John Hawkins: What Conservatism Isn't

Townhall ^ | September 26, 2008 | John Hawkins

[2ndDivisionVet]

If you closely follow politics, one thing you'll learn is that liberals often go to great lengths to try to hide what they really believe from the public while conservatives inevitably seem to be trying to correct some misperception that has been spread about them.

So, as a creature of the Right and as someone who knows other conservatives well, I'd like to do something a little out of the ordinary. I'd like to take the time to explain what we conservatives are NOT so that people who aren't that familiar with conservatism can know when they're being fed a plateful of baloney about what we believe.

Conservatives don't dislike minorities: Few things outrage conservatives more than the fact that liberals are forever accusing us of hating this or that group for the flimsiest of reasons. Yes, there are a few racist conservatives, just like there are racist liberals and moderates. However, judging by the number of race-based attacks on minority conservatives by the Left, the Right as a whole is considerably less racist than our brethren on the Left.

Conservatives don't want women kept barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen: Conservatives have much more respect for stay-at-home mothers than the Left does and therefore, we don't look down our noses at women who want to be at home with the kids while their husband works.

For people who say that means conservatives just want women to be subservient to men, I have two words for you: Sarah Palin. She's a working mother shooting for the second most powerful position in the land. Conservatives love her and liberals hate her in large part for the exact same reason: she's a living, breathing stereotype killer.

Conservatives aren't anti-science: One of the great ironies of modern life is that liberals, a group that regularly tries to whip up scientifically unjustifiable hysteria for political gain, has consistently tried to brand conservatives as being "anti-science."

Have you ever noticed how that plays out in say, the global warming debate? On the Right, you have people constantly quoting actual studies and scientists as they make an argument while on the Left, they're quoting Al Gore and telling you sketchy stories about how the polar bears are all going to die if we don't do something right this second! Honestly, which side sounds like it's more interested in actual scientific facts as opposed to political propaganda masquerading as science?

"Conservative" and "Republican" aren't necessarily the same thing: Most conservatives are Republicans, but much to the chagrin of the Right, far too many Republicans, even ones claiming to be conservative, don't act in a conservative fashion.

For example, during his time in office, George Bush has been ferociously criticized by conservatives for out-of-control spending, expansions of government power, and his stand on illegal immigration. That's not to say that conservatives don't agree with the Republican Party on most issues -- because we do -- but you should never forget that "conservative" and "Republican" are most definitely two different things.

Conservatives aren't theocrats: People who aren't Christians -- or alternately are believers, but don't take their faith seriously -- sometimes accuse conservatives of wanting to disregard the Constitution in order to implement a theocracy.

Never, in my entire career as a writer, have I seen a prominent conservative advocate such a thing and never, in my entire life, have I met a single conservative who believes in doing such a thing. This idea has slightly less resonance on the Right than making Nancy Pelosi House Majority Leader for life.

Conservatives rig the elections: This is a theme that has been taken up by the Left after their chosen candidates went down in flames during the last two presidential elections. However, if conservatives are rigging elections, why in the world did we allow the Democrats to take over Congress in 2006?

Moreover, if you look at cases of election malfeasance where someone is actually prosecuted for doing something wrong as opposed to imaginary cases where something "must" be going on because the wrong candidate lost, you'll find that the Left is much more likely to engage in election fraud than the Right.

Conservatives don't want to pollute the environment: Here's a little secret you will seldom hear from environmental groups: the environment is in pretty good shape here in the United States. We don't have Bejing-like pollution in the air, uninhabitable radioactive wastelands like the Ukraine, and people regularly drinking contaminated well water like you'll find in India.

This is where the Left and Right differ. Conservatives are concerned about clean water, clean air, and a clean environment while the left-wing environmental groups have become increasingly hysterical over trivia and dubious problems, like global warming, in order to keep their fundraising going. So. if you're interested in environmental issues that might actually have some measurable impact on your life and your health, the Right is just as concerned as the Left about the environment.

Conservatives aren't in the pocket of the rich: When it comes to the rich, the biggest difference between the Left and the Right is that conservatives don't resent successful people for their success. Add to that a healthy respect for capitalism that isn't present on the Left and you get a generally favorable attitude towards business and successful people.

That being said, it is the Right, not the Left that is the greatest foe of corporate welfare and businesses that profit from illegal immigration. That's one of the biggest reasons why, despite what you'd expect, big business is much friendlier to the Left than you'd think given their socialistic attitudes.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Comments?

[Perdogg]

Conservatives don’t wear bracelets of fallen heroes for props.

[RobinOfKingston]

Well, it doesn’t make very good theater, but I do agree with each of his points. ‘Cept that part about being Republican. As a group, they simply aren’t conservative enough for me.

[Old Sarge]

Too many words; the Sheep will never read it.

[Maelstorm]

He is right. Liberals do hide what they believe in plain day even. They get away with it only because so much of the media outside of radio and the internet is inclined to the left. They don’t even have to try because their natural inclination is to err on the side of the left and they almost always do. Conservatives often eat their own. I get so angry sometimes. A conservative female commentator came out today and started bashing Palin. (What in the hell purpose is that? It wasn’t even productive and gives cover to the other horrible idiots that have been attacking her on the left.) There is a difference between honest analysis, and acceptance of false arguments. Anyone can make an argument from the perspective of Iran but a person who forgets that just because you imagine such things does make it something that you should accept and approve. The assessment of validity should always be from self interest and rightness as you see it based upon your beliefs. A person who deceives themselves thinking they are being fairminded by allowing everything moral equivalence. I heard a very ignorant radio talk show host on WRVA compare churchs who want to be politically regardless of message as no different than Rev Wright of “God Damn America” fame. That is foolish. The messages is what matters. One may not think it appropriate that any church be openly politically involved but that certainly does not make all the messages regardless of content essentially the same.

We have a lot of ignorant conservatives who couldn’t think themselves out of a paper bag and usually those are the ones who think they are more cultured. So go figure. Back to the point though Liberals have marginalized themselves and no they can not afford to be judged on what they really believe or their records.

[TheWasteLand]

liberals often go to great lengths to try to hide what they really believe from the public

Liberals believe in only one thing: fashion. And so they have the living Constitution.

Conservatives aren't anti-science

Quite the contrary. One of the best books I've read on the subject of the Left and science: Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and Its Quarrels with Science.

Conservatives don't want to pollute the environment

The early environmental movement, once referred to as conservation, was actually fairly conservative in nature (no pun intended). Hence the name. Only once it had been hijacked by the extreme left did it become the farce that it is today.

[TBP]

Conservatives don’t use the flag for a prop.

[Arthur McGowan]

Conservatives don’t think there should be a hunting season (i.e., all year) for babies.

[TBP]

Conservatives aren't in the pocket of the rich

Liberals are. The rich make the best socialists, as the Big Bank Bailout is showing us clearly.

[Bullish]

Conservatives aren't whiny little crybaby's when they don't get their way.
Liberals constantly whine even when they do get their way, which is almost always lately.

[Just A Nobody]

Conservatives don't use the tactics of the left, the way you did here...
during his time in office, George Bush

It is PRESIDENT BUSH to you, john hawkins.

[tpanther]

SPOT ON about science and Theocracy!

I’ll add conservatives don’t hate their own country and for the most part aren’t suffering from serious mental illnesses and disorders either.

Conservatives aren’t aelf-absorbed like alot of libs are, look at the hollyweirdos.

(A sure fire way to spot a liberal, as I truly believe liberalism is a mental defect.)

[GOP Poet]

fantastic article. I’m too tired to give it much analysis, except to say it is right on! Thanks for posting.

[GOP_Raider]

‘Cept that part about being Republican. As a group, they simply aren’t conservative enough for me.

I think that might explain some of the animosity "Republicans" have around here with Bill Sali--I do remember seeing a few "Republican for Larry Grant" and I kept thinking to myself "what kind of a doofus would vote for Larry Grant?"

Although I do think that Walt Minnick will get trounced by Sali, since I think his support is resigned to the few kooks in this district.

[Tublecane]

“If you closely follow politics, one thing you’ll learn is that liberals often go to great lengths to try to hide what they really believe from the public while conservatives inevitably seem to be trying to correct some misperception that has been spread about them.”

This is so because the left owns nearly all propaganda outlets in American culture (i.e. newspapers, magazines, publishing houses, music, movies, television, universities, mainline Protestant churches, etc.), with the exception of some of the Churches, the internet, and talk radio. Liberals do not have to tell the (full) truth if they (nearly) own our minds.

[metmom]

Good analysis and useful article.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

"Conservatives aren't anti-science"

Quite the contrary. One of the best books I've read on the subject of the Left and science: Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and Its Quarrels with Science.

??

I'm curious. You say 'au contraire' to the statement "Conservatives aren't anti-science" by linking to a book that makes a case against the Left?

[TheWasteLand]

My mistake. My “au contraire” was was to the notion that Conservatives are anti-science, which is not what I quoted :)

[steelyourfaith]

"Conservatives aren't anti-science: One of the great ironies of modern life is that liberals, a group that regularly tries to whip up scientifically unjustifiable hysteria for political gain, has consistently tried to brand conservatives as being "anti-science."

Have you ever noticed how that plays out in say, the global warming debate? On the Right, you have people constantly quoting actual studies and scientists as they make an argument while on the Left, they're quoting Al Gore and telling you sketchy stories about how the polar bears are all going to die if we don't do something right this second! Honestly, which side sounds like it's more interested in actual scientific facts as opposed to political propaganda masquerading as science?"

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !