Conservatives Won't Win Elections by Refusing To Compromise

Townhall.com ^ | May 28, 2014 | Dr Ben Carson

[Kaslin]

More discussion on the topic of pragmatism and politics is critical. If conservatives decide to take their marbles and go home rather than fight to the bitter end because they feel their principles have been compromised, they will needlessly subject future generations to untold misery.

Voting for someone who agrees with you 90 percent of the time is far superior to voting for someone who disagrees with you 100 percent of the time. This is exactly what will happen if people refuse to exercise their civic duty and boycott elections because they feel betrayed. Personally, I am not supportive of abortion at all, but I can support people who feel differently if, in the gigantic scheme of things, they can help put an end to the murder of innocent babies. This is especially true of those who are personally inclined to save and protect life.

Perhaps an illustration is in order: Two armies are engaged in a war. Let's call the good army that is trying to defend an entire society the red army and the bad army that is trying to invade and pillage society the blue army. The blue army occupies a superior strategic position and is composed of slightly more troops, putting the red army at a distinct disadvantage. Some in the red army feel that they are right and, therefore, should simply march directly into battle with the blue army because right always wins.

Fortunately, some members of the red army are wise and have a better plan. They send a battalion of troops to the base of the mountain occupied by the blue army to distract them while the vast majority of red troops approach the mountain from the backside. They descend upon the blue army by surprise, completely vanquishing them and winning the war. The decoy red battalion may have sustained some casualties, but in the long run, the war was won, and the entire society was saved.

I hope this illustration is useful in helping some to understand that achieving a critical mass of conservatives and RINOs (Republicans in Name Only, as some call them) in office will ensure that we can get non-activist Supreme Court and federal judges in place who respect the U.S. Constitution. It is essential to achieve a critical mass of individuals in the U.S. House and Senate who can join with a president in upholding the Constitution. These representatives must believe in personal responsibility and creating a business-friendly environment, understand the balance between abundant fossil-fuel development and environmental safety, and yearn to elevate the government-dependent 47 percent rather than make them more dependent. They also must be totally pro-life and believe that the rule of law can undo a host of damaging regulations and restore the value system that made this nation great.

In the long run, with the help of God, we will be in a position to save millions of babies who otherwise would be slaughtered. With this kind of responsible empowerment, energizing a sluggish economy, bringing stability to a leaderless planet and facilitating innovation will not be that difficult. To sit helplessly by and pray for deliverance when the tools to achieve victory are in our hands is not useful. God helps those who help themselves.

Conservatives and those who share their values are the last bastion between freedom and tyranny. If the secular liberals, who are very clever, succeed in dividing us during the next two national elections, America as we know it will be gone. We can stop this, but we must work together. I disagree with those who think it is going to take decades to undo the damage that already has been done. Americans are exceptional and extremely resilient. We cannot allow ourselves to be defined by those who wish to fundamentally change our society.

I am convinced that Americans with common sense will soon regain power. It is essential that we not use the opportunity to exact revenge upon the liberals. Rather, we must govern by the Constitution in a way that is fair for all. It is not reasonable to have favorites and to enforce laws selectively. Most importantly, it is not the place of our government to rule the people; the government must always remember that it is in place to serve the people.

I believe that when people who were being manipulated by the secular liberals, including the media, have an opportunity to see how much better off they are when the proper relationship between the people and the government is restored, they will adopt a different attitude. This will empower them and the entire nation.

Now is the time to rise above partisan politics and recognize the incredible blessings God has bestowed upon our nation. It is time to elevate common sense, decency, honesty and compassion to their proper positions. Rather than simply repeating the words, we must actually achieve "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

[nathanbedford]

Ronald Reagan, as you have alluded, was more successful in electioneering then in governing, although he had great success as President. One need only cite his roles in the restoration of the economy and winning the Cold War to establish that case.

I contend that Ronald Reagan practiced two virtues which greatly contributed to his success in governing: First, he carried the country with him so that when he had to call upon Republican Rinos to support his programs they had no choice but to do so or risk disaffection of the voters. He did this in a positive way but in a way that left Republican Senators and Representatives with no choice but to support him. He communicated these values so effectively that even many Democrats were forced to vote with him.

Second, Reagan prioritized. He had four or five cardinal issues which he explained to the people in terms they can understand and in ways they would support and he followed through.

I see nothing in any of this which is inconsistent with my arguments concerning how to win elections by attracting people into our tent rather than pandering to those outside of the tent. Reagan simply applied these principles to governing as well is getting elected.

[Kickass Conservative]

Levin Rule, period.

You won’t have a say in what’s for Dinner if you’re not inside the House. Standing outside screaming isn’t the answer.

[ExCTCitizen]

Ben I have to agree... a conservative who is 90% right is better than a 100% liberal. I won’t compromise on 3 things: the 2nd amendment, illegals (kick them out) and abortion.

[eyedigress]

If he expects me to compromise with socialism/marxism/fascism
or whatever, he is decidedly wrong.

I support the Constitution and States Rights. Period.

[Yogafist]

Problem with this scenario is, the red army has been carrying the blue army's flag for way too long. At this point, we need a red army.

[centurion316]

A republican presidential candidate that actually lived up to the party platform would probably be enough.

I completely agree with you on this point. We have done a terrible job finding the right candidates, not only at the Presidential level, but at the Senatorial level as well. We have done much better for the State, local, and Congressional races.

[JRandomFreeper]

If Republicans demand that conservatives vote for liberal republican candidates, republicans will continue to lose.

If you want to win, run conservatives, close the primaries, and move the initial presidential primaries out of liberal northeastern states. But the GOP doesn't want that.

/johnny

[wku man]

How 'bout:

"Conservatives Won't Win Elections by Refusing To Compromise Knuckling Under to the Commies, or

"Conservatives Won't Win Elections by Refusing To Compromise Until They Actually Do It", or

"Conservatives Won't Win RINOs Haven't Won Any Elections by Since They Began Refusing To Compromise Compromising With The Commies"

Any of those are more accurate.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[JRandomFreeper]

I will vote for any candidate that is pro-life, pro-gun, against amnesty, against socialized medicine, and is provably for smaller government.

It's not hard. That's all it takes to win my vote.

I'm willing to compromise on how long it takes to shut down the Department of Education. I'm not willing to compromise on foundational issues.

/johnny

[CapnJack]

Where are the Republicans that agree with conservative values 90% of the time?

You could probably count them on one or maybe two hands.

That is the problem.

The RINO’s as the author calls them, believe in far less than 50% of conservative values at best. And what they do believe in they are all to willing to compromise just to get an honorable mention in the Washington Post.

[EDINVA]

If you recall, he was so successful he not persuaded “moderate” Republicans to support him, but many Dems who eventually switched party. There was a LOT of that going on during his time. I just wish some Rs would not become R!

[Tanniker Smith]

I don’t agree with RINOs 90% of the time, and they NEVER “compromise” and move to our side.

[ctdonath2]

Compromise?

“Can I borrow $10, but you only give me $5, that way I owe you $5 and you owe me $5 so we’re even!”

Compromise?

“Would you have sex with me for a million dollars?”
“Yeah!”
“How about ten dollars?”
“Whadaya think I am?”
“We’ve established what you are, now we’re just compromising.”

Compromise?

“Eh, she’s just a little bit pregnant.”

Compromise?

“Give me 100% of your income.”
“No! You get 0% of my income!”
“OK, let’s compromise: give me 50% of your income.”

Compromise?

Bill Of Rights: plain meaning, as written, no compromise.
Right To Life: only “bright line” is conception, no compromise.
Taxation: if 10% is good enough for God, it’s good enough for Caesar, no compromise.

Sure, we’ll compromise.
Just not those points.
Don’t demand I back up when my heels are already over the cliff.

[Kickass Conservative]

Levin Rule: You Vote YOUR Candidate in the Primary and you Vote your Party’s Candidate in the General.

If YOU can’t convince the Republican Primary Electorate that YOUR guy deserves to win, you don’t hand the Elected Office to your ENEMY without a fight. To be clear, the DEMOCRAT’S are the enemy of America as founded.

Taking your Bat and Ball and running Home whining only gives the other Team the easy Win.

Disagree, so be it. I made the mistake of Voting Perot in 1992 because I wasn’t looking at the Big Picture. Too busy with my Career and not really Politically involved.

What did that accomplish, the road to Obamaville. BIG ERROR.

[PA Engineer]

That isn't to say that I'm not willing to compromise on non-foundational issues. I'm willing to allow the EPA 5 years to wind down, instead of close immediately.

I don't disagree with you much, but this is an exception. Make that 4 years. Too much of a risk the vampire will be resurrected during the next election cycle. Drive the stake deep into the heart and deliver a massive coronal hole ejection.

Better yet, nuke them from space.

[JRandomFreeper]

Are you telling me that I need to vote for a pro-abortion gun grabber just because he won the republican nomination?

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

It's a negotiable point. I'm ok with using nukes ;)

Abortion and the 2nd amendment aren't.

/johnny

[Jim Robinson]

They’re not looking for compromise. They’re looking for unconditional surrender.

No thanks. Our unalienable rights are not subject to debate, compromise or surrender!

Btw, there’s no GOP-e Rino out there that I’d agree with 90% of the time. Not even 80 or 70. Most of them should be democrats. When they start talking about compromise on life, family, borders, guns, liberty, etc, they become the enemy within and can KMA!

[ModelBreaker]

“Perhaps an illustration is in order: Two armies are engaged in a war.”

Trouble is, there are three armies. The yellow army thinks the Red army should support it no matter what. But the yellow army will bomb the Red army every time the Red army advances a little.

A coalition only works when both sides support the other. Moderates take their marbles and go home all the time when conservatives win primaries.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Conservatives Won't Win Elections by Refusing To Compromise

When the parties agree...The People get screwed.