By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The article contends that true conservative politicians, defined by upholding traditional values, limited government, and fiscal responsibility, have seemingly vanished from the political landscape. This disappearance is evidenced by the current administration’s disregard for checks and balances, the Republican party’s embrace of increased spending, and a lack of condemnation for actions contradicting core conservative principles. The author argues that while individuals may claim the conservative label, their actions often belie this claim. The current political climate, fueled by grievance and fear-mongering, has allowed this shift to occur, jeopardizing the future of the Republic.
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True conservatives have vanished, or so it seems. The very idea of what constitutes “conservatism” has become muddied, warped into something unrecognizable from its supposed historical roots. The image of a fiscally responsible, non-interventionist government, meticulously safeguarding individual liberties, seems a relic of the past, a distant echo in the cacophony of contemporary politics.
This isn’t to say that people identifying as conservatives no longer exist. Quite the opposite; they are everywhere, but their actions and beliefs often starkly contrast with the idealized version of conservatism often presented. The principles once touted – low taxes, limited government, non-interventionist foreign policy – now seem secondary, overshadowed by a far more potent and unsettling ideology.
The core axioms of the modern conservative movement appear to be profoundly different. A rigid belief in a “natural hierarchy,” where societal positions are predetermined and immutable, has taken center stage. This hierarchy often aligns with existing power structures, placing men above women, white people above people of color, and the wealthy above all others. This inherent inequality is not just accepted; it’s considered natural and unchangeable.
Further, there’s a disturbingly low valuation of human life and suffering. The role of government is not to alleviate suffering, but rather to ensure it falls on those deemed “undeserving,” perpetuating a system that benefits the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable. This isn’t merely a deviation from traditional conservatism; it’s a fundamental shift towards a callous and arguably inhumane worldview.
The idea that conservatism is a thinly veiled form of authoritarianism isn’t far-fetched. For much of the 20th century, overt fascism was suppressed in Western democracies. However, its underlying principles found a haven in a rebranded conservatism, masking its true intentions behind seemingly benign economic policies. The erosion of institutions meant to prevent the rise of authoritarianism paved the way for this transformation.
The recent rise of figures like Donald Trump vividly illustrates this evolution. Trump represents the unmasked, unfiltered expression of this transformed conservatism, a movement that has shed any pretense of moderation or restraint. His actions and rhetoric reflect a blatant disregard for democratic norms and a willingness to exploit societal divisions for personal and political gain. This isn’t a new brand of conservatism; it’s the logical culmination of a decades-long evolution.
The argument that “true conservatives” have simply become bolder is compelling. But even this framing fails to capture the complete metamorphosis. The shift wasn’t just a matter of increasing outspokenness; it was a radical realignment of values and priorities. The traditional image of the cautious, measured conservative has been replaced by an aggressively confrontational and often overtly hostile stance.
The question of who is fighting for traditional values—balanced budgets, separation of church and state, limited government—becomes increasingly complex. Those identifying as conservatives often seem to champion policies that contradict these principles. In the current political landscape, it’s arguably the opposing side that’s actively striving to preserve these values.
This doesn’t mean there are no conservatives left. The term continues to be used, but its meaning has been hijacked and redefined. The Republican party, in many observers’ eyes, no longer represents the traditional tenets of conservatism. Instead, it has become synonymous with a far-right ideology fueled by resentment, fear, and a desire for absolute power. The remaining “conservatives” are either complicit in this transformation or powerless to stop it.
The situation highlights a broader erosion of political labels. Terms like “conservative” and “liberal” have become increasingly meaningless, used more as tools of identity politics than accurate descriptors of political philosophy. The old distinctions have blurred, leaving us grappling with a new and unsettling political reality where the lines between ideologies are increasingly indistinct. The “true conservative” of the past may be extinct, but the question remains: what has replaced them? And what are the lasting consequences of this ideological transformation?