[loveliberty2]

Dr. Russell Kirk's "The Conservative Mind," as suggested by Rockingham, is a good start, and the suggestion of Edmund Burke is great--especially his 1775 "Speech on Conciliation" before the British Parliament, in which he summarizes the progress and achievements of the American colonies.

In that amazing speech, Burke lays out well-documented numbers and facts about the astounding economic activity and progress of the Americans, attributing it to the "spirit of liberty" which was thriving and producing opportunity and wealth. Remember, this was a year before our Declaration of Independence.

Many who call themselves "conservatives" may not possess a true passion to preserve (conserve) the ideas of liberty encapsulated in the Declaration of Independence and structured into a form of self-government in the Constitution, but all who are dedicated to preserving those ideas and principles are, in fact, "conservatives," whether they identify with the label or not.

[madmominct]

Thank you so much - just the great info I was looking for here on FR...