How do conservatives define conservativism?

Question

Borrow and spend - not conservative.
Playing fast with personal liberties - not conservative.
Largest expansion of government in recent times - not conservative.
the examples go on of course - but those are some big ones.

Is "lowering taxes" it? Is strong-arm foreign policy masquerading as "protecting the nation" it?

I am genuinely confused as to how real conservatives reconcile the traditional conservative values with modern conservatives.

oops - conservatism that should be!

Answer 1

I think of myself as a pretty decent conservative, but I can't align myself with the modern Republican party, which is supposed to be the vehicle of American conservatism. I guess the Reagan days are the closest thing to conservatism we have ever had in America, but even that wasn't "perfect."

Conservatism can't be defines by one issue, like you tried to do with the tax issue. It's a global philosophy.

The way I see it, a conservative wants to keep the government out of his life (and out of his wallet.) He wants the government to do everything it can to help America first, and the rest of the world in their spare time. He wants America to be run the way it was supposed to be- according to the constitution. Judges on the bench are trying to make various interpretations that go against the essence of the constitution, but a conservative wants as little interpretation as possible.

Answer 2

Borrow and spend-
You have no clue how much of the federal budget is "mandatory spending". Same with the "growth in government".

The budget is nearly 2/3 mandatory spending.

Blame the liberals of FDRs day and the 1960s for that.

The government is largely expanding due to these programs.

Interesting how the libs can simultaneously blame blame GWB for budget cuts and spending at the same time. Only about 30% of the spending increase is due to defense including the wars. The other 70% increase is due to the non defense spending Bush supposedly heartlessly cut!!!

As for government expanding yes on defense and manditory spending otherwise he is criticized by the left for the cuts.

As for personal liberties, the left is taking away a lot more liberties than GWB has even thought of looking at.

Answer 3

Low taxes... only those nescessary to pay for infrastructure and of course to protect people.
Small government... only whats necessary.
Support of the constitution, and without redefining it.
A society ruled by laws, but only those necessary.
Accountablility and responsiblity of the self and the family. You are responsible for you.. self reliance with a few scarce exceptions.

Those are a few of the things I define it as.

what I earn is mine. And taking it to give it to someone else is not conservatism.


Neither party is conservative on the fiscal side of things. the only real difference is on social 'moral' issues. They both spend like there is no tomorrow. Its just what they spend it on thats different.

Answer 4

The Republicans are perfectly willing to subordinate their political philosophy for the opportunity to gain more power. Do you wonder as I do how otherwise good men and woman keep their mouths shut when people like Tom Delay deliver crooked power to the Republican Party in the name of forgotten and trampled Republican principles like a balanced budget?
Where was Mr. McCain and Lugar during the obvious contempt for Democracy of the last few years?
They were missing in action until another power situation presents itself like the beginning of the 2008 Election cycle.
What is Guantanamo but a effort to cover-up many of the principles of human rights as they are undermined? Where were the good Republicans in the last few years?

Answer 5

We don't have real conservatives in power, that's why. The Republicans campaign on conservatism but they throw all their promises away once they reach Washington. I assume you're a liberal and sadly you are right, it isn't conservative. We need to get the real conservatives in office. It makes me very angry voting for them. However it will be a cold day in hell if i ever vote for a democrat.

Answer 6

No. Conservatism is the perception in small government, no longer no government. Conservatives have faith that the government should not be in touch interior the affairs of the typical public. it rather is the reason the republican party is traditionally the party it rather is against taxes and healthcare, via fact the two take means from the folk and supply it to the government. somebody who believes that government shouldn't exist interior the firstplace is an anarchist. you employ the be conscious "organic" as though that meant somebody took the belief-approximately "small government" to the severe. in case you used that line of thinking, it would additionally mean that "organic liberals" wanted protection cameras in each single place and did no longer choose any possession of something with the aid of the folk.

Answer 7

Conservative just implies wanting to keep the traditional ways.

They like less government intrusion in their personal lives, because most of them have enough sense not to cause trouble, and like to mind their own business.

Answer 8

I never said that Republicans were really Conservative. In fact I will go so far as to say that W is far to liberal for my taste. He was however he was the lesser of te evils.

Answer 9

modern conservatives are blind to the facts and will stay that way just because of their hatred of the "other side". One of these days something or someone will smack them up side their heads and they will finally see the light!! Until then they will continue to follow the Dark Side!

Answer 10

Modern conservatives? just love Bush and support him blindly !