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Originally Posted by Dom1
So what conservative values are you talking about? I didn't ask anything about Republicans or democrats, just interested in seeing all those conservative values you speak of. I think it would be interesting to see what you think a conservative is, you know, since you are one.
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"To put conservatism in a bottle with a label is like trying to liquefy the atmosphere … The difficulty arises from the nature of the thing. For conservatism is less a political doctrine than a habit of mind, a mode of feeling, a way of living
-Scholar R.J. White
As for functions of government, smaller gov't, limited taxation, right to bear arms, gradual societal change, constitutional constructionism
Personally, I was raised on and believe in traditional American values, family, capitalism (though not unrestrained). I believe in building real wealth and keeping it to do with as you please. I believe in taking responsibility for my words and deeds and expect the same of others. I believe in drawing from the wisdom of those that have come before me and learning from others mistakes before repeating them myself. I believe honesty in all forms is essential to integrity and respect. I believe in identifying the core of a problem and addressing it before attempting to apply a solution. I believe in planning for the future even if it means sacrifice. I believe that there are no perfect solutions and that every freedom has responsibilities and costs associated with them, and not minor ones I might add. I believe that the simple solutions are rarely easy and that the easy solutions are not solutions at all, but a mortgaging of future generations that have no voice in the decision.
And how can we expect future generations to look back and respect us enough to value our wisdom to protect their future if we have not done so? How can future generations hold on to traditions and revere them if the example we set is to give them not a thought at all? Nothing will destroy the future of conservative values more completely and fuel the rise of 1000 haphazard attempts to find a new path. And nothing will compromise it more today than an unwillingness to recognize that it's intent is not to win out and be the only or even the predominant party/ideology, but to provide a healthy counterpart of checks and balances to the political process. Both parties play a roll, or should. Sadly, both parties have lost their way.
Commissioner had a nice list that I agreed with at about 95%
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A conservative believes that our inalienable rights do not include housing, or Hummers.
A conservative believes that our inalienable rights DO include the pursuit of happiness. That means it is guaranteed to no one.
A conservative believes that those who pursue happiness and find it have a right to not be penalized for that success.
A conservative believes that there are no protections against the hardship and heartache of failure. We believe that the right to fail is just as important as the chance to succeed and that those who do fail learn essential lessons that will help them the next time around.
A conservative believes in personal responsibility and accepts the consequences for his or her words and actions.
A conservative believes that real compassion can't be found in any government program.
A conservative believes that each of us has a duty to take care of our neighbors. It was private individuals, companies and congregations that sent water, blankets and supplies to New Orleans far before the government ever set foot there. It was also this formula that freed this nation and built it into the recently former jewel that it was - BA
A conservative believes that family is the cornerstone of our society and that people have a right to manage their family any way they see fit, so long as it's not criminal. We are far more attuned to our family's needs than some faceless, soulless government program.
A conservative believes that people have a right to worship the God of their understanding. We also believe that people do not have the right to jam their version of God (or no God) down anybody else's throat.
A conservative believes that people go to the movies to be entertained and to church to be preached to, not the other way around.
A conservative believes that debt creates unhealthy relationships. Everyone, from the government on down, should live within their means and strive for financial independence. Our entire economy is debt based, let's start with the federal reserve and go from there - BA
A conservative believes that a child's education is the responsibility of the parents, not the government.
A conservative believes that every human being has a right to life, from conception to death. And I do mean EVERY human, not just Americans. However, when you step outside the bounds of humanity and cease to be humane yourself, in the most heinous cases... there are exceptions to every rule - BA
A conservative believes in the smallest government you can get without anarchy. We know our history: The larger a government gets, the harder it will fall.
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I could go on and on, but I have a feeling if I asked you to justify your beliefs you would not go to as much trouble if you bothered at all. So, now you may pass judgement on me yet again, worthless though it may be.
Now then, having said that, there ARE values contained here that are shared between the left and right, though neither would agree to it. There are also some social programs that I think are necessary until this society can pull itself back together. But they are generally poorly run, poorly funded and never fully address the core of the problem. There are issues that I agree with the left on. But not as a nod to the entire ideology, but as a matter of honest practicality.