How the Language of Morality Became a Cover for Fear and Power

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Thom Hartmann: For decades, Americans have been told that "conservative values" stood for restraint, responsibility, and respect for the rule of law.

Posted by A_Friend at 10:32 PM | 7 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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How the Language of Morality Became a Cover for Fear and Power ... hartmannreport.com/p/is-conserv ...

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-- Thom Hartmann (@hartmannreport.com) Jan 20, 2026 at 9:46 AM

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Conservative values

Look no further than the conservative posters we have here to understand the lie that is "conservative values."

#1 | Posted by qcp at 2026-01-20 01:25 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

#7 You are 100% correct, QPC.

Spot-on target.

#2 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-20 01:32 PM | Reply

#8 Apologies, QCP! :-)

#3 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-20 01:32 PM | Reply

"Conservative values" is an oxymoron.

They have no values. Every single one of them has been shown to be nothing more than high road cudgels to attack opponents with because they have no solid argument to counter.

We've seen every single so called "value" get thrown in the proverbial burn bin when once it became inconvenient or inhibitory to what they wanted.

#4 | Posted by jpw at 2026-01-20 03:27 PM | Reply

@#10 ... "Conservative values" is an oxymoron. ...

Prior to Pres trump's takeover of the Conservative, formerly known as the Republican, I'd say that they did have values.

Did I agree with all their values? No.

But I agreed with many of those values.

Then the Tea Party came along, and seemed to have substituted misogyny and racial bias for values.

That was a turning point in my political opinion and views.

Circa 2005 or so.

It convinced me to change from my Republican Party affiliation (and give up a political position I had been appointed to in the the State of Connecticut) to be Unaffiliated here in Connecticut.

#5 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-20 10:53 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest, best financed, most applauded, and, on the whole, least successful exercises in moral philosophy. That is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness".

#6 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-01-20 11:11 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 5

Prior to Pres trump's takeover of the Conservative, formerly known as the Republican, I'd say that they did have values.

No, they had claimed values that were only relevant when convenient for their ultimate goals of money and power. Usually to paint their opponents in negative lights and attempt character assassinations.

As far as I can tell, they've never been genuine for the plurality of Republicans, including the base.

#7 | Posted by jpw at 2026-01-21 11:44 AM | Reply