Passions and Interests: Political Party Concepts of American Democracy Book

Strident conservatives, whom I've met in everyday life, have characteristically had difficult childhoods. I've noted abuse or alcoholism in their families and sometimes both. I had informally concluded conservatism was correlated with discipline which these wounded children need to get through their days and weeks. My theory is obviously shattered by outrageously undisciplined conservatives in the media and politics who seem to know no behavioral bounds and appear not to see their own hypocrisy.

John Dean's Conservatives without Conscience sheds light on the conservative phenomena. With a proponderance of data he shows that conservatism correlates with authoritarianism. Max Blumenthal takes this to a new level. He anecdotally describes other very disturbing parallels.

I was unaware that James Dobson of Focus on the Family made shows of the religious conversions of both serial killers David Berkowitz and Ted Bundy. (Bundy, before his notoriety, was a dirty trickster for the Republican party.) Why would he do this? Why would his supporters approve? Why does the Republican Party, attract so many gays and why do they stay in a party that undermines their civil rights? Why is it that the "family values" advocates don't walk the talk?

Blumenthal describes the psychology of the true believer with observations from both Erics Hoffer and Fromme. Many come from a culture of crisis. (This validates my observation of childhood abuse although not self-discipline). He describes a with a long line of public figures from Tom DeLay to Ted Haggard and their unhappy and crisis ridden childhoods. The child rearing philosoply that James Dobson promotes for his congregation is one of strict discipline (the sad results in his own household are hidden off stage). Blumenthal poses some ideas on the world views these conservative hypocrites and ideas on how dangerous to society this can become.

The title is too sensationalized for my taste. It belies a very substantive book.