Neoconservatism Explained

LewRockwell.com ^ | 20 May 03 | Lew Rockwell

[u-89]

I hate to post and run but I'm rather busy today. Will check back later on if time permits.

I think the issue of the Iraq war should not cloud a very important point of the current argument on the right and that is the size and power of the federal government. So the question is what is conservatism or better put what does it believe in? Furthermore will the movement stand and fight for its beliefs or just become cheer leaders for their team - right or wrong and suck ups to power.

Personally I believe Gramsci's "revolution through evolution" has overwhelmed the conservative cause and now it is just socialism lite. The heretics have taken over the church and now the traditionalist are prosecuted as heretics.

[jnarcus]

I love the sublte and not so subtle anti-semitism of those who throw around the term "neo-con". Rockwell paints himself into a corner always and continues to do so with this rant...Come on folks there really is a left wing OUT THERE and we should stand together against it....not hack each other to death over this stuff. The Dems are on a johnny one note message

[MEG33]

I agree.Let's stand together against the utopian left who will use any means to control us...all with good intentions because they know what's best for us.

[ConservativeDude]

Let's stand together against the utopian left who will use any means to control us...

I think the author would agree that this was critical in winning the Cold War. But now that that particular leftist threat is gone, thankfully (and in large part due to the commitment of "neocons"), then we on the right need to refocus. His point is that neocons are not for smaller government; he is probably right.

I tend to like the "let's unite" model better, also...but I think the author makes some great points about expanding government. If we are in charge and we are growing government, then what's the point?

[Reagan Man]

>>>Thus the great fallacy of neo-conservatism is the one that afflicts all non-libertarian ideologies
It is worse than Reaganism ...

I see Lew Rockwell is still off his rocker. The problem for all those who follow "Rockwellianism", is that there are fewer libertarians out there, then real neoconservatives. And I say, thank god! The last thing America needs is an ideology that breeds anarchy and promotes misplaced liberal social policies. Reaganism was successful in many ways. Libertarianism is a total failure.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Oh geez, u-89, Not this sh*t again! The only people who are even talking about this "Neo-Con" idiocy are Left wing partisans, (always trolling for new conspiracies and words to demonize), and the fringe extremists of the right, paranoid that Bush's reaction to 9/11 and fighting Terrorism is being a willing dupe for the Jooz. forming an ironic unholy alliance of extreme right and left sounding like military haters and Saddam rationalizers "Their raw military power unleashed utter chaos, barbarism, and fanaticism in what was once the most secular and liberal Arab state."

That is just one of the many, stupid things I could quote from this angry rant, but there is no use to it. This is the "older, true" conservatism? Gimmie a break, this is a 5th column making ridiculous arguements to try to destroy the GOP in delusional hopes of building up the Birchers or the Libertarians. Dream on, DNC Dupes.

[u-89]

Sorry chief but I do not buy into that "all opponents of neocons are anti-Semites" crap. I was a fervent opponent of communism and does that make me an anti-Semite? A lot of communists were Jews you know. I oppose socialism and central planning in all its forms. This author is a devotee to liberty and the ideals of Ruthbard and von Mises yet you say he is an anti-Semite. Come on man that augment is getting old and thin. The debate is over liberty, individual freedom, small government vs. the big government welfare/nanny state, period. The question is will conservatives fight for liberty or the expansion of government? These days big government seems to be in vogue with a lot of so called conservatives.

[hchutch]

Being someone who supports the agenda of the neo-conservatives, I marvel at the way they view it as an all-powerful cabal. I have to dispute that. To date, it has been unable to arrange ONE SIMPLE DATE with Jennifer Love Hewitt. Some all-powerful conspiracy. ;)

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

No, no, the Neo-Cons aren't concerned with arranging dates, yet. (Bush will probably force his religion on us and make everyone get married in his next term)

My favorite part of this thread is the "uncle" cry about anti-Semitism being a primiary motivating force, then in the same breath saying "A lot of communists were Jews you know."...That passionate little man on the CBS miniseries put forth that same notion on Sunday. Luckily he is marginalized. Its a good thing for us Neo-Cons that no one else inside of the Matrix is aware of this truth. Mu-ha-ha-ha HAAAA</evil sinister laugh>

[gcruse]

Who is a Neoconservative, Anyway?
          This protean word is slippery as boiled okra, a feature necessitated by the less-than-admirable motives of its wielders. Here, then, is Lazy Fair's conceptualization of neoconservatism.
          Anti-semitic leaning right wingers (see Pat Buchanan, Joe Sobran), ride to the sound of the guns on a philosophical motor cycle with a sidecar. In the sidecar, they keep scapegoats who resist appeasing Arafat, who support Israel's right to exist, and believe in the condign efficacy of American military power. The anti-semitic leaning right wingers keep the scapegoats close by at all times, hauling them out to beat about the head and shoulders as the Bush juggernaut rewrites the Middle East. The scapegoats are neoconservatives.

[elhombrelibre]

The hatred of the neo-cons is quite irrational and persistent. We can only hope that this sad diversion will end soon. Our aim should be at liberals, not our own. If the attackers were good Reagan Conservatives, they'd know that. Does anyone remember Ronald Reagan saying, "Keep them neo-cons out of our party."? I think not. Some of the anti-neo-cons are actually so egotistical that all that matters is that they can run things. So this is just a silly wedge issue. Yes, some neo-cons are Jewish, and some are Catholic, and some are Protestant. Doest that really matter in the US today? I don't think so.

[elhombrelibre]

Who is driving, Pat or Joe?

[gcruse]

Pat, Joe, Novak, Duke...they're all driving.

[elhombrelibre]

Who is Duke (not David)?

[gcruse]

Duke, yes David, anchors the anti-semitic line on its far right, Novak on the left. They make excuses for suicide bombers, Arafat, and the PLO. The only villains in their view are the Israelis, who don't have the decency to kill themselves and their democracy.

[JohnGalt]

Where Rockwell could tighten up his dissection better is the issue of regionalism. The neoconservatives are essentially court intellectuals living in either DC or Manhattan. The 'neoconservatives' slide in and out of DC-government jobs, lobbyists, and think-tanks and naturally will look for both an ideology to explain themselves.

The only proof of their righteousness comes in winning elections, I guess, if I read Michael Novack's column correctly, but I find that generally unsatisfying. Look at the responses: It's either whipping out the anti-Semite/crypto-Nazi branding iron, or assuming that challenges from the Right are harboring secret agendas for seizing power.

Juxtapose the ideological battles with the multitude of conservative defenses of William Bennett to the charge of hypocrisy-- a leftist sin. All well and good and reasonable, however, to the 'further Right' the charge against Bennett has always been that he is a phony based on an entire career, gambling away $8 million, yet another footnote. I found not one 'conservative' who wanted to defend him along those lines; they chose just to ignore it or allege some left wing plot.

Your final question is the real issue but it uncovers an issue of taste. Rockwell and many of his fellow travelers advocate some kind of personal secession which means stopping voting, cease contributing to any group involved in DC policy making, making a personal stand for every right the government infringes upon--down to being rude to the toll collectors and meter maids. While it makes for great reading, I am still a conservative who wishes to see the institutions maintained, which means some form of states rights and localism, so I like reading the paleo-conservatives.

If the party system was at all functioning, Bush could say tomorrow that he has discovered that 2/3rd of what the Federal government is doing is un-Constitutional and therefore, due to his oath of office, he is shutting down all extra-Consitutional government Executive Agencies, via Executive Order. The real Right would cheer, and frankly I think half the so-called 'neoconservatives' who live out here in America would cheer as well, but I could be wrong. Maybe they really do think that a 50% cut in the dividends tax phased in over 2 years, to be restored after 4 is something to get excited about.

[elhombrelibre]

That's possible. Maybe they see Dave as just misunderstood.

[gcruse]

Or a little too well understood. :)
It has hobbled him somewhat.

[elhombrelibre]

Do these Rockwell people have a website, or is this where they congregate to take issue with mainsteam conservatives in the traditions of Burke through Reagan?

You know, Buckley threw these clowns out of his magazine long ago. It's amazing they still are around.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

It's amazing they still are around.

Yeah, I've come to that same conclusion. What I found to explain away this complete ignorance of political reality is the handy-dandy "I'm always right, and everyone else is lying" mentality. This pretention can get you out of the most embarrassing hypocricy, the most flawed logic, and the soundest defeats. We'll always be dealing with the people as long as a conceited individual can still claim fame by being the "Editor" of their very own www address. (See the bottom of the post.) They can't be taken seriously, it only encourages their delusions of grandeur.