this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2024
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[–] [email protected] 46 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (5 children)

What’s happening in the US isn’s even considered conservatism anymore. It’s the MAGA cult. I am definitely left, but conservatives don’t always need to be bad. It just so happens that the Republican Party has filled itself with people serving themselves and not the people who voted for them. Fingers crossed things go well this November.

[–] [email protected] 51 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (3 children)

Fascism is the natural result of unchecked conservatism. We are watching that natural progression play out now.

We've let conservatism go unchecked for so long that I think it will take physical action to stop the fascist infection at this point.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I think you're conflating conservatism with capitalism. We have a corporatocracy that always takes precedent over the average voter. Worse on the right but enabled on the left. Ironically, as unpopular as Biden is, he is the most progressive president we've had in 50 years (and yes, before you downvote I acknowledge he is not even close to "being" progressive).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I won't downvote you at all. You make good points.

However, I am not conflating conservatism with capitalism. The reason capitalism remains unchecked is because of conservatism (including neoliberalism). Conservatism is the tool of capitalism to remain unchecked.

If we were to eliminate or marginalize conservatism (including neoliberalism), capitalism could be well-regulated by the representatives of the normal people rather than the representatives of the corporations.

When I shit on conservatives, I'm shitting on so much more than their corporate knob-gobbling. I am also shitting on their racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, antisemitism and other conservative traits. Conservatism is just fascism that has not yet matured to its final form.

As for Biden, I much prefer this old neoliberal to any GOP conservative, and I despise neoliberalism. He gets a pass this time around. I admit he did way better than I expected his first term. And obviously the alternative next election is pure fascism, sooo... BIDEN 2024!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Finally, someone I 100% agree with!

I think I was confused by your use of the term conservatism. 99% of people will associate that completely with the right, when the reality is that there are plenty on the left also feeding conservatism which in turns promotes corporatism.

Keep fighting the good fight!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Fascism is capitalism in decay. Modern conservatism is still an offshoot of liberalism (as compared to old conservatives who were attempting to conserve monarchy). Liberalism is a capitalist ideology defined by promotion of individual rights, civil liberties, and most importantly free enterprise and markets. Fascism is capitalism in decay because those in power will use that power to maintain their rule, through whatever means necessary. For Trump, that was Jan 6th, which is a new low for US politics, but he’s not alone in manipulating the levers of power, and neither side seems keen on removing powers from themselves when they get in power.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Good comment.

I'd like to add an important point about your use of the word "liberal" for those who may not know... The word "liberal" in this context refers to economic liberalism.

The word "liberal" in this use is absolutely not interchangeable with the word "progressive". These two words mean very different things. Conservatives have worked hard to cause these words to be confused with one another.

In 1980, Reagan's conservatives re-defined the word "liberal" in conservative media to be a pejorative for "progressive". This was an attempt to confuse public discussion. Before this, the word "liberal" was used to describe economic policy. Now, conservatives (and many progressives who don't know any better) use the word "liberal" interchangeably with "progressive".

Re-defining words is a common tactic used by conservatives (and fascists) to influence and confuse public perceptions.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago (2 children)

When was the last time there was a conservative president in the US who didn't cause tremendous lasting damage to the country?

[–] vaultdweller013 5 points 9 months ago

Eisenhower(?) at the very least id say any damage he may have done was at least somewhat offset by good done. But he was still very much part of the new deal era so he is moreso the exception, besides him im pulling blanks both before and after.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Yeah I know what you mean. I want to have debates over subjects that are actually debatable. Big government vs. small government kind of discussions.

Instead I feel like we're just struggling to constantly explain why burning down the Capitol and declaring Trump to be God Emperor is a bad idea.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

I agree. They were always the worse option in my lifetime when looking in the generic but individually some were and option and was a good hedge against radical left things to help keep things centered. Again that being said the us has always been to right to me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Conservatives are always bad.

The past was not great for many peoples, today is still not great for many peoples, there is nothing to be gained from going back or staying still.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

We’re having the same issue in Canada. Conservatives are wanting to go back and not look forward. It wasn’t always that way.