4 ms·

I've found many of the folks at the National Review, for example, to be quite principled. Folks like Ben Shapiro wobble a bit in this regard from time to time,

I've found many of the folks at the National Review, for example, to be quite principled. Folks like Ben Shapiro wobble a bit in this regard from time to time, but tends to make arguments based on principle and not merely on leadership, and it's safe to say he's got a pretty loud bullhorn right now as well.

unclebucknasty 8y ago
Who is carrying the banner for conservatism and has real influence on public discourse? Where are the principles of conservativism being rigorously championed, debated, and defended? When have conservative principles superceded the whims of one man and the cult of personality that now dominates the course of an entire party? 4-6 years ago, Ronald Reagan was the gold standard for conservatives. It was perfunctory to mention his name while running for office. When was the last time you heard him invoked? If it's really conservative principles you care about, then you're not doing yourself any favors by pretending conservatism hasn't been completely co-opted and derailed for other decidedly less-vaunted purposes. In fact, many of these purposes run roughshod over what conservatives claim to hold dear. That movement was killed, and many of its supposed adherents are complicit.
- Fellshard 8y ago
  A good chunk of it has, and I grieve for it, and hope the torch can still burn bright through this current time and co-opted leadership that claims to speak with conservative principles. The sources I cited do still champion it, and seek to discuss it, openly and without malice, with those who are willing to return that courtesy. But from what I can tell, /your/ ears are closed to this feedback. I ask you to open your ears a bit, because right now, you're hearing only exactly what you want people to have said, not what they are actually saying. Not everyone is a mouthpiece for Trump and populism.
specialist 8y ago
I upvoted to acknowledge your reply. I was kinda hoping you'd mention someone new. Or at least someone who had something new to say. I like Tyler Cowen. He really challenges my own views. I also highly value Tim Pool's and Jonathan Haidt's criticisms of the left. Alas, they're also from the left. I actually don't know anyone (contemporary) from the right criticizing the right, along the same lines as Pool and Haidt do for the left. For instance, I have no idea, beyond denial, what the (contemporary) right's views are towards climate change, globalization, criminal justice reform, inequity, the end of work (AI & robots), food security, poverty, shareholder rights, privacy, forced arbitration, late stage capitalism, nuclear proliferation, mitigating environmental damage (eg Butte MT, Hanford). Etc. FWIW, I scanned NRO, to assess its current incarnation. Charitably, it's still stuck in the horse race mindset, reactionary. Uncharitably, it's TLDR is: Rich good, liberals bad. It's almost as if the right has run out of things to say. Which I find very sad. I fundamentally consider myself a conservative. Raised Republican and in the church, defender of rights, law & order, etc. And it's been a very long time since any one on the right spoke for me. While GWB was probably sincere with his "compassionate conservative" rhetoric, sadly, he had little company.
- unclebucknasty 8y ago
  >I fundamentally consider myself a conservative. Raised Republican and in the church, defender of rights, law & order, etc. And it's been a very long time since any one on the right spoke for me My point exactly. You must be in a very lonely place. It is said that Trump enjoys 80%+ approval among Republicans. This is primarily driven by a few policy issues and appointments, even though nearly everything he represents is the antithesis of what Republicans have long claimed to represent. With all of the moralizing and lecturing from the Right over the years, it turns out the vast majority were bought pretty cheaply.

unclebucknasty 8y ago

Who is carrying the banner for conservatism and has real influence on public discourse? Where are the principles of conservativism being rigorously championed, debated, and defended? When have conservative principles superceded the whims of one man and the cult of personality that now dominates the course of an entire party? 4-6 years ago, Ronald Reagan was the gold standard for conservatives. It was perfunctory to mention his name while running for office. When was the last time you heard him invoked? If it's really conservative principles you care about, then you're not doing yourself any favors by pretending conservatism hasn't been completely co-opted and derailed for other decidedly less-vaunted purposes. In fact, many of these purposes run roughshod over what conservatives claim to hold dear. That movement was killed, and many of its supposed adherents are complicit.

Fellshard 8y ago
A good chunk of it has, and I grieve for it, and hope the torch can still burn bright through this current time and co-opted leadership that claims to speak with conservative principles. The sources I cited do still champion it, and seek to discuss it, openly and without malice, with those who are willing to return that courtesy. But from what I can tell, /your/ ears are closed to this feedback. I ask you to open your ears a bit, because right now, you're hearing only exactly what you want people to have said, not what they are actually saying. Not everyone is a mouthpiece for Trump and populism.

specialist 8y ago

I upvoted to acknowledge your reply. I was kinda hoping you'd mention someone new. Or at least someone who had something new to say. I like Tyler Cowen. He really challenges my own views. I also highly value Tim Pool's and Jonathan Haidt's criticisms of the left. Alas, they're also from the left. I actually don't know anyone (contemporary) from the right criticizing the right, along the same lines as Pool and Haidt do for the left. For instance, I have no idea, beyond denial, what the (contemporary) right's views are towards climate change, globalization, criminal justice reform, inequity, the end of work (AI & robots), food security, poverty, shareholder rights, privacy, forced arbitration, late stage capitalism, nuclear proliferation, mitigating environmental damage (eg Butte MT, Hanford). Etc. FWIW, I scanned NRO, to assess its current incarnation. Charitably, it's still stuck in the horse race mindset, reactionary. Uncharitably, it's TLDR is: Rich good, liberals bad. It's almost as if the right has run out of things to say. Which I find very sad. I fundamentally consider myself a conservative. Raised Republican and in the church, defender of rights, law & order, etc. And it's been a very long time since any one on the right spoke for me. While GWB was probably sincere with his "compassionate conservative" rhetoric, sadly, he had little company.

unclebucknasty 8y ago
>I fundamentally consider myself a conservative. Raised Republican and in the church, defender of rights, law & order, etc. And it's been a very long time since any one on the right spoke for me My point exactly. You must be in a very lonely place. It is said that Trump enjoys 80%+ approval among Republicans. This is primarily driven by a few policy issues and appointments, even though nearly everything he represents is the antithesis of what Republicans have long claimed to represent. With all of the moralizing and lecturing from the Right over the years, it turns out the vast majority were bought pretty cheaply.