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Liberal Losers

Liberal Losers

When the Right Win, We All Lose

by m seenarine
Xpyr Press. 2024. 307 pages.
ISBN: 978-1-7346514-3-0
Available on Amazon

Summary

Conservative ideology in the United States has undergone a significant evolution since the nation's founding, becoming a defining force on the political landscape for decades. Rooted in core principles such as limited government, private ownership, individual liberty, and free-market capitalism, conservatism has been shaped by influential movements and figures like Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and the rise of the Tea Party. Understanding this historical context is crucial to grasping the modern right-wing agenda.

In recent years, Republicans have made notable gains in areas such as economic policy, social issues, immigration, environmental regulation, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. While right-wing ideology emphasizes values like limited government, its implementation can pose significant risks.

Liberal politics have also been pivotal in shaping the nation's trajectory. Grounded in the belief that government can and should be a force for good, progressive initiatives aim to tackle systemic inequalities and build a more inclusive and equitable society. This book explores the dynamic between conservative politics and liberal critiques across various domains, including the economy, social equality, democratic institutions, women's rights and health, immigration, the environment, and more.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Benefits of Liberal Politics - page 1

Chapter 2: Dangers of Right-Wing Politics - page 8

Chapter 3: Republican Economic Agenda - page 13

Chapter 4: Influence of Corporate Power - page 28

Chapter 5: Influence of Corporate Media - page 43

Chapter 6: Inequality & Homelessness - page 58

Chapter 7: Labor & Workers' Rights - page 76

Chapter 8: Republican Health Care - page 88

Chapter 9: Women's Reproductive Health - page 105

Chapter 10: Right-Wing Social Agenda - page 116

Chapter 11: 'War on Woke' - page 128

Chapter 12: Eurocentric Christian Nationalism - page 145

Chapter 13: Immigration Agenda - page 162

Chapter 14: 'Race' Relations & Diversity - page 178

Chapter 15: Hate Speech & Civil Rights - page 193

Chapter 16: Gun Rights & Violence - page 208

Chapter 17: Republican Prison Reform - page 223

Chapter 18: Right-Wing Environmental Agenda - page 235

Chapter 19: Criticisms of Right's Eco Agenda - page 247

Chapter 20: Going Beyond Conservativism - page 261

Sources - page 266

📣 Listen to Liberal Losers Podcasts (11 episodes) on Youtube

Liberal Losers Podcast - Introduction

TOC Detail

Chapter 1: Benefits of Liberal Politics

Introduction

Historical Roots of Liberal Politics

Liberal Politics & Economic Equality

Civil Rights & Social Justice

Healthcare as a Human Right

Education & Workforce Development

Environmental Sustainability

Conclusion

Chapter 2: Dangers of Right-Wing Politics

Introduction

Economy for the Wealthy

Increasing Social Inequality

Erosion of Democratic Institutions

Reducing Women's Rights & Health

Dehumanizing Immigrants

Deteriorating Environment

Conclusion

Chapter 3: Republican Economic Agenda

Introduction

Conservative Economics

Free Market Principles

Limited Government Intervention

Deregulation

Tax Cuts

Conservative Trade Policy

Liberal Criticisms of Free Market

Criticisms of Limited Government

Deteriorating Public Infrastructure

Liberal Criticisms of Deregulation

Liberal Criticisms of Tax Cuts

Tax Cuts & the Federal Deficit

Fiscal Responsibility

Criticisms of Conservative Trade Policy

Conclusion

Chapter 4: Influence of Corporate Power

Introduction

Conservative Views on Corporations

Interest Groups & Lobbying

Project 2025

Campaign Finance Freedom

Corporate Governance & Transparency

Liberal Criticisms of Corporate Lobbying

Corporate Tax & Profits

Corporate Bailouts

Criticisms of Campaign Finance Freedom

Criticisms of Citizens United (2010)

Supreme Court Corruption

Justice Clarence Thomas

Conclusion

Chapter 5: Influence of Corporate Media

Introduction

Media Consolidation

Impact of Media Consolidation

Conservative Mainstream Media

Right-Wing Talk Radio

Impact of Right-Wing Media

Media Defamation Lawsuits

Conclusion

Chapter 6: Inequality & Homelessness

Introduction

Conservative Views on Inequality

Welfare Reform & Work Requirements

Market-based Housing Policies

Support for Charitable Organizations

American Poverty

Undercounting the Poor

Racial Income Gap

Racial Wealth Gulf

Criticisms of Conservative Housing Policies

Racial Homeownership Disparity

California Housing Crisis

Florida Condo Crisis

Liberal Criticisms of Welfare Reform

Reduction of Federal Housing Assistance

Gentrification & Displacement

Homeless Crisis

Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024)

Causes of Homelessness

Liberal Criticisms of Charities

Conclusion

Chapter 7: Labor & Workers' Rights

Introduction

Free Market Principles

Personal Responsibility

Competitive Labor Markets

Labor Market Deregulation

Worker Freedom & Flexibility

Tax & Wage Policies

Education & Workforce Development

Racial Employment Gap

Liberal Criticisms of Personal Responsibility

Criticisms of Competitive Labor Markets

Criticisms of Labor Market Deregulation

Worker Flexibility vs. Job Security

Criticisms of Minimum Wage

Criticisms of Skills Training

Conclusion

Chapter 8: Republican Health Care

Introduction

Basis of Conservative Health Care

Repeal & Replace ACA

Attacks on Social Security & Medicare

Criticisms of Conservative Health Reform

American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017

Medicaid Reform

Declining Life Expectancy

Medical Debt Crisis

Impact of Medical Debt

Medical Tourism

Mental Health Crisis

Politicizing Mental Health

Drug Overdose Crisis

Addiction Treatment

Benefits of ACA

Proposals for Better Health

Conclusion

Chapter 9: Women's Reproductive Health

Introduction

Historical Context

Influence of Political Parties

Influence of Religious Organizations

Influence of Grassroots Movements

Broader Societal Attitudes

Conservative Gains Over Women

Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB8)

Mississippi's 15-Week Abortion Ban

Ohio's Heartbeat Bill

Alabama's Human Life Protection Act

Impact on Women's Rights

Impact on Women's Health

Impact on Society

Pro-Choice Advocacy Groups

Liberal Legal Challenges

New York's Reproductive Health Act (RHA)

Intersectional Approaches

Conclusion

Chapter 10: Right-Wing Social Agenda

Introduction

Individual Responsibility

Limited Government Intervention

Traditional Family Values

Project 2025 Social Policies

Conservative Education Reforms

Religious Freedom & Conscience Protections

Criticisms of Traditional Family Values

Criticisms of Project 2025

Ignoring the Mental Health Crisis

Criticisms of Conservative Educational Reforms

Religious Freedom vs. Discrimination

Conclusion

Chapter 11: War on 'Woke'

Introduction

Cultural Wars

Foundations of 'War on Woke'

Key Areas of 'War on Woke'

Right’s Boycott of Corporate America

Opposition to ESG or ‘Woke Capitalism’

Influence of Oil Lobby

'Stop WOKE Act' (2022)

'Don't Say Gay' Bill (2022)

Public Education Battles

Book Bans

Cultural Backlash

Identity Politics

Criticisms of 'War on Woke'

Criticisms of Conservative Curriculum

Criticisms of Book Bans

Conclusion

Chapter 12: Eurocentric Christian Nationalism

Introduction

Historical Roots

Exceptionalism & Biblical Literalism

European Supremacism

Immigration & Project 2025

Influence of Christian Nationalists

Social Implications

Charlottesville Unite the Right Rally (2017)

Capitol Riot (January 6, 2021)

Global Far-Right

Neo-Nazi Network

Criticisms of Christian Nationalism

Separation of Church & State

Christian Megachurches

Criticisms of Megachurches

Conclusion

Chapter 13: Immigration Agenda

Introduction

Border Security and Enforcement

Merit-Based Immigration

Legal Immigration Reform

Enforcement of Immigration Laws

Border Wall Construction

Travel Bans & Visa Restrictions

Ending DACA & TPS Programs

Expanding Public Charge Rule

Criticisms of Merit-Based Immigration

Benefits of Immigration

Economic Impact of Losing Immigrants

Liberal Criticisms of ‘The Wall’

Immigration Humanitarian Concerns

Cultural & Social Integration

Legal & Constitutional Issues

Conclusion

Chapter 14: 'Race' Relations & Diversity

Introduction

Individual Responsibility

Equal Opportunity

Equal Protection

Meritocracy

Colorblind Agenda

Blaming Cultural Factors

Reverse Discrimination

Ending Affirmative Action

Ending DEI

Voter ID Laws

Opportunity Zones

Empowerment Initiatives

Liberal Criticisms of Meritocracy

Criticisms of Colorblind Agenda

Criticisms of Cultural Determinism

Inclusive Meritocracy

Benefits of DEI

Benefits of Affirmative Action

Racist Voter ID Laws

Conclusion

Chapter 15: Hate Speech & Civil Rights

Introduction

Free Speech Absolutism

Individual Liberties

Defending Free Speech

Civil Discourse

Equal Protection Laws

Individual Rights vs. Group Equity

Principles of Group Equity

Challenges to Group Equity

Free Speech & Social Responsibility

Free Speech vs. Harmful Speech

Illusion of Free Speech

Musk & Hate Speech

Influence of Musk’s X

Liberal Criticisms of Absolutism

Effects of Hate Speech

Hate Crime Crisis

Racist Mass Shootings

Addressing Hate Crimes

Protecting Civil Rights

Enforcement of Civil Rights

Conclusion

Chapter 16: Gun Rights & Violence

Introduction

2nd Amendment

Individual Freedoms & Self-Defense

Cultural Significance of Guns

Opposing Gun Control

Supporting Legal Challenges

Expanding Gun Rights

Promoting Firearm Safety

Linking Crime to Mental Health

Gun Violence Crisis

Mass Shooting Crisis

Mass Killings: 2019-2023

Liberal Criticisms of Gun Rights

Public Safety vs. Individual Rights

Impact of Expanded Gun Rights

Gun Culture & Masculinity

Mental Health & Violence

Regulating Firearms

Conclusion

Chapter 17: Republican Prison Reform

Introduction

Criminal Justice Reform

First Step Act (2018)

Privatization of Prisons

Rehabilitation Programs

Incarceration Crisis

Criticisms of Conservative Reforms

Racist Justice System

Police Brutality Crisis

Victims of Police Brutality

Ending Police Brutality

Reforms & Racial Disparities

Mental Health & Crime

Improving Reforms

Conclusion

Chapter 18: Right-Wing Environmental Agenda

Introduction

Historical Context

Key Figures & Their Influence

Energy Independence & Security

Market-Based Solutions

Cap-and-Trade Systems

Carbon Tax

Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

Private Land Conservation

Project 2025’s Eco Agenda

Influence of Conservative Media

Denying Climate Change

Withdrawing From Paris Agreement

Repealing Clean Power Plan

Expanding On & Offshore Drilling

Relaxing Vehicle Emissions

Conclusion

Chapter 19: Criticisms of Right’s Eco Agenda

Introduction

Economic vs. Environmental Interests

Influence of Fossil Fuel Industry

Implementation Challenges

Environmental Impacts

Long-Term Economic Costs

Global Leadership

Equity and Social Considerations

Environmental Justice

Liberal Environmental Programs

Alternative Energy

Benefits of Liberal Policies

Benefits of Sustainable Practices

Land Conservation

Grassroots Movements

Conclusion

Chapter 20: Conclusion

Introduction

Conservative Themes

Limitations of Conservative Policies

Liberal Critiques & Implications

Promoting Equity & Inclusion

Evidence Supporting Liberal Approaches

Conclusion

Press News 012021

We published several articles in the fall of 2020, including:

"Repression of Anti-Racist Organic Intellectuals and Social Movements." Critical Mass Bulletin, Newsletter of the Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements, American Sociological Association, Volume 45 (4) Special Issue Fall 2020

"Moses Seenarine - Scholar/Activist Profiles." Critical Mass Bulletin, Newsletter of the Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements, American Sociological Association, Volume 45 (4) Special Issue Fall 2020

"Is Critical Race Theory Divisive? Politics and Curriculum in the Trump Era." Teaching/Learning Matters, American Sociological Association, Section on Teaching and Learning. Volume 51, Issue 4. Fall 2020

"Deconstructing ‘Race’ and ‘Whiteness’ in Critical Animal Studies." Mobilizing Ideas, Center for the Study of Social Movements, University of Notre Dame, Oct. 30

'Race' and 'Whiteness' in Academia

As I write this article at the end of August 2020, socially defined “minority” communities across the country are protesting yet another police shooting of an African American, that of 29-year old Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Earlier in the year, there were weeks of activism over the strangulation of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man in Minneapolis, Minnesota; the shooting of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African American female emergency medical technician in Louisville, Kentucky; the killing of Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old African American man in Atlanta, Georgia; the strangulation of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old African American massage therapist in Aurora, Colorado; and the death of many others at the hands of the police.

Although it is not readily apparent, discrimination against “minorities” is relevant to critical animal studies, and there are many ways in which “race” and “whiteness” intersect in the field. I saw this first-hand one summer when I attended a protest at a factory farm in Los Angeles. A deep racial division was evident at the demonstration, as most of the animal advocates outside the gates were middle-class European Americans, while the majority of workers inside the slaughterhouse were disadvantaged Latinas/os, African Americans, and Asians. Horrified by the stench of the place, I became even more aghast when the European American activists started calling workers “murderers.” And, when I queried the protesters outside if their pets were plant-based, some grew defensive, arguing that dogs and cats are natural carnivores and have to eat flesh. Ironically, cognitive dissonance allowed European American vegans to scream “murderer” at marginalized meat plant workers while continuing to support factory farms by buying animal flesh for their own pets.

Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to bridge this divide between activists and workers. Since the pandemic began, tens of thousands of “minority” and immigrant meat plant employees have become infected with the virus while working on animal slaughtering and disassembly lines. Deemed as “essential workers,” over a hundred meat plant employees have died from COVID-19. As a result, marginalized workers, their families and unions are calling for the closure of meat plants, along with doctors and health advocates. Animal advocates can help by campaigning alongside factory farm workers in resisting the livestock industry. The intersection of “race,” workers in meat plants, and the pandemic, is an important one for critical animal scholars to explore.

The are other ways in which “race” and “whiteness” intersect with critical animal studies. Educational institutions are not insulated from the effects of structural racism and the power of “whiteness” operating within the larger society. Universities and academic discourses reflect Eurocentrism and fortify structural racism, and scholars should examine how these larger social forces shape our disciplines. Despite claims of scientific objectivity and unbiased inquiry, there are several critical questions that remain largely unexplored in sociology and other disciplines.

For instance, why is there a lack of ethnic diversity in academia, generally, and more particularly, in our field? How does the lack of ethnic diversity in departments, in the academic literature, and in the use of citations, serve to reinforce Eurocentrism in our discipline? What are the consequences for a field of inquiry that is dominated by people with European heritage? Whose voices are included in the standard curriculum and knowledge base, which ones are excluded, and who decides? How do European ethnicity and cultural capital become entrenched as part of the discipline? And, how do European heritage and privilege bear upon the framing of research, the issues that are explored, the inclusion and exclusion of various voices, factors, social contexts, and so on?

There are other theoretical and material issues around “race” and “whiteness” that lack elaboration in critical animal studies. For instance, how does higher consumption of animal-based protein intersect with claims of Eurocentric supremacy and countries with majority European populations? How are over-consumption behaviors, and massive carbon footprints among a small middle-class in the Global North, subsidized by the impoverished masses in the Global South? How does the Western framing of individual “rights” for nonhuman animals conflict and contradict Indigenous notions of the “interconnectedness” of species? How are issues of representation, consent and objectification in the graphic imagery of animals and nature from the Global South, negotiated or ignored in animal studies and by nonhuman animal advocates and environmental organizations in the Global North? How do “conservation” campaigns in the Global North lead to corruption and dispossession in the Global South? And how does the promotion of ecotourism in the Global South for Westerners lead to trafficking, male violence and other problems for local women?

Although important first steps, the deconstruction of “race” and “whiteness” in our field will have limited outcomes if they are not accompanied by a decentering of Eurocentric theory and theorists, along with a centering of the work of socially defined “non-whites” — Indigenous, African American, Latina/o, Asian, and other. It is the responsibility of departments and academic fields to decenter Eurocentrism and increase ethnic diversity among scholars, scholarship, and the curriculum. Objectivity and transparency also oblige individual scholars to acknowledge ethnic privileges and to discuss how racial advantages may have influenced their career and research choices.

It is equally important for Western scholars to examine how their theoretical framing reflects perspectives in the Global North, and how these may differ from those of “minority” scholars and theories emanating from the Global South. Addressing the social influence of “race” and “whiteness” in our personal lives and careers is an important part of the process of deconstructing and decentering “whiteness” in our own scholarship, and in transforming the discipline in which we operate. The racist violence against Jacob Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, Elijah McClain, and the deaths of hundreds of “minority” meat plant workers from COVID-19, should inspire academics and their departments to do more in the cause of social justice for human and nonhuman animals alike.

Reprinted from:

Seenarine, Moses. 2020. "Intersection of 'Race' and 'Whiteness' in Academia," American Sociological Association (ASA), The Animals & Society Section Newsletter, Fall, pages 7-8.

About The Author

Dr. Moses Seenarine is the father of Jad and longterm ethical vegan. Seenarine immigrated with his family from South America to the USA in the late 1970s, and he is among the first generation to be college educated. His books include Meat Climate Change: The 2nd Leading Cause of Global Warming (2016); and Cyborgs Versus the Earth Goddess: Men’s Domestication of Women and Animals, and Female Resistance (2017). Seenarine has written dozens of articles on women, race, caste, migration, the environment, animals, and climate change. His work has been cited by the FAO, UNESCO, Human Rights Watch, Anti-Slavery International, the Institute for the Study of Labor, World Council of Churches, and many others.