I grew up Republican. Still am in many ways. But MAGA pushed the party so far right that I get called a liberal now.
Let me explain the difference:
Traditional Republicans believe in:
⢠Fiscal responsibility (balanced budgets, not exploding deficits for tax cuts)
⢠Limited government (actual small government, not big government that punishes your enemies)
⢠Strong institutions (courts, elections, constitutional norms matter)
⢠Personal responsibility (your actions have consequences)
⢠Free markets (not tariffs and trade wars)
⢠Strong alliances (NATO, international partnerships)
⢠Rule of law (no one is above it, including the president)
MAGA Republicans believe in:
⢠Whatever Trump says today (even if it contradicts yesterday)
⢠Loyalty tests (agree 100% or you're a traitor/RINO)
⢠Conspiracy theories over facts (stolen election, deep state, QAnon adjacent stuff)
⢠Grievance politics (owning the libs > actual policy)
⢠Personality cult (Trump loyalty above party, above country, above truth)
⢠Performative outrage (culture war theater instead of governance)
⢠Ends justify means (storm the Capitol, ignore election results, whatever it takes)
I didn't move left. The party moved off a cliff.
I still believe in conservative principles. But when you say "maybe we should respect election results" or "fiscal responsibility matters" or "rule of law applies to everyone," you get called a liberal.
That's not conservatism. That's a cult.