Conservatism: Sometimes Misunderstood #5

 Those who buy into propaganda might echo a stereotypical definition of a “conservative”:  one who is wealthy, selfish, bigoted, war mongering, anti-government, and adverse to change.  Though this view might well serve political agendas, it is an inaccurate and uninformed definition of a conservative.  Though some political parties may have more conservative tendencies than others, it is important to note that conservatism is not a political affiliation; it is neither Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, nor Tea.   In truth, conservatism is a school of thought based on the belief on the constitution, individual freedom, self-determination and personal responsibility. Conservatism also supports an inverse relationship between the size of government and individual liberty.  A conservative is not anti-government, but firmly believes that the size and reach of government powers and programs come at the expense of personal property and liberty.

           
            To a conservative, the Constitution is the blueprint for our federal government and should be interpreted literally.  That is to say that a conservative does not believe the Constitution is a “living document” subject to changing political or social climates.  However, neither does a conservative believe the Constitution is perfect or should remain unaltered from its original text.  A conservative holds firm that any constitutional changes should come through the amendment process provided for in the Constitution.   The Constitution clearly describes the lawful powers of the federal government.  But just as important, to a conservative, the constitution outlines the limits of that power.  Those limitations are in place to preserve the powers of individual states and protect individual freedoms.   In drafting the Constitution, as well as the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers literally rejected the imposing, overbearing rule of the king of England.  The genesis of our country is based on the value of and quest for religious freedom, self-determination, and personal liberty. 

           
           A conservative believes in a defined role of government, but as a rule, is wary of the size and reach of government.  The cost of government expansion, legislation, regulation, and government programs, is born by individual citizens.   Though some if not most laws are necessary to maintain a safe, ordered society, laws fundamentally limit the freedom of individuals.  Conservatives believe that the citizens must be vigilant not to cede their freedoms to the government without a necessary common benefit.   On one extreme, one would be challenged to argue against laws prohibiting acts of terrorism.   However, is it necessary that current federal law prohibits the number of game shows one can participate in annually?    It is the labor of the individual and their taxes that fund government payrolls and programs.  Every government employee, and every government program, be it the military, NASA, or agricultural subsidies, are paid for out of the pockets of wage earners.  A conservative will maintain that the government tree is watered with personal property.   

           
          If unchecked, the growth of the government can undermine not only our freedom, but also our entire democracy.  Currently, in a time of unprecedented spending and accumulated national debt, Americans are questioning how close we are to irreversible insolvency.  The bulk of our debt will be the responsibility of coming generations.  According to the US National Debt Clock every American citizen has a share of $44,067, and every unborn child will assume as much and more (US National Debt Clock 1).  Economically conservatives believe in the statement, “don’t spend what you don’t have.”  As the 19^th century French historian Alexis de Tocueville describes, “the American Republic will endure until the day congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money (QuoteDB 1).”

          
          Along with the liberties of individuals, a conservative values the freedom of all commercial markets.  The reward of profit and personal gain offered in the marketplace gives individuals incentive to produce, invent, and develop more opportunities for others.  These rewards also offer individuals self worth and independence.  Though some government control, such as anti-trust laws, is appropriate to preserve the free market, a conservative is an advocate for limiting the reach of government in the markets. The more limits the government places on the market, the less incentive an entrepreneur has to produce goods. 

Conservatism is not exclusive to any socio-economic level. It has nothing to do with racial or ethnic backgrounds.  Conservatism is simply a philosophy; a belief that any increase in government is a limit to individual freedom and that it is written in the constitution to protect our freedoms and limit government.  Conservatives value the free market and maintain that it is a free market and not government that motivates people to invent, achieve, and create opportunities for others. 

           

           

            

A Visionary Untouched 2 #4

I remember that car ride home.  My water polo team had just destroyed Mercer Island’s team 17 to 6.  It was an awesome game I probably had 7 goals 3 or 4 steals and a couple field-blocks, I was on cloud nine after the game.  It was late in the evening, freezing cold, and pouring down rain. The last thing I wanted to do after a win like that was get out of the cozy pool into the frigid air wearing nothing but a speedo.  Full of adrenalin I hopped out, grabbed my towel, dried off, and jumped into my deck coat.  After a quick meeting with my coach I scurried to my car, cranked up the heat, and turned on some tunes. That was the first time I heard the news.  Steve Jobs was dead.  It had been six hours since the news broke out, and I was just hearing it for the first time.  I sat there for a few minutes reflecting on how his innovations change the world of technology forever.  He was a visionary who revolutionized the music industry, the cell phone industry, and the personal computer industry. 

Along with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, Steve Jobs pioneered the first personal computer in 1976.  Apple I was the first product of Apple Inc.  In the following years Apple released the Apple II, Apple III, and the Apple Lisa.  After much success with the Apple II and Apple III, Apple hired John Sculley as CEO for his business background to improve advertising and profit margins.  In 1985 Jobs was ousted by the board of directors and sold his share of Apple.  Years later he started a new computer company called NeXT.  Apple eventually bought the company bringing Jobs back into Apple’s management. After a decade of poor management and the company turning to a multibillion-dollar loss, Steve Jobs became the CEO. Thus began the “Steve Jobs Era.”  Jobs began restructuring the company.  Just before the company almost went under, Jobs struck an investment deal with Microsoft.  The Apple revolution has begun. 

 

We all love our music.  I remember getting my first iPod. It was the coolest thing ever.  It could hold 1,000 songs at one time. This was a big step up from my SONY Walkman.  The iPod had a color screen and it even had games.  This great piece of technology revolutionized the music experience.  People didn’t have to use CD’s anymore.  I could just go to iTunes and buy any song I wanted.  For better or worse Steve Jobs revolutionized the music industry.  The iPod was one of a kind and everyone had to have one. It’s what put Apple on the technology map. 

With the iPod leading the way, people started to take notice of Apple, and their version of a personal computer.  The iMac was unique to its features.  It was the only computer to be all in one.  The idea of a computer built into the screen was a major selling point for Apple.  Eventually the new iMac became the best selling PC on the market. Apple continued to update and remodel the iMac with the newest technology, but computers weren’t the main event in Palo Alto. 

Jobs always had something brewing in the background.  In January of 2007, Apple introduced one of it’s most famous of products.  There was no phone like the iPhone. It was truly revolutionary.  It introduced touch-screen technology on mobile devices.  The iPhone also created a brand new idea.  Apps are a major part of daily life.  There is an app for everything.  Nobody could match the iPhone’s capabilities. I sat at my computer jaw dropped as I watched the keynote speech from Jobs.  I though it was the coolest thing ever!! 

Steve Jobs was a visionary, and no one can argue with that statement.  Today there are many products competing with Apple products, but these followers can’t say they were the first.  Steve Jobs was the first.  On October 5^th, 2011 at 3:00pm in his home Steve lost his last battle with pancreatic cancer.  He had been battling cancer since October 2003, but he never let the battle affect his mind. He would keep coming up with the latest and greatest.  He was such an iconic person in the modern world and in my life. He gave me my love for technology.  I guess I thought he would live forever.  I released my parking brake, popped my truck into first gear, and silently drove home.