I'm writing what follows not to you, but to Free Republic posters, including myself, who sometimes need to be reminded of the truth of what you've said. I've said similar things for many years but I think it bears repeating — when we post something, think twice before hitting the enter key, and if it's an attack on a fellow conservative, think a third time not only about what we said but why we said it and how the recipient will read it.
There is a certain level of bitterness and viciousness in conservative circles — whether political or ecclesiastical — that severely damages conservative candidates and issues because 1) it focuses our energy on attacking each other rather than defeating the real enemy, namely, liberals, and 2) it drives away moderate conservatives who we need if we're going to reach a 50 percent majority in a general election.
I'm not saying that spirit is totally absent from liberal circles , but it is more of a problem for us conservatives because we take truth seriously. We believe there is such a thing as absolute right and wrong. We believe there are unchangeable moral absolutes. We believe the Constitution is not a living document, but rather that the original intent of the founders and their actual words on paper are supposed to determine the proper interpretation.
For people who believe truth is absolute, the stakes in compromise are not small. Liberals can make compromises to get their nose in the tent; we can't act that way. And sometimes, we get very, very angry when we see others doing what we (correctly) call lying but they see as compromising.
It's Scripture, not the Constitution, but speaking the truth in love is important in civil politics as well as ecclesiastical affairs. I realize true liberals are **NOT** our brothers and we are correctly to regard them as bitter enemies, but when applies to fellow conservatives in church or in state, let's try to remain loving while never forgetting to remain truthful. Neither are optional and both are important.
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JimRobinson wrote: “I'd suggest that we all stop trying to tear down the other conservative candidates in the race and instead concentrate on trying to build up our own personal favorites. Who knows? May even discover an acceptable conservative (if not a great conservative) in the bunch. We've never had a perfect conservative yet. Not even the magnificent Ronald Reagan. We and they all have warts. But we do want to have a candidate with at least an actual CONSERVATIVE record and not an out and out liberal progressive RINO. So let's compare their records and their actual conservative accomplishments but not try to destroy them personally.”
Bump that.
That was amazing ~
Thank you.
Thank you! I agree with your sentiments about absolute truth, right and wrong, etc. Some things are non-negotiable, which is likely why I could never be a successful politician, lawyer or diplomat, not that I have ever wanted to be one of those!
JC
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Thursday, January 05, 2012 9:21:59 PM · 432 of 774
BuckeyeTexan to darrellmaurina: “Bump that.”
Thursday, January 05, 2012 9:28:16 PM · 436 of 774
simplesimon to darrellmaurina: “That was amazing ~ Thank you.”
Thursday, January 05, 2012 10:14:59 PM · 469 of 774
cracker45 to darrellmaurina: “Thank you! I agree with your sentiments about absolute truth, right and wrong, etc. Some things are non-negotiable, which is likely why I could never be a successful politician, lawyer or diplomat, not that I have ever wanted to be one of those!”