Especially today after the Iowa caucus, but also throughout the time during which I've paid attention to politics, I've heard much ado about how 'extreme' certain candidates are. However, the comparisons made are meant to create an emotional response rather than actually being extreme, and they never bother to explain to what they compare it to make it extreme. Apparently, these people lack historical perspective.
At the time, although few I know alive now think this, what the Founding Fathers did was extreme. They committed high treason. We accept it as normal because we largely buy into the notion that the tyranny under which George III kept his empire was widely known and understood. However, it's really only extreme when you ask for a matter of comparison. For us, under the current situation and with our thus far pathetic attempts at redress of grievances, to take up arms, secede, or otherwise establish any kind of sedition or rebellion would be extreme. Remember that they went far further and waited far more patiently as Lobsterbacks shot colonists before the Continental Congress reluctantly declared independence.
Conservativism is wise. People who are monarchists, like George III, call conservativism extreme because it is a far cry from what they would like. Some people like to equate it with Naziism or Nationalism, when Conservativism is neither of those. Conservativism is Individualism. Conservativism is Freedom. The Facism of Nazi Germany was just as oppressive a tyranny as any monarchy or any Monarchist 'ism'. Ask any Jew who lived in a ghetto or escaped from a 'work camp' to explain how they were treated. While the Nazis were also Nationalists, Conservativism isn't nationalistic. It says you may do as you like within the confines of your own home, your own business, and your own personal relationships as long as it does not impinge on the rights of others to do what they like.
Big Government, no matter what form it takes, is what is actually extreme. They are in our homes and in our heads, meddling in every tiny minutea, from toilet flushing to light bulbs, and they haven't the right. They try to define what is good for everyone, in an alleged attempt to make life 'fair' or 'equal' without telling you that the only way for that to be possible is to treat us all like cattle. Big Government doesn't have to be government of politicians. It also has triplet forms as Big Business and Big Religion where other men, who are also mortal and ordinary just like you, attempt to run your life for you and tell you what you may do, must do, and might one day do if you follow along like shrupshire sheep.
When they attack conservativism, they attack the core of life. Conservativism revolves around the notion that every man might be an agent unto himself. Attacks on conservativism are attacks on your ability to think and decide for yourself; it is an assault on opportunity and choice. Whenever they try to remove any risk from life, they also restrict your choices.
Oddly enough, this is an old ploy. In the following Cold War Cartoon, originally released in 1948, they address the attack on Conservatism, Capitalism, and Americanism.
You do not need to blush. That is what made America great- because it was the land of opportunity. Here was the only place on the earth where it was likely, let alone possible, for you to be judged for who you are and what you do, not for who your father was. Here was the place to make a life, to make a home, to raise a family, to live according to the dictates of conscience. Yet, they want to establish the State as Conscience of the people or to establish things that are contrary to conscience as not only acceptable but normal behaviors. Just because something aberrant or abhorrent is legal does not make it right or good or true. Just because you do good things doesn't make you a good person; remember that Mousollini made the trains run on time.
Even the Monarchists, at least for now, endorse conservativism by proxy. They laud the virtues of democracy- which is the right of the people to govern themselves. The problem is that most people do not govern themselves, and so they cannot possibly govern anyone else. What they really fear, which is a fear I share, is that someone who is mostly conservative but doesn't really understand it will attempt to impose their conscience on everyone else. Funny thing is, that's exactly what the Monarchists intend to do to us.
There is much to fear from extremes. We are taught from a young age to avoid extremes in dress and appearance, in spending and shopping, in what we say and how we say it, etc. The Radical Right or Radical Religious are no less a danger than Radical Monarchists who also seek to impose their will on everyone. You see, the Monarchist claims he's doing it for your good or for your neighbor. How can he know? Does he know you? Does he know your neighbor?
While the Monarchist talks about how everyone ought to have a chance, Conservativism is the political philosophy that actually allows for it. You might make mistakes, but as long as you don't let your mistakes make you, then Conservativism is the way to go. Monarchism prevents failure, but it also prevents excellence as well as ultimately success. When a Monarchist talks of 'extreme' what he really means is that whatever he mentions is a far cry from what he happens to believe.
I'm not a big Rick Perry fan, but he handled something very well. Some reporter referred to an annonymous staffer who said disparaging remarks about Perry, and Perry asked for a name. Without corroboration or explanation or definition, it's a setup. When they call you extreme or arrogant or whatever the negative connotation might be, ask them for details about why they think that and compared to what. Chances are, they're just looking for an emotional contumely, which will only benefit them.
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