I’d like to think that there really are intelligent Conservatives out there. I’d like to believe that my fellow countrymen scattered across the south and midwest are fair and honest people who are not hypocritical and easily brainwashed to the detriment of their own well being. I’d like to assume that most people living in red states actually do their homework in terms of who they vote for, and have come to stand by their political beliefs based on what they find to be right based on logical conclusions and principles. However the more research I do, the more facts I come across, and the more discussion I have with devout Republicans, the more these radical right-wingers seem like misguided sheep with no legitimate basis for any of their beliefs.

When you generally think of the Republican agenda, what comes to mind is social conservatism and the economic ideology of limited government intervention in market affairs. As a whole, none of this really makes much sense at all for most Republicans to follow when put into an unbiased political perspective. Conservatives seem quick to cite the intended “freedoms” of our forefathers when discussing unbridled capitalism; however, seem to think that people should not have the “freedom” to live their lives any way that they see fit (so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others, of course).

I’ll begin my analysis by evaluating the economic circumstance of most citizens living in the south and midwest, where most of the red states preside in the good ol’ US of A. I think it’s pretty obvious that most people in these areas live equivalent to or just below the poverty line in terms of income. After all, most occupations in these parameters include that of farmers, factory workers or other laborers on the low-side of big business (i.e. employees of giant companies such as Wal Mart and other chains). The United States Census Bureau reports that the average annual income by region is lowest in both the south and midwest, and that the midwest was the only region to increase its poverty rate according to the 2004 survey (though the south still has the highest rate). If that is the case, how does it make any sense at all that most Republicans reside there?!

Democrats typically support such policies including social programs that make health care affordable, labor unions that exist to negotiate wages and other benefits for workers (so as to not be taken advantage of by corporate big wigs), a lower tax rate for small income earning families, and funding to universally improve the condition of our schools across the country to make education a valuable resource that everyone – not just those privileged enough to come from rich families – can receive for their own personal good and the good of the entire nation (via equal opportunity, etc.). Yet Conservatives continue to vote against their economic well-being, and all for the sake of “wedge issues” such as gay marriage, affirmative action, etc.

So I guess the real question is: Why do social issues hold more weight in the mind of Republican voters than what really affects their own personal, every day lives? The answer is quite simple and two-fold: Religion and Fear.

It’s easy to see why a religious individual – with every right to hold his or her own personal beliefs – is privately against an issue like gay marriage or abortion. After all, their respective deity or Church vehemently opposes such lifestyle choices. However, it is quite clear via our founding principles and basic morality that one’s opinions of what is or isn’t moral based on religious principles should not dictate the way that others must be forced to live their lives. Now, for those of you who think you’re clever by noting the frequent misuse of Jefferson’s so-called Separation of Church and State ideology can zip it. I’m not saying that our founding fathers promoted atheism in any way, or in politics in general. However, when discussing concepts like freedom and democracy, it’s pretty obvious that opinions regarding morality are just that – opinions – and that we’re entering dangerous territory when we try to use those opinions to legislate morality via organized religion.

For instance, how would Evangelicals feel if there was a sudden shift in demographics and Muslims suddenly outnumbered Christians in this country? Would they feel obliged to abide by Muslim doctrine or think it just to have Islam infiltrate our legal system? Certainly not. Thus it would simply be unfair to expect everyone to abide by Christian principles. To me, it seems logical to leave religious ideals where they belong – at Church – and not try to use God in arguments or protests that have to do with people’s rights. Religion is a personal choice; respecting the rights of others is not.

So why do people revere religion more than politics? That’s easy: An omnipotent God who holds the fate of your eternal being is scary. Wimpy, latte-sipping  liberals? Not so much. Still, something doesn’t seem quite right. Why do some people ignore common sense despite otherwise intelligent capabilities? That’s simple. A lot of Conservatism is the appeal to fear; people will do almost – and believe almost – anything when it comes to their own safety and well-being. To establish a sense of fear, Republicans thrive off  a misguided media (ahem – the Fox “news” network) and other fear tactics which ignore logic and morality all to accomplish a scummy agenda; an agenda that benefits the few who actually reap rewards from Republican policies (the rich big wigs and greedy politicians).

Let’s examine an issue like the “War on Terror.” I’ll start by asking a really simple question to those in favor, such as: How the Hell do you fight a war on TERROR? Conservatives like our beloved webmaster Phil on DDO claim that they’re not in favor of changing the dictionary to push a social agenda (like say when the issue of gay ‘marriage’ arises). However, they don’t seem to have a problem suggesting that you can fight a war on terror (fear). Instead, they argue that this so called WoT merely means buffing up Intelligence in the CIA, FBI, etc. to crackdown on potential terrorists and other threats to our national security. But… isn’t this a given? Isn’t that part of the CIA’s job description to begin with? Why wait until after 9/11 to implement this term into our culture? It seems like bringing this term into our culture is actually doing the opposite: instilling a sense of fear, and increasing anti-Muslim xenophobia in the process.

So why is fear important? Without fear, nobody would support a ridiculously expensive war(s) that is costly not only in dollars but in human livelihood. To implement this fear, politicians at the highest level lie to the public on a consistent basis. For instance, for years the big players in the White House insisted that Al Jazeera (the main news network that broadcasts to the Middle East) was airing propaganda to those in the Middle East in an attempt to promote terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda. In fact, the news station was merely reporting what was actually going on: thousands of civilians – women and children – being killed because of American bombings and other violence. The truth is, the people in the Middle East DO want freedom and probably democracy as well… but what good are those things if they’re dead and can’t enjoy them? Essentially with the United States is doing is saying, “Democratize or we’ll shoot,” which is entirely hypocritical and counter-productive, much like Conservatism in general. For more information on these blatant media lies, see: Control Room – a documentary about Iraqi TV and U.S. propaganda.

Anyway, why does the U.S. care if the Middle East enables democracy i.e. free markets? It’s quite obvious that it’s for the sole benefit of US; we want to be able to make money in their country as well as our own (not to mention the whole oil bit, strategic military bases, the entire Military Industrial Complex in general, etc.). Again, I’ve gotten off topic. Back to fear: it’s necessary, and Conservative politicians completely manipulate good people into voting for them with absolutely no logic to support their candidacy.

Instead, Republican candidates typically get on their soap box, and start preaching – yes, preaching – about the dangers and perils of concepts such as gay marriage and welfare instead of dealing with the very real economic crisis’ that are affecting their very own communities. The sad part is… it works! The worse the economic conditions get, the more help from the government that small towns need to stay afloat, the more they turn to God instead and the more they buy into politician’s claims that they must do “God’s will” by voting for them. Think I’m kidding? Think again. The number of politicians who claim to be running for office because God told them to… and that you should vote for them to bring God and Christian values back to America, etc… is alarming, at best. At worst, it’s a God damned (pun intended) slap in the face to Americans and America’s values.

It’s pretty simple: If you don’t want gay marriage, don’t have one. But don’t restrict the rights of others to enjoy the same freedoms as you (to marry the person you love and are committed to and experience a strong relationship with) based on your religious affiliation. If you don’t want free healthcare, don’t obtain it. But don’t punish those out there who became unemployed as a result of the greedy and corrupt CEOs that your candidate supports and protects – and who can’t find work as is obvious in a recession – and then hang them out to dry just because you think your guy is a better Christian than his opponent. Don’t say “Abortion is immoral because killing is wrong” and then go out and shoot a doctor who’s performing legal surgery just because you disagree with his practice.

Open your eyes, America. Conservatism is useful for two kinds of people, and two kinds only: Rich people who wish to remain that way at other’s expense, and religious fanatics who are hypocritical in trying to trample on the very freedoms that they’re pretending to value, simply because they’re too ignorant and too stubborn to see the real issues, and the real purpose of government. Oh, and of course the children of said individuals who automatically inherit this right-wing frame of mind (because God forbid people think for themselves), and then attempt to debate about it on DDO in a futile attempt to justify these totalitarian objectives (never to succeed, obviously). Newsflash, Conservatives: Pat Buchanan is Hitler without the army and the cool ‘stasche. Ann Coulter is the Mother Teresa of stupidity. And you are the disciples of retardation.