Posted on 11/21/2003 10:27:37 AM PST by yonif
Conservatism is a term which means different things inside and outside the United States. A conservative outside the United States basically means someone who is generally opposed to free trade, someone who supports protectionism of his country’s economy, and the maintaining of the established status quo. Liberalism in this same arena means the opposite, where you have a strong belief in private property, privacy, and the accountability of the government.
These terms have different meanings in the United States. Ideally speaking, both Liberals and Conservatives in the United States believe in a liberal trade economy, open trade and less protectionism of industries. This is not to say that at times presidents may go about enacting legislation which protects industries, such as the steel or textile industry. In addition, both Liberals and Conservatives believe in the right to private property, freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy. One can say that both parties strive to be in the center of the political spectrum.
Difference include that conservatives usually are more concerned with issues of morality, issues of preserving our culture and heritage, the right to own a gun, and the belief that freedom is more important than equality.
I for one believe that every individual who is a citizen of the United States, no matter what race he or she is, should have the same equal rights and protection under the law. I believe everyone should have equal opportunities before the law, but not equal outcomes. The job of the government is to provide the former, not the latter.
The question of what liberals and conservatives believe in, theoretically, is not the vocal point of controversy. The controversy occurs when one debates which one of the two groups protects private property, individual rights, and our sovereign rights. I am a member of the conservative group and I believe this group is one which adequately addresses issues of freedom, heritage, and the motto that the individual is over the government.
In addition conservatives have also come to include religious people and those who are opposed to abortion.
Getting back to what I believe in, I generally subscribe to the conservative thought, however, this was not always the case I must admit.
During 11th and 12th grade I was a generally conservative person on foreign policy (as I have always been); however, I was liberal on the economy. While I was living in China (between 1999 and 2001) I actually pushed teachers to send in their absentee ballots and vote for Gore. I ranted and raved against Bush and supported Al Gore for the presidency. You would also be surprised to learn that I helped John Kerry campaign for his Senate campaign during 12th grade. I even met the guy, along with Ted Kennedy. These dealings with the liberal side helped me transform to see the truth regarding what they really stood for – and that is positions which corrupted our heritage, our rights and sovereignty. Positions which made us look weak in the world, even after being hit by terrorists on 1993, 1998 and 2000.
The terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania changed my view of things. I quickly began to consolidate my opinions, slant more to the right, until I basically became a conservative. However, I do not consider myself a Republican at all, but I will not go into why I feel that title should not describe me at this time.
Let me now describe what conservatism means to me in the political, economic and social spectrums of our society.
In the political spectrum, I believe that the government should be as small as possible. I feel that the states should rightfully so be allowed to regain their power. Every year that passes, I see state power continue to rein. This is unfortunate and not what this country was established. If the waning of state power continues this country will become a democracy, which we were not founded to be as. We were founded as a republic – a federal republic, where there is a separation between the federal, state and local braches of power. We do not have a national ID system, nor do we have a national police force. These types of things are in a democracy. We must not allow ourselves to come down to that level. This will lead to other unfortunate things which our country was not designed for. In addition, I also believe that the two party system must be maintained. Multiparty systems are too unstable and hurt the attributes of being a unitary actor in an international system. Governments can fall more easily as well. We are a powerful actor in the world system. We cannot afford to take on such characteristics which will hurt our position and interests and allow other powers to take hold while we have problems at home.
Economically speaking, I believe that the government should allow market forces to take hold and set the rules of the game. I believe that the government must meddle as little as possible in the economy. I want less government involvement in settling regulations. I want the minimum wage to be eliminated. I believe in low taxes as a result as well. I believe in free trade, but the president should reserve putting up barriers when protecting a certain industry from foreign influence is needed. Overall, I believe that economic forces open up closed political systems, like in the Soviet Union. They bring in capital and an exchange of ideas and information takes hold. People should be allowed to do as they wish with their money.
In the social field of our society I believe in the right to carry a gun. Guns are needed to protect against tyranny and for one’s protection. As a Jew I recall one of the first laws that were passed in Germany under the Nazis which prohibited Jews from owning guns. And as the slogan goes, a state whose police are the only ones with guns is a POLICE STATE. I also believe in morality and that we should not forget our religious heritage and cultural belonging. I believe in the right to privacy in one’s home from the preying eyes of the government. I believe that citizens of this country should be allowed free movement. Of course I believe in the freedom of religion, speech and press as well.
This is what being a conservative means to me. This is who I am. As I have said, this was not always the case; however I believe I have found my political fit at the moment.
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