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PaperclipPerfector  2d ago (text post)   8359 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of June 2, 2025

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Resurfacing another old comment from @functor about Conservatism as anti-ideology. I think it's interesting to reflect back on now that we're in Trump 2.0:

Keith woods says it better than me

Conservatism as Anti-Ideology

There was much debate online recently over the political beliefs of country music singer Oliver Anthony. Anthony captured the hearts of conservatives with his “Rich Men North of Richmond”, which took aim at out of touch fatcat Yankees who have abandoned people like him. At first there was no question to conservatives, Anthony was definitely one of them. After all, he railed against welfare queens, taxes, and complained about elites not relating to regular folk. Anthony did alienate some of his newfound following when an interview of him appeared where he affirmed the “diversity is our strength” mantra. Then the first question at the first of this years Republican Party primary debates was the hosts asking the field for their interpretation of Athony’s masterpiece, to which an indignant Mr. Anthony then responded with derision for the entire field, reminding Republican partisans that these politicians were actually part of the elite he was singing about.

Still, most conservatives are not in any doubt that Oliver Anthony is one of them, and I think they’re correct. The fact that he is almost indistinguishable in his rhetoric from a Berniebro Democrat is a feature, not a bug. Neither is it a problem that the message in his song seemed inconsistent - targeting rich capitalists as the source of his problems in the same song that he complained about taxation and welfare spending. Conservatism in recent years has lost any positive content, it is now best understood as an anti-ideology, a vague, paranoid and inconsistent critique of a nebulous “elite”, the only point of which is to spread a general mistrust in whoever happens to be in power. ... Modern conservatism in the English speaking world developed out of the cadre of conservatives who formed the National Review in 1955, led by William F. Buckley. Buckley believed he had found a program to unite the two camps who dominated the right, but had been up to that point adversarial: the Burkean conservatives, led by figureheads like Russell Kirk, and the increasingly expanding camp of libertarians, who had been influenced by works like Friedrich Hayeks The Road to Serfdom. The program that would unite them was the “fusionism” of Frank Meyer, a German-Jewish immigrant to the United States who himself abandoned communism after reading Hayek’s work while serving in the US Army. Frank S. Meyer: The Fusionist as Libertarian | Mises Institute .... Since at least the 2000s, the conservatism of Reagan and Thatcher has been in retreat, while it found a resurgence with the Tea Party program during the Obama administration, this trend was swept aside by the muscular populism of Donald Trump. Since then, conservatism has lost any vestiges of whatever positive content it had remaining. Free market economics are still central to the establishment GOP politicians, but many conservatives now sound like economic populists, seeing rich capitalists as part of the same elite class as liberal politicians. While many conservatives still stand firm on abortion, there is little else in the way of the social conservatism that used to define the right: Trump was the most pro-gay US President in history, and modern conservatives are all too happy to embrace their own, based versions of “trans women” like Blair White if they affirm them back. Alex Jones asks Blaire White if "the chemicals" made her trans | Media Matters for America -... So what’s left? Well, there’s definitely a strong belief that the elites are evil - ridiculously, cartoonishly evil, to the point that they poison the water and the skies, intentionally derail trains, and start wars just to make common people suffer. There is also a strong cynicism about politics and idealism generally, not only is the conservative anti-ideological, but they are convinced everyone else is too, and that people that profess to believe in leftist ideals like egalitarianism are just cynics who don’t really believe it. As saimleuch, conservatives will often critique leftists for being inconsistent anti-racists or say things like their affirmation of trans rights is rooted in a hatred of women. Oliver Anthony engaged in some of this on his recent appearance on Joe Rogan. Rogan pointed out that Democrats in the early 90s “sounded like Nazis”, Oliver Anthony recognised the argument and immediately pointed out that Democrats like Hillary and Obama didn’t even support gay marriage in the 2000s! .. It is of course an eternal source of frustration to people on the radical right that conservatives attack the left by holding them to the moral standard the left itself has established, thus enforcing the leftist moral framework on the whole political spectrum. This seems obviously counter-productive, until you realise there is no alternative program the conservatives are advancing anyway - all that matters is getting people to share the same sense of cynicism and mistrust of power, so an accusation of racism or homophobia works as well as anything else.

https://keithwoodspub.substack.com/p/conservatism-as-anti-ideology

Conservatism lacks ideology, vision and a moral compass. At this point it is just angry ranting against cartoon vilians who are satanically evil. There is little systemic analysis instead there is an over emphasis of conspiracies. If the populist conservatives took power, they would be incapable of wielding it since their policies lack depth beyond SJWs bad but trans people with MAGA hats good. Conservatives are too negative, their entire focus is on what they dislike. Rich people bad, welfare queens bad, Klaus Schwab bad but what is good?

My life sucks, boo out group isn't really lyrics that inspire or offer novel insights. It isn't surprising that the anglosphere right has greater problems attracting young people than the right in the rest of the west. AfD, Sweden democrats and national rally do fairly well among young voters. The rather aimless right in the anglosphere fails at attracting young people and successful people. A young highly educated person is simply going to find the aesthetics and the values of mainstream conservatism boring and unappealing. It isn't a uniting message, it is a message with no vision that is anti PMC. I simply struggle to see a well travelled, highly educated person fitting in to the conservative movement at all. The right is making itself culturally toxic defenders of boomer rights.

I'll say from my perspective, this view actually seems validated after what we've seen from Trump so far. With the exception of tariffs, which are already being struck down, there's much more of an emphasis on destroying than actually building anything.

That being said, I'm generally conservative myself and weakly pro-Trump, so I'm not trying to just take cheap potshots. I genuinely think this is a huge problem the right needs to face in order to create a more compelling and useful platform for the future.

National Order Through Self-Sufficient Economic Empowerment

1. National Unity

All American citizens unite under a shared commitment to the United States, rooted in the principle of self-determination as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Strong families form the foundation of national unity, with policies supporting marriage and child-rearing as patriotic duties.

2. International Equality

The United States receives equal treatment in its dealings with other nations, with international agreements that undermine American sovereignty or economic interests renegotiated or abolished. Trade policies prioritize domestic family-supporting industries.

3. Economic Self-Sufficiency

Policies ensure access to resources, infrastructure, and opportunities to sustain the American people and provide for future generations, including investment in domestic industries and infrastructure. Family wage standards ensure single-income households can support multiple children, with minimum wage calculations accounting for family size.

4. Citizenship and Civic Duty

Citizenship is reserved exclusively for individuals born in the United States to parents who are U.S. citizens or legally present on an immigrant-class visa at the time of birth, and individuals naturalized in accordance with U.S. immigration laws. Citizens from larger families receive priority consideration for civic honors and appointments.

5. Exclusive Voting Rights and Public Service

Voting rights for federal, state, and local elections are reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens. All public offices and public employment positions are held exclusively by U.S. citizens. Public service positions offer enhanced family benefits and flexible arrangements for parents.

6. Economic Opportunity for Citizens

The government ensures economic opportunities and a decent standard of living for all U.S. citizens, prioritizing citizens over non-citizens when resources are insufficient. Married couples with children receive preferential hiring and advancement opportunities in government positions.

7. Immigration Reform

Immigration laws are strictly enforced, with a merit-based system prioritizing the economic and cultural interests of U.S. citizens. Illegal immigration is prevented through robust border security and enforcement of existing laws. Immigration preferences given to intact families with children who demonstrate alignment with American family values.

8. Equal Rights and Responsibilities

All citizens have equal rights and obligations under the law, as guaranteed by the Constitution. Tax obligations are adjusted based on family size, with substantial credits for married couples with children:

  • Child Tax Credits: $5,000 for first child, $7,500 for second, $10,000 for third and subsequent children (married couples only)

9. Productive Work

Every citizen contributes to society through productive work, with individual pursuits aligning with the broader interests of the nation. Raising children is recognized as productive work, with Social Security credits awarded for each child raised to adulthood. Flexible work arrangements and career re-entry programs support parents.

10. Economic Justice

Unearned income through monopolistic practices is eliminated, and debt systems that burden citizens are reformed. Excessive financial speculation and profiteering are curbed. Student loan forgiveness programs for married couples based on number of children born within marriage.

11. War Profiteering

Personal enrichment from war or national crises is prohibited, with strict penalties for profiteering during times of conflict or economic hardship. Military families with children receive additional housing allowances and educational benefits.

12. Nationalization of Key Industries

Critical industries are nationalized or strictly regulated to ensure they serve the public interest over corporate profits. Family-supporting industries receive priority status and protection.

13. Profit Sharing

Profits from large-scale commerce are equitably distributed, ensuring fair wages and economic stability for workers. Additional profit-sharing bonuses for employees with dependent children.

14. Social Security Expansion

Social Security is strengthened and expanded to provide robust support for retirees and the elderly. Parents receive additional Social Security credits based on number of children raised to adulthood. Retirement benefits increase by 10% per child for married couples.

15. Support for Small Businesses

Policies bolster the middle class by supporting small businesses, including tax incentives, low-cost leasing of commercial spaces, and preferential treatment in government contracts. Family-owned businesses receive additional tax advantages and preferential lending, with succession benefits for businesses passed to children.

16. Land and Housing Reform

Housing and land reforms ensure affordability, prevent speculative real estate practices, and provide access to property for public benefit. Pro-natal policies include:

  • Married couples receive progressive homeownership subsidies based on number of children born within the marriage (10% down payment assistance for first child, 15% for second, 20% for third)
  • Property tax reductions of 25% per child for married couples with children born of the marriage
  • Priority access to family-sized public housing for married couples with children
  • Zero-interest home improvement loans for married couples expanding homes due to children
  • "Family Formation Zones" with expedited permitting for larger single-family homes
  • Inheritance tax exemptions for family homes passed to children born within the marriage
  • Zoning laws prioritizing single-family homes, playgrounds, and community centers
  • Subsidized family vehicle programs for families with 3+ children
  • Energy and utility subsidies scaling with family size

17. Justice Against Harmful Actors

Strong measures are taken against individuals or entities whose actions harm the public good, with penalties reflecting the severity of the offense. Enhanced protections for families and children against predatory practices.

18. Legal Reform

The legal system is rooted in American constitutional principles, prioritizing justice and fairness over bureaucratic or elitist frameworks. Family courts reformed to support intact marriages and shared parenting. Marriage incentives include tax benefits increasing with marriage duration.

19. Education Reform

Quality education is accessible to all capable citizens, emphasizing practical skills, civic responsibility, and critical thinking. Funding is provided for gifted students from low-income families to pursue higher education. Pro-natal education benefits include:

  • Merit-based "Family Formation Scholarships" for top 10% performing female high school graduates who choose marriage and motherhood over immediate university enrollment, providing $50,000 grants for first child born within marriage before age 25, with additional $25,000 per subsequent child
  • Deferred university admission with full scholarships for these women after child-rearing years
  • "Motherhood Excellence Awards" providing annual stipends of $30,000 for 10 years to academically gifted women who marry and have 3+ children before age 30
  • Tuition reductions at public universities based on family size for children from intact marriages
  • Priority enrollment in quality public schools for children from larger families
  • Educational savings account contributions from the government for each child born within a marriage
  • Homeschooling support grants for married couples educating multiple children

20. Public Health and Wellness

Public health is protected by supporting families, ensuring maternal and child welfare, eliminating exploitative labor practices, and promoting physical fitness through community programs and sports initiatives. Enhanced pro-natal health policies include:

  • Comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care coverage for married couples
  • Paid parental leave extended based on number of children (12 weeks base, +4 weeks per additional child)
  • Annual health savings account contributions for each child in intact marriages
  • Free pediatric care through age 18 for families with 3+ children
  • Maternal nutrition programs and family wellness centers

21. National Defense

A strong, citizen-based national military protects U.S. sovereignty, replacing privatized military forces. Military families with children receive additional housing allowances, educational benefits, and priority base housing. Service members from larger families receive advancement preferences.

22. Media Integrity

Media outlets prioritize factual reporting and align with American interests. Foreign-owned media outlets require government approval to operate in the U.S., and content harmful to national unity or public welfare faces legal consequences. Media promoting strong family values receives tax incentives.

23. Religious Freedom

Freedom of religion is upheld for all denominations, provided they do not undermine national security or public morals. Materialistic ideologies that erode American values are rejected, emphasizing the common good over individual gain. Religious institutions supporting marriage and family formation receive enhanced tax benefits.

24. Centralized Governance with Accountability

A strong federal government enacts these principles, balanced by accountability to the people through transparent institutions and elected representatives. State and local governments align with federal laws to ensure national unity. Family impact assessments required for all new legislation.

25. Commitment to the Nation

Leaders uphold these principles, prioritizing the interests of the American people above all else, even at personal sacrifice. Political leaders with intact marriages and children receive public recognition. Government support for genealogical research and family history preservation strengthens national identity. Federal funding for local family-oriented festivals and community gatherings reinforces cultural traditions that celebrate family life.

I’ll commend you for cleverness, inasmuch as you added enough new material/adaptation to the modern American context to the 25 points of the NSDAP to prevent them from being immediately recognizable to people who weren’t already in on the joke.

It is worth noting that the change to the first post is large, and load-bearing. The 25 points began with the union of all Germans, not all German citizens - it was a specific pledge to incorporate Austria, the Czech Sudetenland, the Polish Corridor etc. into the Reich. @AvocadoPanic could have said "All Americans" instead with the implied dog-whistle that Albertans are included, and it would have been closer to the original and still relevant to MAGA policy.

I suspect were you to ask someone, "What is an American?", you'd get worse answers than the people who don't know what a woman is.

I'd be happier with language nearer the original, a pledge based on attributes more immutable than nationality. I don't have the language to express this sentiment while also keeping with the current year America context.

I'm not clear how 'All Americans' would imply Albertans are included. I'd be happy to include many people, unfortunately more and more nationality is useless as a descriptor. Some sort of Ahnenpass would be necessary to only include Albertans with 7/8 Albertan great-grandparents.

The title was a bit of a giveaway.

The NOTSEE acronym is kind of obvious, so I suspected it was cribbed even though I've never studied the original.

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