Oxymoron of the Day: Honest Conservative

Photo of Clarence Thomas from WaPo

In today's political world, when you say someone is a "dyed in the wool conservative," hasn't it become understood that means they are also a total cheater? Like, given all of what we've recently learned about Justice Clarence Thomas, isn't it redundant to declare that he's a dishonest conservative?

Thus, because that term has become an oxymoron, I suppose it's now pure sarcasm to label anybody in today's red-cap-wearing MAGA cult an "honest conservative." Ha!

Of course, calling ex-President Donald Trump a "dishonest conservative" is so damn over-the-top inadequate on one hand, and obviously inaccurate on the other, it sounds like the punchline to a joke. Trump has probably gushed more provable falsehoods, on the record, in public, than any other American in history. 

Moreover, Trump's peculiar brand of politics has little in common with any of history's most celebrated modern conservatives: William F. Buckley? Barry Goldwater? Claire Booth Luce? James J. Kilpatrick? Ronald Reagan? George Will? Peggy Noonan? Well, I could go on, but I have to think you've already gotten the point. Trumpism is one hundred percent about whatever best serves Trump's urges and whims. 

The Democratic Party simply wouldn't have him, so for the most part, Trump is a Republican by default. And, the Republicans who hated on President Barack Obama the hardest, recognized pretty quickly, after Trump's infamous escalator ride, that his knack for attracting and motivating racist voters was stronger than anyone else in 2016's presidential field. 

Thus, seven years ago, Trump happily flushed the Republican establishment's style of conservatism down the toilet ... and that was that. And, ever since, it's been plain to see that honesty is simply excess baggage to Trumpist politicians and commentators. To them, lies are usually more entertaining to their followers than the truth, anyway. 

Therefore, Justice Thomas' dishonesty is very much in style with political throwbacks in the GOP who can shrug off the blatant dishonesty with practiced ease.