To the Disillusioned Conservative Who Still Loves America

By Trygve Olson

The party many of us grew up believing in — the one that talked about personal responsibility, the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, constitutional integrity, and serving as the “Last Great Hope for All Mankind” — doesn’t exist. That’s not on you. That’s on those who sold it out for power. Who traded principle for proximity. Who let grievance become their gospel. Who are selling out for 30 pieces of silver.

But here’s the thing: loving America means you don’t give up when the country takes a wrong turn. You fight for what it can be — not just what it used to be. That means putting country over party. That’s the whole ballgame.

If you feel like a political orphan, join the club. I spent my life working in Republican politics — in the U.S. and around the world — helping people stand up to autocrats. And I’ll tell you this from Minsk, Belarus to River Falls, Wisconsin: the moment you stop standing for democratic principles is the moment you’ve already lost. Because democracy is win-win. Autocracy is zero-sum.

You know it in your gut. Democracy lets us argue and still be Americans. It lets us protest our leaders and still believe in our nation. It gives your kids the freedom to grow up and disagree with you. That’s the point. That’s the promise.

So what do you do?

1. Reject the cynicism. The people who want you to believe nothing matters are the ones most invested in making sure nothing changes. They want you exhausted. Numb. Tuned out. Because if you give up, they win by default. Don’t give them the satisfaction.

2. Remember your values. If you believe in liberty, the Constitution, and a government that answers to the people — you’re still a conservative. Don’t let populists and demagogues steal your name. There is nothing conservative about conspiracy. Nothing patriotic about authoritarianism.

3. Join a coalition. You don’t have to agree with liberals or moderates on every issue — but you do have to fight side-by-side with them to defend the system that lets us disagree in the first place. We fight today so we can disagree tomorrow. That’s not compromise. That’s courage.

I get it. It’s easy to feel alone. Maybe your family doesn’t get it. Maybe your church doesn’t talk about it. Maybe your old political friends look at you like you’ve lost your way like mine do. But here’s the truth: you haven’t lost your way. You’ve just decided not to follow theirs by striving to do better rather than trying to be someone or something at the cost of selling your soul.

And if you ever doubt whether it’s worth it, think about the next generation. Think about whether you want them growing up in a country ruled by fear and lies — or one grounded in hope, honesty, and hard democratic work.

Because this isn’t just about politics. It’s about legacy. What kind of ancestors are we going to be?

You still love America. Good. That means you still have a stake in its future. Now choose to defend it. That’s what patriotism looks like in this moment.

Stand up. Speak out. Side with democracy and anyone who will stand beside you regardless of where they would be in normal times.

Trygve Olson is a strategist, pro-democracy fighter and a founding Lincoln Project advisor. He writes the Searching for Hope Substack. Read the original column here.

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