Posted on 08/20/2007 10:30:08 PM PDT by Coleus
SOMETIMES tragic occurrences force us to stop and think – those are the moments that crystallize our perceptions of human relations. I found myself in such a state with the passing of a constituent, friend and fellow conservative who also happened to be gay. Our conversations convinced me that my beliefs in limited government can be shared across the chasms that liberals and conservatives perceive to separate us – ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. That conclusion is not popular on either side of the left-right spectrum: Liberals don't believe gays should be conservative and conservatives don't believe gays can be conservative, especially when a radical left gay contingent dominates media attention and right-wing conformists place their own moral judgment before individual freedom.
The Republican Party claims to be a "Big Tent," and rightfully so, as the core conservative principles of the party revolve around individual liberty and a limited government that serves to protect that liberty. These ideas can help our party cut across lines of "group identity," because the idea of freedom is appealing to groups that lack the political clout necessary to keep government out of their pocketbooks and lives. Historically, gay Americans have struggled for the freedom to live their lives the way they choose in order to pursue happiness. This is the American Dream, the cornerstone of conservative thinking, and it is these principles that make the increasingly influential gay community the conservative movement's natural ally.
It may surprise some to learn that the very same conservative who refused to be coerced into performing civil union ceremonies by government believes gay voters should be conservative, yet this very instance points to our common ground – a commitment to the rights of the individual and opposition to the power of a collectivist state. The media like to portray conservatives as wild-eyed ideologues, which is unfair. Of the philosophies that have directed civilization, conservatism has resulted in the most liberty for people around the world. It is at the hands of the liberal welfare state that individualism is destroyed; thus the failure of communism, fascism and socialism in promoting a signature American entitlement – "the pursuit of happiness."
Americans take that phrase for granted, but the idea was culture-transforming. Happiness derives its meaning from the Middle English hap, meaning "chance" or "luck." It is the same root present in the words perhaps or happenstance. The idea present in the words "pursuit of happiness" is the notion that individuals can make their own happiness. Happiness is not purely a matter of luck, but a goal to be pursued in a free environment characterized by limited government. Our Founding Fathers held this truth to be so "self-evident" that they declared it was the indisputable right of all individuals to pursue happiness. With this belief, many members of the gay community have played a critical role in the conservative movement. Conservatives from Terry Dolan to Andrew Sullivan prove there has been no shortage of influential gay leadership. Arguably, their involvement is even greater in the conservative wing of the party than in the moderate middle.
Upper income brackets
Many gay adults are also in upper income brackets, making the issue of low taxes, which conservatives have staked their reputation on, an important one. The principles of limited government that keep Big Brother out of our personal lives must also keep him out of our pocketbooks. Liberal Democrats may not care what individuals do in their bedrooms, but they are already rattling their tax-hiking sabers to let us know they do care what individuals do with their money. Obstacles to achieving our real goal of reducing the size of government and limiting its ability to interfere in our lives must be torn down. Gays shouldn't expect government to foist acceptance of their lifestyle on others; religious conservatives shouldn't expect gays to abandon an integral part of their being.
Barry Goldwater once remarked that government cannot pass laws to "make people like each other." His words still ring true today. Labeling people "homophobes" or "bigots" if they refuse to accept the entire gay agenda creates political fractures that work against individual liberties and serve to keep gay voters in the Democratic Party's political ghetto. The Republican Party must reestablish its commitment to the rights of the individual while respecting the moral code of one subset and upholding the freedom of another. Quite a challenge, indeed. However, the Big Tent needn't become a kaleidoscope of political policies designed to appeal to a large crowd at the expense of sacrificing principles.
Rather, it must transcend mere politics by becoming a manifestation of the principles that culminated in our Declaration of Independence and attract those who share this vision. The principles that are the underpinning of conservatism will ultimately make room in the tent for a surprisingly wide range of membership.
Reestablishing a commitment
In memory of the fine gentleman who inspired this article, I will reestablish my commitment to understanding and the core principles of conservative thought that I believe will best serve our future. My friend fought a tragic inner battle that tormented him to suicide. No one will ever understand the emotional turmoil that destroyed his life. The demons that haunted him and drove him to such a dark and lonely end also know no ethnic, gender or sexual-orientation boundaries. The boundaries of infinity are large enough and eternity long enough for all of us.
So let the values that we share, as mutual as those terrible instances of suffering that each of us can encounter, allow us all to strive for happiness during our brief stay on Earth. Thanks, buddy, see you in a better place. Steve Lonegan, a Republican, is mayor of Bogota.
There is a difference between conservative and libertarian, although libertarians are conservative on some issues.
Also, there is a difference between gay and homosexual. I have no objections to homosexuals who keep their life styles private. I do strongly object to homosexuals who label themselves “gay” and try to impose their views on everyone else.
Imposing perversity on others is neither conservative nor libertarian, frankly. And just how many votes are we actually talking about here? A few thousand?
When I hear the words “big tent,” I reach for my gun—so to speak. It means everything is ok as long as you agree to abortion, perversion, destruction of the family, and whatever else these people have in mind.
Richard Nixon was the last conservative president.
Obviously, I’m not a Reagan worshiper.
Not every "protected" minority group is a result of birth. Religion is a very personal decision -- no one is born a Christian, etc. Yet we don't discriminate against people of minority religions, nor do we consider them to have special rights.A Buddhist may not be going to heaven, yet we don't kick them out of the party for their moral choices.
Blacks and other minorities don't have protected because they were "born" that way. They have protected status because they were systematically discriminated against because they were "born" that way.
And, as a libertarian, I'm not sure what is so "special" about the rights that gays want? To not be fired from their jobs?
Should a landlord be forced by law to rent to a homosexual couple if he doesn’t wish to?
You hit the nail on the head. The “gay rights” agenda isn’t libertarian, it’s socialist big brother nanny statism.
Awesome point.
Take note on this thread to see further influence in our political opponents.
He should rent to anyone qualified (credit-wise, etc). What does the private behavior have to do with being a good tenant?
Shudder. They really do look like they are around a cauldron. I prefer my local church elders. Family men, theologians, retirees, business men. They help run an inspiring and active church.
bump
Yes, I think gays should fall under the Fair Housing laws. The law that says landlords can't discriminate against divorced people, atheists, handicapped, etc.
Why would you exlude gays? A landlord is forced to rent to a Hindu, yet many people find that immoral -- First Commandment and all. I just don't understand the obsession with this particular group of sinners.
Should a landlord be subject to punishment by the state if he refuses to rent to a homosexual couple? You called yourself a libertarian, so I’d like to know your opinion on this.
Puroresu’s point is this: legislating against discrimination is in tension with freedom of association. Government tells you who you must deal with and on what terms. We had a historic legacy of slavery and discrimination against blacks and abrogated the 1st Amendment and common law freedom of association to overcome that historic wrong. Now that we have stepped out on the slippery slope of violating individual rights to make up for social or historical wrongs, other claimants step up to recieve their “right” to force others to deal with them.
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