Conservatives

To those who think that because I’m an older white male, I’m personally responsible for racism, misogyny and religious fundamentalism, please back off and examine your own bigotry

To those who think they speak for conservatives, take a closer look inside. With the gloating over the election, the celebration of the death of political correctness, victory over the “libtards and socialists,” putting illegal aliens and Muslims on notice, and returning America to the path of greatness, I’ve been asking myself, “What is a conservative?” Was the election a victory for conservatism or was it something else?

Here are a few of my thoughts on the difference between real and pseudo-conservatives.

Conservatives embrace innovation, ingenuity, and progress.

These are and always have been core American ideals. Pseudo-conservatives fear new ideas and change and want to turn back the calendar.

Conservatives believe in the inalienable human rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

These rights are not awarded or earned; every person regardless of origin, sex or nationality is born with them. Pseudo-conservatives would deny these rights to non-Americans.

Conservatives are patriotic.

One of the obligations of patriotism is actively keeping your country on course and correcting it when it’s off. Patriots freely criticize their government. Pseudo-conservatives believe in “my country right or wrong,” and condemn criticism, protest and demonstrations against the government’s actions.

Conservatives take pride in their ethnic heritage.

Loving my country and ethnic group does not mean hating yours. Nor does it imply unlimited devotion to only one group. We all belong to multiple sets. You can be a Portlander and an Oregonian and an Irish American and a Mormon all at the same time. In the same way, being an American doesn’t make one less a citizen of the world or less proud of one’s ethnic background. Pseudo-conservatives vilify other ethnic groups, creeds, and nations.

Conservatives believe that religious faith must be free and uncoerced.

One can’t be a true believer unless one allows for people to freely reject that belief as well. Pseudo-conservatives believe that religious traditions are built into the nation and should be imposed upon everyone. Ours is not a religious nation. The clergy does not comprise a fourth branch of government. Our nation was built on principles that allow people to freely choose or reject any faith.

Conservatives believe in personal autonomy.

If I don’t own my body, who does? I have the right and responsibility to eat, drink, inhale, and wear whatever I decide to, to live where I want and practice my chosen profession free from coercion by the rest of society. Pseudo-conservatives believe in jailing people for what they chose to do with their own bodies and lives.

Conservatives value privacy.

As Justice Brandeis pointed out, the right to be left alone is one of the fundamental principles of the constitution, and a principle true conservatives treasure. Pseudo-conservatives condone invasion of privacy to police private behavior between consenting adults.

Conservatives believe in commitment.

The ability to freely contract with others is essential to the stability and survivability of society. Conservatives support marriage and family, along with any contract freely entered. Pseudo-conservatives believe the government should restrict the right of people to form private unions in ways they do not approve.

Conservatives believe in accountability.

We believe that people responsible for fiascos be investigated, removed, and punished. We do not believe that elites in government or business escape their obligations or merit special treatment. Pseudo-conservatives pursue selective accountability for their enemies but not their friends.

Conservatives are fiscally responsible.

It’s embarrassing to see nominally conservative administrations run up deficits only to have nominally liberal administrations get them under control.

Conservatives believe in integrity.

They don’t believe the ends justify the means. They believe ethical principles are too important to be compromised for short-term gains. Pseudo-conservatives support torture, kidnapping and violations of sovereignty to the depths of evil perpetrated by terrorists.

Conservatives believe in honesty.

Pseudo-conservatives condone the use of falsehoods and lies against their enemies.

Conservatives believe in free market.

The government exists in part to ensure free competition and market forces providing the best product for the lowest price. Laws that force people to participate in state-protected industries are tyrannical. Pseudo-conservatives turn a blind eye to wealthy interests influencing government to shut out fair competition and choice in the marketplace.

Conservatives believe in limited government.

They don’t believe in no government. There are some functions that only government can perform despite its weaknesses and inefficiencies. They believe it is proper for government to create and enforce laws that protect us all and promote the general welfare. Pseudo-conservatives believe that the government has no business providing basic education, healthcare, and protection for us all.

Conservatives believe honest work.

Enterprise should be encouraged, not punished through excessive taxation. The pseudo-conservative does not distinguish between income derived from honest work and income from mere ownership. Taxing the worker and manager who labor for a paycheck is not the same thing as taxing the profits of the stockholder or property owner.

Conservatives believe in capitalism.

Ownership or property and the accumulation of wealth is the right of every person. When all wealth accumulates to a few at the top, it necessarily restricts the availability of property to others, and their right to participate in the blessings of capitalism. Conservatives recognize the government’s responsibility to ensure fair taxation and access to wealth and property by all. Pseudo-conservatives resist any restriction to the unlimited accumulation of all wealth by a few.

Conservatives believe in shared responsibility.

If one of us goes to war, we all go. We all should vote. We all should pay taxes. We all should be subject to the draft, national service and jury duty. Pseudo-conservatives don’t differentiate between national defense and reckless extension of military power abroad in our name.

Conservatives believe in freedom of information.

We do not believe the government has the right to unlimited secrecy, to operate without the knowledge or consent of the governed. We do not trust the government to never abuse power under the cover of secrecy and an unpublished budget. We sympathize with those who expose abuses of power cloaked in “national security.” Pseudo-conservatives condemn such exposure as treasonous and would limit people’s access to information.

Conservatives believe in freedom of expression.

They believe that freedom of thought and speech are necessary to a healthy society. Pseudo-conservatives would penalize dissent, censor ideas they disagree with.

Conservatives believe respect must be earned.

Although not every person or idea deserves respect, conservatives believe in courtesy and civil discourse. Pseudo-conservatives do not understand the difference between courtesy and respect, nor do they distinguish between ideas and the people who express them.

Conservatives are practical.

They believe in facts, evidence, and science. Conservatives carefully consider all aspects of a problem before diving in. Pseudo-conservatives glibly dismiss inconvenient facts, evidence, and science.

Conservatives are skeptical.

They don’t accept every piece of news on face value. They check things out. Pseudo-conservatives are gullible and accept whatever reinforces what they already believe and pass it on uncritically.

Conservatives are genuinely compassionate.

They recognize that not all of the poor, the disabled and the desperate deserve their fate. Many are veterans and victims of events beyond their control. And no ethical system – certainly not ours – allows a people to turn their backs on such as these. Pseudo-conservatives dismiss them as lazy and undeserving.