Political Evolution

Posted on 10/10/2008 at 8:42 am by Bob Cesca

I’m watching the Kevin Farley unit — the clone brother of the late Chris Farley — on MSNBC right now discussing how, when he was a kid, he learned his conservatism from his father. That’s more or less typical of many adult Bush-style conservatives. Bush Conservatism, after all, is very easy to embrace when you’re a kid or a teenager.

Easy to understand concepts. Simple explanations. Kneejerk reactions. Black and white.

And too many adult Bush Conservatives never seemed to have evolved beyond that stage of adolescent development. It’s like when I listen to Sean Hannity speak, he sounds like he just got out of Sunday school — all charged up on righteousness and simplicity.

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  • http://www.clusterdouche.com Elvis Dingeldein

    I learned about Bush Conservatism IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIIIIIVVER!!!Which is why I’m a Democrat.

  • bacaangel

    The Gipper speaks — Reagan for Obama — Must See TV!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfedYAAGEI

  • JimmyJames

    Ever notice the trend of how all the best comedians or comedic actors are left-leaning, whereas the majority of right leaning comedians (ie Dennis Miller) are pretty awful/unsuccessful? I know it’s all subjective, but it seems pretty self-evident to me.My personal opinion is that liberals are able to laugh at themselves, whereas conservatives are in denial of or are too ashamed of their faults to use them in their work. Am I right? Or am I right?

  • PaulC

    See, that’s funny, because when I was about 10, I remember my parents talking about the election between Clinton and Bush. My parents were both dems, and I remember easily grasping the concept of helping as many people as you could, and making it a priority to help those who needed it most.I always thought that was the ultimate value to have, and it’s stuck with me all this time. Granted, I’ve learned a lot in the last 16 years to go along with that original value, but it’s something I’ve always found to be the most important thing.

  • ConstanceRifle

    @JJ:I think it goes a bit deeper than that. Conservative power structure doesn’t really allow for comedy. Satire and comedy doesn’t work when you’re the power structure and you’re making fun of the oppressed, which is why “An American Carol” has tanked, hard.Also, wingnut comedy is Rush Limbaugh, apparently. ’nuff said.

  • Poleezz

    Maybe it’s because the left has better weed. Whatever though, JimmyJ I think you are on to it. They take themselves far too seriously. My daughter and her husband are right wing. Let me tell you, I didn’t bring her up to be that way nor was she always like this. I am always struck by their lack of humor, period, and their unwillingness to laugh at themselves. My Grandkids seem to delight in coming over here simply because of the lighthearted atmosphere and the fact that they can just be silly if they want to. Anyone who has lost someone to the right wing knows how deep that darkness can be. The are in the army of Limbaugh. Sooooooooo sad.

  • pbfishtaco

    My 13 year old daughter tells me about conversations she has with kids of conservatives at school. I think they learn a narrative that makes sense to them, and that’s it. They don’t want to hear any more. They choose not to engage, or have a discussion about ideas. They need a framework that makes them comfortable in their conformity.Read “Conservatives Without Conscience” by John Dean. It explains authoritariansm; their leaders AND followers, and how well it works for today’s Republican Party (or what’s left of it). It reminds me of Cool Hand Luke: “What we have here is failure….to communicate. Some people you just can’t reach.”

  • bajasteve

    I agree with you on just about all of this post, Bob, except for one thing: Sean Hannity always sounds to me like he just got out of the latest Hitler Youth meeting.

  • beautykilledbeast

    This is how I learned to be Liberal.http://www.vimeo.com/1837138

  • http://www.stranahan.com Stranahan

    Here’s a story I was told years about Chris Farley’s father…A couple of years before here died, Chris Farley came back home from rehab. He had a pamphlet from the rehab place. His dad put a beer down on the pamphlet and bellowed to Farley “Have a drink, you little faggot!”Conservative values.

  • http://www.broadwaycarl.blogspot.com Broadway Carl

    I saw the same interview, Bob. What struck me when he was asked the question or what the interviewer failed to ask, was that there were no specifics in his claim of conservatism.

    Did he believe in fiscal responsibility? Did he believe in the free market or less government? But there was nothing. He was a conservative because he fell for what his dad was dishing out. Another sheep.