A grown-up Republican Party — even a deeply conservative one — would accept the rule of law, the norms of liberal democracy, and the legitimacy of the opposing party.
Conservatism is ingroup loyalty. Full stop. There is no other force in that moral universe. A particularly right-wing party could govern based on reality, but no, a deeply conservative party will always treat reality as a team sport.
“Conservative policies” are whatever funnel power and wealth toward the powerful and wealthy.
“Conservative ideals” are whatever mouth noises justify the latest grabbyhands policies.
“Conservative icons” are whoever said the things they believe today, loud enough that people beneath them have to make up their own reasons that must be true.
Our consistent and ill-advised infatuation with a two-party system
Fuck’s sake. Nobody likes this - nobody chose this. The two-party system is forced upon us by math.
Single-winner, first-past-the-post elections mean that any similar parties will fight to split their shared demographics. They cannibalize each other’s support. It is impossible for them to cooperate, except by merging together and promoting a single candidate. That’s how we got here - and until the ballots change from check-one-name, that will never change.
Conservatism is ingroup loyalty. Full stop. There is no other force in that moral universe. A particularly right-wing party could govern based on reality, but no, a deeply conservative party will always treat reality as a team sport.
“Conservative policies” are whatever funnel power and wealth toward the powerful and wealthy.
“Conservative ideals” are whatever mouth noises justify the latest grabbyhands policies.
“Conservative icons” are whoever said the things they believe today, loud enough that people beneath them have to make up their own reasons that must be true.
Fuck’s sake. Nobody likes this - nobody chose this. The two-party system is forced upon us by math.
Single-winner, first-past-the-post elections mean that any similar parties will fight to split their shared demographics. They cannibalize each other’s support. It is impossible for them to cooperate, except by merging together and promoting a single candidate. That’s how we got here - and until the ballots change from check-one-name, that will never change.