This only makes sense when I realize that to conservatives, it’s an identity. They think it’s an identity that Taylor Swift should have because she’s (presumably) white, popular, rich, good looking, Midwestern, Christian, etc.
To them politics is not about ideas, or policies, or problem solving, or good governance. It’s all about identity.
Normally I’d take this chance to complain about liberals not being able to define liberal, but it’s more than a fair point these days that “conservatives” aren’t liberals anymore. They should be, to be “conservative” about the society they grew up in.
The modern American conservative now:
Hates liberals
Especially hates socialists
Rejects the idea of human rights
Rejects democracy
Wants a single, possibly hereditary leader both above the law and above criticism
Wants to reestablish colonialism/strong imperialism
Wants an ethno state or theocracy
Is wildly nationalist and xenophobic
Anyone want to pipe in with what that actually makes them?
fascism is just neoliberalism on steroids.
conservatives put the neoliberal work ethic and hierarchical logic on a pedestal. its probably part of the reason they want dictators.