Conservatives and Hope?
So, while Obama offers “Hope” and absolutely nothing else, what do conservatives have to offer? According to Chuck Baldwin, no hope:
After witnessing the philosophizing, postulating, and pontificating of the various conservative speakers (or those to whom I spoke in private conversation), I am left with the very profound and distinct impression that the so-called conservative movement is dead. It is not dying: it is dead. Totally and thoroughly dead.
Quite an interesting read. And I think perhaps, way too accurate. Now I know some people are attempting to start The American Conservative Party. I’m not sure it will work because there’s an awful lot of Republicans who are claiming they’re conservatives — and they’re supporting McCain.
I think a true definition of conservative that’s very simple and clear is: One who believes government is evil.
McCain LOVES government. He honestly believes that government can solve every problem every created — much like Obama and Hillary. If McCain fits today’s PC definition of conservative, then I’m no conservative. But I think this blurring of the meaning of words is quite intentional. You see, if enough people claim that McCain is conservative, then conservatives who believe government is evil might actually vote for him without knowing what he stands for.
So is the conservative movement — where conservative means “small government” — dead? Perhaps. I shall be watching and listening VERY closely at the upcoming NC Conservative Leadership Conference. I will be looking to see what this conference’s definition of “conservative” is. It shall be very telling to see if there is massive, overwhelming support for McCain…stay tuned, for I shall live blog that event soon!
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“I think a true definition of conservative that’s very simple and clear is: One who believes government is evil.”
No, that’s the definition of an anarchist. I should know; I used to be one.
A conservative is one who is skeptical about the ability of men to make dramatic yet constructive changes in their society and its institutions. Conservatives don’t always oppose government; I, a rather libertarian-conservative, certainly don’t. But we are insistent about taking it slow and careful; we don’t allow ourselves to be swept up by fads.
Long ago, I saw the following on a tea-bag tag: “Keep the old as long as it is good, and take the new as soon as it is better.” That’s rational social and political thinking. It’s also conservatism in a nutshell.
I see the anarchist as one who wants NO government. I see the conservative as one who understands the need for government — but also understands it is truly evil. Therefore it is, by definition, a necessary evil. This would cause the conservative to distrust government and work to reduce it everywhere — but not completely eliminate it, as the anarchist would.
I honestly don’t believe that government can effectively solve a problem — ANY problem.
I don’t like the idea of “new is better” in government — because I think that’s what we see a lot of right now — we need “more” and “better” and “faster” — no matter the cost.
Have it your way, but a definition’s value arises from the scope of its acceptance. Too few persons will accept your redefinition for it to be useful in discussion.
And that, I believe, is the situation today. “Conservative” has no meaning. When people who support abortion, higher taxes, larger government, and government solutions to everything call themselves “conservatives,” the word has no meaning. You can see it right here where the two of us don’t agree on one meaning.
I have to agree with Chuck Baldwin and Joseph Farah: the conservative movement as a Republican movement, as a small government movement is completely dead and gone.
Sure, the word “conservative” will continue and many will claim to be one to get elected — but the movement is dead, gone, and buried. “Conservative” today means nothing more than “Elect me.”