Ongoing cogitation

I want to read a book on what is going to be happening to our political and cultural disputes over the next few years but I don't think the right book has been written yet. Perhaps I'll work on it by blogging my ideas here. More than likely I'll start and not finish... but if I keep trying eventually I'll do something useful.

We are in the final stages of the Culture Wars. (I should note that I am heavily influenced by Generations and The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe.) Politically the Liberal/Leftist culture has the upper hand. Socially, they seem to, but I doubt that it's that clear. Victor Hanson says that there will be a conservative revolt if the Democrats continue as they have, but without some serious thought and some serious candidates, the revolt will be shallow. The 1994 Republican takeover of Congress turned out to be shallow. We need to do better.

I'm looking at myself as part of the problem. I'm not in politics, but just by being a parent and a taxpayer I'm involved in this war. Unless I do something I'll end up as a casualty.

The Left has the advantage in this battle. They appeal to the basest instincts we have. If I want to be a lazy bum, not work too hard, not worry about excellence, not care what happens to my kids, not try to do anything to secure a future... the Democrats will provide what I want. Or, at least they will tell me that I'm a victim and they will say they will help.

In order to be a good conservative I need to work hard, try to be honest and upright in my dealings, be a good father to my children, love my wife, overcome adversity and perhaps receive no credit for any of this. If I try to stick my neck out and get involved in politics, the higher I rise, the greater the danger. The Left has proven to me that I need have NOTHING in my past that I could be embarrassed about, but they will still attack and defame and destroy me. They know that we're in a war and they take no prisioners.

More later...