As a liberal Democrat, I naturally resent the way the word “liberal” has been demonized and distorted. I also note, however, a similar debasement of the word “conservative” on the other side of the political divide. I have always thought of a true conservative as one who believes in a balanced budget, is wary of foreign entanglements, respects the environment, looks with disfavor on any attempt of the government to snoop into people’s private affairs, values the Constitution and has grave misgivings over tacking frivolous amendments onto it.
I can respect and heartily agree with much of the foregoing, but the gang currently in charge has violated every one of those principles–and a few more besides.
They are, of course, not true conservatives at all but radical right-wingers who hide behind the respectable label of “conservative” to do their dirty work.
I keep waiting for the real conservatives to stand up and disassociate themselves from this pack of pretenders.
