Liberal Is the New Conservative
It’s funny to think back to my high school/college days when “liberal” was the “L” word. It was taboo. It was something no one wanted to be called. These days, the tables have turned. Now “liberal” is touted as a badge of honor while “conservative” has been demonized. Considering that “conservative” has been hijacked by the Neo-con (read, Republican) set, I suppose it’s easy to understand why. Nevertheless, this trend (and the “L” word before it) still doesn’t address the basic problems affecting the American mindset today.
Much of the problem exists because the populace has fully embraced the notion that you have to be one or the other. Or, more appropriately, Republicans and Democrats have to be either “conservative” or liberal and you must fit into one of these categories, otherwise you are a nutjob. Well, actually, if you are a Republican/”conservative” then the Democrats/liberals are nutjobs; if you are a Democrat/liberal then the Republicans/conservatives are nutjobs. If you are neither, than you are a nutjob by default because…well…why would you be neither? You will have no influence. Both accuse the other of narrow thinking (or not thinking). Both accuse the other of various nefarious conspiracies. Both think that the other will usher in the next age of devilry. The truth is, both sides are full of themselves and neither one is logical, constitutional, or otherwise in any position to claim a corner on American identity. And both are ushering in the next age of devilry, only at different paces and/or in different ways.
You don’t have to look that far to see that the war-mongering of the Republicans under George W. Bush has been passed on to the so-called “party of the people” in the new Democratic administration. The talk of ending the war so prevalent in the election cycle has all but ceased. Republicans are reeling at the power-grab of the current administration and it’s obvious desire for increased regulation and government control. However, they didn’t seem to have any problem with it when GWB was at the helm. Democrats were all up in arms about the war-mongering, tyrannical Republicans but now that their man is doing it in spades, suddenly they are swooning with these ideas, drunk on the promise of “change” which in reality is just the same thing we’ve had dressed up differently.
In the midst of all of it, folks like us who think that both sides are off their rockers somehow get lumped in with the “other side” depending on which side you are talking to. To liberals, we are “conservative nutjobs” and to the Neo-cons, we are “stupid liberals”. Well, in a classical sense, we are both while they are neither. Neo-cons are not conversative and liberals are not liberal but only in a moral, “anything goes” sense. In other words, “liberal” which is a word meaning “free” (think “liberty”) can only be practiced politically and economically in a society that allows freedom to be expressed freely. The modern liberals, who seems to seek totalitarian government that robs from the rich to “give” to the poor, in reality only put a stranglehold on civil liberties and try to redistribute what is not theirs to give. There is nothing “free” or “liberal” about that, unless you consider a complete bastardization of Constitutional freedom and state sovereignty “liberating”. And the very definition of “conservative”, which assumes a fiscally responsible approach to economics and spending while maintaining a small/simple government (and secondary to state sovereignty) approach to control and regulation, prevents virtually any Republican who seeks to police the world with the military and define things the State has no jurisdiction over (like marriage and business) from claiming the term. However, we now live in an America where words are redefined at will, or otherwise lose any meaningful definition altogether. This is, after all, a postmodern age.
So where does that leave us? What do we do? Some think that about all we can do is sit back and watch it all burn because at this point, we seem to be past the point of no return. Others think we need to promote grassroots movements to really move the people incrementally toward a free society again. I’m not sure which camp I would fall into (not that there are only two options) since the former seems too cynical and defeatist; while the latter seems to attract fringe anarchists with missing teeth and an axe to grind that rob the spotlight from any meaningful dialog. I have noted a number of secessionist movements in several states that seem to be drumming up the voices of the founding fathers who feared the kind of government intervention we are seeing these days. I find it hard to believe that these movements are going to hold any sway, but part of me is anxious to join them (and likely I will if any of them gain any serious momentum). Either way, it seems we are destined for revolution (hopefully peaceful via secession or some return to states’ rights via the Tenth Amendment) or socialism. Either route, I would think, would cause an uproar by the opposition and it’s anybody’s guess what the outcome might be. Regardless, I think we are headed for some crazy times.
In the end, I have to return to my only comfort in life and death. That we are not our own but belong to a faithful Savior…a sovereign God who will ultimately cause all of creation to be reconciled to Himself. What that will look like, I don’t know but I am fairly certain it will be what it is supposed to be and may God grant us the grace to see all things in light of His kingdom, His lordship, and His divine Providence.
Peace to all who trust God with all their hearts and lean not on their own understanding…