When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
— President Thomas Jefferson

Conservatism has run its course.

Like Communism, authoritarianism lies at the root of conservatism’s core values. Like any authoritarian ideology, its stilted parameters defraud humanity of free will. Contempt for social and economic justice renders the ideology an enemy of free expression.

In the last several decades, conservatism has ruled, instilling a sense of hopelessness and fear where ever it has touched the everyday lives of Americans.

Today conservatism is defined by the results of its praxis: uncontrolled government spending, recession, intimidation through warrant-less spying on unsuspecting Americans, the practice of torture, rendition, the suspension of habeas corpus, endless war and conservatism’s boundless ability to consider evil that which is good.

Over the last century, conservatives have opposed extending the vote to women and African-Americans, civil rights protections, child-labor laws, the National Park and National Forest Service, food and meat-packing regulations, the Environmental Protection Agency, Social Security, Medicare and the Freedom of Information Act.

In actuality, you can name most any program and find that recalcitrant conservatism has been at the forefront opposing programs and laws, lifting ever so slightly, the burdens carried by Americans.

Vocal advocates of conservatism call their opponents traitors and unpatriotic.
As Edward Abbey most poignantly stated: “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country from his government.”

Mortimer Adler in a moment of passion said: “Freedom is the emancipation from the arbitrary rule of other men.”

Rather than fight for its philosophy in the marketplace of ideas, callous conservatism stoops to character assassination: vilification becomes the trumpet sound of anemic souls whose insecurities render them void of compassion.

In an attempt to consolidate power at all levels — local, state and federal — conservatism has rejected constitutional government.

Conservatism believes there should be no restraint on its authority. In essence, a cadre of authoritarians should wring the vision of freedom from the Liberty Bell.

Big government conservatives hope to stifle dissent, turning the conscience-ridden into a group of somnambulists whose sustenance is dependent on the graciousness of the conservative oligarchy.

My friends, the president, as well as Congress, should be forced to obey the U.S. Constitution.

The time has arrived for freedom-loving Americans to saddle-up, challenging the talk-show demagogues and the adherents of a far-right ideology who attack African-Americans in veiled references, who blame the woes of the weather on gay Americans, who prefer to keep women barefoot and pregnant, who demonize foreigners on our soil, while worshipping at the altar of their own arrogance.

The 71-year-old Republican presumptive presidential nominee, pro-war Sen. John McCain, conservatism’s new standard-bearer, visited Memphis on the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.

McCain appeared in Memphis to apologize for opposing the creation of a holiday to celebrate King’s legacy. While he spoke, during a steady rain, an African-American security guard held an umbrella sheltering McCain from the inclement weather. This image of a black man’s subservience did not complement the moment; rather it called to mind the decades of second-class citizenship suffered by people of color.

McCain explained to those in the audience that he was unaware of the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King when he voted against the holiday in 1983. His comment characterizes how out of touch his brand of callous conservatism is with American values.

In response, African-American Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) said: “In 1983, he didn’t make an apology, he didn’t make any apologies in 1987, so I guess I’m thrilled and forgiving that finally when he’s running for President he remembers to apologize.”

The members of America’s conservative movement in the White House and Congress do not represent the aspirations of America’s founding fathers. If the men and women of the colonies had listened to conservatives during the Revolutionary War there would be no United States of America. Rather today’s callous conservatives adhere to a philosophy that neuters the Bill of Rights and questions constitutional government.
In the November election the present cast of characters should be replaced by those who offer hope and who are devoutly devoted to peace and prosperity.

Thom Carnevale may be reached at http://sanjuansentinel.blogspot.com.