Wherefore Art Thou, Conservative?
Posted by MFScooter on July 29th, 2010Conservatism – not what you think it is?
BY: MIKE SCOOTER 07.29.2010
Conservatism (2): A political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change (3) the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change
Conservative (3a): tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions: TRADITIONAL
Constitutionalism: adherence to or government according to constitutional principles: also: a constitutional system of government
-Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary
Many within the Grand Old Party, as well as those of us identifying with the ‘Tea Party’ phenomenon, use the word ‘conservative’ to describe ourselves. It is important for us to communicate not just to each other (we already understand the nuance), but also to the public at large exactly what we mean when we say ‘I am a conservative’.
In some ways, those on the progressive left have an excellent claim on the dictionary definition of conservatism…that social stability is to be valued above all else (including economic health)…that a gradual development and evolution in government is to be preferred to an abrupt change.
This is not what I mean when I say ‘I am a conservative’. A better way to say it, perhaps, is that I am a Conservative Constitutionalist.
Fact is, the definition according to Noah also strongly incorporates the notion of tradition. In this country over the past 90 years it is conclusively demonstrable that we no longer hew to the Constitution, the supreme law in a Republic by definition founded upon Rule of Law. Left, right, and center must all agree on this point if bothered to examine the evidence.
Being a conservative in this environment does mean honoring tradition, our Founders, and our Constitution. It does emphatically not speak to a gradual sort of change, but rather a fundamental sea change in how we govern ourselves…back to our founding precepts which made us the greatest nation the world has ever seen. We need revitalization, to survive as a republic we must avow the necessity of drastic reordering of our government away from a eruro-style pseudo-arostocricy and back to our roots.
A final point: Social stability is not in the cards. Regardless of our leadership in the coming years, our economic conundrum driven by excessive debt will create hardship and austerity. The question is not in whether we avoid paying the piper for past extravegances by our government, our banks, and our lobbyists. It is whether we embrace our problems with a uniquely American ‘can do’ optimism…or decline into a morass of socialistic serfdom.
As always, our contributors’ opinions belong to them and only them:
Candidates that I think “get it”:
David Hedrick – top of my “Take Back Our Republic” A-list.
Paul Akers – business principles to DC
Clint Didier – take-no-bull to DC
Skip Mercer – not a chance in the primaries, but boy do I like him!
Jon Russell
Norma Jean Stevens
Brian Peck – small businessperson, understands cash flow.
Paul Harris
Brandon Vick
Peter Van Nortwick – understands the job, has ideas for immediate implementation. Eminently qualified.
Scott Weber – is running so he can eliminate the office!
Mike Appel
Alan Svehaug – like I5 tolls? No? That’s Alan’s fight.
John Elkin
Justices Sanders, Johnson, and Daggy – mighty important for judges to understand the Constitution(s)
Some I think might understand, but can’t say for sure for one reason or another:
Jamie Herrera – potential here, I am hopeful she understands…remains to be seen.
Ed Orcutt – haven’t been able to really tell if Ed is ‘captured by the system’ or not.
Bill Cismar
Craig Riley
Brent Boger
Garry Lucas – seems like a “good cop”.
Politicians-as-usual, and/or Progressives. Lumped together. Intentionally.
David Castillo
Patty Murray – I haven’t got the words…
Dino Rossi – machine politician. Not much else to say.
Denny Heck – shiny exterior. Dangerous ideas under the hood.
Cheryl Crist – Patty Murray, “Light”.
Tim Probst – I deeply respect this man personally. Just not his ideas.
Martin Hash
Monica Stonier – an Obama delegate to last election’s Democratic Convention, by the way…and I’ve heard her BRAG about it.
Dennis Kampe
Jim Moeller
Janet Seekins – unqualified. Heir-apparent to the current officeholder.
The rest, I simply haven’t had the opportunity to research or talk to.
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