Clueless Conservatism

(A.K.A. – The Clueless, Closed Minded, Selectively Blind, Conservative Club)

    I learned a very valuable lesson during the mid-term elections.   This lesson is that there are two types of conservatives.  They are ‘Clueless Conservatives’ and Social Conservatives.  We will discuss Social Conservatives in another chapter. 

    Ever since the beginning of time, in almost every civilization, there always seem to be a small handful of people who control all the wealth and power.  This small group usually goes to great lengths to conserve their needs and wants.   So many times throughout the centuries however, many of the people that have everything give little thought to their own people who have nothing and are just struggling to survive.  I call this group of wealthy, powerful, and out of touch individuals ‘Clueless Conservatives’. 

            Of all the examples I could give you, Jesus gives the best description of ‘The Clueless Conservative’ and his downfall in Luke 17: 19-31. 

            There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.  And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.  Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.  When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.  And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.  Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in suffering torment in these flames. ‘  Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.  Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’  He said, ‘Then I beg you father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them lest they too come to this place of torment.’  But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.  Let them listen to them.’ 

            He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’  Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded by someone who should rise from the dead.” 

            If anyone who is affluent call themselves Christians and aren't doing the right thing, this passage should be sufficient warning to pay attention of the world around them.  In other words in their own way make a difference.  But too many times too many wealthy and powerful people are clueless, closed minded, and selectively blind to those less fortunate than themselves. 

            It’s a vicious cycle.  After a while the poor and disenfranchised get tired of their situation.  They wipe out the wealthy and powerful.  Then the new leaders who control the wealth and power forget the poor and disenfranchised and it starts all over again. 

            One of the most noteworthy clueless conservatives in history is King Louis of France and his queen, Marie Antoinette.   While their subjects were starving because of a famine, the King, Queen, and Nobility lived lavishly.  They did nothing to help the common people.   The common people finally had enough.  Robespierre riled up the masses.  The King, Queen, and most of the nobility lost their heads over their cluelessness.   It was called the French Revolution.  Throughout history it has happened often.   If the common man is not taken care of, the common man eventually takes care of the ruling class.  Often this happens quite violently. 

            Before America came into being, most empires rose, flourished, and decayed based on their military might.    Over the years, America grew differently.   We are strong militarily.  But our foundation is based on our democratic government and our strong economy.  The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Laws passed since were originally meant for everyone.  

            Ever since the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of large corporations through this country, we could say we have a second power base.  The leaders of the large corporations throughout this country wield a lot of power.  Special interest groups in Washington, DC frequently have a field day getting laws written to benefit the wealthy and large companies, often at the expense of the common man. 

            In their haste to make the laws for their benefit, to increase their wealth, and improve their bottom line, these people have chosen not to look at the big picture.   Because of corporate America along with our leaders in Washington, DC choose to miss the big picture our country is at great risk from a number of directions. 

            Most important, the middle class is getting wiped out.  With a widening gap between rich and poor and a shrinking middle class in between, our country is headed down a dangerous path.  To borrow a common line being said today, we have to change course. 

            The next chapter I try to attempt a little humor.  It would be funny if it weren’t so serious.

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