Saturday, March 19, 2016

The Flint Crisis Happened Because of Movement Conservatism

http://thedailybanter.com/2016/03/the-flint-crisis-happened-because-of-movement-conservatism/
"it is because to accept reality would mean accepting that the political beliefs that drive their every action -- and that they've taken on like religious dogma -- have been demonstrated to be wrong. In this political state, American conservatives have been fed a constant stream of propaganda that repeat a handful of beliefs: that "big" (any) government is ineffective and the private market/business is the preferred standard; that low tax rates for the wealthy result in massive economic growth; that the poor are largely poor because of their own choices, and their situation is of their own doing; and that liberals are purposely working against the best interests of the country. These beliefs have become like religious dogma, with any deviation or compromise seen as betrayal. Those beliefs were put into action in Michigan by Snyder and his administration. But this crisis demonstrates just how wrong all of those beliefs are. Like we have seen for years, conservative leaders cannot take on board that which conflicts with this dogma, such as the fact that trickle-down economics does not work. They instead repeatedly tout larger and more outrageously budget-busting tax cuts as plans to 'unlock prosperity.' Triumphs of government, such as reducing the number of uninsured Americans and offering health care to those who had previously gone without, are dismissed or ignored altogether. Government is seen as an evil bogeyman instead of a body representing the people and their will. Climate change is a myth created by a cabal of scientists and elites who are seeking to impose their fascistic big government on the little people. So for the true believer conservatives on that congressional panel, the (mis)placement of blame is an exercise in self-preservation, a crusade to protect their religion and its adherents. Their attacks on those who encroach on the conservative bubble with reality are a crusade to protect their god."