The 5th ward

Source(2): The Political Spectrum

Next my political views. The fictitious conversation continues.

Q.-Dad, several years ago you wore a red hat with white letters

A- Yes.

Q- What does that mean?

A- The words on the hat said, ‘‘Make America Great Again.’’

Q- Is America not already great?

A- It was, but there are signs of its decline.

Q- Why?

A-Let’s start with how life was as a child in Evanston, IL.

I had a mother and father under the same roof. There was an extended family on both sides. We went to Church, Sunday school, ate meals together, community, summer, and after school programs, a local YMCA, field trips, sleep overs, pancake day, swim night competition, boat rides, trips much more. This was my life from 1956-1974.years in Preschool, Kindergarten, Grade, Junior High School and High School.

All around me were radical/nationalistic/ liberal blacks, radical/liberal whites/liberal Jews and in retrospect a sprinkle of conservative blacks. I didn’t know it at the time. Mostly democrats. Republican was a dirty word.

Q-- So this explains why you wore the hat?

A-My upbringing forms the basis of how I arrived at my conservative viewpoint. It also contributes to why I am a Republican and why I reject the Democratic Party.

The MAGA hat symbolizes the notion that America is a good country and allows for many opportunities. It is not systemically racist as Democrats lament. The man at the center of the MAGA movement is Donald Trump.

Q- Dad, why are you against the Democratic Party?

A- I am not only against the Democratic Party; I also question the sanity of anyone who says they are a democrat and who votes the same.

Q- Please explain?

A -Two books I read were “Rights in Conflict” and” Boss” , first published in 1968 about the riots in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention and the second about Richard Daley Democratic Mayor of Chicago published 1n 1971. At a young age both left an impression on me about the Democratic Party and Democrats in general. Not a good impression.

Q- When did you become a Republican?

A-It seems I was always one but did not know it.

Q- What do you mean?

A- Slavery has always been a focal point in this country. It also is tied to the black community. Since I was raised predominantly in a black and white liberal area, I heard about it all the time. At some point while in school a teacher mentioned that the” President Lincoln freed the slaves” he was a Republican and white. Fredrick Douglass’s name was mentioned as well. He was a former slave and Republican.

Then there was Booker T. Washington born into slavery -a Republican. Both Fredrick and Booker were black. Thus, at a young age Republicans simply seemed to be better people because they opposed slavery.

I also recall President Nixon associated with the concept of” Black Capitalism. “Then that concept resonated with me as my father had a landscaping business. This was the late 60’s early 70’s. Nixon was a republican.

For the record Po Po the Republican Party was founded in Wisconsin.

Q- Please explain further your aversion to the Democratic Party?

A- By contrast the Democratic Party and by extension Democrats was the institution and individuals that created slavery in America. Other forms of oppression, Jim crow etc.

Herein I include a parody from a small book (Babbage-How the Democratic Party Deceived a People). It captures the essence of the Democratic Party and Democrats from inception to now.

Q- How do you know?

A- A lot of self-study from many sources and likely read something that was not included in the college’s curriculum. Either from the library, resource center, or a suggestion from a student and/or faculty.

I can say for certain the distinction between liberal, conservative, and libertarian was taught in an introduction to Political Science class with the use of a linear political spectrum as part of materials in a separate handout.

Herein I have included a sample of a political spectrum.

Then in 1980 I became aware of something called the Fairmount Conference in San Francisco. Thomas Sowell was a name unfamiliar to me at the time. He led the conference and was considered a “Black Conservative” and members of the newly elected Republican Reagan Administration participated in the same.

Then in 1981 I watched Thomas Sowell on William Buckley’ s Firing line. This solidified me as both a republican and conservative {libertarian bent) as he, inter alia, destroyed the notion of black victimhood.

It seems Dr. Sowell is a Republican and for sure a conservative with libertarian bent (WSJ 8/22/24)

Q- What does the republican party/republicans believe?

A- Broadly, laissez-faire economics, limited government, free markets, low taxes, reduced government spending, private sector solutions, and personal responsibility and more.

Q- What does Conservatism mean?

A-Broadly, present system maintained, traditions provide stability /security, helping hand not handout, equal opportunity, law and order, business and industry with private individuals and more.

Q-What is a Libertarian?

A- Essentially no government involvement- all done by private individuals/entities.

Q- What does conservative populism mean?

A- Broadly, right of center political theory, anti-establishment/elite, use of public speaking -Trump and Bernie Sanders (a leftist).

Q- Dad, my fellow Gen. Zer’s tell me I must vote for democrats?

A-Ask them to read the resources in this site to determine if that persuades them differently.

Further, I would direct them to an X post by Kevin Sorbo (Hollywood actor) on 10/8/24 if

their aversion is to Trump the candidate and not the republican party generally.

Q-Dad, how do you stay informed?

A- Use the right of center media to point me in the right direction- books, articles, posts etc.

Then I read it, analyze, compare/contrast., and draw my own conclusions.

I have used this process for years.

Q- So you are voting for Trump?

A- I am and hope you will as well.