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.

[Chi-townChief]

Who are "you people" ?

[Sabertooth]

If the Reagan victory and the 1994 takeover of Congress did not convince these professional vote seekers that "moving more to the right" brings success, then a TOOTHLESS demand from voters that they do so will not impress them at all.

Couldn't have said it better.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for the post and link !!

More bump images HERE !

[deport]

tlbshow.......
are you still going to support and push for President Bush's re-election beginning in May 2004? Isn't that what you said before? Is your word still good on that point?

[TLBSHOW]

There is a season for everything deport even a season for closing ranks. Right now the season is holding feet to the Fire.


I hope with all my heart that the conservative writers and Rush Limbaugh would slam the GOP left lean but GOOD for however long it takes to stop the unprincipaled GOP from doing liberal socialist stuff as they are and have been for the first 2 years of Bush.


Rush Limbaugh has warned (SOCIALIST - LITE AND LACK OF GOP PRINCIPALS)

Jerry Falwell has warned (SOCIAL ISSUES)

Pat Robertson has warned (ISLAM ISSUES)

Robert Novak has warned (LACK OF GOP PRINCIPALS)

Ann Coulter has warned (BUSH IS CLINTON)

Kyle Williams has warned (LACK OF GOP PRINCIPALS)

[dogbyte12]

OK... Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson... so what? Kyle Williams a 14 year old. Robert Novak is a registered democrat still. Ann Coulter, is your personal love toy, and a bomb thrower. She has no column unless she is screaming invective about something.

I would love to hear Rush Limbaugh saying that he thinks that George Bush is on balance doing a bad job as president.

[TLBSHOW]

I would love to hear Rush Limbaugh saying that he thinks that George Bush is on balance doing a bad job as president.

......

On balance he isn't doing a bad job. Its all issue by issue but when a pattern starts to shows that issue by issue Bush advances Socialism then either wake up and voice your dismay or be silent.

[Thumper1960]

Could be.

But, I don't reside in the "Matrix".

:-)

[NittanyLion]

What's the term for attributing quotes to a person that didn't say or write them?

I believe it's JaysonBlairism.

[deport]

You like to rule like a king I see..... The populace elect their representatives (Senators and House Members). They represent those within their state/district as it should be. We are a diverse country like it or not. Even the founding fathers had dissention and very split votes on many issues. What was it about a 1/3 to fight the British, a 1/3 no and the rest ambivalent? Maybe I'm wrong on the numbers but look at things thoughout history....


Those you list aren't in the political field of having to make things work. It's very easy to set out in the field like you do and throw bombs. It's an entirely different job to be the leader and have to make decisions on how to govern for all the people. But then you seem to want a king to rule for all... not me.

It's a slow process to turn this around if it will ever be turned around entirely. It can be slowed and right now that's about the best we can hope for. Look at the nominees on whole that President Bush is appointing to the Courts. They will over time be able to change the influence of the legal interpretation. That's why you see the democrats fighting some of them so strongly.

It's damned easy, as evidenced by your daily blasting of the President and the elected officials, to never be positive about a single thing. If your energy was spent pushing the postives and encouraging the people doing those instead of blasting everything and everyone that disagrees with you then you may could influence the outcome in a postive manner and encourage others to join. The same for a lot of your writers you so enjoy touting.

/rant

Now are you going to support the Republican President Bush beginning in May 2004. Or are you going to dodge the answer to the question as you often do?

[Dane]

On balance he(Bush) isn't doing a bad job. Its all issue by issue but when a pattern starts to shows that issue by issue Bush advances Socialism then either wake up and voice your dismay or be silent

Huh, it seems that every thread you start and with your obligatory editorial comment in parenthesis of course, it always seems to be anti-Bush.

JMO Todd, but it seems that your gig is gone.

[TLBSHOW]

I disagree with your post.

[Dane]

I disagree with your post

Sheesh another Leroy clone.

Why am I not surprised.

[MatthewViti]

Ya think Mickey Mouse will be getting a few votes come 04?

[Dane]

Ya think Mickey Mouse will be getting a few votes come 04?

I wouldn't be surprised if one of those votes came from a person whose moniker on FR is Matthew Viti.

"Principle" being the main objective and the comments from Matthew Viti as he is leaving the voting booth.

"Bush didn't apply my(Matthew Viti's) agenda 110 million percent, and the hell with him, I will help his opponent that I agree with 0% of the time".

[MatthewViti]

Anyone who does what he did to Israel has lost my vote forever.

[Dane]

Anyone who does what he did to Israel has lost my vote forever

Oh yeah and Israel has been pushed out to the sea today 6/14/03. Please go right ahead with your rants, that's what they are, and it's your right as an American to believe them.

[Dane]

Oh yeah and Israel has been pushed out to the sea today 6/14/03.

Excuse me, as we converse the present date is the 15th of June, 2003 according to the Gregorian calender.

[TLBSHOW]

bttt on truth!

[certify]

Unfortunately, many in national politics claim to be conservative, but are not, and continually misrepresent what it really means to be a conservative

Can anyone name some conservative in the GOP, that will wake them up