Can we stop calling them “conservatives”?
by David Atkins
Many of the saner righties like David Frum have been saying this for some time now, but it bears repeating: the modern “conservative” movement isn’t conservative except in the sense that it desires to protect white male Christian privilege. As a matter of tactics and public policy, it’s a radical revolutionary movement.
Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) suggested the House should reject an unfavorable agreement from the Senate, even if it resulted in a debt default that severely damaged the economy, The Hill reports.
Said Griffith: “We have to make a decision that’s right long-term for the United States, and what may be distasteful, unpleasant and not appropriate in the short run may be something that has to be done.”
He added: “I will remind you that this group of renegades that decided that they wanted to break from the crown in 1776 did great damage to the economy of the colonies. They created the greatest nation and the best form of government, but they did damage to the economy in the short run.”
It’s not just the elected officials and the interest groups, either. There are millions of Americans out there in gerrymandered districts who feel the same way, and they’ve armed themselves to the teeth. I don’t think a few negative poll numbers or even the loss of a few elections is going to change their mind.
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