While some on the right tried to convince themselves that Donald Trump was the root of all evil and that a great peace would fall upon society the moment he left the White House, reality had a different idea. With Joe Biden as president, the culture wars have only intensified, and they are now encompassing literally every aspect of life. From transgender bathrooms to something as simple as having any guidelines around voting, issues no one thought were relevant ten years ago are now front and center.

Further, they are given that prominence because major corporations have decided to get in bed with the woke in a feeble attempt to protect themselves from what they perceive are shifting cultural winds.

The question now becomes what to do about that (see It’s Time to Call the Bluff of These Woke Corporations, Here’s How to Make Them Pay). Republicans have long been in an abusive relationship with the business world, and in many cases, that abuse has been accepted with glee. We call those people “Chamber of Commerce Republicans.” But while the GOP fights for low tax rates and less regulation, massive corporations dump money into the coffers of Democrats and tell Republican voters they are bigoted prudes for objecting to the agenda of the woke.

That tension has caused a rift in the GOP itself, and the divide is centered around whether it’s acceptable to punish companies that fight against conservative interests, both politically and culturally. In other words, do major corporations have a birth-right entitling them to tax breaks, subsidies, and special government-created legal carveouts? I think most Republicans would say no, and to continue to feed the hand that bites you is idiotic.

Yet, the “muh private companies so we can’t do anything to fight back” crowd still exists on the right, especially among the more libertarian-leaning (and Never Trumpers just because they are contrarian). J.D. Vance was recently asked about that by Tucker Carlson, and he gave the perfect response.

"But JD, isn't Google a private company?"@JDVance1 with the perfect answer 😎 pic.twitter.com/Rtc1P3WI8I

— Ben Avraham (@TheCoolJew) April 11, 2021

What we are witnessing in this country is the attempted entrenchment of a Russian-style oligarchy, where mega-rich corporations dictate public policy through pressure campaigns and manipulation of the political environment. Republicans can fight back with every tool at their disposal, or they can mumble about principles and let the alligator eat them. I know which choice I’m making.

David French is fine with submitting to our oligarchy or complaining about it. But what must always be avoided is *action.*

God forbid we do something. https://t.co/eocppN4Fva

— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) April 13, 2021

Here’s the thing. I see absolutely nothing “conservative” about allowing the compilation of power in a bunch of unchecked corporations that refuse to at least stay in their lane. I certainly see nothing conservative about continuing to use taxpayer money to subsidize these entities while they go around promoting the very people who would destroy them if given the chance.

Corporations are playing a dangerous game having decided that it’s easier to try to game the regulatory system and let the government kill their competition (i.e. Amazon pushing for a $15 minimum wage and higher taxes) than it is to fight for truly free markets and economic growth. That may be within their right, but it’s also within the rights of the Republican Party to let them own the consequences of that position. Vance’s quip that he simply doesn’t care if Google is a private company is correct. If someone is suppressing free speech, gaining a monopoly on information, and amassing massive amounts of cultural power, who the heck cares whether it’s the government or a private company? If it’s happening, it’s worth fighting against.

Republicans are done being spit on by corporations that then demand tax breaks, subsidies, and big-government legal protections. If that bothers Chris, good. https://t.co/CngAf4ua1n

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) April 13, 2021

Some Republicans will never be comfortable with that and will be content to bleat about free trade and private companies for the rest of their existence. But most Republicans are done being stomped on, and surrender is not an option.