TRUTH OR LIES: Inconvenient Truths versus Convenient Lies within a Conservative Worldview

“If you know the truth, the truth will set you free.”  (Bible)

“The opposite is true of lies.  Believing lies traps you, imprisons you, subjugates you to the liars.” (Jim DeMint)

“It isn’t so much that liberals are ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.” (Ronald Reagan)

We are living in a pivotal moment in history.  After four years of the Biden Administration and the resurgence of Trump 2.0 alongside the MAGA movement, two revelations have become increasingly clear for Conservatives:  the lies we’ve been fed that have reshaped our worldview, and the truths we must embrace that can help us reclaim it.

To explore these revelations, I turn to two authoritative voices.  The first is Jim DeMint, former U.S. Senator, cofounder and Chairman of the Board of the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) and author of “They’re Lying to You.”  In his book, DeMint identifies ten major lies that Americans have been fed in the guise of the truth.  The second is Vivek Ramaswamy, founder of Roivant Sciences (a biotech pharmaceutical company), 2024 U.S. Presidential candidate and author of “Truths” which outlines ten foundational principles for the Conservative movement.

Jim DeMint: Exposing the Lies

DeMint acknowledges that his perspective may be dismissed by the Left as the worldview of a privileged, racist, white nationalist, Bible thumping, sexist, climate denier.  Yet, he argues that these lies are rooted in the Left’s own worldview.  This highlights a critical point: what we perceive as lies or truths is often conveniently shaped by our underlying beliefs.  For Conservatives, understanding the lies that undermine our values is essential in reaffirming our principles.

DeMint’s concise 105-page book is must-read.  Here are the ten lies he identifies as most damaging to the Conservative worldview.

LIES:

1. Religion is Hate – Belief in God and organized religion cause hatred and oppress people
2. America is Racist and Evil – America was built on slavery and plagued with systemic racism
3. Climate Change is the Greatest Threat to Mankind – Climate change caused by man-made CO2 emissions will lead to ecological disaster
4. White People are Privileged – Whites enjoy lifelong, unearned advantages over other races
5. Women are Disadvantaged – Women held back by sexism which prevents equal pay and powerful jobs
6. Capitalism is for the Greedy Rich – Capitalism is an oppressive system that helps the rich and hurts the poor
7. Big Government is Good for the Poor – Massive federal programs provides essential services lifting Americans out of poverty
8. Open Borders are Compassionate – Looser immigration restrictions and border enforcement are good for America
9. If you Don’t Agree with the Left, you are Racist – If you hold Conservative political views, you are a racist
10. The Constitution is Outdated, Unfair, and Unnecessary – The U.S. Constitution is an outdated document, stands in the way of progress and benefits a select few

Vivek Ramaswamy: Affirming the Truths

Ramaswamy argues that the modern Republican Party has “failed to articulate an affirmative alternative to the Left’s vision.”  He contends that Conservatives must “stand for the truth” especially as the “modern Left has abandoned truth, often dismissing it as an inconvenient social construct.”  His 197-page book is equally compelling, presenting ten truths that Conservatives must champion.

TRUTHS:

1. God is Real – The big-bang theory is consistent with and affirms the concept of a creator because is suggests a definitive moment of creation.
2. The Climate Change Agenda is a Hoax – If it wasn’t, they’d be lining up to support nuclear energy, the cleanest form of energy.
3. An Open Border is Not a Border – Without a border we have no country.
4. There are Only Two Genders – The science has been settled for thousands of years.
5. There are Three Branches of the U.S. Government, Not Four – The “administrative state” has way too much power and has the ability to make laws Congress never imagined.
6. The Nuclear Family is the Greatest Form of Governance – It’s a fact that kids who grow up with a Mom and Dad do far better than single-parent households.
7. Reverse Racism is Racism – Discrimination is evil regardless of which side does it.
8. Nationalism Isn’t a Bad Word – Diversity is not a strength; unity is strength.
9. Facts are Not Conspiracies – At its core, science is about asking questions. Asking questions doesn’t make you a conspiracy theorist.
10. The U.S. Constitution is the Strongest Guarantee of Freedom in History

Bridging Lies and Truths

DeMint’s lies and Ramaswamy’s truths intersect with at least six key topics, underscoring the importance of understanding the facts that expose these lies and affirm these truths.  This knowledge equips Conservatives to engage in informed conversations – whether with fellow Conservatives who may be unaware or with family and friends on the Left who have been misled by the Democratic Party and major institutions.

In my next two blogs, I’ll delve deeper into the key ideas and facts that dismantle these lies and reinforce these truths to inform your future conversations.  Stay tuned!