Why I’m a Conservative...

Con-serv-a-tive:  a political belief centering on the resistance of radical change; the philosophy that traditional beliefs, roles, and values that built civilization is vital to civilization's survival.

When people ask me why I'm a Conservative, I ask them why they're not.  I'm a Conservative because I believe in the central idea of America--that the common man can be trusted with his own resources, that a strong defense negates the need for offense, and that God still has a place in our schools, our homes, and our hearts.

A Conservative, at heart, ignores the political rhetoric, media spin, cultural pressure, and ivy league professors and goes his own way.  I'm a Conservative because I believe life has value; that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that if we dismiss this idea, the government becomes the source of our rights--and that is incredibly dangerous.

I'm a Conservative because I believe every person has worth, and that no one should be disposed of because of race, gender, or circumstances of conception.

I'm a Conservative because I believe in discipline, both of mind and body.  The soul responsibility of a parent is to raise children; not a fan club.  To teach discipline.  I'm a Conservative because I believe the school doesn't have the final word on what's best for a child--the parent does.

I'm a Conservative because I believe sex belongs in the bedroom and nowhere else.  That doesn't make me a prude or "old-fashioned."  That makes me a studier of history, with the ability to recognize that great empires ultimately fall from moral decay within.

I'm a Conservative because I still believe in the word respect; respect for one's parents, others' property, the fairer sex, and God.  I believe when you fail to respect any of those, you lessen your own value. I believe that you shouldn't curse in front of a lady, or raise taxes to the extent that women are forced into the workplace as part of some social experiment.  That doesn't make me a prude, or "old-fashioned," or sexist.  That makes me a gentleman.

I'm a Conservative because I believe an eroding culture erodes our children, and that Hollywood doesn't have, or deserve as of late, the last word to our children before they go to bed each night.  I believe that our children are influenced by what they see, be it at home or in Hollywood.  That doesn't make me "judgemental."  That makes me a realist.

I'm a Conservative because I believe life shouldn't be tampered with; that engineering the human race for scientific amusement is undesirable, immoral, and unwise.  That doesn't make me uncaring or anti-science.  That makes me a person with a conscience.

I'm a Conservative because I believe a man's pay is HIS keep, and the government should take as little as possible; overregulation and high taxes hamper productivity, creativity, and growth.  That doesn't make me greedy or anti-poor.  That makes me a Capitalist.

I'm a Conservative because I believe that a nation's security demands a nation's sovereignty; that those here who shouldn't be here should leave, by force if necessary.  That doesn't make me anti-immigrant or racist.  That makes me a believer in the rule of law.

I'm a Conservative because I remind myself every day that my rights to believe as I do have been safeguarded by those willing to serve, from the stirrings of revolution to the present hour.  I'm a Conservative because I understand those rights we so often take for granted came at a great price--the price in lives and blood of sons and fathers and brothers and husbands and friends and schoolmates and neighbors and uncles. 

I'm a Conservative because I believe that red is not the only color that flows through my veins, that white and blue trickle through as well; that the flag isn't just a piece of cloth, but a symbol of freedom, liberty, independence, glory, and compassion all rolled into one.  And that each flap of Old Glory in the breeze represents a soldier who has given his life for those ideals.  And that makes me all the more sad when she is desecrated.

I'm a Conservative because I believe in the human spirit; that good can overcome evil; that our future is filled with promise and not regret.  That we each may have wildly different paths but a common destiny; that freedom is an unfamiliar friend to many in our world; that we are fortunate to enjoy the fruits of our fathers' labor. 

I'm a Conservative because of something I learned when I was a little boy--that family is everything, and you should cling to the gifts you have been given.  You won't truly realize their worth until they are gone.  But I am a Conservative first and foremost because of what my father labored to teach my brother and I from the crib on.  And that is that honesty and integrity are all we will leave the world; an honest man is all you should ever aspire to be.  You do that, and the rest will fall into place.  When I am gone and but a memory, whether I was a begger or a leader, a laborer or an artist, I wish to be remembered first as an honest man.  What else is there?  That's why I'm a Conservative.

-C

"We all have something to give. So if you know how to read, find someone who can't. If you've got a hammer, find a nail. If you're not hungry, not lonely, not in trouble, seek out someone who is. Join the community of conscience." 

George H. W. Bush