Radicals! That is my answer to Jean Bryenton’s query about what we should call today’s so-called conservatives (“Conservatives are not living up to their name,” July 8). The word “radical” is derived from the Latin word radix, meaning root.

Project 2025, a policy blueprint from far-right Republicans, was designed to radically restructure the executive branch, consolidating power in the president.

Like radical surgery, it was designed to remove the roots of our existing federal government, of our very democracy and its institutions, which these political radicals see as diseased. Bipartisan and skilled civil servants gone, replaced by party loyalists. Independent regulatory agencies gone, except for ones like the Fed, which rich right-wing oligarchs want to be independent. 

Rights? Not enhanced and expanded. Rooted out and thrown away. Freedom of speech? Not for those who criticize ICE. Freedom of religion? Maybe not, unless one is a Christian nationalist. Suspension of habeas corpus? Stephen Miller would love it. Rule of law gone, due process and all. Let’s throw out the whole Constitution while we’re at it.  

Conservative, from the Latin word conservare meaning “to preserve, keep intact or guard,” can hardly be said to define the political right. It is not well-rooted, deeply rooted, in conserving our democratic institutions; it is rooted in tearing out those roots.

Jay Lacke
Westbrook