Posted by
JayPeriod on Monday, August 27, 2007 9:51:38 PM
In talking to, and listening to, Liberals, invariably they connect Conservatism with the Religious Right. They point to issues such as abortion and marriage as proof that it is the extreme right of the Republican party that makes the policy. This is just not the case.
While many Republicans are concerned with pro-family issues, which are the strong point of the Religious Right, the idea of Conservatism runs far deeper. Conservatism deals not only with strong family values, but with strong economic issues, personal freedoms and social responsibility.
Conservatism starts with a strong belief in personal freedoms. These freedoms are guaranteed in our Constitution and were meant to be protected to the fullest by our Founding Fathers. These freedoms are of the highest importance, as long as they do not infringe on the freedoms of others. Today, more and more, we see the Left trying to take these rights, from the right to bear arms to the freedom of religion to free speech. These are some of the major differences between the two ideologies.
Conservatives also believe in strong economic policy, beginning with limited government. Our Founding Fathers were well acquainted with large, oppressive government. That is the last thing they would have wanted in America. They limited our government specifically in the Constitution, remanding most rights to either the individual or to states. The Left has forgotten that principal. Liberals fight for more and more entitlement programs, larger taxes, class warfare and a Big Brotheresque, far-reaching government.
Social responsibility hinges on personal responsibility. Without each individual taking responsibility for their own actions, all of society pays the price. True compassion does not make excuses and allow people to run wild, facing no consequences for their actions. In so doing, the very people we are claiming to help will continually fall into a trap and need rescuing, until they reach a point where no one can help them. Does that sound compassionate? Yet, the Left feels that it can hold the hand of everyone, excusing their wrong-doing and faults, forcing the rest of us to pay the penalty.
While it is true that many principals of Conservatism and religion align, it does not mean that the religious crowd rules our ideas. As a Christian, I can say that I was a Conservative long before I was a Christian. It just so happened that I didn't have to change any of my convictions when I became a Christian.
I suppose the real problem lies with the fact that the Left is now run by such extreme groups as MoveOn.org, Sierra Club, PETA, et al. As you watch the debates of the Democratic candidates for President, you can hear them pandering to the extreme left of their party. Therefore, they can't conceive of the Republican party not being run by it's extreme. True Conservative ideas are level across the board, whether you're religious or not.