The root of the word “conservative” is the Latin conservare, meaning “to preserve” or “to keep safe.” Conservatives once believed in preserving public lands and resources to benefit future generations. Conservatives also once believed in the United States government, its system of checks and balances and the rule of law.
Today’s New Conservatives (root word, “con”) believe in a strong–man executive, a subservient Congress and a panoply of “alternative facts” served up by partisan “news” organizations and the White House itself. Laws, particularly those pertaining to ethics or the environment, are ignored. Voters who disagree are vilified on Twitter or disenfranchised from the vote.
Silent Scott Tipton is a New Con. He’s voted with Paul Ryan and Trump 95.5 percent of the time. He is mute regarding the ethical and moral failings of his party’s leaders. He voted to eliminate the protections of the Affordable Care Act and to increase the deficit by $1 trillion. He has sponsored a bill that would decimate public lands. He voted to exempt industry from rules pertaining to toxic atmospheric emissions. He opposed sanctions on Russia and North Korea. He voted to repeal banking regulations that safeguarded us from recession.
Cons don’t care about constituents who don’t pay to play. If you are working-class, you will wait in vain for the Con’s tax bill to lift you up. If you are a farmer, the Cons are destroying your markets. Your vote is your voice. Say no to Scott Tipton and his “long-con.”
Larry A. Bollinger
Durango
