Noam Chomsky critiques the current political landscape in the United States, arguing that true conservatism is rare among political leaders. He suggests that the term 'conservatism' has become misused, cloaking policies that promote a strong and aggressive government rather than aligning with genuine conservative ideals. This shift reflects a deeper intellectual malaise in society, where noble principles are often subverted for less honorable agendas.

Chomsky contends that contemporary policies favor a welfare state for the wealthy, underpinned by a reckless interpretation of Keynesian economics. He argues that such actions bolster both state and corporate power while jeopardizing the nation's future, highlighting the dissonance between the rhetoric of conservatism and the realities of political actions that challenge the principles it claims to uphold.