Posts Tagged ‘Conservative’

“All things in moderation.” A familiar phrase that is, at best, bad advice and, at worst, ludicrous. Think about it! Try being “moderately” married or only breathing “moderately”, or how about letting your children “moderately” play in traffic. See what I mean? The thrust of this article is to point out that moderation usually has no place in things that really matter, in things that are vital.

I submit to all, but especially to those who consider themselves political moderates, that the founding principles of the United States of America are indeed vital and absolutely necessary to preserve our nation. These values and the resultant philosophy are clearly spelled out in the Constitution. I further submit that it is precisely the “moderating” of these principles which has brought us to the brink of financial ruin and moral catastrophe.

Please understand I mean to cast no blame on political moderates. I merely wish to point out the gravity of the situation. Let me ask you to consider what it means to “moderate” that which is foundational. What is at stake when we moderate the principles of personal liberty and personal responsibility? My purpose is to spur your thinking, not feed you answers, but I must point out the alternatives include irresponsibility and enslavement. While we are asking I could pose that oh so embarrassing question “Have you read the Constitution?” (There is often a long silence after that question.)

Political Progressives and so called Liberals have, with out question, “moderated” the founding ideology of our nation. These central ideas were nurtured in the indispensable institutions of traditional family and the Christian religion. The result is the greatest nation on earth, a civil society which has provided freedom and opportunity for millions and is unparalleled in human history. It is these very ideas and institutions which Liberal and Progressives seek to “moderate.” Undermine a structures’ foundation and the consequence is collapse. Can a nation expect otherwise?

I close with an earnest and humble plea for my Moderate friends, be they Republican or Democrat, to give serious consideration regarding what you consider important. Just as I am sure no parent could remain “moderate” about their children playing in traffic, so I believe a clear understanding of what is politically vital must yield conviction. And there is no such thing as a moderate conviction.

Thanks for reading.

Remember when Volkswagen meant a small, affordable, rather unattractive import car? Most people were so familiar with the automobile they just called it “Bug.” There was absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind as to what was meant by Volkswagen. A direct corollary was that at one time Volkswagen enjoyed over 60% market share for import autos in the US. That is a whopping percentage!

Now-a-days Volkswagen means nearly anything automotive as the company offers a full line of very nice cars. What about the market share numbers? Well…let’s just say ambiguity has its drawbacks.

The above is a great illustration for the current state of the GOP.

Ronald Reagan was and is a figure who elicits strong feelings both positive and negative. Because he was unambiguous regarding his convictions, and because he clearly communicated conservative principles, Reagan engendered great loyalty among the like minded. But he did more than that; President Reagan also won over large numbers of people who were dissatisfied with the liberal direction of the nation but had never been introduced to a clear, concise argument of our founding principles of government. I became a Republican as a direct consequence of thoughtful deliberation and comparison of Liberal verses Conservative ideology and the outcomes of each.

Oh, and by the way, let us not forget Reagan’s “market share” on Election Day 1980 and 1984. The term landslide does not even come close to describing what happened. There was no doubt as to what Mr. Reagan stood for and no doubt that the nation stood with him.

But ever since President Reagan left office the Republican Party has been walking away from the conservative ideas so persuasive to me and millions of others. And lest you think this a mere nostalgia piece praising Reagan let me point out the man had his failings. Yet it is abundantly clear that the areas of failure were when he did not live out conservative principles. The point is this:

No one really knows what it means to be a Republican anymore! And, as we have already established, ambiguity has its drawbacks. The last elections should teach us that much at least!

A final thought for any GOP leadership out there. Being “Fiscally Conservative” is like three day old fish…it stinks! More and more it sounds like a cloak to hide behind, an effort to straddle the fence and not offend anyone. A list of the presidential candidates you have fielded demonstrates clearly that the lessons of Ronald Reagan have been lost on you. Please, if you don’t believe in personal liberty and personal responsibility just admit it. We will find a party that does.

But if the party of Reagan is to become a thing of the past then let us go down fighting for our constitutional liberty rather than just fade away into meaninglessness. God forbid that “this is the way that liberty ends, not with a bang but with a whimper.”