Conservatives are coming for porn. Late last year, four congresspersons wrote to Attorney General Bill Barr. They asked the Department of Justice to enforce obscenity laws and reduce access to pornography. The letter, signed by Brian Babin (R-Texas), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) claimed, “The internet and other evolving technologies are fueling the explosion of obscene pornography by making it more accessible and visceral.” They cited the fact that 15 states have declared porn a public health crisis.
The anti-porn movement, which is gaining momentum, reflects conservative distaste for smut. But it’s about more than that. Beyond the specifics of porn, the debate is yet another fault line between social conservatives and libertarians. At the most foundational level, the two camps are publicly diverging over the merits of capitalism. Prior to 2016, these fault lines were papered over, the differences underemphasized. But the American right is no longer avoiding these fights.
Read Full Article »