Posted on 10/31/2003 8:00:17 AM PST by Scenic Sounds
Does a Republican equal a conservative? There is an entire spectrum of beliefs embodied within those elected officials that have an (R) after their name, and most of us assume that if someone is a Republican, they are conservative. However, political parties die when they are stagnant, and so there is constant change.
To answer the conservativism question, first we have to know what the basic beliefs of conservatives really are.
Historically, their most common belief – the one issue that typically unites them – is a belief in a limited federal government. Conservatives in American tend to believe that power is best left to state and local governments – the governments that are closest to the people. They believe that these smaller governments know better what their own communities need than the more distant federal government.
Conservatives also believe that the government should have a limited fiscal policy, and that the economy runs better with as little government interference as possible. We believe that most government regulations on economic issues serve to stunt growth, and that the capitalist system works best when it is allowed to work as freely as is possible.
Conservatives believe in the rights of the individuals over the rights of the government. They also deeply believe in the idea of personal responsibility. They believe that with individual rights comes individual responsibility. With a limited government comes a limited amount of assistance for its citizens, and conservatives embrace this, because it encourages individuality and freedom from dependence.
Conservatives believe in a strong national defense, and they tend to believe that our borders should be tightly controlled. They support the military and tend to believe that our military is not well served when it is spread all over the world on peacekeeping missions.
These make up the core of conservative values. While there is room for argument within any of these, they are the foundational tenets.
Now, let’s get back to our original question. Does a Republican equal a conservative? There isn’t a simple answer, but the most obvious one is no. There is no Republican that can say that he has held to these values without fail. The problem occurs when the leaders within the Party stop making conservative values their goal.
When the foundation of a belief system is taken away, the entire system wobbles. When one tenet is taken away, the rest threaten to crumble. If Republicans cease to believe in the idea of a limited central government, it becomes easier to justify more regulation and restriction on our market system. When our troops become less of a defense force and more of a peacekeeping force, it becomes easier to justify spreading them out from country to country, which tires and stresses our military. When personal responsibility stops – anything can happen. If no one is to blame, then no one must fear consequences of what they do.
Perhaps the question really is – Should a Republican equal a conservative? For those of us that believe in the GOP, that answer is a resounding yes – but this question will be answered by the people, over a period of decades, who will give their money and their votes to the Republican Party. As the GOP moves closer to the center, there will be a day when conservatives must decide whether the Republican Party is still the party that represents them best; and if they conclude that it is not, they will have to find an alternative.
Cathryn Crawford is a student at the University of Texas.
Good question. Are you wanting to tell me? I'd be interested in hearing your opinion on it.
Not that many once you scrape away the trolls.
The few that remain (like me) thinks it's none of the Feds d@mn business.
It's all about that tribal mentality, Jeff.
Actually the opposite is true. People that hold to this view also believe the Constitution is a living document and that Christianity must change with the times.
As far as looking for an alternative to Republicans, many of us already are. And if we don't come up with an answer America will die a socialist, totalitarian, death.
I agree with you there. I think Roe v. Wade should be overturned and the states should decide their own abortion policies.
There ya go, Rob!
No. I cite as an example mayor Bloominidiot of New York who has an 'R' after his name.
So you don't think it's appropriate to use that term?
No, I've got my timetable in place. You'll be welcome to visit my compound any time.
Send me a post card when you are all settled, Fred.
I don't know if that would be right or left.
But he would be right.
A couple of year ago, a conservative writer (Geo. Will?) opined that it (reversing Wade v. Roe) will never happen because anybody suggesting it would be hung and quartered as a bomb-thrower
--throwing a fire-bomb into the 50 statehouses.
I did TP, but you are not going to win votes and hearts with having a micro machination issue fetish.
Typical dane-bull . -- You can't answer the question because you have basic problems with the constitutional principles outlined.
Your "fetish" crap is just that, -- nothing but BS.
And JMO, but when you(TP) and your Libertarian/Constitutional Party/Brigadier issue fetishists go on and on over micro machinations, you lose interest. And it really doesn't help your cause either when arguements about how the majority of voters feels about an issue is met with either more insults or more spam.
Again, typical.. I'd given you no arguments, insults or spam today, just an honest question.
Look conservatism works, Reagan showed that, GW is showing that now(GW's overall favorabilty numbers are better than Reagan's at the same point of Reagan's first term). JMO, but like I said to another psoter on this thread, get a clue.
Your response gives us all the clue we need to your agenda here dane-boy. Get lost.
There are some conservatives who would not be willing to trade any of their personal sovereignty to permit government at any level to ban abortions.
And then there are some conservatives who are only willing to trade personal sovereignty on the abortion issue to allow a local government (usually a state) to ban abortions.
And then there are some conservatives who believe that the issue of life is so important that the federal government should ban abortions so as to ensure that they are banned nationwide.
I wonder if there are conservatives who feel so strongly about the issue of life and abortion that they would be willing to trade a little national sovereignty in exchange for worldwide ban on abortion.
I call that the "drug warrior mentality".
They are one-issue Republicans.
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