Cartoon 697: Darkest just before dawn

For nearly half a century Americanism has dominated the world. The American cultural invasion has caused backlashes in nations around the world. They grudgingly gave ground as new generations took center stage.  Now it is America’s time.

Conservatism [by definition] is an attempt to hold on to the familiar and that which was perceived right. Our generation of conservatives, those who came of majority in another time, is aging. They are steeped in the memories of an America that was dominated by White males. Where women knew their place was in the home. Where minorities were shackled in apartheid. Where the benefits of the society were focused on the White majority (not a racist statement, merely a historical fact).

People cling to conservatism in time of change. The change occurring is our self image. Americans are having doubts. They used to think they were the best and brightest in the world. That America was the most moral and just nation. Now they are not so certain. It was not so long ago that other nations, other then the major players in Europe, seldom intruded on the American public consciousness. Now constantly we hear about the actions of China, South America and even Africa having a direct impact on us. As a nation we believed we were invincible with our military, our technology, and financial finesse. In short, we were the leaders of the world.

Today the conservatives see the world debating American actions. The EU is now setting standards that American business is forced to follow. We can not act effectively in a unilateral manner. We must partner with other nations to accomplish foreign policy. Our courts do not speak for the world. The Swiss banking issue is a prime example. An American court can not usurp Swiss sovereignty.

In a generation, the baby boomers and the stake holders of conservatism, will have passed beyond the shade. The next generation, at least among the privileged classes, will be multi-lingual and multi-cultural. The rest of society will not be so fortunate. The law requiring schooling until 16 years of age will be voided. There will be high unemployment. Those that do work will slave long hours at subsistent pay. The vast majority of people will be semi-literate at best. They will recognize traffic signs and the icons of a fast food menu. America has been drifting toward second world status for a long time.

Standards in the nation will be international. The metric system will finally be nationally adopted.  Media will be far less America centric and more international in scope. Our movie and television heroes will to a large extent be foreign nationals. Businesses and property are as likely to be foreign owned. The law requiring the President of the United States to be native born will be repealed.

Conservatism is tightening like a vice in America. It is the desperate grasp of the familiar and turn back the clock of change. The change has been in the making for decades. We can not merely patch things and continue on. We have to bottom out before we can rebuild. It is always darkest just before dawn.