Interesting. Some of the old cartoons, including Silly Symphonies, seemed to warn of the evils of communism and socialism, maybe different than today but still pro capitalism.
Even as we speak, some enterprising academic is working on a thesis deconstructing Mickey’s wayward right-wing politics, which somehow appears in EVERY ONE of his cartoons-—if only we had the brains to see it.
Walt Disney’s TV and movie projects of the 50s-60s did a lot to educate young people and elevate the spirit of American culture. That is greatly needed today. Consider the Davy Crockett character played by Fess Parker and the Wonderful World of Disney series. Disneyland had a lot of American culture on display.
I reject the idea that conservatism is not closely aligned with the “working man’s” interests. If anything can be taken away from the history of the USA, it is that conservative principles lead to success for the working man. There would be no path from rags to riches nor a big “middle class” (actually just the regular masses in America) if it were not for our conservative American principles.
I accept the idea that naivete is associated with socialism. Artists, who are ill-informed about politics and naive about the relationship between socialism and misery, may embrace socialism but most people are pressed to work in the real world and easily learn that the fat man with the boot on the neck of the working man is a socialist dictator, not a capitalist.
Based on your article, I believe that Walt would have appreciated this book about what what it might be like in the year 2030 if the federal government ran Disneyland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4zU8-Tt_TM
What puzzles me about Hollywood’s leftist stance is that leftist regimes have frequently cracked down on entertainers who did not toe the party line. Do they think that they will be immune to that treatment if they disagree with the regime in some small detail?
ping
What nonsense. Other than his father being a Socialist, there is no evidence whatsoever that Walt Disney was anything but a lifelong conservative. The only “evolving” was his decision to start talking about his beliefs.
Why not mention that Disney, too young to enlist at 16, instead joined the Red Cross ambulance corps and shipped off to France during WWI? Because it doesn’t help the false premise the author is trying to sell.
Anti-capitalist socialists who don’t like America don’t serve their country.
The Disney organization has always been liberal from the very beginning .. They are anti gun, anti hunting and pro animal rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lflk5e-wcAg#t=293s
I’m getting tired of people stating that because you’re Conservative, you don’t care about he environment...
Who came up with this one?
I care very much but not to the extent I want to harm my life style...
Meaning, incandescent bulbs are not bad! But turning off a light if you don’t need it is just common sense...
Sick of the a**holes dictating the definitions....
Wow, today President Obama would have sicked the IRS on him.
Months belated thanks for posting this.