Now before you start spitting, no, this is not going to be a propaganda session, and no, I'm not being sponsored by Carl Rove. I am yet another ignoramus who has become rather tired of every misfortune to befall the United States, the world, or the environment to be pinned on the "radical right". We may be devious, but we certainly don't have the downfall of the world (or its subjection to our will) in mind.
If not the destruction of mankind, what are our goals then?
*Note: I will be dealing with neo-conservative ideology in this article, which, oddly enough, is not really that "right wing" at all, that title truly belongs to the Libertarians. If you're a Ron Paul nut (no offense) don't come after me with spear and cudgel, yes, I realize Ron Paul is more conservative in some respects than your typical Republican (the republican party now being controlled by neo-conservative thought), but for the sake of general understanding, I will abide by the definitions our media has set forth for us
Neo-Conservatism - A definition
Neo-Conservatism began in the 1960s and 1970s, oddly enough, by Democrats. As they became disillusioned with the social policies of the Democratic Party, they broke off and swung over to the right. Converts often tend to be the most fanatical of believers, and one can find no greater support for that phrase than in the Right. Being a convert myself, I can attest to the fanaticism that goes along with it.
Neo-Conservatives however, separated themselves from traditional American conservatives by their altogether blatant push for a tough foreign policy abroad, an ideology which transformed itself into the face of the Republican Party we see today.
Ideology
Neo-Conservative Ideology is relatively simple, fiscal, social, and international conservatism.
Fiscal - Lower taxes to inspire growth, slashed corporate and capital gains tax rates in order to spur on investment (and reinvestment) into the market, and the pursuit of that all elusive goal, the elimination of the progressive tax structure.
Social - The protection of social and moral values by whatever means necessary. Normally a Constitution abiding bunch, this must be our one abiding fault. Regardless of constitutional legitimacy, we will seek Federal laws and mandates for whatever moral crisis is currently at hand. Personally, I blame this upon our origins, once apart of the left, it never truly leaves you. In this matter, we oppose abortion, gun control, gay marriage, civil unions, drug use, divorce, and support...federal abortion bans, federal marriage amendments, a federal war on drugs, etc.
Foreign Policy - This is where you (I'm not sure why I suppose my readers are liberal) truly hate us. Neo-conservatism supports an aggressive foreign policy, now, we do support discretion, but more often than not, we are the hawks in the conflict. Foreign policy ideology in turn can be derived back to Realpolitik and Machiavelli, what is best for the state is what must be pursued, regardless of the consequences to other nations.
My intentions for this article were not for it to change your views, but to give a basic understanding of what drives the neo-conservatives of this current age, and perhaps to restrict the use which the word "neo-conservative" is being thrown around. We may be a horror, but no, every conservative comment is not a vast neo-con conspiracy.
O_O, quite the scary thought.
