Why Does Hate and Hate Speech Dominate Social Conservatives

Over the last five years it has become apparent to me that those who have chosen the social conservative path seem to be extraordinarily angry whenever they speak or write. I am not so naive as to believe that the liberal/progressives don't have their own version of the 'angry man' who can't reference anything about conservatives without invoking the pejorative. But when the two are compared, the conservative position of anger and outrage appears to be so much more pervasive in approach and content. I've visited any number of right wing sites and they all share this same angry outrage characteristic. As far as I'm concerned this is not politics 'as usual', but something else altogether.

From my observation it doesn't include all conservatism, but only social conservatism. The positions of the fiscal conservatives are far less emotive and remain mostly rational and approachable. Therefore, all conservatives cannot be stereotyped with the angry outrage label.

With so much anger and outrage, it makes it exceedingly difficult to rationally discuss issues when one position or the others anger and belligerency blocks all meaningful communication. Each conversation attempted, under such circumstances, simply leads to a widening divide. It has driven a wedge between family members and friends creating, in some cases, rifts that will take a long time to heal if at all.

First and foremost the key characteristic to the social conservative's position, is that of being victimized by non conservatives. It is clear to the social conservatives, however mistaken, that non conservatives have deliberately contrived to eliminate individual rights and freedom in favor of collectivism and the movement toward the “New World Order”. The social conservative views anything that the non conservatives devise to be as a result of some form of socialist cabal or simply brainwashed liberals. I find this view of the world as looking through a very narrow lens clouded by peculiar notions of freedom, liberty and individuality. These assumptions and ideologies of the social conservatives make them particularly susceptible to well crafted hate speech and pernicious rabble rousing.

It is important to the unity of the social conservatives that they view themselves to be a subjugated minority. Only through shared feelings of victimization are they capable of maintaining unification of purpose and a position opposing social change; based on a perception of a deterioration of moral and natural order within their society. Social conservatives are very susceptible to strong beliefs in xenophobia and ethnocentrism. Many social conservatives are also strong advocates of Social Darwinism and that some cultures, societies or groups are just more socially evolved than others.

One of the basic historical stated values of the social conservative is the value of fairness. Rationally they may support social justice, but not when social justice means that they will be required to involuntarily change their behavior, beliefs, give up one of their perceived privileges or a perceived reduction of status, whether earned or unearned. This is precisely what the mongers of hate and derision focus on to rouse the fear of the susceptible social conservative. Raising fear in the targeted group has led to unwarranted anger and outrage, continuously feeding upon itself for sustenance. This is clearly a manipulation of people who are known for their propensity of rigidity and generalized resistance to change, reinforcing their perceptions of being a subjugated minority.

There has emerged a hate industry that is dependent on promoting hate and discontent. Obvious is the media that is making money into the billions from promoting the subjugated minority beliefs. However, less obvious is the amount of money flowing into tax free entities supporting every social conservative position under the sun, from anti-abortion to school choice and beyond. If one was to include the money brought in by the right wing Christian organizations, it would make pale, in comparison, to the vast majority of the globe's largest corporations. The hate consumption industry has provided huge benefits to the wealthy by diverting attention away from their questionable activities and keep the focus on the opposition that would openly challenge their activities. The hate industry has translated into political power that assures the retention of power of the right wing ruling plutocracy.

I know I'll be taken to task for that assertion and there will be any number who will raise the issue of the left leaning plutocracy as a counter to the statement. However, given the scope, breadth and pervasiveness of the hate industry, it would be difficult to envision leftest plutocrats being able to exercise the same control of the right. I won't quibble about whose worse, the right or the left, since I oppose all plutocrats and oligarchs.

If we look to history and the impact of escalating hate beliefs, it always results ill for society in general. Nations and societies that are based on hate have led to some of the greatest atrocities in our specie's history. A Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, Stalinist Russia, and the American Civil War; just to name a few, could not have occurred without the hate and discontent that led to their fruition.

It is time to see the damage that is being done by all the hate speech and reintroduce civility into the conversation, treating those who we disagree with respect and human understanding.