Posted on 11/08/2009 5:44:01 PM PST by GretchenB
The term is confusing to many. I agree with most of the posts on FR, but am confused about what kind of candidate you would consider Conservative – what are the priorities – fiscal or social? IMHO, the narrower the definition, the less likely they will be elected. What are the most important factors? Thanks for your patience – this is meant to be an honest question.
These days, I’d settle for another JFK!
For me it is a person who is dedicated to Constitutional government.
This looks like something that should be in the “chat” section. The News/Activism tab should be reserved for non-vanity posts.
That’s a tough question. The answer is more complex than many of our FR colleagues might wish.
A belief in a smaller, less-intrusive government, fiscally responsible, a believer in free market capitalism, pro-life (though some differ as to what degree), patriotic, believes in self reliance and individual responsibility for one’s actions.
Opposed to virtually everything Obama stands for.
Fiscal, fiscal, fiscal! There will never be enough consensus on “social issues” to elect someone to a high office with baggage in that area. And face it, the Constitution doesn’t say squat about “social issues”, but it says plenty about private property rights, and LIMITS on government. It does not establish a form of government in which government is supposed to prescribe a social culture and compel citizens to live according to the prescription.
A conservative is a patriot who insists on the literal interpretation of the constitution, and the preservation of individual citizen’s means to guard it: through free speech, freedom of assembly,and the indivudual citizen’s inalienable right to possess and bear arms.
All other issues are flavoring.
The Conservative supports freedom and liberty, while today’s liberal/leftists support servitude to the state.
I deny the dichotomy between fiscal and social conservatism. True conservative positions in both arenas result from the same fundamental values — liberty & human rights. Diverging from conservatism in either means the foundation isn’t really there. If you find someone who’s “socially liberal but fiscally conservative,” they’ll actually be all-around liberal.
I don’t think it is that complex. A conservative is a person dedicated to Constitutional government, no?
The durability of Conservatism has depended, to a great extent, on it being a disposition rather than a philosophy. What marks Conservatives out, across the generations, and whatever the environment they operate in, is an attitude of mind rather than an adherence to dogma. And that disposition - skeptical, cautious, pragmatic, sensitive to the local and the particular - has been politically successful because it has been in tune with human nature.
Michael Gove
later
That is a difficult question.
I don’t think we should be too picky at this point. There seems to be a lot more interest in cutting spending and taxes than anything else. If you are for that, you will be electable, and you are aligned with the core principles of conservatism.
I think being a fiscal conservative is top priority, the social issues kind of fall in line under that.
To be fiscally conservative means to be held accountable.
If I were to try to express the conservative’s attitude toward government as succinctly as possible, I’d probably go with “leave me alone.” I think a “Leave Me Alone” movement/party has a lot of potential in the US.
Free Republic Browse · Search Pings · Mail News/Activism Topics · Post Article
Skip to comments.
"Right wing" defined by Merriam-Webster (plus DFU comments) merriam webster dot com ^ | 11-3-09 | Merriam-Webster, comments DFU
Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:36:02 AM by doug from upland
The definition is not very illustrative, so I will give you my thoughts below.
RIGHT WING
One entry found.
Free Dictionary Define Any Word With The Click Of A Button. Free, Fast, and Simple. www.Google.com
Main Entry: right wing Function: noun Date: 1856
1 : the rightist division of a group or party 2 : right 8
— right–wing \ˈrīt-ˈwiŋ, -ˌwiŋ\ adjective
— right–wing·er \ˈrīt-ˈwiŋ-ər, ˌrīt-\ noun
============================================
We are called right wingers, conservatives, the radical right, sometimes even Nazis and fascists. What is there about the political positions held by those on the political right that gets the leftists, radicals, commies, socialists, Obamabots, America haters, and most Democrats so excited?
There will be some areas of disagreement among us (we really are not a closed tent), but I think these are some of views generally held by those who consider themselves conservatives and on the political right.
1. The Founders of this nation looked to God for Divine guidance, and we have a Judeo-Christian heritage that we embrace.
2. We are answerable to a higher power for what we do here on earth.
3. Freedom is the right of all men (and women, of course), and the United States Constitution is the greatest document ever created to assure such freedom.
4. People are free to do what they want in their own bedroom with mutual consent, but marriage should not be changed to include two members of the same sex or multiple partners. Once you change the definition for some narcissistic group, anyone can demand you change it for them. And they will.
5. We have the right, pursuant to the 2nd Amendment and common sense, to own firearms for self protection, for protection of our families, and protection of our neighbors.
6. America is the greatest force for good and for freedom in the history of the world. There is no such thing as perfection, but no one comes close to the good accomplished by the United States of America. Just imagine a world without the US. Ronald Reagan was right to envision "a thousand years of darkness."
7. Slavery was a horrific original sin of the United States. This nation ended it and has paid a great price in blood and assets. We should, however, not feel guilty about it. No one alive today in this country, unlike some other countries, has owned slaves.
8. Criminals choose to do what they do voluntarily and should pay a heavy price for violating the rights of others. If you take a life on purpose, you should forfeit yours.
9. We believe in the individual, not groups. We judge only the individual. It doesn't matter your sex, your age, your race, your politics, your religion (unless you are part of the group of millions of radical Muslims who want us dead), or your net worth --- we look at you as a person not a member of a group. The real racists are those on the condescending left who think less of the abilities of individuals in particular groups.
10. A baby growing in the womb has the right to live.
11. Charity begins in the family, the church, the neighborhood, and the extended community. The federal government, with it's incredible waste and inefficiency, is not the first place to look for help. It should be the last.
12. A strong military is critical to the survival of this nation. Our military decisions should be based on our national interest, and those who have risked their lives for us should be recognized as heroes and given the first chance to receive any government benefits. They earned them.
13. The larger the role of government in our lives, the greater is the threat to individual liberty and freedom.
14. The elite political class should be subject to the same laws and system of justice as we the people. It may not be a stretch to believe that there are more uncharged felons in Congress than in the NFL.
15. The damage done by the ACLU to this nation's standards, heritage, and traditions is incalculable.
16. Certainly with some exceptions, the modern Democratic Party is a criminal enterprise.
17. A seemingly non-stop wave of those coming into this nation illegally with no chance of assimilation threatens to destroy this nation.
18. If so-called minority communities gave their support to the local police, rather than portraying them as the enemy, their lives would be much safer and jobs would be created.
19. Our education system has been systemically destroyed by those on the political left who totally control the public schools and the universities.
20. The fourth estate, those to whom we look to keep officials honest, has become nothing more than an arm of the Democratic Party.
21. Taxing people excessively creates disincentives to work hard. It is wrong for the government to steal the fruits of hard-working people's labor.
22. Global warming, now changed to "climate change" is the excuse the left is using to control people's lives.
23. Private property is just that, and there should be limited control over it by any government entity.
24. Trial lawyers suck the lifeblood out of business, and the costs they add onto business and consumers are greater than if someone had to pay the Mafia for protection.
25. We have the greatest health care system in the world. Although it could certainly use some reform, given the chance, the leftists in the Democratic Party are going to destroy it.
26. Conservative women are cuter and nicer than leftist women. Conservatives in general are nicer and more positive. They encourage everyone to be their best and want everyone who works hard to succeed.
27. The United Nations is largely controlled by thugs from thug nations who hate America.
28. Iran should not be allowed to have nukes. We take them at their word that they will destroy Israel.
29. Ronald Wilson Reagan was our greatest modern president.
30. Those who don't recognize the short-term and long-term threat of radical Islam are naive fools.
31. Barack Hussein Obama poses a threat to this great nation as has no individual and certainly no chief executive in the history of this republic. (Hillary, I must finally admit it --- he is more frightening than you, dear.)
I wouldn’t worry too much about that. It seems to me that about 95% of Freepers look at everything on one page anyway.
A Conservative is one who believes in the United States Constitution ‘as written’ by our Founders. No more, no less.
But it's been so bastardized by the left that many people see it as restrictive (imho) and believe it shackles them when in truth, it's just the opposite. (again imho)
Ive never seen this question asked before
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.