I try and try to find a hint of decency in  modern ‘conservatism’s’ spokespeople.  I really do.  I started life out as a conservative myself – my earliest political involvement was in supporting Barry Goldwater as a high school student and I was active in the Teen Age Republicans – nearly state chairman.  I shifted slowly, piece-meal, to my present views, which remain even now very friendly to markets so long as we do not worship them and to the basic principles our country’s Founders espoused.  

Beginning with their vicious attacks on Bill Clinton I was first amazed and am now finally resigned at their deep nihilism masquerading as ‘values’, the moral degeneracy in their personal behavior, the intellectual dishonesty of their political positions, and their failure as human beings compared to many of the people they pillory.  I could provide powerful links for every one of these statements, but will give only one regarding the latter: a powerful piece on just what an extraordinary woman Shirley Sherrod really is.  How many know her dad was shot in the back by a white farmer and a white grand jury found nothing illegal about it?
I do not see how any spiritually oriented person who takes kindness, compassion, love, and honesty as primary values can be a conservative today.  Perhaps someone can enlighten me?  And no – save your time if you want to simply argue “the left” is guilty as well.  First, they are not as guilty.  Second, that is not answering the question.
More from Beliefnet and our partners
Close Ad