I’m sure I’m not the first person to notice this trend toward conservatism. But holy cow! What’s up? It’s not even just conservatism, it’s NEO conservatism. I mean, can humanity not last survive without a dip back into the dark ages once in a while just to feel alive? Do we need to reach deep into our god-fearing roots and put all women back in a box just to remember what fighting for equal rights is all about? Seriously…I’m curious.
It has been suggested that this rise of conservatism is partly due to the backlash against the rise of atheism. Certainly we heathens have made great strides in recent years. But I think it’s more than that. It’s got to be. I mean, as much as I’d like to wave the happy red A flag, I don’t think we can take all the credit for a worldwide political/religious shift. Can we? Besides I can’t imagine a right-wing world domination is exactly what we were striving for. We scared them and they mobilized. Yeah! Oh…wait…stop!!
Seriously. Stop. Canada, in what might be defined as it’s shiniest moment in history (not) has withdrawn from the Kyoto accord. No flag waving here right now. So Chretien, our former Liberal Prime Minister, takes this moment to remind Canadians that the Kyoto Accord and the gun registry are only the start of blood smears on the chopping block:
The Conservatives have already ended gun control and Kyoto. Next may be a woman’s right to choose, or gay marriage. Then might come capital punishment. And one by one, the values we cherish as Canadians will be gone. ~ Jean Chretien (The Globe and Mail)
Granted, this could be a scare tactic put forth at an opportune moment by the ailing Liberals. I wouldn’t, however, completely ignore the warning. The Conservatives have an agenda and Steven Harper is making darn sure that his grasp on power serves his purposes.
Look down South. The Republicans who are more and more sounding like gun-toting, religious and bigoted wing-nuts have a faithful following. And I’m not talking about a small following. The crazier they sound, the more people seem drawn to them. Now let’s look over at Israel. In an article I read this morning, apparently the ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haremdim, are ever-expanding and striving to return to the glorious days of yore when women weren’t seen or heard. As the Arab-spring shakes the Middle East, secularism is being trading in for religious parties in democratic elections. Even a political map of Europe shows a sea of blue in what used to be a red dominated region.
Here’s the big question. Is it about values or is it about money? Or a little of both? Often money is at the bottom of everything. With a shaky economy in…pretty much everywhere…people generally embrace a conservative approach to finances. Conservatives and big business march hand in hand slashing social and environmental programs for the sake of the bottom line. The Conservatives serve the businesses, the businesses support the Conservatives. It’s a win-win situation for them.
So what are we left with? A bunch of lefties spinning their wheels? Or is that just me? Could be. But I’m growing springs on me feet. I’m ready to jump up and start doing something. I don’t know what yet, but I do know we can’t just sit on our plump Canadian butts and wait for the inevitable. It’s been a long time since we’ve really had to fight for something. Many of us have forgotten how, many of us never knew how. I sit and write reactionary pieces on my blog trying to spread the news in hopes it might make a difference. Big whoop. As a great…Yoda…once said, “Try not. Do or do not. There is not try.” And I say, don’t react, act. (now I have to follow my own words)
Is this a good news piece, you ask. It depends on how you look at it. For me, it is in a way. There’s nothing like a good, life-affirming fight for what you believe in. On my next post, I’ll let you know about my progress.
What are you going to do?
The world is facing lots of changes some time back we couldn’t even imagine. We can just watch them or we can take part. The option is up to each and every individual.
PS: I disagree to refer to left-wingers as lefties. I am a lefty, a very proud one, and it has nothing to see with politics. Not al all. Whatsoever.
Lol! Sorry Gabriela! Never thought about that – obviously. Jeepers! Lefies are soo sensitive!
You’re right that we don’t have to take part but if you’re not going to take part you can’t complain if things aren’t the way you like it. Right? Big changes for sure in the world and some things that always stay the same – for better and worse.
Of course, upon further reflection, one could argue that, as citizens of the world, everyone has a responsibility to act to make the world a better place.
Your post inspired me to undertake some original research. My hypothesis is simple and straight forward.
Out of the top 100 creative people in the 20th century (scientists, writers, poets, painters, directors, sculptors, musicians, choreographers…) less than 20% are politically and socially conservative. I’ll publish the results on my blog when done. [I will restrict my investigation to the 20th century to make my task less daunting although I am convinced that the targeted period is irrelevant as far as the outcome is concerned]*
Intellectually, conservatism is undemanding and this is exactly why it appeals to the masses. Economically, conservatism is static and this is precisely why it’s adopted by big business.The average conservative person is someone who has given up his right to free thinking in exchange of taking away the rights of others to challenge his convictions. Just consider those Canadians who do not realize that the greatest global asset in Canada is in fact its environment. They vote mostly for those who sell the promise of shielding them from the “others”. Along the way, this elected leadership pulls out of the Kyoto Accord thus inflicting irreparable damage to the future of the world and of Canada. But they are tough on immigration, a shortsighted Tory Canadian would reckon, while being totally oblivious to the second greatest asset of his country, the diversity of its population. Conservatism is the politics of exclusion, segregation, intolerance and ultimately self-righteousness. It is sweeping the world with the crudeness of a house painter’s roll rather than the finesse of a Dali’s brush.
* T. S. Eliot, arguably the most influential poet of the 20th century and my favorite literary master of all times was a conservative. That proves 2 things. The first has already been proven, that there are exceptions to every rule. The second and perhaps more significant is that non-conservatives can appreciate sociopolitical literature that contradicts their personal points of view without feeling guilty or embarrassed about it.
Abufares, thank you for your brilliant comment. Your summary of conservatism…particulary as it has played out so far in Canada and the environment…is spot on. I think the thing that got me really going on this subject was how women are always the victims of a conservative swing. Why does being conservative need to equate with being archaic?
I’m looking forward to reading your blog post after you have completed your research. I’m certain that it will be a very interesting read.