The Right doesn't need to remake itself. It just needs courage
In conservative and largely online circles, the term “NETTR” has gained traction. It stands for “no enemies to the right.” The underlying thinking is that those to one’s left are the enemies, and those to one’s right, just by mere placement, can’t be. It sounds good in theory: that “owning the Libs” matters most of all. In practice? It’s destructive in both the short and long term.
TL;DR
- The term 'NETTR' ('no enemies to the right') has gained traction in conservative online circles, suggesting that those on the right cannot be enemies.
- This mentality is criticized as destructive, enabling the spread of white nationalism, Christian nationalism, antisemitism, racism, and authoritarian tendencies within the Right.
- Erick Erickson's article 'The Midwestern Führerbunker Driving the Right Off the Cliff' highlighted figures like Charles Haywood and institutions like the Claremont Institute for promoting ethnically focused Christian nationalism and racism.
- The backlash against Erickson demonstrates a 'doubling down' by those promoting these ideologies, rather than self-correction.
- The urgency to defeat the Left should not lead to the dismissal of core conservative principles or the acceptance of racism, antisemitism, and authoritarianism.
- Conservatives have a duty to point out these abuses within their own movement, even when it is uncomfortable.
- The solution for the Right is not to remake itself in the image of the moment or adopt the failures of the Left, but to embrace courage and stand by its principles.