Monday, March 07, 2005

The Conservative

I often ask myself why I am a conservative. Why do I believe the way that I do? What are the foundations of my beliefs? Why do those beliefs anger and offend so many people? Well, let me here try to explain.
To me, conservatism is about drawing a line in the sand. It is not about changing society. It is about trying to hold onto what is left of our founding fathers dream for this country. It is about protecting what is good and pure in our culture. And it is about looking at the changes sweeping through our country and our culture and considering their unintended consequences. It is not about fearing change, but instead, understanding that change for change’s sake is not a good thing. It is simply about saying ‘enough.’
I have heard many liberals state that the conservatives have stolen their country. This just simply is not true. They scream that the Christians are now trying to force their ideology on every living American. Here’s a heads up for you...this country is now and has always been Christian dominated. This is nothing new. What is new is the secular attack on Judeo-Christian values. Do Jews and Christians want to put the ten commandments on the step of every courthouse just because it now sits on a few? No. Do the progressives want to remove any mention of God from our culture? Often they do.
But let us look for a moment at unintended consequences. Personally, I would not be against Gay marriage if I thought that is where the definition change would end. But I have lived in this litigious society long enough to know what the future would then hold. How long after marriage is redefined before a polygamist sues for ‘equal protection’? How long until incest is supported in marble halls of our highest courts?
Where does it stop? When is ‘enough’?

With that said, here is a list of where this conservative draws the line in the sand...

-The conservative wants to protect capitalism not be force fed socialism.
-The conservative does not want to reinforce illegal activities by issuing Drivers Licenses.
-The conservative does not want to upset the balance of power in the government by giving legislative power to the Judiciary.
-The conservative does not want to delete all mentions of God from our society.
-The conservative believes in the right of private property. He believes the government has no right to his legally earned property. He believes Eminent Domain is an attack on that right.
-The conservative believes our military should remain under control of our government...not the U.N. or world opinion.
-The conservative does not wish to take any rights away from Gays, he just does not wish to give them any special ones.
-The conservative does not fear for his country from Democratic party of John F. Kennedy, but he does from the party of Howard Dean and Michael Moore.
-The conservative does not wish to abridge the First Amendment rights of academia, he just does not want to pay to have the downfall of America preached on our college campuses.
-The conservative does not wish to stop you from or force you to practice whatever religion you wish. But he does not want the secularists and government to stop him from honoring his own.
-The conservative does not care about your sexuality. He just does not want it force fed to him and his children through the culture and schools.
-The conservative does not mind paying his fair share of taxes. He just feels the government should be held accountable for how they spend them.
-The conservative believes in the beauty and conservation of nature. He just does not deny nature’s dark side.
-The conservative thinks the rich should do their part for society by paying their fair share of taxes. But, the conservative also believes the poor should at least have to add something.
-The conservative believes in responsibility, honor, and the sacredness of a man’s word. He does not believe these things are merely risible and quaint.
-The conservative believes in independence from government not reliance on government.
-The conservative believes in freedom and liberty for all, not just Americans.
-The conservative believes we are the United States of America, not the United States of Europe.
-The conservative believes that compassion is not feeding a man, but instead giving that man the opportunity to feed himself.
-The conservative believes success is something to strive for...not that the successful are necessarily evil.
-The conservative believes that prison should be a penalty, not a rooming house.
-The conservative believes that freedom has risks and responsibilities.
-The conservative believes that you can not pay a teacher enough for what a parent should do for free.
-The conservative believes schools should teach the truth whether it is PC or not.
-The conservative believes limitations are mostly self imposed.
-The conservative does not believe the Constitution is a ‘living document’.
-The conservative believes logic overrules emotion.
-The conservative believes one should be judged by one’s character, not one’s race or sex.
-The conservative believes the sexes are equal, but different.
-The conservative believes that life is precious.
-The conservative believes notoriety should come from deeds not infamy.
-The conservative hates war but understands it is sometimes a necessary evil.
-The conservative believes the liberal has a right to his opinions.
-The conservative believes the procuring of knowledge is the responsibility of the individual, and thus the lack of knowledge is not an excuse for irresponsible behavior.
-The conservative believes in the abilities of his fellow man. And does not demean him through pity.
-The conservative believes in freedom of speech...including Air America, NPR, Fox News, blogs, and talk radio.

In the end I will state, the conservative did not steal your country. The conservative is what is left of your country.

Crossposted @ The Wide Awakes.