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| Death of the Virgin by Caravaggio |
At the beginning of this month, France elected a new government: the first socialist government in 17 years. The 6th of May 2012, was a dark day for the French (and European) right-wing; however French rightists have no one to blame but themselves.
Out of the 27 members of the European Union, only 3 have leftist governments (Austria, Cyprus and France); notwithstanding, upon the victory of François Hollande, we could hear some analysts celebrating a revival of the left; and others warning against the return of the beast.
My only comment (on twitter), on the 6th of May, was: “I can’t bash Hollande before he starts working. Prediction: he won’t fulfil all of his electoral promises: he can’t.” Is socialism returning to Europe? That will depend on the 24 right wing governments: will they be able to promote economic growth?
François Hollande was revolutionary in the way he formed his government: 17 women, 17 men and ethnically balanced. Hollande bid “adieu” to the typical white-men-only governments that usually rule over Europe and don’t reflect the reality of European societies. And this small detail makes all the difference. For example, when the conservative party of David Cameron (UK) won the elections everybody expected him to form a government that reflected the highly diverse society of the United Kingdom, but instead he disappointed everybody by appointing the typical white-men-only cabinet – this is bad PR and it doesn’t reflect the British electorate.
Right Wingers need to stop being narrow-minded; they need to stop missing opportunities; they need to take advantage of the vibrant youth and they, mainly, need to bring this youth aboard the conservative vessel (which won’t happen if they can’t relate to the conservative parties).
Furthermore, right wingers need to work on a couple of things:
1) Image: they always look so morbidly stiff (their hair-style is awful, their dress-code is dreadful; their posture is repellent and, they look as if their sex life were horrid. Basically, they look obsolete). They should be stylish enough to show conservatism can also be cool and they must be ethnically diverse (to draw the younger crowd).
2) Message: learn how to convey the difference between illegal & legal immigration, lest passing the impression that conservatives are a bunch of bigots. Use a simplified language so that the message reaches all streams of society. Stop including religion in the political discourse (religion is already implied in conservative values: God, Family, Nation) just stick to politics. Shun extremism and all the démodé political stances.
The conservative movement needs a drastic make-over, or else it will incur the risk of being surpassed by the socialist movement (who seems to connect better with the youth [ok, by selling dreams] and pass a fresher image).
It is not hard to step into the 21st century; but if rightists take too long, we will soon grieve over the corpse of conservatism…
Comments
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Dissecting Society™ welcomes all sorts of comments, as we are strong advocates of freedom of speech; however, we reserve the right to delete Troll Activity; libellous and offensive comments (e.g. racist and anti-Semitic) plus those with excessive foul language. This blog does not view vulgarity as being protected by the right to free speech. Cheers
Maxi, you are a hoot! I hope that Cameron particularly reads your blog. Now I know that I stand no chance in politics no matter what ideology I follow. My look will be enough to turn the voters away.
ReplyDeleteHi Rummy :D!
Delete"Maxi, you are a hoot!"
LOL LOL why, thank you ;)...
"I hope that Cameron particularly reads your blog."
I so hear you *nodding*. Today's Tories make me miss Margaret (at least she fit the times)...
"Now I know that I stand no chance in politics no matter what ideology I follow. My look will be enough to turn the voters away."
LOL LOL LOL LOL that was a good one! As for me, I remain an incurable rightist (but I recognise that change is in order).
Rummy, thank you so so much for your comment (I loved it) :D.
Cheers
Max, François Hollande is not that good looking either. But I have to hand it to him, he did form an interesting government that reflects France of the 21st century - but will it do a good job? I also think he won't tax the rich at 75%; I can't even believe the electorate fell for this stupid promise.
ReplyDeleteNow the right wing: yeah, it needs a drastic change, even in Portugal. The image advice suits so well the Portuguese conservatives: their hair, their clothes are so outdated, they look like they stopped in time (for fear of being rude I will not talk about the Portuguese female politicians - they look like they bin themselves before going to work every morning). Frankly, Putin does a much better job in terms of image. Shocking!
Hi Ana :D!
Delete"François Hollande is not that good looking either."
lol he is not, true. But his sex life seems to be satisfying ;).
"But I have to hand it to him, he did form an interesting government that reflects France of the 21st century - but will it do a good job? I also think he won't tax the rich at 75%; I can't even believe the electorate fell for this stupid promise."
True. Will it work? It depends on which path he decides to tread upon. I will talk about it in a year (I must see him work first). The electorate didn't fall for it, it just wanted Sarkozy out - even some of the rightists voted for Hollande. The spirit of the campaign was "Dégage, Sarko!"
"Now the right wing: yeah, it needs a drastic change, even in Portugal."
Specially in Portugal (hey, you should leave this comment on etnias as well).
"The image advice suits so well the Portuguese conservatives: their hair, their clothes are so outdated, they look like they stopped in time (for fear of being rude I will not talk about the Portuguese female politicians - they look like they bin themselves before going to work every morning)."
LOL LOL oh, just imagine what it would be like if you felt compelled to talk, eh Ana? LOL LOL LOL *nodding*. Nevertheless, you are correct...they don't look good - again, leave this comment on etnias...please! lol
"Frankly, Putin does a much better job in terms of image. Shocking!"
LOL Putin is so full of himself *nodding*...
Ana, thank you so much for your hilarious comment (I loved it) :D.
Cheers
Max, lol having two "wives" doesn't mean he is sexually satisfied, but Valerie (I think that's her name) looks satisfied. Yep, the Frenchie (sorry Louis) hated Sarkozy: do you think it was because he is married to Carla Bruni and they were envious? Because Sarkozy did look like he was getting it on a regular basis.
DeleteOk, I will drop by Etnias (although it is so boring over there. It proves my theory: the Portuguese have a problem and you might be too much for your Brazilian base of readers).
lol They don't look good? That's the understatement of the year, Max! But let me stop right here...
Frenchie? Et tu, Ana? I expected so much more from you, ma petite...
DeleteAna,
Delete"lol having two "wives" doesn't mean he is sexually satisfied, but Valerie (I think that's her name) looks satisfied."
LOL LOL LOL *nodding* you are right. Valérie Trierweiler, yes - you reckon? Carla Bruni looked satisfied...
"Yep, the Frenchie (sorry Louis) hated Sarkozy: do you think it was because he is married to Carla Bruni and they were envious? Because Sarkozy did look like he was getting it on a regular basis."
Some say that the French remain, at heart, xenophobic and thus they did want to see the little Italian out of the Élysée; others say it is because of the celebrity life style Sarkozy lead as a President...who knows? Like the Portuguese, the French are extremely envious people.
ROFL ROFL ROFL I can't believe you said that! LOL LOL LOL LOL...may I remind you that children read this blog?
"Ok, I will drop by Etnias (although it is so boring over there. It proves my theory: the Portuguese have a problem and you might be too much for your Brazilian base of readers)."
Thank you *bowing*. lol lol oh Lord...*nodding*...
You kill me, girl!
Louis, you know you are my favourite Frenchie :)! Don't be mad...
DeleteMax, «Carla Bruni looked satisfied...»
DeleteOh yes. But her songs don't reflect that satisfaction (unlike Mick Jagger's songs, despite his "I can't get no satisfaction" he is obviously lying).
«ROFL ROFL ROFL I can't believe you said that! LOL LOL LOL LOL...may I remind you that children read this blog?»
Good, children need to learn about these things. There are too many bad lovers in this world! Have you forgotten the Portuguese saying -É de pequenino que se torce o pepino?
Ana,
Delete"(unlike Mick Jagger's songs, despite his "I can't get no satisfaction" he is obviously lying)."
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL *nodding*...he was not lying, he was justifying his misbehaviour.
"Good, children need to learn about these things. There are too many bad lovers in this world! Have you forgotten the Portuguese saying -É de pequenino que se torce o pepino?"
*nodding* you kill me. No, I haven't forgotten but I don't think the saying applies to this subject in particular.
Ana, thanks for making me laugh this week; you rock. Have a great Shabbat!
«they look as if their sex life were horrid» AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ouis, c'est bien vrai!
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the right wing with a modern look, modern discours. There is no conflict between conservative values and modernity in my opinion so I don't understand the reluctance to change.
J'aime ce post là! I wish conservatives in the whole world reads it.
Hi Louis :D!
Delete"«they look as if their sex life were horrid» AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ouis, c'est bien vrai!"
LOL malheureusement...
"I would like to see the right wing with a modern look, modern discours. There is no conflict between conservative values and modernity in my opinion so I don't understand the reluctance to change."
Right? I don't understand their reluctance either...sometimes they get to my wits, Louis. Can't you do something about it?
"J'aime ce post là! I wish conservatives in the whole world reads it."
Merci, mon cher! Yes, me too.
Louis, thank you ever so much for your stupendous comment (loved it) :D.
Cheers
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteI was rather surprised when I heard that France elected a new socialist government. I wasn't aware that socialism or strains of it ever left Europe. It's trying to slowly creep into America. It is interesting that Hollande chose 17 women and 17 men, maybe they will bring a different flavor into the government.
As far as the Right Wingers go, they should all have a stint on American Idol because if you can't sing or appeal to a younger audience, then you surely can't make it big time in politics.
As usual, you have delivered on all counts here.
Au revoir!
Hi Lady A :D!
Delete"I was rather surprised when I heard that France elected a new socialist government. I wasn't aware that socialism or strains of it ever left Europe. It's trying to slowly creep into America."
I wasn't. Sarkozy did an awful campaign; he didn't do his homework; he didn't deal with the right wing properly (even a centre-rightist voted for Hollande), and although he did some much needed reforms he'd lose focus when he'd insult journalists that made comments about his wife *nodding*. He'd personally call them and call them names. Holland was very smart, he did his homework.
Europe is now mostly Blue (the colour of the right wing) but Rose (the colour of socialism), with Hollande, may feel inspired to (God forbid) reclaim the old continent. America and socialism? No, perhaps social-democracy (and not the German kind which is equivalent to socialism)...
"It is interesting that Hollande chose 17 women and 17 men, maybe they will bring a different flavor into the government."
Maybe...we will have to wait and see. Tony Blair was Labour and he implemented conservative policies that were actually quite empowering to the middle class without waging a war against the rich - he was surprising. Let's see if Hollande learns from him.
"As far as the Right Wingers go, they should all have a stint on American Idol because if you can't sing or appeal to a younger audience, then you surely can't make it big time in politics."
LOL LOL right?
"As usual, you have delivered on all counts here."
Thank you *bowing*.
Girl, thank you so much for your awesome comment :D!
Printemps Cheers
Socialism does not sell dreams, it sells nightmares. Socialism and their social benefits have sucked our economies dry and look at us now! The right wing does better but always ends up paying in the end after cleaning up the sh@# left behind by leftists.
ReplyDeleteWomen, men it does not matter, black indian chinese or mixed it does not matter. If your a socialist you will ruin the state period.
Hi Anonymous :D!
Delete"Socialism does not sell dreams, it sells nightmares."
How dramatic of you, man ;).
"Socialism and their social benefits have sucked our economies dry and look at us now! The right wing does better but always ends up paying in the end after cleaning up the sh@# left behind by leftists."
That is true. lol how eloquently put...but you know there are exceptions: Tony Blair was one.
"If your a socialist you will ruin the state period."
Hyperbolic statement.
Anonymous, thank you so much for your much interesting input :D.
Cheers
I have meant to ask you this for quite some time now: are you a socialist in disguise, Max? You claim to be a right winger but then you admire Barack Obama, you mock the right wing and you attack those you are strict on immigration policies. You are definitely an infiltrator! Sincerely yours, S.S.
ReplyDeleteHi SS :D!
Delete"I have meant to ask you this for quite some time now: are you a socialist in disguise, Max?"
From your words I gather you are one of our readers: thanks for reading the articles.
A socialist in disguise...I could be, but I am not I'm afraid. I hope it is not too disappointing.
"You claim to be a right winger but then you admire Barack Obama, you mock the right wing and you attack those you are strict on immigration policies. You are definitely an infiltrator!"
Here we go...
I like Barack Obama because he is an intelligent individual who makes use of reason. I don't always agree with President Obama but I recognise that he has done a good job under the circumstances. I appreciate the fact that President Obama has fulfilled most of his electoral promises (how many political leaders can say the same?).
Besides, President Obama is not a leftist (if that is what you are implying), he is the equivalent to the Portuguese social-democrat.
I don't mock the right wing, I criticise the right wing as a right winger. Just because I am a conservative doesn't mean that I must abide to conservative narrow-mindedness, stupidity, obsoletism and extremism. I am a young conservative who wants to see the right wing in the 21st century and I won't apologise for it, mainly because the right wing is repelling the youth (i.e. the future) toward the left thus turning them away from the best thing we have (our conservative values: God Family Nation).
Phew, I finally let it out my chest lol...thanks.
SS, thank you for your comment and suspicions (I do love a good challenge) :D.
I hope to see more of you.
Cheers
Hey SS, what does your name stand for: Schutzstaffel?
DeleteAna,
Delete"Hey SS, what does your name stand for: Schutzstaffel?"
Seriously?!
Max, extremely serious! You shouldn't welcome this far right wing people in here; soon they will bring all their SS friends and tarnish the positiveness in here.
DeleteAna,
Delete"You shouldn't welcome this far right wing people in here; soon they will bring all their SS friends and tarnish the positiveness in here."
I don't think S.S. is an SS; nevertheless, I got your point. But take it easy! We do uphold freedom of speech, right?
Max, I always felt you were more a Centrist than either to the Left or the Right. But those are just words/labels that do not describe the emotional and intellectual complexity of a person.
ReplyDeleteConservative values are good--as long as they don't call out to or capitalize on extremism, gross opportunism or oppression. So often in this country at least, right-wing people show us that they feel a sense of entitlement and do not care about the common good. They act as if everyone is created equal. While they are equal in God's eyes and should be equal under the law, in truth many people are born with horrible problems engendered by poor health, poverty, drug abuse, and on and on. They deserve compassion and a chance to make their lives better.
Like you, I think Obama is a thoughtful, deliberate, decent and thinking man. He has tried hard to fulfill his promises and too often meets with opposition just because he does not represent the Old Guard: white male conservative.
I enjoyed your thought provoking post, and how you handled your own bit of opposition. ;)
My love to you, dear Max.
Hi Lynda :D!
Delete"I always felt you were more a Centrist than either to the Left or the Right. But those are just words/labels that do not describe the emotional and intellectual complexity of a person."
Well, I could be a Centrist but I strongly believe and abide by three Conservative values: God, Family and Nation.
Centrists do not put abide by these three values as a complete set; they either abide by Family and Nation; or by God and Family; or by Nation and Family or simply by Nation. To me, without the complete set society will never go back to being a less troubled one. But as a modern conservative (it sounds like an oxymoron, but it is not) I engage with the left, with centrists [even extremists (at least to learn from them)] and I try to reach an understanding, a compromise - which is one of the paths to democracy.
"Conservative values are good--as long as they don't call out to or capitalize on extremism, gross opportunism or oppression."
Agreed. But many conservatives (obsolete ones) do not understand that. And I worry about the radicalisation of both the right and the left wings (which lead to the same path: gross opportunism and/or oppression).
"So often in this country at least, right-wing people show us that they feel a sense of entitlement and do not care about the common good."
The American right-wing is puzzling, no doubt (mainly the most vocal ones: they sound outdated). But then you (and other countries as well) have leftists (I believe you guys call them liberals) who seem to believe they are the only ones concerned with the common good and then lead the country to economic chaos by believing in the wrong kind of redistribution...
"They act as if everyone is created equal."
Equality is a myth (and I won't say more because it is the theme of a future post).
"Like you, I think Obama is a thoughtful, deliberate, decent and thinking man. He has tried hard to fulfill his promises and too often meets with opposition just because he does not represent the Old Guard: white male conservative."
That's how I see him. So you think the opposition that President Obama faces is because he is black?
"I enjoyed your thought provoking post, and how you handled your own bit of opposition. ;)"
Thank you *bowing*. LOL oh I am used to opposition ;)...
Lynda, thank you ever so much for your outstanding comment (you were missed) :D.
Love and Cheers
Max, would the Gothic look do? It combines traditional with new. I do like this, provided they carry along a battle axe.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on both Sarkozy and Hollande dumping earlier wives for more stylish younger ones? That would be tricky for Marine Le Pen. Newt Gingrich and John Edwards tried similar tactics here in the US, but with unsatisfactory results. Then there is Bill Clinton. Do you think the same formula applies on both sides of the Atlantic?
Of course there is the saying: "If you aren't a socialist when you are 20, then you don't have a heart. If you are still a socialist when you are 40, then you don't have a brain." An aging population means a higher percentage over 40, doesn't it?
Hi Looney :D!
Delete"Max, would the Gothic look do? It combines traditional with new. I do like this, provided they carry along a battle axe."
LOL LOL LOL I hear you, I hear you LOL. Well, I like the Gothic look (when I was a teenager I wore a bit of it) but let's face it, no one would take a Gothic politician seriously.
This reminded me that I must produce an article discussing the conservatism of the Left Wing (you would be surprised at how conservative they can really be).
"Any thoughts on both Sarkozy and Hollande dumping earlier wives for more stylish younger ones? That would be tricky for Marine Le Pen."
There is a difference: Sarkozy (right wing) actually married his wives; while Hollande (left wing) kept/keeps domestic partners. But there is a similarity: both presidents married their mistresses. About marrying more stylish younger women: isn't it the dream of most egocentric men?
While this works in France, it wouldn't work in some other European countries (although post-revolution Portugal had a president [socialist] who was not married to the mother of his children - interestingly enough he was the one that helped throwing Portugal under the bus by dissolving the parliament in a crucial time [i.e. beginning to solve the economic situation in 2005] to so that José Sócrates would be elected...*no comments*)
LOL Marine Le Pen...she is so out of touch...
"Newt Gingrich and John Edwards tried similar tactics here in the US, but with unsatisfactory results. Then there is Bill Clinton. Do you think the same formula applies on both sides of the Atlantic?"
LOL very unsatisfactory results. Sidebar: how did Newt Gingrich manage to get so many wives? And then they say women only want good looking guys *nodding*...
The core can be applied to both sides of the Atlantic.
"Of course there is the saying: "If you aren't a socialist when you are 20, then you don't have a heart. If you are still a socialist when you are 40, then you don't have a brain." An aging population means a higher percentage over 40, doesn't it?"
Then I never had a heart lol. LOL LOL LOL I agree. It does mean that, but Portugal (an aging country) taught me that that doesn't mean a thing...
Looney, I absolutely loved your comment: thank you ever so much :D.
Cheers
I just admire your beautiful analysis and can only hope the right elements are reading this post. I guess somehow Governments around the world has become so stereotypical, where till attaining power, they will always be politically correct, which will appeal to the electorate and once they reach their goal, then they become all the same just like their previous heirs or even worse. Somehow, people today are left without choices. They all elect governments on the basis some expectation but ironically right or left, once they reach the top, then their only aim remains is to clinging on to power somehow. I do agree, leftism is returning not for its strengths but the weakness of the right wing conservatives, who would always love to see themselves as if they are one level up from the common masses and practice a strange degree of alienation as they think themselves as always being right. It may be a fragmented world but one thing remains the same, the style of functioning of Governments. The Democracy is in being autocratic!
ReplyDeleteHi Kalyan :D!
Delete"I just admire your beautiful analysis and can only hope the right elements are reading this post."
Thank you *bowing*. I can only hope myself, K.
"I guess somehow Governments around the world has become so stereotypical, where till attaining power, they will always be politically correct, which will appeal to the electorate and once they reach their goal, then they become all the same just like their previous heirs or even worse."
You have nailed it, my friend. And that is one of the reasons why people are so put off with politics today. Less and less people fulfil their democratic right & duty to vote (except in countries like Brazil where not voting is punishable by law)...
"I do agree, leftism is returning not for its strengths but the weakness of the right wing conservatives, who would always love to see themselves as if they are one level up from the common masses and practice a strange degree of alienation as they think themselves as always being right."
Exactly! They are arrogant and out of touch with reality; mainly today's reality and that annoys me (and other enlightened right wingers).
"It may be a fragmented world but one thing remains the same, the style of functioning of Governments. The Democracy is in being autocratic!"
*delighted*...
Kalyan, I absolutely loved your comment: thank you ever so much for it :D.
Cheers