What Conservatives Really Want

George Lakoff explains just how high the stakes are for secular society if we wish to keep our democracy open and free.

The central issue in our political life is not being discussed. At stake is the moral basis of American democracy.
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Conservatives really want to change the basis of American life, to make America run according to the conservative moral worldview in all areas of life.

In the 2008 campaign, candidate Obama accurately described the basis of American democracy: empathy — citizens caring for each other, both social and personal responsibility — acting on that care, and an ethic of excellence. From these, our freedoms and our way of life follow, as does the role of government: to protect and empower everyone equally. Protection includes safety, health, the environment, pensions. Empowerment starts with education and infrastructure. No one can be free without these, and without a commitment to care and act on that care by one's fellow citizens.

The conservative worldview rejects all of that.

The American Taliban are playing for keeps, and they will tear down our way of life to accomplish their goals. We would do well to remember that and fight back accordingly. Read the whole thing here.