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Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Social Conservative
Intellectual Conservative ^ | September 12, 2003 | Bruce Walker

Posted on 09/12/2003 12:19:04 PM PDT by EllaMinnow

Social conservatism means a serious fidelity to those beliefs and traditions which keep us civilized and decent.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a social conservative, despite much rhetoric to the contrary. Social conservatism means a serious fidelity to those beliefs and traditions which keep us civilized and decent without resort to laws, regulations and bureaucrats.

Social conservatism is a respect for tradition and for values which have withstood the test of time. Chinese family members who respect and support one another, even at the cost of personal wishes, are social conservatives whatever their metaphysical beliefs.

This definition of social conservatism as a matter of example rather than profession does not mean we agree on every detail of moral behavior. It means instead that we root ourselves in something permanent, dignified and civic. Even eccentricity can be socially conservative. British and American peoples are famous for producing men who, for want of a better term, are cranks. That is very much a part of the culture of these two nations.

At the heart of social conservatism is fidelity. Often men who are social conservatives are ideologically left of center. Jimmy Carter is a good example. By all appearances, Carter took his marital vows seriously and his religious faith seriously. He stopped serving hard liquor at White House dinners.

That did not prevent Carter from being a petty, spiteful and almost insufferable boor. And it certainly did not prevent Carter from being wrong on almost every issue. But it does mean that Jimmy Carter was a social conservative.

Joe Lieberman is also a social conservative, even if he supports terrible policies. Every indication is that Lieberman is a religiously serious Orthodox Jew. It is impossible to imagine Joe munching a bacon cheeseburger on Kol Nidre. Bill Bradley is another social conservative who loves his wife, gained his wealth and fame through guts and hard work, and sincerely believes in all the bad ideas he proposes.

The beauty of America, of course, is that social conservatism does not require being correct as much as being sincere. It does not require conformity to a particular catechism so much as it means conformity to some catechism. The bewildering variety of religions, sects, and societies in American life is a testament to Americans respecting in social life the same freedom to be wrong that we respect in our economic life. Indeed, social conservatism is another form of market choice which helps, through competition, to elevate cultures and traditions within America.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is made of the "right stuff.” There is no odor of phoniness about him. He loves his wife and family. He worked his way to the top with sweat and diligence. He resembles a number of other social conservative Republicans around President Bush who are not generally recognized as social conservatives.

Who? How about Colin Powell? He turned down the Presidency itself in 1996 out of respect for his wife and family. Does anyone question that what Powell believes, he believes sincerely? How about Tom Ridge, who was too liberal to be the running mate in 2000, but who putters around his home for recreation and grew up in the Marine Corps.

Tony Blair and Rudy Giuliani are social conservatives who we seldom see as social conservatives. Both these heroic figures do what they do publicly and because they believe it is right. Thank goodness both are on our side now--social conservatives dig their heels in very deeply!--but even when Giuliani supports abortion or Powell supports affirmative action, they can do so looking you straight in the eye with a polygraph examiner unable to detect a hint of spin in their answers.

This type of social conservative--guys doing what they think is right because they think it is right--is precisely the sort of man that President Bush has shown incredible skill in using to make America better. Our Texan President, our proudly Cowboy President, does not demand that anyone agree with him on every issue. In fact, such silly boys can be skimmed off the corporate boards of a hundred big companies.

He wants people who are true to themselves. He wants, and we should want, real social conservatives. Rabbis who read Torah as if it were holy writ. Priests who take their vows seriously. Men who honor their parents and are faithful to their wives. Men like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronald Reagan or John Wayne, who will fight for what they think is right.

When Governor Schwarzenegger takes office, President Bush will find honor more valuable than agreement and grit more important than obedience. It will be a winning team, perhaps a team that can transform America.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: catholiclist
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To: EternalVigilance
Here are some of the other articles from the same site, intellectualconservative.com:

Another religious freedom case out of Washington State, Locke v. Davey, currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, may decide the educational fate of millions of schoolchildren and profoundly impact the freedom of parents to choose where they may send their children to school.

Clinton was too busy playing golf, chasing skirts and prepping for photo ops to be bothered with defending our nation.

The war on terrorism began over that Pennsylvania field when extraordinary Americans proved their willingness to fight back.

In suggested lesson plans, the NEA recommended that teachers "discuss historical instances of American intolerance" as the lesson children in elementary, middle and high school should take away from the most dastardly attack on America since Pearl Harbor. The NEA is an American Fifth Column, an enemy within that uses our public schools to turn children against their nation.

Democratic Senators refused to even vote on the nomination of Miguel Estrada.

Schwarzenegger may well do damage to California Republicanism; Bustamante may well be a racist.

How to annoy the gun control lobby (hint - use the truth).

Does Cruz Bustamante still support the goals of MEChA, the organization of which he was a member during his college days?

_________________________________________________

PREVIOUS ARTICLES BY BRUCE WALKER

The Myth of Interdependence - September 8, 2003

Arnold is a social conservative - September 1, 2003

In Defense of a Despised Faith – Christianity - August 25, 2003

Some Autumn Tea Leaves to Read - August 11, 2003

Treason - Firing Blanks at Coulter - August 4, 2003

The Pantheon of the Left - July 28, 2003

The True Truman - July 21, 2003

Liberating the World from Anti-American Elites - July 14, 2003

Treason and Common Sense - July 7, 2003

All can be found at ConservativeTruth.org - "The Antidote to the Liberal News Media."
321 posted on 09/12/2003 3:12:27 PM PDT by EllaMinnow (Never Forget.)
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To: Tempest

A vote for Tom McClintock will let me retire my running shoes. Viva La Clintock!

322 posted on 09/12/2003 3:12:37 PM PDT by Tempest (I've lost all hope for half of you.)
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To: tpaine; Jim Robinson
What is the reasoning behind asking that opinions expressed on one thread not be 'dragged' into another?

You might want to ask Jim R. that question. Its his rule, I only follow it.

"Don't jump threads - If you get involved in an argument in one thread, it's considered poor manners to restart the previous argument in the middle of an unrelated thread."

323 posted on 09/12/2003 3:12:38 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: TightyRighty
Is that Boogermante in his sombrero?
324 posted on 09/12/2003 3:13:47 PM PDT by shellylet
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To: shellylet
Come to Florida. The weather's great, and we need people who know how to vote!
325 posted on 09/12/2003 3:14:25 PM PDT by EllaMinnow (#213 of the 537.)
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To: EternalVigilance
I have always had respect for you and considered you a FR FRiend.

I disagree with you on this one. You don't live in this state, and you obviously do not understand the politics of California. I live here, and I can assure you it is EXTREME'ly liberal/DEM.

Not only has David Drier, Newt Gingrich, President Bush 41, 20 Republican lawmakers, Thomas Sowell, and other prominent Republicans come out in support of Mr. Schwarzenegger, so have I and other conservative Republicans.

There are a multitude of reasons for us doing so. Yet by your words you would HELP those people who would love NOTHING better than to see the Republican vote CONTINUE to be divided. Thereby helping us lose the election for a THIRD time!!

A couple prominent and very Public Ministers have even come out in support of Mr. Schwarzenegger. (I know you know who they are, though their names are escaping me right now.. forgive me I have a darn headache. I'm leaving as soon as I'm done typing this).

If the votes are divided, you get Bustamante or even Davis again.

So, like I said. I have always had great respect for you. I've been on prayer threads with you, and even benefitted from your prayers.

But on this matter, we will have to "respectfully" agree to disagree.

I admit, I'm extremely disappointed to see people are willing to give this State to these EVIL people for a third time.

That is what it really boils down to.

I do think McClintock has let his ego get in the way of this election. If he was on top in the polls that would be a different story. If we had 6 mos.. or even 3 mos. But we don't. We have 3 weeks.

FRegards
326 posted on 09/12/2003 3:15:06 PM PDT by Vets_Husband_and_Wife (CNN: Where " WE report what WE decide!!")
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To: Itzlzha
I never inquired into race, you did!

You were the first to bring up the question of race, in your Post 252 that was pulled by the Admin Moderator. I merely posed a logical question based on what you said.

327 posted on 09/12/2003 3:16:16 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: Registered
Peterson killed his unborn baby in the final trimester, which one could liken to a partial birth abortion, which Arnold says he is against. So, what problem do you have here?

So I guess if Peterson killed the baby in the 2nd trimester it would have been okay. Because that is legalized abortion.

Nothing Peterson did is any different than what an abortionist does, and that was the point of that image in the first place.

We do agree on that. Arnold believe in all abortions except PBA. I believe all abortion is murder.

I find it odd that you would not support the only (somewhat) pro-life candidate in this race that has a chance of getting in office, Arnold. McClintock is a melting snowball!

How can you be somewhat pro-life? You either think it is a baby or you don't. You either kill the baby or you let it live. Why is he a melting snowball?

As far as your suggestion, I told you it was a good idea, and I will be happy to try to move Arnold more to the firmer pro-life position once he is in office. The alternative is a PRO-ABORT Bustamante! You need to look at the numbers! Tom hasn't a chance of winning this thing...AT ALL.

Have not seen many politicians be moved from pro-abortion to pro-life. I have seen a lot of pro-life candidates be moved to pro-abortion. I am glad you believe the polls. The election hasn't even been held yet and you are basing your opinion on polls. I wish Bill Clinton would have listened to the pollsters instead of actually running against GB Sr.

Now, answer my question please.

If McClintock drops out I might reluctantly vote for him but the abortion issue is close to my heart.

328 posted on 09/12/2003 3:16:40 PM PDT by truthandlife
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To: shellylet

Damn McClintock's HOT!!!

329 posted on 09/12/2003 3:17:31 PM PDT by TightyRighty
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To: CyberCowboy777
You are misrepresenting my statements and lying about my post.

Post proof that I am "lying" or retract.

330 posted on 09/12/2003 3:17:38 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: redlipstick
You know, I've been considering heading toward the beach and just buying myself a little hot dog stand!
But I don't know, that big 'ol hurricane headed your way might blow away all my little weiners!
331 posted on 09/12/2003 3:18:33 PM PDT by shellylet
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To: shellylet
*L*!
332 posted on 09/12/2003 3:20:01 PM PDT by EllaMinnow (#213 of the 537.)
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To: shellylet
pass the depends over that someone was referring to earlier! You guys are too funny, I just hope we're all laughing when this is over with! Because if Boogermante wins, I'm moving on over to one of your states!

Well, if you're considering a move to Texas, just remember the immortal words of Gen. William T. Sherman:

"If I owned Texas and Hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in Hell."

333 posted on 09/12/2003 3:21:43 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: TightyRighty
Hey missy, you need to play nice!
Don't you have some pics of bustie or gay that you want to share?
334 posted on 09/12/2003 3:22:06 PM PDT by shellylet
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To: Tempest
I stand corrected on the Arnold endorsement.

Except I did not see where they endorsed Tom? Can you point that out? I am guessing that their statements on Bush would lean them to the left - not the right.

So the premise of the original post I replied to stands.
335 posted on 09/12/2003 3:22:35 PM PDT by CyberCowboy777 (SELECT * FROM liberals WHERE clue > 0 .............................................. 0 rows returned)
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To: redlipstick
I'm signing off .. you stay safe. Are you near the storm?
336 posted on 09/12/2003 3:23:10 PM PDT by Vets_Husband_and_Wife (CNN: Where " WE report what WE decide!!")
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To: strela
lol! Is that because you guys are so "mean" there?
337 posted on 09/12/2003 3:23:25 PM PDT by shellylet
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To: shellylet
Is that because you guys are so "mean" there?

Its the heat. I've lived for short periods of time in various places in the Middle East and Africa, and was never any hotter in those places than I get stepping out my front door here at home in July and August.

338 posted on 09/12/2003 3:25:53 PM PDT by strela (It is not true that Larry Flynt's biggest financial donor is Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills.)
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To: Vets_Husband_and_Wife
Are you near the storm?

Not this one, unless it veers into the Gulf and turns north. We may get some bad weather, but we won't get the brunt of it.

339 posted on 09/12/2003 3:26:57 PM PDT by EllaMinnow (#213 of the 537.)
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To: CyberCowboy777
Actually your premise stated that the Dixie Chick's would more likely support Arnold which they don't

My premise only state that the Dixie Chicks, much like Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, and Alan Colmes will do anything to scuttle the Republican parties chances of removing the Democrats from power. Including supporting a potential spoiler candidate which they do not agree with or believe in at all.
340 posted on 09/12/2003 3:28:58 PM PDT by Tempest (I've lost all hope for half of you.)
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