Fear and Loathing in ConservativeLand

Why are Conservatives so naturally paranoid? Is paranoia a circumstance of conservatism or, conversely, is conservatism a circumstance of paranoia? Why do these fearful, threatened, rightwing "patriots" loathe and ridicule anyone that is not as scared as shitless as they are?

I ask these questions only to enlighten myself, for I find the entire exercise of understanding the conservative mind perplexing and more than just a little disturbing, troubling even.

C-PAC has, predictably, been as loony as a Star Trek convention; Texas State Senator Dan Patrick goes on Fox to claim that Texas is in a virtual state of war with Mexico and that the National Guard is on "high alert"; Sean Hannity asks his faithful just which form of violent revolution (armed insurrection, secession, etc.) they would prefer - in a poll - on HIS website; and through it all, the establishment conservatives, supposedly the sane ones, nod knowingly, even appreciatively, agreeing with each other that they knew all along this would come to pass if that imposter, that elitist liberal, Obama, managed to wrest power from the wise and steady hand of the GOP.

And it's not like things aren't bad enough, what with two wars (of their own making) and a paralyzing recession (again, of their own making), Oh, Hell No! They also seem to have a compelling need to manufacture fears all on their own, for their own entertainment and self-validation. Like the non-existent reinstitution of the Fairness Doctrine (why do all conservatives listen to AM radio anyway? Because they believe FM is a commie front, or what?). Or the outrageous program to monitor volcanoes. Or the heresy of teaching science in science class. The list is goes on…

Maybe, just maybe, the paranoia is the fear of change in any form. Or maybe it’s what I questioned at the beginning of this post. Paranoia is a consequence of conservatism and conservatism requires paranoia to validate it’s own existence.

Damn, that is just a little disturbing, troubling even.