This proves my point. What "conservative principles?" Even here the term is too airy, thus intangible.
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.
Sorry but I have to disagree with you TP, in your reply #68 you posted the typical idealogical fetishist spam and you hide behind that.
Sure, no doubt, that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, but does that gain votes, does it gain hearts?
Does your constant posting of how you are so superior further your cause?
It is up to you to answer the above question, IMO.
Dane calls me a one-issue malcontent for threatening not to vote for Bush if he signs the AWB.
I really don't care who you or Cathryn vote for or post who you want to vote for.
I just wish you two would stop playing micro machination issue games.
JMO, but you two, IMO, for some reason think I am Rudolph with a red nose, and wish to be part of your games.
True, it isn't. That's why "conservative" Republicans can be in favor of a prescription drug program, just not as expensive as the DemocRAT's program.
A conservative with principles would not be in favor of this program at all, and would vote against it.
Following which, he would be ostracized by the rest of his congressional colleagues, then voted out of office by his constituents.
There are similarities between the abortion and drug issues. Abortion and drugs are like most issues that we confront in that there are conservative principles that exist on each side. There exists tension and usually even direct conflict between these competing conservative principles.
So, it is only natural that conservatives fight with eachother about these issues and is is only natural that each side in each such fight will feel that it holds the genuinely conservative ground.
As long as you're not RAGING RUDOLPH!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Aren't there some regulatory laws that you favor? Aren't there some laws that you are willing to trade some personal sovereignty for? ;-)
Not sure if I agree. I think I get what you are saying; for example, Bill Clinton may not hold even liberal political ideals as principles -- he'd happily sell socialism out if he thought it would benefit him personally -- but he holds to the principle that the highest good is whatever benefits Bill Clinton.
Yet I doubt if people like him could express such a "principle" in words even if he were honest enough to do so. If somebody asks me MY principles, I can right down a list. What would X-42 be able to write? His selfishness is not some well-thought out ideology -- it's crass & childish. If Bill Clinton has guiding principles, then so does a tomcat, and the whole term ceases to even be meaningful.
Nah, I ain't some punk bands concoction, no matter how hard you try to push the point, dude.
Dude, take a debating class, it may do you some good in the future.
This proves my point. What "conservative principles?" Even here the term is too airy, thus intangible.
The link was to a video of a cartoon parody of the Rudolph Christmas special in which Rudolph, Santa, etc. are all part of the mob. Check it out. You'll like it.
Dude, take a debating class, it may do you some good in the future.
I'm not debating right now. I'm f@#$ing around waiting for my other job to start.
Bingo! It has become a throw-away "feel good" pious term. Instead of talking about my "principles," I simply state what I think is right and what I think is wrong.
Sorry I don't partake in the "South Park" modern Libertarian Hollywood nihilistic debunking of postive messages.
Rudolph overcame his "perceived" faults by others and proved successful in the end.
I know, I know, you are going to moan that I brought Libertarianism into this thread, but with your above italicized reply, you mentioned something that is(for lack of a better word)"worthy" of South Park.
And the creators of South Park are professed Libertarians. Case closed, counselor.
Which is the way it should be..
It's not South Park, it originally aired on MAD TV.
And the creators of South Park are professed Libertarians. Case closed, counselor.
And there's no show on TV that skewers liberals nearly as well as South Park does so. Have you ever seen their attacks on Babs Streisand? Janet Reno? Klintoon? Classic stuff.
Anyhow, watch the video in the link. It's brilliant satire and has nothing to do with SP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.