Let me start by saying I was raised in Republican household.
I grew up with a certain appreciation for (but not agreement with) 20th century conservative intellectuals like George Will and William F. Buckley, Jr.
There are no conservative intellectuals in the 21st century. Here’s why:
Those of us who remember the Republican Party of decades past know it once had a different face. You could disagree with their policies and still recognize a commitment to the democratic process, the rule of law, and respectful political debate. It was a party of fiscal conservatism, strong national defense, and—at least in its rhetoric—a belief in personal responsibility.
In recent years, though, the GOP has undergone a transformation. It has shifted away from being a broad coalition of conservative voices into something more extreme and personality-driven. The party’s focus has moved from policy platforms to cultural battles, from principled governance to loyalty tests, and from bipartisan negotiation to entrenched opposition.
The change didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow evolution, fueled by decades of political polarization, talk radio outrage, a news network that put out lies and half truths, and media silos. The bully pulpit of social media played a key role.
But the turning point for many was the embrace of rhetoric and tactics that once would have been considered beyond the pale—disinformation, demonization of opponents, and open attacks on democratic institutions.
Today’s Republican Party still includes members who value traditional conservatism, but they are often overshadowed by a louder, more combative faction that prizes winning at all costs over governing responsibly. It’s a shift that has left some lifelong Republicans politically homeless and others questioning the party’s future.
Whether you support or oppose the GOP, it’s impossible to ignore that it is not the same party it was 20, 30, or 50 years ago. Politics always changes, but this transformation has reshaped the very core of the party—and, in doing so, has reshaped our country’s political landscape and put democracy itself at risk.
And as far as I am concerned, that is not a good thing.
I agree with everything you have expressed. However, no mention is made of the Democratic party and the perception that it has drifted too far to the left on social issues. Woke-ism has really been used against the Dems to their detriment. The middle class, which has been ignored by both parties, has found more affiliation and a repository for its rage with what the Republicans are offering. Sad state of affairs. Our system is broken. I do think we need a new system, but it must adhere to the rule of law and the democratic principles on which this country was founded. I’m hoping Gen Z can help to figure out how to address these challenges with a way to focus on independents and moderates, or else I’m concerned we may be in for a long era of authoritarian rule. I’m not so sure that we are going to end up with a decent solution in the short term. I’m adding these comments on the fly in the midst of a Florida thunderstorm, so hopefully they make some sense. Thanks for posting, Carol.
Thanks, Karen. No, this post did not mention of the Democratic party because the topic is the Republican party. It is not an equal time or “good people on both sides” post. It is about the change in the Republican party.
I used to be a Republican because that is what I grew up with. A republican party that valued civil rights and the environment. I left the party and became a Democrat after GWB betrayed Christie Todd Whitman (a very environmentally focused NJ Republican) by putting her in charge of the EPA. Then he and Cheney cut the legs out from under her.
And contrary to what Karen states above, I often tell people that my politics haven’t really changed; I’m still generally middle of the road. But what was a middle-of-the-road Republican back in the ’70s and ’80s is now considered far left-wing.
Good points. I support a two-party system and never had any serious bone to pick with Republicans of old. But this is RINO–they stand for hate, exclusion and privilege. I can not support that. I am all for reconstituting a party with true conservative values, without the hatred. I would not vote that way, but I don’t have a problem with those truly opposing views. This other stuff? It’s vile.
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I agree with everything you have expressed. However, no mention is made of the Democratic party and the perception that it has drifted too far to the left on social issues. Woke-ism has really been used against the Dems to their detriment. The middle class, which has been ignored by both parties, has found more affiliation and a repository for its rage with what the Republicans are offering. Sad state of affairs. Our system is broken. I do think we need a new system, but it must adhere to the rule of law and the democratic principles on which this country was founded. I’m hoping Gen Z can help to figure out how to address these challenges with a way to focus on independents and moderates, or else I’m concerned we may be in for a long era of authoritarian rule. I’m not so sure that we are going to end up with a decent solution in the short term. I’m adding these comments on the fly in the midst of a Florida thunderstorm, so hopefully they make some sense. Thanks for posting, Carol.
Thanks, Karen. No, this post did not mention of the Democratic party because the topic is the Republican party. It is not an equal time or “good people on both sides” post. It is about the change in the Republican party.
I used to be a Republican because that is what I grew up with. A republican party that valued civil rights and the environment. I left the party and became a Democrat after GWB betrayed Christie Todd Whitman (a very environmentally focused NJ Republican) by putting her in charge of the EPA. Then he and Cheney cut the legs out from under her.
And contrary to what Karen states above, I often tell people that my politics haven’t really changed; I’m still generally middle of the road. But what was a middle-of-the-road Republican back in the ’70s and ’80s is now considered far left-wing.
Good points. I support a two-party system and never had any serious bone to pick with Republicans of old. But this is RINO–they stand for hate, exclusion and privilege. I can not support that. I am all for reconstituting a party with true conservative values, without the hatred. I would not vote that way, but I don’t have a problem with those truly opposing views. This other stuff? It’s vile.