When you think of the word, "conservative" what comes to your mind?

Question

I'm curious what you associate that with. Thanks for your answers.

Answer 1

Conservatives believe in limited government. They believe individuals, living in freedom, going about their everyday lives, is what makes America great. It's not some government program. Conservatives do not measure the success of Americans based on the number of people who depend on government handouts, they measure the success of Americans who no longer need government handouts. They believe in a strong national defense. Conservatives believe the money you earn is yours, not Nancy Pelosi's. They believe in personal freedom. I could go on.

The most important thing I can say about political definitions is that they are in constant flux. Liberals today, do not resemble Liberals from 30 years ago, and that is also true with Conservatism. Listen to Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich, read National Review if you want to know more about Conservatism. Listen to Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, read The New Republic if you want to know more about Liberalism. Read Reason magazine if you're interested in Libertarian thought. And do this with a "real" open mind, and you'll learn much about substantive political ideas in modern America.

Answer 2

There are two kinds.

One: economic conservative. Understands basic economics and is familiar with the economic data showing that while we don't all have 14K sq. ft. homes in gated communities, 2/3 of the people who do grew up middle-of-the-pack, that most people migrate up the economic ladder over time, that the increasing proportion of the country that IS rich is at least as important a demographic shift as the already-rich getting richer, and that the way this works is the people who have become "rich" reinvest their money in the private sector, thereby fueling GDP growth and job creation. Additionally, economic conservatives value economic freedom for its own sake - my right to use my hard-earned money to support myself and MY family rather than being forced by the government to support some stranger and HIS family is just as sacrosanct as an individual's right to engage in the sexual and other personal behavior that the government sometimes tries to limit.

2) Social conservatives - which philosophically means essentially the opposite.

There's going to be a great schism. Has to be.

Answer 3

Me! I am a Conservative and I do hold many traditional conservative values. The unfortunate part is that many calling themselves conservative in positions of leadership are anything but these days. Whether Liberals choose to believe it or not, the fact is that real conservatives, of which there are many in this country, are now disenfranchised. What the Liberals fail to understand is that the current values of the Republican party in general are not the same as many of those people who consider themselves classic conservatives. The Democrats have become too liberal in general. This leaves no viable choices and creates this whole voting for the lesser of 2 evil situations we constantly keep seeing these days. I am not a Republican or a Democrat, I will vote for whoever best represents my views, but sadly it is getting harder to find those people.

Answer 4

There are various types of conservatives. You have Neo-Conservatives, Traditional Conservatives, Conservative Libertarians, etc.

I've been a conservative for years but i've partied and slept around, care for the environment, don't care what you do in your bedroom if you're two consenting adults, feel corporations should be responsible citizens, believe in free expression, support art and music, believe in spending only what you make and in a strong military.

I find that some liberals are just as close minded as they claim the conservatives are. I mean are you really open minded when you attribute a particular trait to everyone in a group. i mean just by putting them in a group you're sterotyping.

To me conservatives are analytical which can be seen as being cold and heartless to some. Those who brand themselves conservative tend to think logically whereas those who brand themselves liberal tend to be emotional in their actions and words. I know of conservatives who are democrats as well or do not pledge alliegance to any party.

Answer 5

The highly respected true Goldwater conservative is one who respects nature and maintains nature's gifts. He was the Teddy Roosevelt of the early 1900's. He favors a frugal use of your tax dollars and preserves the national treasury. He believes in individual freedom and the basic goodness of mankind. He believes that government is essential but should not interfere with in your personal lives. He believes in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and is willing to protect his right and your right to protest wrongs and abuses of them. The last good one was barry Goldwater, but Senators Hagel, Specter, Collins and Warner seem to have some of the necessary qualities.

Answer 6

Fiscal responsibility
Limited federal government role
No sending troops to wars not supported by good intelligence
Just the facts ma'am
No government meddling in people's private affairs
Supports Constitution

You know - everything that the Bush administration (and most "neocons") are against.

Answer 7

A good person who is honest, family oriented, trustworthy, believes in the Almighty, has integrity, strong willed and determined, believes in fighting for the things he truly believes in, patriotic, loyal to his friends and believes that freedom is not free. It really does not have as much to do with politics as people believe as it is a person who has strong values and principles and knows the difference between right and wrong.

Answer 8

Barry Goldwater

Answer 9

different meanings in different countries but in the US conservatives tend to be more religious, for small goverment (at least in theory), more pro military, more pro traditional family, and more for open market policies. I think that is what I think in general for conservative

Answer 10

A God fearing, America loving, tax paying, patriotic citizen.