Self Made Conservatives

One of the consistent themes of American culture is the self-made man. Given the Left’s stranglehold on Hollywood, Academia, and Journalism, it occurs to me that every conservative had to come to their philosophy through dint of personal effort and self-determination. Conservatives certainly didn’t learn the values they hold dear at a University. Their point of view is seldom bolstered by the fare emanating from Hollywood; in fact it is far more likely to be undermined than supported by the glitterati. And they most certainly didn’t arrive at their conclusions by following the lead of our nation’s mainstream media. All conservatives are therefore by definition self-made.

I will acknowledge that many conservatives get a good start from their parents. But parents can only take you so far. It takes tremendous effort and character to run against the prevailing wisdom of the “in” crowd. It takes real courage and a true belief in your core values to hold them dear in the face of ridicule by your peers. I’ll give parents their props, but I didn’t arrive in early adulthood fully formed; none of us do. In the absence of strong parents, the rest of us had to arrive here by forsaking fantasy for reality, by using reason, and by tamping down hysterical emotionalism. In short, we had to grow up.

While the Left claims to champion diversity, what could be more diverse than the multitude of individual paths conservatives have taken? While the Left champions the notion of tolerance, how could any conservative have arrived where they are intellectually without tolerance in abundance? The ranks of the Left swell with those whose only claim to legitimacy is their victimhood; that they have been offended in some way. Who among conservatives gets through a week, let alone an academic year without having their values and sensibilities offended? The difference is conservatives shrug it off and go about their business instead of making themselves the center of attention for something someone else did or failed to do.

Take comfort in the knowledge that conservatives are self-made people. They daily demonstrate tolerance, diversity and honest intellectual curiosity. In fact, you could say conservatives actually live what the Left preaches. No accolades are necessary; our self-esteem is just fine. After all, we’re grown-ups, we’re used to it.

Scottie