Posted on 08/23/2011 4:46:35 PM PDT by madmominct
Last night I got into a huge discussion with a liberal drone who thought he knew everything (don't they all?). Among his claims were that Hobbes was the father of Conservatism - who was an elistist who felt that people should be ruled by a strong government and allowed to participate as little as possible. He also claimed that Reagan was the first president to take money out of social security. He also kept referring to something called the "happiness index" and claimed that according to this index, people in Western Europen socialist democracies are the happiest. I intend to look this stuff up myself, but thought I might put it out there and see if there are some thoughts/arugments I could make and good websites for solid data. This guy also felt that money is the biggest problem in government - especially campaigns, and that the Supreme Court just passed something that will allow big corporations to donate unlimited amounts of money to political campaigns and that Republicans are responsible for more campaign money than Democrats - in spite of Soros. Needless to say, I had a headache after talking with this guy. Any thoughts, sources, websites appreciated!
Thank you - great quotes from Churchill - this post will be my treasure trove for future reading and research to further my education in Conservative principles.
That’s why Churchill is my favorite historical figure of all time. Modern politicians are not worthy to shine his shoes.
Russell Kirk picked Edmund Burke, with conservatism beginning as a reaction against the French Revolution.
Kirk wrote “The Conservative Mind” back in 1953, before Buckley started the National Review, before Barry Goldwater arrived on the scene. I often used to see Kirk’s book cited as marking the intellectual beginning of the postwar conservative movement. It was certainly influential. You can find it and a lot of other worthwhile books at the ISI website:
http://www.isi.org/conservative_tho.html
Edmund Burke is also the correct answer.
Arguably, Burke had the more crucial role in that he catalyzed opposition to the French Revolution by enlightened opinion in Britain. Until Burke, many in Britain sympathized with the French Revolution, including Burke’s Parliamentary friend and ally Charles Fox. Had the ideals of the French Revolution triumphed in Britain, conservative principles of government would have been consumed there.
Open a window and I'm bustin' through the door and taking no prisoners! I love those kind of openings!
Edmund Burke is the father of Conservatism.
There was one Happiness study by a Brit. It was subjective. The US ranked 23. England ranked 41. Smaller countries tended to rank higher,
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061011_072596.htm
Don’t know about the Pres Reagan issue.
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