and imminent - issues like lack of health care, education, and infrastructure. Some of us have memories long enough to value honesty and condemn “party politics” and hypocrisy. And some of us remember when we wouldn’t have had to write any of the above.

You want a revolution? You want to make a difference? Clean your own house. Then those of us who long ago got sick of the fear, lies, and hypocrisy might start considering rejoining the ranks. Until then, you’re on your own.

PS - I’m a damn sight happier with Obama than I ever was with Bush, despite having voted for Bush in 2000.

Dear Conservative Americans,

The years have not been kind to you. I grew up in a profoundly Republican home, so I can remember when you wore a very different face than the one we see now. You’ve lost me and you’ve lost most of America. Because I believe having responsible choices is important to democracy, I’d like to give you some advice and an invitation.

First, the invitation: Come back to us.

Now the advice. You’re going to have to come up with a platform that isn’t built on a foundation of cowardice: fear of people with colors, religions, cultures and sex lives that differ from your own; fear of reform in banking, health care, energy; fantasy fears of America being transformed into an Islamic nation, into social/commun/fasc-ism, into a disarmed populace put in internment camps; and more. But you have work to do even before you take on that task.

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*Give me one good, nonreligious argument against gay marriage. I dare you. If you can’t, then ask yourself why specific religious ideology is involved in governmental and personal processes.

Source: tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com