Rebuilding the Familiar

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Rebuilding the Familiar

AmazingPolly.net
Published by Polly St. George in 21st Century Renaissance · 20 February 2021
Tags: InspirationPlansConservatives
I’d like to follow up a bit on my latest upload, called “What is to Become of us, Conservatives?”

I addressed that talk to small-c conservatives because I believe we are the ones being marginalized in favor of a ‘progressive’ society.  It is our way of life - maybe even our way of *being* in the world - that is, I believe, being attacked, undermined and buried by the would be global rulers.  I sense a strong need for widescale conservative push back now, and push back in real-world ways that the oligarchs of this technocratic progressivism aren’t expecting and cannot easily counter.

There is, however, a rather large hurdle inherent in trying to motivate conservatives, who, by their very nature, are not eager to make big changes or get out of tried and true routine. It goes something like this:

“Aren’t ‘big changes’ exactly what we are going through right now? Isn’t that *exactly* why we’re all so miserable?”

Fair enough. And if you read Michael Oakeshott’s “On Being Conservative” you’ll get confirmation to that effect with regards to the typical conservative disposition & personality. Oakeshott writes at length about conservatives being more inclined to enjoy what they have rather than pursuing the next great toy or adventure. He confirms what we know about ourselves instinctively: we rely on the routines we have created and we try to work with as they are rather than propose sweeping changes. Conservatives, Oakeshott claims, understand that strict and predictable rules of conduct are the foundation of personal freedom because evenly applied laws, rules and codes allow us to understand the limits of acceptability & legality and that knowledge frees us to fully focus on our own tasks rather than worrying about whether or not rules will change without warning or if arbitrary enforcement actions might suddenly dash all of our prior efforts. (Note: It is fascinating to contrast this attitude to that of progressives & Liberals who seem to believe that laws, rules and codes of codust are restrictive to freedom.)

I believe that these conservative traits have kept us from fighting against the rising tide of progressivism - they were used against us, in fact.  Progressives knew that conservatives would choose co-operation and compromise over the discomfort of down in the dirt fighting about each little proposed change.  Now those small compromises, having all been made, have turned into the complete disruption of all routine, codes of conduct, and even, in many places, an abandonment of the rule of law.

Simply stated: Conservatives want to find a way of life which brings them contentment and then be left alone to pursue that life unmolested. The trouble is that in a globalized world there are fewer place to go to opt-out of the ever-changing schemes of the progressives, and they don't want to live and let live. They want to dominate everyone.

Conservatives, I think, have been holding on to the hope that they could just shrink themselves down enough to avoid being caught up in the progressive world. We’ve acquiesced to their idea of ‘improvement’ thousands of times believing that we could make these small sacrifices for now, and eventually they'd be satisfied. We’ve sighed and felt annoyed and attempted to adapt for the sake of getting along. We’ve contented ourselves, (as is our temperament) to enjoying whatever vestiges of familiarity we could find and until this last half-decade, perhaps, it’s been possible to have a happy life doing so.  But look at what’s happened while we’ve shrunk ourselves down and denied our own wants and needs.  The progressives never did become satisfied and we've reached the point where progressives have literally put plexi-glass barriers between ourselves and our fellow people.  They even keep us from our own family members and monitor us in our homes.

In our present moment, then, small ‘c’ conservatives are more uncomfortable than anyone else. Our bent to stick to routines, preserve what we have and to seek comfort and laughter in the present moment has been made impossible by people who have the power to try to force everyone to walk a wobbly tightrope towards their (insane) idea of a distant, global utopia. And that’s exactly what it feels like, out here on this wire. Uncertain, precarious, and, at the same time insistent on our full and complete focus. “Don’t look down!” we think. “Don’t look down because if you do you will fall! Just keep walking until you make it to the other side!”

But what is on the other side, anyway? Probably just another small platform on which we might catch our breath before being pushed along to the next way station in the never-ending high-wire act of ‘progress.’

What can we do?

I believe that leaving the soulless cities to rejuvenate the small, dying towns across North America is a possible answer. Like pioneers, we can venture out and cultivate. We can bring commerce back to the main streets.  We can plant the neglected fields. We can join in and enliven the small town communities - not by seeking to change them, but  to enhance and strengthen them.  We can get involved with loval boards and town halls. We can provide entertainment, education, and events which are meant to give everyone a chance for laughter in the present moment.

As these routines and habits become established in small towns across North America, others who are looking to leave the progressive dystopias will be drawn to our towns and the growth will go from a trickle to a waterfall.
Eventually, my hope is, there will be enough towns with enough rejuvenated people in them that we become a force of nature. After all – the technocrat plan is sure to fail. It cannot last. We must be there when it crumbles to provide a way of life that is truly sustainable – that is familiar, solid, just, healthy and free.

Yes, giving up the urban life you’ve had will mean a temporary loss of comfort (but they’re making you give that up anyway, aren’t they?) It will require that you scrap your previous plans (but how many of your plans are you able to pursue in COVID lockdown, anyway?) It will require that you take risks (or you could instead allow Big Brother to shelter you from them). It will require that you wave goodbye to the society to which you once belonged (but isn’t that society blown to bits already?) It will require that you go headlong into the unknown in order to build a place where you can re-create the known, the tried and the true.  

By taking back control in a network of small towns from coast to coast it may be possible to (eventually, and with a lot of effort by a committed group of people) secure a country where your children can know stability, tradition, the rule of law, the value of hard work and the joy of laughter in the present moment. At the very least, by leaving the smart-city urban grid for the small towns, you’ll be on an adventure of your own choosing. Succeed or fail on your own steam. That is what life is all about.

-Polly

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Thank you and God bless.


24
reviews
ponchoramic
21 Feb 2021
That indeed is what life is about.
Jan
20 Feb 2021
I really enjoyed just hearing you talk on the topic of carving out a place where we Conservatives can just be left alone! I am so with you. I’m 77, by the way. Keeping talking about the idea of creating a simple life as you describe. Of course, once we all make it a happy peaceful place, the Left will find us and demand to join us so they can “improve” everything!! Please do more old-time radio chats!! I loved it.
gary webb
20 Feb 2021
Albeit in a small way myself and an on-line friend have taken that leap. Now into our sixties we have sold most of our belongings to live a simple life in a small village in Europe. We will try to prepare for the worst but are hopeful for a better future. Using the surrounding woods to source building materials and carry out as much of the work as possible in an effort to break free of the matrix. No doubt sacrifices need to be made.
Good luck to those who are willing to take that leap of faith. Good work Polly, from 2 fans.
Uhtred
20 Feb 2021
I am sure there are many, many, individuals and families that are thinking exactly this. From watching your videos, I have learned that you are usually ahead of the game and though it may take the rest of the world some time to catch up they will. This is the future.
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