[RepublicanPOTUSin08]

Conservatism can't be redefined to mean social issues only. Otherwise, it becomes a sectarian movement largely comprised of very religious folks that cannot get to 51% in any election.

I think there are some Freepers who would prefer conservatism to equal religious issues plus national security. That totally misunderstands the rich intellectual history of conservatism, both the Tory strain in the UK and the modern movement here started by, quite frankly, a bunch of New Yorkers! Buckley, the Kristols, Will, etc.

Political conservatism is a movement open to both religious and irreligious and is based on how one views the role of government more than anything. Economic freedom is one of its central tenets, as is taming the federal leviathan, and Duncan Hunter misses the mark on both counts.

[I_like_good_things_too]

Thank you for saying what I've been thinking for months, but have been unable to articulate.

Whenever a Freeper attacks another for supporting a "RINO", I'm always confused about what the new definition of "conservative" is.

[rob777]

"Political conservatism is a movement open to both religious and irreligious and is based on how one views the role of government more than anything. Economic freedom is one of its central tenets, as is taming the federal leviathan, and Duncan Hunter misses the mark on both counts."


BUMP!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Excellent post, thanks! Worth repeating:

Conservatism can't be redefined to mean social issues only. Otherwise, it becomes a sectarian movement largely comprised of very religious folks that cannot get to 51% in any election.

I think there are some Freepers who would prefer conservatism to equal religious issues plus national security. That totally misunderstands the rich intellectual history of conservatism, both the Tory strain in the UK and the modern movement here started by, quite frankly, a bunch of New Yorkers! Buckley, the Kristols, Will, etc.

Political conservatism is a movement open to both religious and irreligious and is based on how one views the role of government more than anything. Economic freedom is one of its central tenets, as is taming the federal leviathan, and Duncan Hunter misses the mark on both counts.