What is a conservative? (Why Williams may not become a Republican, says the naive idealist)

worldnetdaily ^ | June 14, 2003 | Kyle Williams

[TLBSHOW]

What is a conservative?

by Kyle Williams

What is a conservative? This is a question that has recently become an issue in the conservative movement.

Many pundits have separated conservatives into two groups: paleo-conservatives and neo-conservatives. The former being described as the "old right-wing," being more constitutionally conservative, and the latter being the more moderate side of the conservative movement. As a side note, some conservative pundits say that "neo-conservative" is really code word for pro-Israel, considering the trouble that the far right has gotten into with some bashing Jews. That, however, is not the original meaning of the "neo-conservative" word, from my point of view.

Another issue arises as to whether you can truly be a conservative and forget morality. A recent column by David Horowitz blasted some on the religious right for their criticism of the Republican National Committee and Marc Racicot meeting with leaders from the Human Rights Campaign. With homosexual pundits – like Andrew Sullivan – and organizations, such as the Log Cabin Republicans, the debate becomes fiercer.

These two issues come back to the real question: What is a conservative?

A true conservative is one who observes the governmental philosophy of the founders and the forgotten document called the "Constitution." The philosophy of self, limited government – a constitutional republic – goes hand in hand with morality, based on God's guidelines. That is what a conservative is, at its root.

Delving into issues, conservatism is an approach that is against abortion – with great respect for the sanctity of life, is for less taxes, and for less government, with a philosophy of government which always allows for more freedom.

This is in contrast to a definition of liberalism. It is easy to define conservatism because it basically conserves the freedom-loving ways of America's heritage, but liberalism is a completely different word that does not attach itself to anything tangible. However, those who claim to be liberal tend to support bigger government, more taxes, abortion and socialist ideas – all mixed with a lack of morality.

For many, a big reason for not being a conservative is looking at those who claim to be conservative. The political figureheads of the conservative movement become hypocritical at times. Unfortunately, many in national politics claim to be conservative, but are not, and continually misrepresent what it really means to be a conservative. Conservative leaders have nothing to hide behind, but liberal leaders can and do hide behind emotionalism.

National politicians tend to be somewhere in the middle. Many adopt conservative ideals when it is convenient, and some adopt liberal ideals when it is convenient – all in an effort to gain more power.

As a nation, we debate politics, not principles. That's the problem. After so long, we tend to forget what our real agendas are and the only driving goal is power. After politicians gain power, all they work for is a goal of re-election. Thus, when the only goal is to get Republicans in power in an effort to deprive the Democrats of power, they sometimes forget why they wanted change in the first place.

That is the reason I have a problem with the Republican Party and that is the reason why I doubt I will register as a Republican in four years. The national platform is that of a goal of political power, compromise and lack of conservatism. When you get so far up on the political totem pole, power corrupts – this is evident in many who claim to be conservative, but whose only goal is power.

Some policymakers, political consultants and politicians within the GOP need to be reminded what a true conservative is. At its core, conservatism is the conservation of the limited, constitutional republican form of self-government, mixed with the morality of God's laws and guidelines.

[Fred Mertz]

But the result from my POV is that you're slighting the author not the poster. On second thought, you're doing both.

[nunya bidness]

Got it. So it's not a matter of the content of Kyle's column as much as it's a matter of Todd's edits.

[Jim Robinson]

No offense intended to the youngster. He's actually a pretty bright kid.

[Jim Robinson]

And he probably does not deserve to have people like Todd editing his titles.

[Deb]

I wish I could remember the David Horowitz quote exactly, but it's something like: If you don't get elected, you can't change anything. Right now the only way to do that is thru the Republican party.

Just because the party isn't perfect is no reason to abdicate all power and pout. Why can't people see that?

[Lancey Howard]

Seeing as how he's a little slow on the uptake, he may find that I start editing his edits.

So....
"What is a conservative? (Why Kyle Williams may not become a Republican, no principles in the GOP)"

became

"What is a conservative? (Why Williams may not become a Republican, says the naive idealist)".

I think the new title is more accurate.

[nunya bidness]

Maybe pouting is all a 14 year old homeschooled, published author can do after he's done writing a weekly column about pouting and abdicating? Wait. This was about liberal turncoat, party jumper, and designer of the "new" conservative party Horowitz? I'm so confused.

[TLBSHOW]

I looked again and can't find what I said was not right from my reading of the story. I only ask for discussion.

The GOP has no principals.
,,,,,

What is a conservative? (Why Kyle Williams may not become a Republican, no principles in the GOP)


and NOW it reads:


What is a conservative? (Why Williams may not become a Republican, says the naive idealist)

[cmsgop]

A mind is a Terrible thing to Paste Todd.......

[Fred Mertz]

I guess I'm going to leave and visit the "GWB in Jeans" thread. C-ya.

[Jim Robinson]

Well, apparently you did not like Kyle's title, so you edited it. That put the title in play. I didn't like your edit so I thought it best to edit your edit.

[GmbyMan]

Let me take it one step further. Politics isn't a game. This isn't about voting to make yourself feel better. We need to vote in order to change things. Sometimes you can change things quickly and sometimes you can change them slowly. If you are a Conservative, you need to fight these battles within the primary system. It is almost always better to vote for the Republican rather than the Democrat in the general election. Never throw your vote away on a third party. It is an act of self gratification rather than an act of change to do so.

People like young Mr. Williams need to see this distinction. OK, fine, you like conservatives, so send money (or get your parents to send money) to Patrick Toomey and write articles supporting him over Arlen Spector. But if Spector wins the primary, close ranks. Believe me, you'll be more happy with Spector than you ever could be with a Democrat and no one in another party has a snowballs chance in Hell of winning.

Vote Republican.

[cmsgop]

You like Bush in Jeans ????????

Hmmmmmm

[TLBSHOW]

I think the right thing would of been to of asked Kyle first.

[Deb]

Excuse me, Mr. Arrogant but the party doesn't need you to do anything but help elect more conservative candidates. Because there are some rotten congressmen isn't the party's responsibility. It's the idiot voters who stay home or vote for the Libertarians when they should be packing the Congress with hardcore conservative Republicans.

I'm pretty sick of you constantly marching around with your little chest out, gonna teach the party a lesson. Get off it.

[Jim Robinson]

Did you?

[agitator]

Technically Todd, the comment at the end of the title wasn't a part of Kyle's article was it?

[TLBSHOW]

Well it crossed my mind.

Jim I know its your site and you can edit what you like of course and I was not trying to say anything that Kyle didn't say in the title. I thought you said we were not going to make the site too Republican. If I have it all wrong I apologize right now.

[Jim Robinson]

Todd, I do not know of a single Democrat office holder or candidate who deserves to remain in office. Do you?

[nunya bidness]

I can understand you lack of enthusiasm for supporting Horowitz. Let's face it anyone from his dubious background lacks the chops that most conservative pundits have clawed their way to achieve. Perhaps it's best if he's relegated back to his Berkeley roots with Hayden and the Black Panthers. But then again, he does crank up the juice when the publishers are firing up the printers.