Thirty years ago this summer, during the spectacle of the Clarence Thomas hearings, the late Judge Robert Bork said to the late Irving Kristol, “This is truly the end of Western civilization.” Kristol, upon hearing Bork’s assessment, agreed but put his own spin on things: “Of course it is. But it’ll take a long time. Meanwhile, it’s still possible to live well.”

These days, conservatives once again have good reasons to be down. Progressive Democrats are in charge of the presidency and both houses of Congress. (Narrowly, to be sure, but in charge.) A global pandemic has vastly expanded the power and ambition of government. Deficits continue to climb, and the national debt is close to unmanageable levels, with tax hikes and inflation likely to follow. The media, universities, and now woke corporations all seem dedicated to imposing their favored policies while shutting out the views of others.