WHAT IS A CONSERVATIVE - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY
What is a Conservative? The media and liberals would have everyone believe that a Conservative is a far right wing fanatic who is either a religious or a moral zealot that will condemn anything or anyone who disagrees with them or is some sort of Christian fanatic bent on forcing others to a similar belief or creed.
Now don't get me wrong this is not nor ever will be a condemnation of religion or Christian beliefs because those are beliefs that are a fundamental part of my life and they are part of my views as a Conservative. Now that the media and liberal perception of a Conservative are defined and set aside, what then is a Conservative?
First a Conservative is one who understands and accepts the original intent of what the Founders conceived in the Constitution as the fundamental principles and foundation for this Nation. The principles that this country was founded on as described in this most profound document are unchangeable and as viable today as they were when first written and ratified.
The Tenth Amendment states that all power that is not specifically defined in the Constitution belongs to the State and the people. This is a fundamental Conservative and Constitutional principle calling for limited Federal Government. The Founders never intended for this Nation to have an all powerful and all encompassing Federal bureaucracy and this principle for limited Government is both Conservative and Constitutional.
This includes taxation, government entitlements, the expanded powers of government over the people and government intrusion in the lives and business of our citizens through excessive regulation and legislation. Conservatism believes in the power belonging to the people and not the government which is the original intent of the founders and the Constitution.
A second principle of Conservatism is the understanding that a strong and viable military is necessary for the defense of this Nation and the protection of our people, our borders and our National Security. This too is a Constitutional principle that is found in the Presidential oath which states that it is the responsibility of the President, the Commander in Chief to, "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution." A strong military is a key component to this oath and the preservation of the Constitution and the Nation who holds our Constitution as law.
While Conservatives understand and believe the First Amendment right to freedom of religion, it is also with the understanding that the Constitutional provision that government shall not establish or make any laws pertaining to the practice of religion does not mean that God is not a part of who we are as a people and a Nation. The notion that Jefferson's statement concerning, "the separation of church and state, " made in his letter written in 1804 to a New Hampshire church organization in reference to his not proclaiming a Day of Thanksgiving meaning that it is a Constitutional provision that God is excluded from all aspects of American government and public society is not only false but not what the Founders intended.
Conservatism also understands that life is precious and that all have a God given right to live. The Declaration of Independence which is the document that gave birth to who we are and all that we believe and adhere to as Americans states, “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator to certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This right that we have as Americans to, " life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, " applies to all life both born and unborn and as such that is why Conservatism holds to the principle of, "right to life."
Conservatism is not a party nor a political dogma or policy but a core of fundamental beliefs that are based in and follow the basic principles and intent of the Founders and the Constitution that they passed down to all generations of Americans. That this Government and the Nation that it governs is now and always will be a government of by and for the people. A Constitutional Republic whose representatives are fully answerable to the people not the people answerable to government through taxation and regulation or socialistic programs that force dependency on and control by an all powerful government.
Conservatism literally believes that, "We the People, " is not just an opening phrase or eloquent words to begin an outdated document, but a foundational principle that this nation holds true and firm and that the Constitution that holds these words are the principles and laws that this Nation was founded upon and as such follow to the letter today and in future generations. That those fundamental rights granted by our Creator of, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” are our legacy as a people and our responsibility to defend and protect both for ourselves and all future Americans.
Ken Taylor
Now don't get me wrong this is not nor ever will be a condemnation of religion or Christian beliefs because those are beliefs that are a fundamental part of my life and they are part of my views as a Conservative. Now that the media and liberal perception of a Conservative are defined and set aside, what then is a Conservative?
First a Conservative is one who understands and accepts the original intent of what the Founders conceived in the Constitution as the fundamental principles and foundation for this Nation. The principles that this country was founded on as described in this most profound document are unchangeable and as viable today as they were when first written and ratified.
The Tenth Amendment states that all power that is not specifically defined in the Constitution belongs to the State and the people. This is a fundamental Conservative and Constitutional principle calling for limited Federal Government. The Founders never intended for this Nation to have an all powerful and all encompassing Federal bureaucracy and this principle for limited Government is both Conservative and Constitutional.
This includes taxation, government entitlements, the expanded powers of government over the people and government intrusion in the lives and business of our citizens through excessive regulation and legislation. Conservatism believes in the power belonging to the people and not the government which is the original intent of the founders and the Constitution.
A second principle of Conservatism is the understanding that a strong and viable military is necessary for the defense of this Nation and the protection of our people, our borders and our National Security. This too is a Constitutional principle that is found in the Presidential oath which states that it is the responsibility of the President, the Commander in Chief to, "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution." A strong military is a key component to this oath and the preservation of the Constitution and the Nation who holds our Constitution as law.
While Conservatives understand and believe the First Amendment right to freedom of religion, it is also with the understanding that the Constitutional provision that government shall not establish or make any laws pertaining to the practice of religion does not mean that God is not a part of who we are as a people and a Nation. The notion that Jefferson's statement concerning, "the separation of church and state, " made in his letter written in 1804 to a New Hampshire church organization in reference to his not proclaiming a Day of Thanksgiving meaning that it is a Constitutional provision that God is excluded from all aspects of American government and public society is not only false but not what the Founders intended.
Conservatism also understands that life is precious and that all have a God given right to live. The Declaration of Independence which is the document that gave birth to who we are and all that we believe and adhere to as Americans states, “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator to certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This right that we have as Americans to, " life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, " applies to all life both born and unborn and as such that is why Conservatism holds to the principle of, "right to life."
Conservatism is not a party nor a political dogma or policy but a core of fundamental beliefs that are based in and follow the basic principles and intent of the Founders and the Constitution that they passed down to all generations of Americans. That this Government and the Nation that it governs is now and always will be a government of by and for the people. A Constitutional Republic whose representatives are fully answerable to the people not the people answerable to government through taxation and regulation or socialistic programs that force dependency on and control by an all powerful government.
Conservatism literally believes that, "We the People, " is not just an opening phrase or eloquent words to begin an outdated document, but a foundational principle that this nation holds true and firm and that the Constitution that holds these words are the principles and laws that this Nation was founded upon and as such follow to the letter today and in future generations. That those fundamental rights granted by our Creator of, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” are our legacy as a people and our responsibility to defend and protect both for ourselves and all future Americans.
Ken Taylor
posted by The Liberal Lie The Conservative Truth | 12:10 PM
7 Comments:
I never knew if I was a Conservative or not. All I knew is I believe in a principle of personal responsibility.
If that makes me a conservative, I am proud to call myself a Conservative.
Wow, You really nailed it on the head with this one. I agreed with you over at my blog but this is even better! Too many people think Conservative's equal "right wing nut job's" and fail to see who we are.
Truly excellent!
Ken, I may quibble about some of your points, but I think your main issue seems to be that people are confused about what a conservative is - and that it is somehow the "media and liberals" who are responsible.
I think the problem is far more likely to be the current President and the former Republican Congress who failed to live up to many of the principles you are espousing - particularly with respect to spending, debt accumulation, nation-building, a disrespect for national borders, government snooping into personal lives, etc.
As a proud alum of the University of Virginia (which Jefferson founded), I can tell you that your implied understanding of what Jefferson thought about religion and government is laughable. Jefferson despised organized religion - including Christianity. He was a free thinker who saw no place for religion in politics and government. You really should do some research, but here are a couple of select quotes by TJ:
"It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." and "I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."
"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."
"Christianity ... (has become) the most perverted system that ever shone on man. ... Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and
importers ..."
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot ..."
Rob, there was no intent to imply anything about Jefferson's view on religion. Just stating where the term, "seperation of church and state, " came from and how it became the icon of those who would seperate God from anything.
This statement made by Jefferson in his letter is thought by many to actually come from the Constitution. As you know the first ammendment referes to the establishment of a state church or legislation establishing a state religion.
That was my purpose in mentioning the Jefferson letter not relating his views about religion jsut the birth of the statement.
Oh also Rob I do agree that the current crop of Republicans have lost what Conservatism is which again is why I stated in the next to last pharagraph that it was not a party or a political dogma but a core of fundamental beliefs that are based on principles and the original intent of the Constitution.
I understood your post and have been on your blog enough to know how you define conservativism, but that doesn't change my argument that I think your blame for the media and liberals is misguided - the Republican Party (which is supposed to be the conservative party) has muddied the waters enough on its own.
Ken, the mere fact that you espouse conservative views, but then support McCain as the standard bearer for your Party is perplexing to me. You should be blaming McCain for further muddying the waters of what a conservative is. Every time he speaks he says he is a "good conservative."
With respect to religion in government, as I read your post, you seemed to be implying the widely held (but utterly false) conception that the founding fathers somehow intended religion (i.e., Christianity) to be a part of government affairs. If you read the writings of most of the founding fathers it is clear that they largely and vehemently rejected this idea. In fact, the first 5 presidents were all Deists or liberal unitarians, who rejected orthodox Christianity.
The First Amendment is fairly clear, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." When you say that TJ's letter does not equate to "a Constitutional provision that God is excluded from all aspects of American government and public society is not only false but not what the Founders intended." I agree with you on one point, the letter should not considered a "Constitutional provision", but we clearly have a Consitutional provision with the First Amendment that does remove religion from Government.
I am a little hazy on what you mean by "public society." If you are talking about private citizens and the public at large, I don't sense any problem for folks to pray as they want as long as it is not interfering in the rights of others.
Yes, the constitution is quite clear.
Freedom is the most important point of it.
I think rejection of initiatory force except in self defense is the important thing here.
As for religion, the constitution tells us that people who still want to believe in ancient mythologies can believe as long as they don't legislate their myths. People who don't believe in mythologies can't stop those from practicing their mythology, unless they try to legislate it. :D
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