The Republican Party's social conservative wing has long been the underdog in the tripartite fusion of defense hawks, free market libertarians, and themselves.
Their pleas for an end to abortion and a return to Christian morality have often been met with lip service from Republican politicians who then proceed to ignore these issues once in office. However, the Trump era and the MAGA movement have brought about a shift in this dynamic, prioritizing social conservatives and their concerns after decades of neglect.
This shift was necessitated by the outdated fusionism that led to unnecessary wars and a corporatist economy. The need for new principles to rejuvenate the working and middle classes became evident, as did the realization that the abandonment of traditional morality has been disastrous for America, particularly the working class. As a result, the welfare and success of children emerged as a key principle of MAGA conservatism. Policies centered around children and families have proven to be the unifying factor for a diverse coalition on a wide range of issues.
In response to this shift, writer and pro-child activist Katy Faust has compiled a series of essays in her new book, "Pro-Child Politics: Why Every Cultural, Economic, and National Issue is a Matter of Justice for Children." The book presents a comprehensive policy program that prioritizes children in a world that has often overlooked them.
Faust's book serves as a rebuttal to those who dismiss populist talking points as uninformed mob passions. It covers all the main issues, offering clear, concise diagnoses and solutions for the biggest problems facing American children. The book is a valuable resource for readers unfamiliar with education policy, as well as a comprehensive summary for those with more background in these matters.
Each essay in the book follows a clear template, beginning with a story illustrating the problem, followed by a list of lies propagated by the corporate media and an explanation of how these lies harm children. The second half of each essay debunks these lies, explains how acknowledging reality would benefit children, and suggests how a pro-child politics could incorporate these truths to help children.
The book's format simplifies complex issues, making them more accessible to readers. It is reminiscent of the dialectics of Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica, where two sides are presented and the best resolution is determined after evaluating each point.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from environmental issues to border security and immigration. The authors skillfully connect these issues to children and families, highlighting the deep misunderstandings of human nature that have resulted in an imbalanced economic system and government that harm the majority of Americans.
The book also addresses issues directly related to children, such as the infiltration of leftist ideology into culture and institutions. Faust's essay "Family" explores the abuses of Big Fertility and the commodification of children, a topic that has gained urgency as both parties have embraced IVF and surrogacy.
However, the book could have devoted more attention to education issues. The American educational system needs a complete overhaul, and this problem affects children more than anything else. More essays on school choice in K-12 education and the need to fix the rot in colleges could have been included.
Despite this, Faust's book is a commendable effort to compile important arguments and present them in an accessible manner. "Pro-Child Politics" should be required reading for anyone looking to contribute to the welfare of children. The book is a testament to the progress of social conservatism and the work that still needs to be done to truly Make America Great Again.
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