Dear editor,
Ronald Reagan once said, “The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and an ally — not a 20% traitor.” - I love this quote by the way.
Romans 12 in the Bible says: "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God"
I've personally observed political elitism making its way throughout conservative circles across our great state. This idea that we must be all or nothing and have lost all civility. Have we lost our ability to be peacemakers? We pray in Jesus name all the time at these meetings but do we live it?
So, is the far right destroying conservatism? The answer might be yes… and no.
Yes, when “far right” means a loud, rigid minority more interested in winning purity contests than winning solutions. When it’s about drawing smaller and smaller circles to prove who’s “in” and who’s “out” instead of expanding the cause of liberty. When it’s more about social media hits than real policy wins. This is when we have lost our way.
But no, when “far right” is simply code for holding to the Constitution, protecting our God-given freedoms, or refusing to sell our values for political convenience. If that’s what’s being called “far right,” then it’s not destroying conservatism — it’s the only thing keeping it alive.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: too many self-described conservatives have stopped leading with courage. They’ve traded vision for vendettas, principle for popularity, and solutions for soundbites. Many think the way forward is to double down on hostility and drive out anyone who disagrees on a single point. This erodes both our foundation and fractures our coalition.
True conservatism has never been about extremes. It’s about tearing government back to the studs and rebuilding it to serve people, not itself. It’s about protecting personal liberty while ensuring personal responsibility. It’s about standing for truth, even when it’s unpopular, and leading with solutions that last for generations.
Wyoming doesn’t need more politicians trying to out-flank each other with political talking points. We need leaders willing to stand in the gap — to hold fast to our principles while actually listening to the people we serve. That’s not weakness; that’s wisdom. And it’s the only way we’ll keep the conservative movement from collapsing under the weight of its own infighting.
Let’s start asking a better question: Are we advancing the cause of freedom, or are we just advancing our own egos and elitism? If the answer is the latter, then we have become part of the problem.
The future of conservatism in Wyoming will be decided not by who yells the loudest, but by who works the hardest to make peace and give freedom back — because real freedom doesn’t need permission.
Sincerely,
Joseph Kibler, Laramie County
