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.