Defining American Conservatism

MSMB ^ | October 13, 2009 | Rob W. Case

[Making_Sense [Rob W. Case]]

Many times, I feel that there is a vital need to bring certain subjects and ideas down to earth for detailed examination. Too many times, there are fundamental truths that people either skew, or demonize to a point that its roots are almost unidentifiable. They do this because they do not want people like you and me to be aware of the powers and rights we actually have. If we the people are unaware of our rights and powers and are completely ignorant of our civic duty to maintain these fundamental truths, then it will be easier to trick us into giving them up completely. Workers who want those roots destroyed attempt to deface the truths connected to them and in their pursuits to deface them, they try their hardest to make those truths appear undesirable so that when people are exposed to them again, they are either turned off, hate, or see a threat in what is the counterfeit image that they think is actually the root itself.

[Making_Sense [Rob W. Case]]

This is an article written to effectively communicate the ideals of and explain the fundamentals of American Conservatism. For every true Conservative this is a refresher course, and to those who may have a difficult time explaining what Conservatism actually is to others (like liberals who may be Conservative, but may have a warped view of the term Conservatism), this is for you. ENJOY!

[Talisker]

For me, American conservatism boils down to one single concept: negative rights.

Anything else is treason.

[ziravan]

This is how I define conservatism on the campaign trail: Reagan’s triad of national security, protecting community standards, and fiscal discipline. True conservatism embraces all three legs of the triad.

http://www.timothyforcongress.com

[tsomer]

Conservatives are actually the true liberals:

We believe in freedom,and it’s concomitant, responsibility.

We are committed to free speech.

We are committed to tolerance.

” “ freedom of religion, except doctrines that at their core advocate active violence against other persons, their rights, and who seek to actively undermine these. Tolerance must be reciprocal.

We believe property rights are the foundation of all other rights, and that the self is the fundamental procession of the individual.

We believe governments role is to protect property rights against external threats: national defense and law and order.

We believe in national autonomy against meddling by other governments.

We believe in open scientific inquiry.

As an extension of the right to own property, we acknowledge a right to privacy and the sanctity of the home. There is a public sphere as well, and this obliges respect for others, expressed as public decorum.

An incomplete list. Suggestions welcome. Point 3 is problematic, admittedly, perhaps to some extent dangerous as expressed here.

[Altura Ct.]

Anything or person that doesn’t protect us, “We The People”. That doesn’t protect Western culture, values and mores. That doesn’t seek to preserve the Constitution, our heritage, traditions, culture & way of life is antithetical to the The United States of America. Why would I support anyone who doesn’t support these? The US is more then just ‘ideas’ although many Marxist, globalist and nation destroyers would have you think otherwise including many ‘Republicans’.

[Clemenza]

I hate to say this, but the drift leftward and cultural rot is largely due to the actions and decisions of “the People.” The masses are just as complicit in our potential demise as the political class.

[Clemenza]

BTW: Fidelity to the original intent of our Constitution. Everything else that masquerades as “conservatism” is deviation.

[Altura Ct.]

I don’t disagree in that “The People” have been too trusting of our elected offical including the Republicans. But we either take a stand or sit down and shut up.

[Making_Sense [Rob W. Case]]

You know, I am so glad you posted that list. I think you should really place that in an e-mail and widely circulate it. When evil people have a hold on something for so long, they get lazy and cannot continue to defend their positions because in their laziness, they either do not remember or never learned the origins of why they say the slanderous things they say against Conservatives.

Also in providing that list, you resurrected a quote that I haven’t thought of in years, and it was by Zell Miller, the Conservative Democrat who supported President Bush in 2004.

“Civil Rights have been the great issue of my time and I cannot help thinking I’ve lived long enough to watch history come full circle. When I was a young state senator arguing that race should not matter, I was considered a liberal. Now, forty years later, when I am an old U.S. senator and argue that race should not matter, I’m considered a conservative.”

Zell Miller (“A National Party No More: Conscience of a Conservative Democrat” page 140—original hardcover)

[Making_Sense [Rob W. Case]]

I strongly agree. This could make for a very interesting article, but there is something to be said about these liberal Republicans that I think is worth examining.

1. Are things so bad in America that the only thing left in our survival is to give in to the demands of the global community? In other words, is there nothing left in America and as such are they saying nothing in hopes that doing so will not provoke chaos?

2. Is it that these Liberal Republicans would rather see America’s sovereignty signed over to the world community under a Democrat President, granting them a strong political weapon to play against the Democrats.

3. Are liberal Republicans weak in principle and conviction and giving in to Democrats in order to maintain their grasp of political power.

4. Are liberal Republicans just stupid (or lacking wisdom)? Even if they compromise their principles and sell out to the Democrats, will they realize that the people elected them as Republicans to govern as Republicans, or are the people whom those representatives represent supporting the bill and in so doing, is the Republican if they act Republican standing of the way of the wanted bill?

5. Are liberal Republicans following Democrats based on political threats that might badly damage or downright destroy their political careers?

There are so many scenarios. If they are sincere and rooted in the conviction that something is bad for their people, they should take their argument to the people and let them decide. One thing I like about my representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) is that she tells you how she voted, her rationale for voting the way she voted, and giving you a multiple choice questionnaire to fill out and send back so she can effectively represent the people of Illinois. That’s good leadership right there. It signifies, of the people, by the people, and for the people.

[tsomer]

Rob,

Kind words, much appreciated.

It’s true, we need a kind of Apostles Creed for Conservatives, a statement of core principals.

The slanderers aren’t the only ones who get lost or forget. We spend so much time defending ourselves to them that we forget what we are about in the first place.

I know I’m not as smart as many leftists. Fortunately, truth is simple.

I want to circulate it, but it needs some revision. I’ll re-post, and would appreciate any suggestions. Half a dozen or so edits ought to do it.

Thanks again,

Tom