Posted on 04/01/2002 5:42:41 AM PST by B. A. Conservative
How many times have you heard this statement? Have you used this phrase yourself? Is FreeRepublic just a support group (form of group therapy) for burned-out or recovering conservatives much like the function served by AA for alcoholics?
I have a list of questions to which I don't have the answers, but believe that these are questions that deserve answers. If you have asked yourself more than a few of these questions or even entertained the thoughts that these questions express, then I am inviting you to participate in an exchange of ideas. I hope that enough Freepers will provide their thoughts in order that we can use your answers to end and reverse the damage that is being done to our country and our way of life by Democrats and other liberals.
I intend to provide the complete list as part of this post. I am going to post each question one at a time for its own thread. Each posting of a question will be several days apart to allow time for those willing to participate. I hope that anyone willing to participate will hold their replies to specific questions until each question is asked as a topic of its own with the first question to be posted on Thursday. I am hoping that you will use replies to this post as a means of attracting Freepers whom you know might have an interest in this discussion and the direction in which it goes. Here is the List:
I suspect most Freepers share my frustrations, but have not let their thinking run as far afield as I have let mine. Quite frankly, I am not at all happy with my answers to these questions. And while this may prove to be a fool's errand, I assure you it is not intended as an April Fools. As is so common on this site, feel free to Freep This Poll.
Libertarians, true Conservatives, and "neo-Conservatives."
Libertarians are will to sacrifice the nation-state to save the culture. Paleo-Conservatives wish to conserve the culture to save the nation-state. And neo-Cons just don't agree with the Democrats this year, but aren't really interested in metaphysically "conserving" anything.
In the context of my post in regards to political issues, the libertarian wing would be interested in making access to capital cheaper; reducing trade barriers;....
A (paleo)Conservative wishes to promote policy that help conserve the culture and reduce 'change.' Protectionist policies to keep factories open and workers of a community from being displaced are perfectly sound ideas for the end-result they wish to achieve.
Neo-cons have no coherent metaphysical political thoughts, however, they are extremely pragmatic political thinkers in understand the issues of the day. Libertarians and (paleo) Conservatives find the neo-Cons almost perverse fixation that American Exceptionalism will save us all to be not only intellectually un-satisfying but also contrary to the basic tenants of liberty at the root of the American tradition..
We can all work together to smoke out corrupt members of the power elite, but it is our efforts to find common ground that gives us a coherent political agenda and defines us culturally with in these interesting times.
Favorablilty - Allowing regular roadblocks to search vehicles?
Favor 50.3 Oppose 46.8 NS 2.9 Total 100.0
Favorablilty - Allowing your mail to be searched at random?
Favor 36.4 Oppose 62.4 NS 1.2 Total 100.0
Favorablilty - Allowing your car to be searched at random?
Favor 48.2 Oppose 51.0 NS .7 Total 100.0
In the Congressional race in 2002, for which party's candidate do you intend to vote - Democrat or Republican?
Dem 31.4 Rep 32.5 Neither 4.6 NS 31.5 Total 100.0
Polling data supposedly based on a representative cross section of America provides clear evidence that we are anything but "United" in our beliefs about what constitutes freedom. Based on this survey, at least one third, and maybe as much as one half would repeal the Bill of Rights. Are these the people you want to call friends, neighbors, and to have a major say about how you are going to live your life?
Without listing the evidence, there is substantial and credible evidence that the government of the United States poses a significant threat to the safety, well-being, health, and personal security of its citizens. There is substantial direct and indirect credible evidence that for any individual that their own government poses a greater threat to their lives and liberty than any foreign power or terrorist group. And there are those like Cultural Jihad who seem to consider freedom seekers the threat.
I don't believe in a violent resistance. This change that has been occurring over the last 40 plus years has come as a result from the "will" of the American people, either through apathy or active participation. And it has happened at the ballot box. Violence will not slow the slide into Godless socialism, but, in my opinion, only serve to hasten it.
Therefore our resistance must be at the ballot box. It is difficult to accept the "will of the people" when it so obviously is swinging to the left, where no one has to be responsible, and Big Brother will take care of us all.
So, I am still left with the question; Given that we can't return to the Republic we once were, what is the conservatives course of action?
I have my "steel pot" on as I can almost feel the tenor of what many of the replies to this thread will take.
As it should not be popular! The whole point of having a "well armed militia" of course was not to simply aid in the common defense, but to protect us from any tyranical government, any tyranical government. That includes our own, if need be!
So when I realized that the second amendment was FAR from "out dated", and realized that most people were thinking the opposite, I realized there is something seriously wrong with this country.
As far as fixing it goes, I'm not sure if we'll ever return to pure "constitutionalism", but I'll be damned before I see the second amendment taken away.
This concept of liberty has nothing to do with compelling charity, correcting 'economic injustice', or punishing 'consentual crimes.'
Bottom line, I hate polls and don't care what some numb sheep thinks. Win or lose, the fight is damn well worth it.
Identify the things that are worth 'conserving' and don't rely on outside institutions to conserve them. In the end, is an arbitrary government ruling, an arbitrary land with arbitrary borders worth conserving, or is the English language, the Christmas/Thanksgiving/Easter Holidays, American football, and the Christian ethic more worthy of our conservation efforts?
He who defends everything, defends nothing.
Frederick the Great
We need help and members, in any case. Please visit our site!
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.