What I object to Gemfem is the soul of conservatism, which is opposition to all movement in the direction of social and economic equality, personal and cultural freedom, and intellectual and scientific enlightenment. The modern conservative movement is built on a backlash against the gains in racial, gender and class equality. I object to conservatives trying to block or reserve every bit of social and political process and if they had their way we'd have little freedom of speech, the press, and no social safety net. This vision of theirs, this tired old rag that doesn't work, lives on in the hearts of conservatives and they watch for every opportunity to turn back the clock a bit more. ...

What I object to Gemfem is the soul of conservatism, which is opposition to all movement in the direction of social and economic equality, personal and cultural freedom, and intellectual and scientific enlightenment. The modern conservative movement is built on a backlash against the gains in racial, gender and class equality. I object to conservatives trying to block or reserve every bit of social and political process and if they had their way we'd have little freedom of speech, the press, and no social safety net. This vision of theirs, this tired old rag that doesn't work, lives on in the hearts of conservatives and they watch for every opportunity to turn back the clock a bit more. Under Reagan, Bush, and Bush, they've had a field day. And trust me, the threat is far from gone.