I was a conservative when it wasn't cool. Back in the 1980's when in high school only my cousin Bob and I called ourselves conservatives. I wasn't able to make it because of my work schedule (I had an important job as a grocery bagger), but we were all set to go see William F. Buckley speak at a nearby university. We read George Will columns and had, er, "colorful" arguments on the state of affairs at the time. Reagan and Thatcher were in office and we watched with glee as the Soviet Union slowly came apart.
Part of the reason I liked conservativism was it was insightful, informed and trusted the individual to make choices that, looking at history, no government could be trusted with. Conservatives had college degrees and were educated and well spoken. Both my parents were college educated, a rare thing at the time. The Dems, at least around where I live, flew Confederate flags, seemingly couldn't afford mufflers for there beat up pickup trucks, made a lot of noise with guns and had low paying jobs. They also hated non-whites, which around here means "n*****s". And they hated the Yankee party, Republicans. I did not want any part of that.
I think it started happening when I was in the army. I left Kentucky in 1987 and 6 of our 7 congressional seats were Democratic. I didn't pay much attention to the political landscape around here, thinking I'd never return.
Skipping over a bunch of time, here I am in Kentucky again and it's 2020. And things have changed...or not. Nearly everyone I come into contact with are people I work with, people a good 20-25 years younger than me. The attitudes haven't changed much. I still hear "n*****" occasionally, education seems like it's almost looked down upon, fundamentalism seems worse than I remember. Must be the Democrats, right? Nope, they call themselves Republicans. What's worse, they say they're conservative. Ah, no you're not. You're stupid, can't think straight, superstitious and racist. But you're no conservative.
I want to fight for real conservatism, but I think it's a lost cause by now. I'd settle for understanding how all this happened. The last real conservative I know that is still writing stuff is P.J. O'Rourke, and he's a damn comedian. I guess it's just me and him left.
Part of the reason I liked conservativism was it was insightful, informed and trusted the individual to make choices that, looking at history, no government could be trusted with. Conservatives had college degrees and were educated and well spoken. Both my parents were college educated, a rare thing at the time. The Dems, at least around where I live, flew Confederate flags, seemingly couldn't afford mufflers for there beat up pickup trucks, made a lot of noise with guns and had low paying jobs. They also hated non-whites, which around here means "n*****s". And they hated the Yankee party, Republicans. I did not want any part of that.
I think it started happening when I was in the army. I left Kentucky in 1987 and 6 of our 7 congressional seats were Democratic. I didn't pay much attention to the political landscape around here, thinking I'd never return.
Skipping over a bunch of time, here I am in Kentucky again and it's 2020. And things have changed...or not. Nearly everyone I come into contact with are people I work with, people a good 20-25 years younger than me. The attitudes haven't changed much. I still hear "n*****" occasionally, education seems like it's almost looked down upon, fundamentalism seems worse than I remember. Must be the Democrats, right? Nope, they call themselves Republicans. What's worse, they say they're conservative. Ah, no you're not. You're stupid, can't think straight, superstitious and racist. But you're no conservative.
I want to fight for real conservatism, but I think it's a lost cause by now. I'd settle for understanding how all this happened. The last real conservative I know that is still writing stuff is P.J. O'Rourke, and he's a damn comedian. I guess it's just me and him left.
Comment