Is conservatism just a way to for people to justify their racism?

[windy252]

I put this in the lounge because it's more relazed here. I realize I'm asking a question which may offend some people, but so far as I can tell, the modern conservative movement largely arose in opposition to the New Deal or anything that might help the poor, but also was largely strengthened by their horror at the original SCOTUS decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Even today, when I look at the conservative movement in the 80's to present, it seems like most of their policies are aimed not at any specific principle other than hurting minorities. Or is there something I'm missing?

[supernova]

1. That's exactly right

It's a political way to justify and enact into law one's predjudices and biases.

It also explains their cockeyed view of family planning. Brown woman are supposed to "get a job," and "go out to work." Workfare not Welfare. White women are supposed to stay home and have babies. Oh, and not have access to abortions. Remember the string of stories about how feminisim "hurts" the family?

[Seashell Eyes]

4. I hate that shit. So inconsistant

Poor minority mothers must work or they are welfare queens,but middle class or rich white mothers who work are Selfish. Assholes. :mad:

[supernova]

10. Welcome to DU, Seashell Eyes!

:hi:

The Lounge is probably the most insane part of DU. Well, other than General Discussion: Politics or the Guns forum, or the Isreal/Palestine forum, ect. *sigh*

Yes, that's the idea. And the sad thing is I think most of the rank and file doesn't even realize that the results of their policies work out this way. But I'm damn certain the party apparachiks do.

[Seashell Eyes]

14. I thought General Discussion was the most insane part of DU

At least it was when I was lurking during the 2004 primaries. :hi:

[The Straight Story]

2. Something your missing:

Conservatives are all about control and trying to keep things in a small box.

Example: The reason they don't want adult stores in their area is that they fear temptation. Since they do not trust themselves they want to control choices for all.

Minorities - from gays to blacks to indians, etc, all have different cultural things in life which scare the conservatives. They did not pay attention to what Jesus told his followers (ie, go and change the heart of the person, not the laws of the Roman empire). They want what the jews had and failed at - a king with laws that made you be 'good'. We see over and over in the OT how such things failed. You cannot legislate morality, it has to be a change within you to do the right thing for yourself, your spouse, your church, your country.

They fear diversity because it offers alternatives to their way of thinking - to me, it is the conservatives who would have crucified Jesus because he was more open - and rethugs and their ilk want things more controlled.

[kay1864]

3. I think that's largely true

Their policies hurt minorities and the poor. Of which they're not, so why bother?

However, I'm convinced that many others are conservative because in their minds, to be a liberal or Democrat is to align yourself with them heathenous God-hatin' pot-smokin' hot-tub-hoppin' gay-lovin' Hollywood types. In other words, a true Christian's only choice is to be a Republican.

And since they don't bother to examine the real issues, that's as far as they need to think. No analysis needed, just platitudes and sound bites.

[mitchum]

5. Yes for the majority of Yahoos who don't have a pot to piss in...

the racism/politics of exclusion promoted by the republicans, IS the reason they continue to vote against their own best interests.

[skygazer]

6. Well, I think that oversimplifies it

My father, my brothers and my daughter are conservatives. None of them are racist. At all. None of them are fundies or have the old "women belong barefoot and pregnant" attitude. My father was quite progressive in his views regarding women when I was growing up in the 70's, encouraging all of his daughters to move beyond the stereotypical teacher/secretary/nurse roles. So I think it's unfair to lump all conservatives into that broad brush stereotype AND I think it's dangerous for us to see them as such a cartoon stereotype because it completely oversimplifies what we are up against.

For my family members, their loyalty to the Republican party is for a number of reasons. They approve of a strong military. They have fallen for the lie that their party is for smaller government and more state-controlled spending and that the Democrats are tax-and-spenders who throw money into programs that don't work. They think welfare is an evil, not because they think poor people deserve to die but because they really believe poor people could "get a job" and "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" and that welfare only perpetuates poverty. And I have to say, I think that poorly administered welfare does to a certain extent.

But they're not stupid people, nor are they hateful and cartoonish. I think the extremists are exactly as you describe but most members of any group are not extremists. Just my thoughts.

[Courtesy Flush]

18. I was once a "conservative"

And your description of your family really rings true. I work in the welfare system, and I see how it has failed, yet I also see how necessary it is to have a safety net.

But while conservatism does not always equal racism, it seemed far too many conservatives really were racist, which always bothered me, because I felt that minorities had more to gain from conservative values than anyone else. I felt that it was racist to offer welfare checks to people who needed jobs. That the handouts kept them at the bottom.

In the end it was the present-day Republican party that sent me screaming to the exits. And I feel that, since they are running off moderates like me, they are left with a higher percentage of extremists. I've always been an atheist, and pro-gay, and it seems those are lost causes in the GOP today, and for years to come. It seems the religious right has a death grip on the party.

I'm still moderate, but consider myself to be left of center now. I'm not sure if I have moved, or if the center has moved.

[Dr_Funkenstein]

21. So True

I am the teacher, and my wife is the VP of a huge bank...although she is preggo...hmmm

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. Yup.

That's pretty much all there is to it.

[AllegroRondo]

8. that and greed

the "i got mine so screw everyone else" philosophy.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. or sexism, homophobia or general apathy.

[Orsino]

11. And classism/royalism. n/t

[regularguy]

12. The Republican Party:

Come for the racism.
Stay for the tax cuts.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

19. LOL!

:thumbsup:

[Dr_Funkenstein]

13. Not So Much Racism...

As a recently removed Repub...nice alliteration there...I was never a racisit, but I was a homophobe. I also looked at minorities as leaches. Republicans are the white-male party...no thinking person can argue this, and I can compile stacks of stats to prove it...but ya'll already know this. A growing minority population is a direct threat to their existence, thus it must be halted and reversed. The percieved racism (be it real or imagined) stems from more of a classism, and a means in which to justify their action. Conservatives don't fall into this category in my opinion. The not-so-shocking irony...more like hipocracy, is Mr. & Mrs. White want a new roof on their $500,000 home...which will cost $20,000, or $15,000, depending on the "make-up" of the crew. Which do you think they'll choose?

[Yavin4]

15. Yes, Google The GOP Southern Strategy

Before the passing of Civil Rights laws in the 1960s, conservatism was about being anti-Communist, a smaller government, and more personal freedoms. However, this platform had little or no support nationwide as witnessed by Johnson's trouncing of Goldwater in 1964. After the Civil Rights laws passed, the conservative movement seized upon disaffected, White Southern voters as a new voting bloc, the Southern Strategy. Ever since, a large portion of the conservative movement has become a way for Whites to politely show their racism.


What's truly ironic is that what goes around, comes around. Today, the issue of immigration threatens to undo the Southern Strategy. Pre-Civil Right conservatism favors unfettered, unregulated immigration. However, this is the antithesis of Southern Strategy White conservatives who joined the party because of racism.

[ThomCat]

16. And their selfishness, egotism, and sense of superiority.

Yes.

Republicans are actively involved in the age-old tradition of finding an acceptible justification for their own self-agrandizement at the expense of others.

[guitar man]

17. I think Bill O' Loofah put it best

It's about maintaining the "White Christian Male Power Structure". He left out one word though, it's the "Wealthy White Christian Male Power Structure."

Being a poor white guy from an unpriveleged,unremarkable working class family hasn't beaten down any doors or broken any glass ceilings for me either. Thing is, the Repug machine has worked really hard trying to convince me I'm one of their "club". I'm not buying it, never have, never will.

So anyone who wants to break down that "Wealthy White Christian Male Power Structure", more power to them, they're allright by me.

[Courtesy Flush]

20. If you have time, read this article

http://www.alternet.org/story/57001

It's about a reporter who went on the National Review cruise, where neocons felt free to voice their true opinions freely.

[unpossibles]

22. racism - like any "-ism" is a possible part of it, but overall I think it's fear

In my opinion and experience, many conservatives want to believe in a simpler, good-or-evil world and this is the basis for so many of their problems, from greed to racism to sexism to religious intolerance. I believe this is largely a taught behavior (although it can obviously be self-taught).

I don't think it's helpful to say "all conservatives are racists" because it's simply not true. I think "Conservatism" appeals to those who got a homerun but don't realize they were born on third base, to borrow a phrase. They want to take credit for everything good in their lives and give blame for everything bad, although some give lip service to God.

On the other hand, so many of them do seem to hate (read: FEAR) anything which doesn't fit their mold or the idea of "how life should be." They want a strong Leader and romanticize the ideals of "shoot first, ask questions later" because they mistakenly think that lack of hesitation is akin to bravery or lack of fear, when it is closer to foolishness. I forget who said it, but bravery is not a lack of fear, but a willingness to do what is needed in the face of fear.

I find many conservative friends of mine seem to want power and authority because they secretly are weak and afraid and cover it up with aggression, much like a school bully.

They are afraid of strong women (emasculation), homosexuals (same reason), and non-whites (xenophobia, often expressed as fear of losing job/vitality or appearing weaker/smaller/less sexually potent). They dislike and fear the poor because they think that "everyone gets what they deserve" disregarding luck, society, and help from other people. Maybe they ultimately fear "socialism" because they feel alone and think no one will help them?

Many of the rank-and-file seem to vote against their own interests on the hope that they will someday be a member of the über-rich elite (what I call the "Lottery Voter"), while simultaneously disliking the same elite when given a "Liberal" face.



It's weird. I'm not saying we on the Left don't have our confusions and contradictions, but overall we seem to make more sense, imo.



Q: How many Republicans does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: None. You can't expect a Republican to ever really change anything.

[underpants]

23. Read this

http://www.mahablog.com/2007/07/18/the-wisdom-of-doubt-part-vii/

Compare and constrast Pastor Dan’s comments with what Richard Hofstadter wrote so many years ago. In the 1920s, religious fundamentalism had strong connections to the resurgent Ku Klux Klan; in the 1970s, President Carter’s challenge of whites-only “Christian” academies added fuel to the fire that forged the Religious Right of the 1980s. A century ago, fundamentalists opposed the progressive “social gospel” movement. Today, the Religious Right wants to “neutralize the social witness of denominations like the UCC, the Methodists, Presbyterians, or Episcopalians, to pave the way for secular Republican political gains.”