What Is Conservatism?

[mystery-ak]

November 23, 2022
What Is Conservatism?
By Michael D. Giammarino

Since Election Day, I have been engaging in conversations about the political state of the country.  In the face of the failed prediction of a red tsunami, many (both on the right and the left) are blaming the Republicans themselves for the disappointing results.  Specifically, the two main culprits receiving most of the blame are Donald Trump and the right's pro-life stance (i.e., the Roe reversal).  They say that in light of the failure of MAGA policies to win voters, it is now time to leave Trump and the MAGA Republicans behind and move on with more successful strategies.

But I am not so convinced.

And now that Trump finally announced his bid to reclaim the White House, things have become even more interesting.  With just two short years until the next presidential election, such debates regarding the future of the GOP will expectedly be ramping up into high gear.

In one conversation I had on this issue, the other person, a Democrat, suggested that the right needs to "get back to the fundamentals of the Republican Party."  I challenged him by asking what those fundamentals were exactly.  I did not get a satisfactory response.  He, like even many Republicans, could not articulate a grounded answer.  So, it seems, those on the right are in the midst of an apparent political identity crisis.  With eyes on 2024, now is a great time for right-wingers to re-evaluate what they consider are the fundamentals of the Republican Party — a sort of reset before diving into a new campaign cycle.

more
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2022/11/what_is_conservatism.html

[sneakypete]

Voting for ANY "wear red and march in a straight line" alleged Republican Party Person?

[LMAO]

When people such as myself and others describe ourselves as conservative. what we usually mean is government living within its means, more power to individuals and the states versus the federal government, traditional values, and law and order

Although there’s some things that Trump populists and conservatives agree on, the one big area where we disagree is the role of the federal government. Trump populist want a bigger, federal government than those of us who are traditional conservatives.

[roamer_1]

When people such as myself and others describe ourselves as conservative. what we usually mean is government living within its means, more power to individuals and the states versus the federal government, traditional values, and law and order

Although there’s some things that Trump populists and conservatives agree on, the one big area where we disagree is the role of the federal government. Trump populist want a bigger, federal government than those of us who are traditional conservatives.

I won't argue with any of that. But Conservatism is not that. It is not political. It is philosophical - It is Way-of-Life.

Conservatism as it touches politics is merely a coalition providing the means to keep government out of their lives and provide a way for them to be left alone to practice the principles they prefer to live by.

The politics are otherwise incidental.

[libertybele]

When people such as myself and others describe ourselves as conservative. what we usually mean is government living within its means, more power to individuals and the states versus the federal government, traditional values, and law and order

Although there’s some things that Trump populists and conservatives agree on, the one big area where we disagree is the role of the federal government. Trump populist want a bigger, federal government than those of us who are traditional conservatives.

The definition of a populist is; a person, especially a politician, who strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.

That truly describes Trump as he was the voice of the people who wanted a border wall.  That is the issue that he ran on and he won.  He did well on the economy; taxes, NAFTA re-negotiation and energy independence.  All those issues mentioned were also conservative issue,s so I can't really define Trump as a true populist, nor a true conservative.  Trump was Trump.  He did well for the country and had us pointed in a good direction.

[Cyber Liberty]

I came on as a Mod before Trump was elected in 2016, and have been an Admin.  Anybody's guess at this question is as good as mine.

[Bigun]

For me, a conservative is one who is absolutely dedicated to the Constitution as written. Every jot and tiddle of it.

[sneakypete]

When people such as myself and others describe ourselves as conservative. what we usually mean is government living within its means, more power to individuals and the states versus the federal government, traditional values, and law and order

Although there’s some things that Trump populists and conservatives agree on, the one big area where we disagree is the role of the federal government. Trump populist want a bigger, federal government than those of us who are traditional conservatives.

@LMAO

Say WHAT?

WTH did THAT brain fart come from?

[Right_in_Virginia]

Trump populist want a bigger, federal government than those of us who are traditional conservatives.

Nope, this is flat out wrong.

[libertybele]

November 23, 2022
What Is Conservatism?
By Michael D. Giammarino

Since Election Day, I have been engaging in conversations about the political state of the country.  In the face of the failed prediction of a red tsunami, many (both on the right and the left) are blaming the Republicans themselves for the disappointing results.  Specifically, the two main culprits receiving most of the blame are Donald Trump and the right's pro-life stance (i.e., the Roe reversal).  They say that in light of the failure of MAGA policies to win voters, it is now time to leave Trump and the MAGA Republicans behind and move on with more successful strategies.

But I am not so convinced.

And now that Trump finally announced his bid to reclaim the White House, things have become even more interesting.  With just two short years until the next presidential election, such debates regarding the future of the GOP will expectedly be ramping up into high gear.

In one conversation I had on this issue, the other person, a Democrat, suggested that the right needs to "get back to the fundamentals of the Republican Party."  I challenged him by asking what those fundamentals were exactly.  I did not get a satisfactory response.  He, like even many Republicans, could not articulate a grounded answer.  So, it seems, those on the right are in the midst of an apparent political identity crisis.  With eyes on 2024, now is a great time for right-wingers to re-evaluate what they consider are the fundamentals of the Republican Party — a sort of reset before diving into a new campaign cycle.

more
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2022/11/what_is_conservatism.html

iMHO, it is past time for the Republican Party to announce what the party stands for. What does the party offer?  They cannot run on the premise that they are better than Biden; that's just hollow noise. They need to run on conservative principles, Judo-Christian principles and honoring the Constitution.  The cannot just state that they are going to make changes.  How are they going to make those changes?? They can't just merely say what they are going to do, they need to reveal how they are going to implement change. Lip service is free.  My vote isn't.  I will vote for a conservative who has a plan on how to implement change and relay how they will move this country in a positive direction.

[LMAO]

For me, a conservative is one who is absolutely dedicated to the Constitution as written. Every jot and tiddle of it.

 

[sneakypete]

iMHO, it is past time for the Republican Party to announce what the party stands for. 

@libertybele

The alleged Republican Party of today stands for "The Status Quo". They want NO boats rocked and no changes made because the current system HUGELY benefits those already holding office.

Their job is to PRETEND to be against the globalism of the left,while making backdoor deals with the left for a cut of the profits.

Oh,in the past they PRETENDED to be conservatives when it starts getting close to election time and they fear losing their seats,but I honestly don't think most even care about pretending anymore. Between the current RINO and Dim seat-holders,they pretty much have our political system sewn-up to the point any genuine opponent is doing nothing but throwing their money away. Or at least those not funded by the RNC and DNC and ordered to lose,that is.

At a MINIMUM,we need to replace the whole damn alleged Republican "leadership" (what an odd way to spell the word "traitors") with new blood that is NOT connected to the current or past "leadership" in any way,including business dealings and blood.

THIS is why we need Trump to be elected as President. He knows ALL those bastards as well as most of the deals they have been pulling and who the deals were cut with.

Which would normally be no big deal because every congresscritter who has served more than 2 years now knows who they all are,too. The difference is Trump doesn't give a damn about "his cut" or "pleasing the boys in charge to get their backing." ALL Trump cares about is his ego,and how he gets written up in the history books. I may be wrong,but I suspect he is willing to spend most of the money he has if that is what it takes to insure he goes down in history as "The President that saved America".

AND......,I flat don't give a damn who he pisses off to accomplish this goal. IMNSHO,the more he pisses you off,the more you NEED to get pissed off. Mostly at the dumbass you see staring back at you in your mirror.

Trump is our ONE chance to turn things around BECAUSE of his massive ego,yet I see idiot Republicans slamming him every day because they don't like his personality.

Guess what,buttercups? It is his personality that is going to give America back to the actual living voters.

[libertybele]

@libertybele

The alleged Republican Party of today stands for "The Status Quo". They want NO boats rocked and no changes made because the current system HUGELY benefits those already holding office.

Their job is to PRETEND to be against the globalism of the left,while making backdoor deals with the left for a cut of the profits.

Oh,in the past they PRETENDED to be conservatives when it starts getting close to election time and they fear losing their seats,but I honestly don't think most even care about pretending anymore. Between the current RINO and Dim seat-holders,they pretty much have our political system sewn-up to the point any genuine opponent is doing nothing but throwing their money away. Or at least those not funded by the RNC and DNC and ordered to lose,that is.

At a MINIMUM,we need to replace the whole damn alleged Republican "leadership" (what an odd way to spell the word "traitors") with new blood that is NOT connected to the current or past "leadership" in any way,including business dealings and blood.

THIS is why we need Trump to be elected as President. He knows ALL those bastards as well as most of the deals they have been pulling and who the deals were cut with.

Which would normally be no big deal because every congresscritter who has served more than 2 years now knows who they all are,too. The difference is Trump doesn't give a damn about "his cut" or "pleasing the boys in charge to get their backing." ALL Trump cares about is his ego,and how he gets written up in the history books. I may be wrong,but I suspect he is willing to spend most of the money he has if that is what it takes to insure he goes down in history as "The President that saved America".

AND......,I flat don't give a damn who he pisses off to accomplish this goal. IMNSHO,the more he pisses you off,the more you NEED to get pissed off. Mostly at the dumbass you see staring back at you in your mirror.

Trump is our ONE chance to turn things around BECAUSE of his massive ego,yet I see idiot Republicans slamming him every day because they don't like his personality.

Guess what,buttercups? It is his personality that is going to give America back to the actual living voters.

Gee thanks @sneakypete  Have a very Blessed Thanksgiving. 

I fully realize what the GOPe is.  That is why with Trump going after conservatives I can't vote for him. 

[roamer_1]

THIS is why we need Trump to be elected as President. He knows ALL those bastards as well as most of the deals they have been pulling and who the deals were cut with.

[...]

Trump is our ONE chance to turn things around BECAUSE of his massive ego,yet I see idiot Republicans slamming him every day because they don't like his personality.

@sneakypete

This messianic bullshit just naturally has to stop. There is no 'The One'. Ever. The way this changes is from the ground up, not from the top down. There has to be a whole, massive, political machine in place. It is the sum of all it's moving parts, and not one man.

[Fishrrman]

The question:
"What Is Conservatism?"

Whatever it is today, it ain't what it used to be.

By "used to be", I mean the time BEFORE William F. Buckley came along and started to distort ... er... "reform" it.

I prefer the old, "troglodyte" flavor, myself.

[massadvj]

The problem with conservatism as a political philosophy is that there is no real philosophy. Going back to Edmund Burke, Russell Kirk and William F. Buckley, the only tenet to the doctrine is "preserve the institutions."  But if the institutions are wrong, corrupt and socialist, what then?  What happens when decadence becomes so embedded into a society that the institutions promote decadence, as they do now?  Does being a conservative mean preserving them?  What happens when the institutions (such as the Fed and the entitlement system) threaten to bankrupt the country?  Does being a conservative mean standing up for them?

Personally, I have never called myself a conservative.  I count many conservatives among my friends, but I think conservatism as a doctrine is too shallow and not prescriptive enough.  I am a "small l libertarian" or "classical liberal" or "constitutionalist."  But none dare call me conservative.

[Right_in_Virginia]

It sounds like conservatives need their own Council of Trent.

[roamer_1]

The problem with conservatism as a political philosophy is that there is no real philosophy. Going back to Edmund Burke, Russell Kirk and William F. Buckley, the only tenet to the doctrine is "preserve the institutions."  But if the institutions are wrong, corrupt and socialist, what then?  What happens when decadence becomes so embedded into a society that the institutions promote decadence, as they do now?  Does being a conservative mean preserving them?  What happens when the institutions (such as the Fed and the entitlement system) threaten to bankrupt the country?  Does being a conservative mean standing up for them?

Personally, I have never called myself a conservative.  I count many conservatives among my friends, but I think conservatism as a doctrine is too shallow and not prescriptive enough.  I am a "small l libertarian" or "classical liberal" or "constitutionalist."  But none dare call me conservative.

The institutions alluded to are not necessarily the institutions of this nation, but rather the institutions of life itself... The things which, through aeons, have been proven to be the things that promote success and good living.

Without having read Kirk or Burke, one can very probably identify those institutions and tick them off on your fingers.

Now that does translate largely into the institutions this nation was founded upon - But it does not mean anything like preserving institutions which have become bastardized... But rather, correct them to their founding and put them back.

[Right_in_Virginia]

@sneakypete

This messianic bullshit just naturally has to stop. There is no 'The One'. Ever.

Ever?  You can think of no moment in history when the right man at the right time rose and made the difference?  In war perhaps?

Make no mistake, we are in a war and this is one of those times.

[roamer_1]

Ever?  You can think of no moment in history when the right man at the right time rose and made the difference?  In war perhaps?

Make no mistake, we are in a war and this is one of those times.

Nope. Never. And even if one would argue the exception, those that are the exception cannot be manufactured.

And never, particularly, in politics. Reagan was the last 'force of nature' in politics, but it was by no means just the man. There was a process behind the man, bringing him from his days of fame into politics, through a successful governorship, into the presidency... And there was a massive political machine under-girding him. It was not merely his popularity.

[roamer_1]

And by the way @Right_in_Virginia ... NO, this is not war. This is politics, and there is no comparison.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Nope. Never. And even if one would argue the exception, those that are the exception cannot be manufactured.

And never, particularly, in politics. Reagan was the last 'force of nature' in politics, but it was by no means just the man. There was a process behind the man, bringing him from his days of fame into politics, through a successful governorship, into the presidency... And there was a massive political machine under-girding him. It was not merely his popularity.

Another conservative word salad filled with wilted lettuce. 

[Right_in_Virginia]

And by the way @Right_in_Virginia ... NO, this is not war. This is politics, and there is no comparison.

You don't think there's a war raging for control of this nation?  No wonder you've rendered yourself useless in the fight.  Do American patriots a favor and get out the way.  The ignorant POV you represent is just clutter on their road to victory.

[roamer_1]

You don't think there's a war raging for control of this nation?  No wonder you've rendered yourself useless in the fight.  Do American patriots a favor and get out the way.  The ignorant POV you represent is just clutter on their road to victory.

No, it is not war. and you diminish those who have first hand knowledge of what war really is.

[roamer_1]

And more ad hominem... Empty chambers.