Started By
Message
locked post

An Appeal For "Traditional Conservatives" to reconsider Populism.

Posted on 6/9/24 at 5:45 am
Posted by RiverCityTider
Jacksonville, Florida
Member since Oct 2008
6581 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 5:45 am
Oligarchy is a power structure where a small, elite group holds significant control over a country or organization. This group can include wealthy individuals, corporations, bureaucratic elites, and influential NGOs. Key features of an oligarchy include concentrated power, limited accountability, significant economic inequality, and control over major institutions like government, media, and business. The ruling elite often manipulate policies to maintain their power and resist changes that could democratize society or redistribute resources.

We're not as free as we think. Big corporations and elites have too much control over our government, shaping policies in their favor. This isn't true capitalism—it's an oligarchy, where the few at the top call the shots. It's time to level the playing field and put power back in the hands of the people.

When big corporations cozy up to government, they tilt the playing field in their favor. This distorts free market forces, stifles competition, and lets monopolies run wild. The result? Less choice, higher prices, and fewer opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Now, here's the kicker: when government picks winners and losers, it's basically redistribution—just to a specific group. That's not free enterprise; it's crony capitalism. And yeah, you guessed it, it's another form of socialism, just dressed up differently.

So, if we're serious about free markets and economic freedom, we gotta tackle corporate influence in government head-on. It's about leveling the playing field and letting everyone compete on merit, not connections.

Hey traditional conservatives, let's talk about something we can all agree on: the dangerous alliance between big government and big corporations. You see, it's not just about government overreach—corporations play a huge role too.

Take censorship, for example. Big tech companies are flexing their muscles, silencing voices they don't like and stifling free speech. That's not the free market at work; that's censorship, plain and simple.

And it's not just online. Corporations are enforcing government agendas within their own ranks, pushing diversity initiatives and ideological conformity. Your workplace shouldn't be a political battleground—it should be a place where everyone's ideas are respected.

Then there's data privacy. Big corporations are hoarding our personal information and sharing it with the government without our consent. That's a violation of our civil liberties, and it's happening right under our noses.

Then there is war and peace. Do you really think "national security" means combating existential threats or does it mean catering to the oligarchy?

So here's the deal: populists aren't the enemy here. We're sounding the alarm on this dangerous collusion between big government and big corporations. We're fighting for transparency, accountability, and individual freedom—the very principles you hold dear.

It's time to put aside our differences and stand together against this unholy alliance. Let's reclaim our Republic and restore power to the people, where it belongs. That's the true spirit of conservatism, and it's something we can all get behind.
Posted by RiverCityTider
Jacksonville, Florida
Member since Oct 2008
6581 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 5:57 am to
This is not the United States, but here is a very good example of oligarchy from Great Britain... a sickening example that relates to the vaccine.

Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here.
Posted by RCDfan1950
United States
Member since Feb 2007
38617 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 6:19 am to
“Stifle competition “ sums it up. Transnational Progressivism is the most extensive moral and practical ideology ever imagined by human society. The overreaching idea is that Humanity must soon abandon the ‘competition‘ axiom which has forever dictated the survival and relative affluence of the human species and all as well. Given the extraordinary high tech powers that we will soon acquire it will be suicidal not to do so. Convince me that TP reasoning is flawed in this respect and I’ll begin to believe that its persuasive power on the most intelligent of our kind won’t bring them to serve the TP ideology. You cannot refute the intention of said ideology and stop its hegemonic power no more so than we can stop that of AI. We will not stop either because of the POTENTIAL good that both may do and in the name of Love. “You will own nothing and be happy” ain’t just whistling Dixie”. It’s like that movie “Invasion of the Body Snatcheers”.
Posted by td01241
Savannah
Member since Nov 2012
27831 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 6:34 am to
The fear of populism is instilled and ingrained deep by the world order that was established post WW2 and is in its dying breath today. Basically they just looked at the world, saw anything they didn’t like or threatened their new established moral order, and deemed it the worst things to be slandered as immediately post WW2. Nazis and fascist. If anyone is curious where it stems from the left calling literally anything that doesn’t openly and proudly support them as fascist or Nazi,
It’s here. Orwell noticed it in his time how the terms had been concept creeped. But the there’s good news. This world order is terrified of violence or needing to use force and relies on feminine types of aggression like social shaming and repressive tolerance. More people everyday openly and proudly proclaim frick your moral order we don’t care.
This post was edited on 6/9/24 at 6:37 am
Posted by ItNeverRains
Offugeaux
Member since Oct 2007
28166 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:02 am to
The populace isn’t very bright. I’m past populism, already warm and cozy in the tribalism camp. Not sure if I want to take a step backwards at this point.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:05 am to
quote:

The fear of populism is instilled and ingrained deep by the world order that was established post WW2 and is in its dying breath today.


The natural path of populism is socialism.

Dont do it.
Posted by td01241
Savannah
Member since Nov 2012
27831 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:09 am to
I’m not necessarily arguing for it, I am arguing that you shouldn’t be so irrationally afraid of it you brand it as something it’s not like fascist ideology (which is does share some aesthetics similarities with like the now infamous de frago fascist saying equating to something like we don’t care in English) but the intent and more importantly methods behind populism and fascism are completely different and the aesthetics represent different ideas even if they share a few common components.

It’s the same way I’d not argue absolute monarchies are fascist even if I’d not necessarily argue to establish one. Properly classifying things is important.
This post was edited on 6/9/24 at 7:11 am
Posted by Rip Torner
Member since Jul 2023
1253 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:13 am to
“Traditional conservatives” are a complete joke. They couldn’t wait to vote for Bush 1/2, McCain, and Romney but now their principles must dictate that they stay home or vote third party during an era when the Left is far more insidious. A couple more elections of Biden or Obamaesque Presidents and there won’t be anything that resembles a two party system. Their anger is misplaced and should be pointed at themselves for allowing the Bush’s to take over the Republican Party not Trump. He is a byproduct of their political miscalculations
Posted by td01241
Savannah
Member since Nov 2012
27831 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:15 am to
The call shouldn’t be an appeal for people to accept populism because 1) it’s never going to happen in enough numbers to matter most people couldn’t tell you one correct thing about what it is and 2) there’s better options.

My top choice and the one that will have the most chance of success and building enough political power to impact things would be basically making an appeal for traditional conservatives to accept and embrace basically everything the mises caucus of the libertarian party believes both on social and economic policy.
This post was edited on 6/9/24 at 7:17 am
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:17 am to
quote:

I am arguing that you shouldn’t be so irrationally afraid of it you brand it as something it’s not like fascist ideology


Thats the natural progression of populism.

Authoritarian govt with a monopoly on services, Huge government and no federalism.

If anything we need the FedGov scaled back, not enhanced.
Posted by td01241
Savannah
Member since Nov 2012
27831 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:19 am to
I literally just proposed that in my post above yours I argued essentially for the most possible current political paradigm with enough mainstream appeal for a shot at success that would go crazy cutting back the failures of the liberal project.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:20 am to
quote:

“Traditional conservatives” are a complete joke.


Wait til youre ruled by the dregs of society, which is where populism leads.

Unless you think yourre no better than the bottom third of society, populism isnt for you.
This post was edited on 6/9/24 at 7:21 am
Posted by Azkiger
Member since Nov 2016
26908 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:26 am to
Populism - a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.

Considering the above, how are traditional conservatives in danger of oligarical influences?

Do you think traditional conservatives are warm to big corporations?

Bro, it's pride month... The worst month to try and make this point. Corporations are partly responsible for disregarding the common man's concerns. If it was only 5-10% of the population they could get away with it. But it's not. It's 45-50%, often times more.
Posted by Ten Bears
Florida
Member since Oct 2018
4719 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:27 am to
quote:

it, I am arguing that you shouldn’t be so irrationally afraid of it you brand it as something it’s not like fascist ideology (which is does share some aesthetics similarities with like the now infamous de frago fascist saying equating to something like we don’t care in English) but the intent and more importantly methods behind populism and fascism are completely different and the aesthetics represent different ideas even if they share a few common components.


Sorry, everyone should have an irrational fear of populism because the problem with populism is that it is NOT grounded in any underlying set of principles. Popular opinion, grounded in a set of core principles, is NOT populism.

You claim there is a huge difference between fascism and populism. There is very little daylight between populism, fascism, socialism, and communism as they all end in the same place-totalitarianism.

Posted by Great Plains Drifter
Flyover, U.S.A.
Member since Jul 2019
8673 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:31 am to
quote:

The natural path of populism is socialism. Dont do it.


Conceptually, I have no qualms that conservative values are best.

That said, we have had decades waiting for those who carry the conservative banner to do something…..anything….to stem the continued creep (now warp speed these days) of this increasingly authoritarian Transnational Progressivism.

This Trump “populism” is a reaction and movement that has stepped into the void that those claiming to be conservatives had left wide open for it to step into.

People want leadership, not policy wonks, leading a movement. If true conservatism ever stands a chance of making an impact in this country, it better find that leader again who can inspire and capture the confidence of the public. It’s not just going to work itself out if we wait.

As it is, the parade has currently moved on and people are looking to that figure who they feel best represents the chance to counter the path this country has been headed.
Posted by td01241
Savannah
Member since Nov 2012
27831 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:36 am to
You could literally says liberalism of the Locke mold that is the one the USA was founded on so much so much of the bill of rights is directly lifted from Locke is inevitably doomed to end in socialism and therefore totalitarian rule if you want to. They both operate (Locke liberals and socialists) off more or less the same moral promise in equality for all but this is actually impossible to deliver and it puts the Locke liberal in an impossible position because they can constantly be brow beaten and shamed into accepting more socialism’s since the promises of the liberal order hasn’t been fulfilled.

Are you irrationally afraid of Locke style liberalism? No of course not. See how stupid it is to be terrified of things that could end bad and have obvious flaws but with enough understanding of them and foresight do not have to be that way.

Still I’d argue the mises caucus of the libertarians has the most likely pegged next major world order shakeup right when this one falls like they all do every 80-100 years.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:40 am to
quote:

This Trump “populism” is a reaction


What has it gotten you?

Massive budgets, Covid stupidity, higher prices...



Posted by Great Plains Drifter
Flyover, U.S.A.
Member since Jul 2019
8673 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:45 am to
quote:

What has it gotten you? Massive budgets, Covid stupidity, higher prices...


Those things have indeed happened ….but in the decades prior to that what had those carrying the conservative banner gotten us?

Trump would’ve never been a thing had people been happy and satisfied with the results of the GOP leadership prior to him coming down the escalator.

Who/what should people have been waiting/counting on instead….Jeb?
Posted by td01241
Savannah
Member since Nov 2012
27831 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:49 am to
You’re right about trump being a reaction by people who were fed up with moral order and economic policy they had been living under. It didn’t really matter though or change much of anything and wouldn’t have even if trumps intended to do all the things we want which idk if he did or not I do think he believed in doing what he thought was right.

My point is even if it’s uncomfortable for people there needs to be some allowed power by the agreed upon leader or authority in this case the president to make certain changes without endless bureaucratic agencies set up specifically so they can’t actually do anything blocking them.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
295457 posts
Posted on 6/9/24 at 7:52 am to
quote:

.but in the decades prior to that what had those carrying the conservative banner gotten us?


We are closer to disaster than we've ever been, economically.

I would say populism is great if you want to destroy the economy.

New Orleans and Baton Rouge are "populist" cities.
Jump to page
Page 1 2 3 4 5 ... 15
Jump to page
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 15Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram