[Cogadh na Sith]

Oh, you sanctimonious pecksniff....

Social conservatism is fine as long as it isn't dispensed from the barrel of a state-owned gun.

This is good social conservatism:

"I don't watch those damned racy Fox shows. I won't let my kids watch them--I'm gonna get my like-minded friends together and we are going to contact the advertisers on those shows..."

This is bad social conservatism:

"No one should watch those damned racy Fox shows. I'm gonna contact the government so that the government can show up and shut them down by force if necessary"

Is that so hard?

[Bella_Bru]

Bump to what chookter said!

[Dales]

Just a question- how does "I think those shows are destructive to the moral fiber of communities, so I am going to organize a protest and see if I can pressure Fox to change" fit into your good social conservatism/bad social conservatism spectrum?

[Dales]

Never mind- I can't read. Sorry :-)

[E Rocc]

This is good social conservatism:

"I don't watch those damned racy Fox shows. I won't let my kids watch them--I'm gonna get my like-minded friends together and we are going to contact the advertisers on those shows..."

This is bad social conservatism:

"No one should watch those damned racy Fox shows. I'm gonna contact the government so that the government can show up and shut them down by force if necessary"

Bingeaux.

Indeed, one of Reagan's greatest accomplishments was adding a certain consistency to the conservative movement. It's not government's job to tell you how to spend either your money or your spare time.

A lot of what is called "social conservatism" is really just plain busybodyism. The difference is the advocacy of having government enforce your ideas of "decency" on those who don't share them.

-Eric