Here's a challenge to my fellow conservative bloggers, based on my post below, which quotes Christopher Buckley on the subject of what conservative thinkers should do after the election thus:
"The smart ones in the movement should get together right after the election at the Greenbrier or the Homestead, you know, where they typically have these kinds of get-togethers, and have a long dark night of the soul," he says. "And I'll tell you what the conference should be called: Conservatism--What the F-ck?"
My challenge to conservative bloggers (and readers) is this: come up with suggestions for a conference agenda. Here's the catch: if you want to be invited to the conference, you have to propose a session that holds your own particular sacred cow up to critical examination. After the jump, my initial suggestions for CWTF sessions, including my Sacred Cow Symposium. Yours are also invited. Check below for updated links to other bloggers' suggestions for the conference agenda.
I. "After Market Fundamentalism: What Conservatives Got Wrong About the Free Market, and What We Should Defend Even Though The Market Is Flat On Its Back"
II. "Traditionalists and Libertarians: Can Fusionism Be Saved? Paths to Renewing the Relationship"
III. "It's The Culture, Stupid: Conservatism Beyond the Culture War -- Prospects for an Anti-Political Politics of the Right"
IV. "Neglected Sources of Conservatism Wisdom"
V. "Smart Green: A Conservative Approach to The Environment"
VI. "Conservatives vs. Republicans: Ideals vs. Practicality"
VII. "The Conservative Bubble: The Lies We Told Ourselves, And How to Be Honest Going Forward"
VIII. "The Lessons of Iraq: Conservative Foreign Policy in an Age of Limits"
IX. "Populism and Elites: Why Both Need Each Other"
X. "The Benedict Option: The Promise and Peril of Dropping Out"
And my Sacred Cow Session:
X. "Is the Religious Right Still Politically Relevant? Theoconservatism Amid Popular Acceptance of Gay Marriage and Abortion Rights"
UPDATES:
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"I would like to see an intelligent conversation about Muslims and Islam in the USA, and what the conservative position is."
Its growth should be checked, its adherents encouraged to make there home in one of the, what, 45 - 50 countries.
Reaganite: We need to get outside of our various cocoons (is that the plural form?) and actually spend time getting to know the people of this country better. Especially the younger voters (in their twenties and thirties) who are trending heavily towards Obama and the Democrats ...
Gay rights (especially gay marriage) are *the* defining civil rights issue for conservatives. How conservatives react on these points will determine how they will be seen (or ignored) for decades to come.
Many 20-somethings have gone to schools with "Gay/Straight Alliances;" have gay friends; have gay parents or siblings. They watch TV shows w/ gay characters. The mainstreaming of the gay experience *is nothing new or shocking to them.* Many look at older peoples' attitudes in either amusement or horror.
People my age grew up watching / reading about the civil rights movement; integration; George Wallace backing down to federal troops, etc. People my kids' ages don't remember any of that. As far as they are concerned, they *always* remember a time when they went to school with black children; when black people have had legal civil rights.
But they *are* aware of gay people being treated legally as "different" - and many do not approve. As long as conservatism is perceived as anti-gay, it will be very difficult to capture the "hearts and minds" of the "millenials" (or "Generation X-Box," as Wired magazine called them.) Many simply don't view gay people (again, many of whom are their friends) as evil, degenerate "Others."
1. Inherited wealth and power, revisiting the 'death' tax
2. Postponing retirement and other solutions- restoring the balance between the contributions of retirees and their expected benefits
3. The relationship between conspiracy theories and distrust of information
4. Authority vs democracy (this is too big and too confused in modern conservatism to even be more specific)
5. Loyalty vs dissent- finding the right balance for the common good
'"I would like to see an intelligent conversation about Muslims and Islam in the USA, and what the conservative position is."'
"Its growth should be checked, its adherents encouraged to make there home in one of the, what, 45 - 50 countries."
Yes, because a controlling majority of a religious organization has worked SO well for those "other" countries. Why not apply fundamentalism-as-law over here? At least we'll be doing it with the "right" religion - right?
That conversation should just get redirected back to the constitution, where it plainly states that human beings of ALL faiths are welcome here to live in peace and fraternity.
Speaking as an outsider, if conservatism is going to survive it is going to have to get the intellectuals, professionals, and young people back. Helpful hints: stop stoking anti-intellectualism, faux populism and class-based resentment if you expect to have anyone left who has the money to donate to you. Accept the fact that we really don't care that much about gay marriage as a political issue (Stefanie said it very well). Accept the fact that we don't care if we pay a few extra dollars in taxes if it means a fairer and thus more stable society. Offer us something we can pass on to our children besides a poisoned environment, a wrecked economy, a burgeoning national debt, and perpetual war.
A fresh emphasis on Rod-brand communitarianism would be a good start.
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