Bobby's Blue State

A Word Devoid of Any Meaning

One word that has lost all of its meaning over the past 10 to 15 years is the word conservative. I take that back, I mean, it is the word 'conservative' when paired with the word 'Republican' where the word has been watered down to a meaningless phrase. The favorite adjective of every politician proud to be Republican means absolutely nothing anymore. I guess originally, conservative Republican connoted fiscal responsibility, respect for privacy, et cetera, et cetera, but has been so watered down of late by the Santorum/Bush/Frist/nutty right-wing preacher gang, that we are left with something of the equivalent of the currently meaningless label, alternative music.

For years now it has been rote that every Republican must declare that they are a 'conservative' Republican. I can still hear lifelong, middle-of-the-roader Bob Dole saying, "I'm a conservative Republican" in response to many an interviewer's questions during his final campaign.

And since the religious right take-over of the Republican party, 'conservative' especially rings hollow: Yes, of course, Mr. Robertson, you want to forbid my relationships and obsessively monitor and regulate my bedroom activities, but you are a conservative. Oh yes, Mr Bush, you spend like FDR during the New Deal and want to amend the Constitution to take away freedoms, but you are a conservative. Of course, Log Cabin Republicans and Administration gay insiders, you joined the party of Lincoln because you believe in fiscal responsibility and you help fortify the coffers of Republicans, most of whom are hellbent on passing the freedom-limiting Federal Marriage Amendment, but you are all conservatives. We're all friggin' conservatives. One whole zany country full of conservatives. I voted for Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Gore and Kerry, and yes, even I'm a pepper...I mean, I'm a conservative and wouldn't you like to be a conservative, too? Be a conservative, drink Dr...oh, sorry, that jingle was around when conservative Republican had meaning.

posted by BBS @ 9:58 PM