Ronald Reagan on Conservatism

Conservatism is the antithesis of the kind of ideological fanaticism that has brought so much horror and destruction to the world. The common sense and common decency of ordinary men and women, working out their own lives in their own way—this is the heart of American conservatism today. Conservative wisdom and principles are derived from willingness to learn, not just from what is going on now, but from what has happened before. - Ronald Reagan, CPAC, 1977

From: John, http://reaganlegacy.wordpress.com/

I'd encourage you to bookmark or follow John's blog. Great inspiration from the conservative master Ronald Reagan!

Judy Gruen on Conservatism

Conservatism is . . . taking personal responsibility, understanding that essential, eternal values are worth conserving, and that self-reliance is the surest way to self-esteem and prosperity.

twitter.com/judygruen
www.judygruen.com

Red State Feminists: Can a Feminist be a Conservative?

Can a Feminist be a Conservative? and Can a Conservative be a Feminist?

Red State Feminists are convinced that you can sincerely be both a feminist and a conservative. Many believe that feat impossible, but millions of women in the United States already live its precepts everyday.

What is a feminist? As you can imagine, the definitions are legion. However, all share the view that women are the equals of men while being different from men. What "equal" means and how "different" women are from men are terms also subject to debate. For example, can women be as brave as men? Sure. Can the strongest woman lift a heavier weight than the strongest man? No. Does that make them different? Well, they are apparenty different in some things but not others. Does that difference mean women and men can never enjoy a relationship of equality? Red State Feminists reject such a belief.

But it is also important to realize that even our knowlege of the capabilities of men and women is deeply infected by culture. For example, in the Koi-San culture of Africa, women are considered to be physically stronger than men, and so they carry the family's goods on their shoulders when the group moves, while men walk beside carrying their bows and arrows. Even in cultures where men are considered physically stronger than women, they may still be assigned to physcially demanding work while their husbands stand by, as this photo from Albania shows:

We in the United States have also been served a bill of goods regarding women's math and science capabilities. It has recently been shown that in Finland, girls do better than boys on standardized math tests. It is clear from this study that math ability has little to do with X and Y chromosomes and a lot to do with the socialization of girls in our culture.

So, yes, there are real differences between men and women--but probably not as many as we have been led to believe. Women should be immediately suspicious when men and male-dominated institutions tell them of a difference between men and women that justifies male dominance over women in any form.

Furthermore, in the things our religious faith tells us are the most important to God--integrity, courage, compassion, honesty, teachableness, righteousness--men and women certainly stand as equals. That being the case, men and women stand as equals before God, as well as before each other. As Christ says, "What manner of man among you having twleve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one; Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there--and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just?" Just so; and what manner of men among you have six sons and six daughters and saith to his sons, Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here, and to his daughters he says, Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there? No, God, respects and values his daughters as much as He respects and values his sons, and it is that example that we are enjoined to follow.

What, then, is a conservative? Again, there are probably as many definitions as there are self-proclaimed conservatives. The American Heritage Dictionary defines conservatism as "a political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order." On one level, then, there does appear to be a serious disconnect between feminism and conservatism. To the degree that the history of the human race shows a pervasive devaluation, oppression, and even abuse of women, any traditional institution that sanctions such cannot be upheld by feminists. Further, it is undeniable that governments in the West have played an important role in elevating the status of women beyond what certain traditional institutions would be comfortable with. In that sense, feminists do indeed want change from the bad old days where women could not even be considered second=class citizens, but were considered more on the level of livestock.

But what if there was a tradition that preceded what we commonly consider "traditional"? If we truly believe that men and women stand as equals before God, and that God loves his daughters as much as He loves his sons, then we have an unsullied, ultimate, and divinely mandated tradition of equal regard, respect, and valuation of women. In a sense, then, feminism could be construed as the most conservative retrenchment possible! Traditional institutions, such as religions and marriage, are but contaminated with a misogyny that God never intended, and must be restored to their true and original culture of equal valuation and respect for women. Government intervention to facilitate this restoration is thus not only acceptable, but admirable to a conservative with this viewpoint. Change, then, is not change in the direction of some anti-traditional unknown, but change back to the way human society was meant by God to be. We reiterate, we see no force more conservative, then, than feminism, which seeks to restore that joy that God meant men and women to have through their equal partnership in life.

Nevertheless, we do think there are policy issues that would divide a conservative feminist (or a feminist conservative) from both the stereotypical conservative policy agenda and also the stereotypical feminist policy agenda. Consider the following list:

1. Women should be accorded the same respect and valuation as men; daughters should be valued as much as sons. Comment: We don't think either conservatives or feminists would disagree.
2. Women should not be subjected to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and the government should take action to prevent abuse and punish abusers. Such abuse includes practices considered traditional in some cultures, such as forced marriage, marriage of underage girls, polygamy, female genital mutilation, prostitution, human trafficking, and so forth. Comment: Ditto.
3. Women should be paid the same as men for equal work, and the government should take action against employers who will not uphold this principle. Comment: Ditto.
4. The standard of sexual behavior deemed appropriate for women should be the standard to which men should be held. Comment: Ditto.
5. Women, even married women, have the right to say no to sex, without punishment or retribution. Comment: Ditto.
6. The government should ensure equal access to health care, education, and training for both men and women. Comment: Ditto.
7. Women and men should stand as equals before the law of the land. Comment: Ditto.
8. Men are not more intelligent, more rational, more reasonable, or more virtuous than women. Comment: Ditto.
9. It is not incompatible with feminism to be a Christian. Comment: Some schools of feminism would disagree.
10. Abortion is a poor band-aid for what ails male-female relations in this nation; aside from cases in which the mother's life is at stake, the true issue underlying the abortion debate is the degree to which sex is truly consensual for women in our culture. Abortion is not the best answer to that problem, and a better answer should be urgently sought. Comment: Many feminists would disagree.
11. The institution of heterosexual monogamous marriage must be upheld and privileged because of our devotion to feminism, and this is what we should teach our children. Comment: Many feminists would disagree.
12. The single standard for sexual behavior in #4 should be abstinence before marriage, and perfect fidelity in marriage, and this is what we should teach our children (along with an age-appropriate understanding of human reproduction). Comment: Many feminists would disagree.
13. It is not anti-feminist to have a large family. Comment: Some feminists would disagree.
14. It is not necessarily anti-feminist for a woman to be a stay-at-home mother. Comment: Some feminists would disagree.
15. Men are redeemable and perfectible, and as our brothers, we are concerned with their welfare both individually as as a group. Comment: Some feminists would disagree.
16. Motherhood is one of the most profound female experiences, and if it is possible for motherhood to be voluntarily chosen within the bounds of marriage, a woman should seek it. Comment: Some feminists would disagree.
17. Just as we would oppose prostitution and human trafficking as being anti-feminist, we also believe that practices that make women's eggs and wombs and embryos commodities to be bought and sold are also anti-feminist. In that light, we also oppose the exploitation of fetal stem cell research as being anti-feminist. Comment: Some feminists would disagree with one of more of these assertions.
18. Women are as capable of being government leaders as men, and offer a unique perspective that should be proactively sought in government, perhaps by the institution of quotas for women in government. Comment: Some conservatives would disagree.
19. Men and women were meant by God to be equal partners in marriage; a woman is not the subordinate of her husband, and they should share equally in the governance and finances of the home. Comment: Some conservatives would disagree.
20. The Supreme Court ruled egregiously in the Lily Ledbetter case, mandating that a woman had to complain about wage discrimination within 120 days even if she did not know it was happening at the time. Comment: Some conservatives would disagree.
21. New regulations that would ensure that the living standards of women and children after divorce were on the same level as that of men should be promulgated. Comment: Some conservatives would disagree.
22. Men and women should more equally share housework duties, and there should be equally shared parenting where possible. Comment: Some conservative would disagree.
23. Social Security should not penalize women for the years they spend in unpaid labor taking care of children, the ill, and the elderly of their families by denying them labor credit for those years. Comment: Some conservatives would disagree.
24. The tax code should be reformed to permit credits or deductions for those, usually women, who are the primary caretakers of children, the ill, and the elderly. Any such benefit, if it resulted in a payment, should be paid in the name of the caretaker alone. Comment: Some conservatives would disagree.
25. Part-time workers, overwhelmingly women who are also unpaid primary caretakers, should be entitled to wage and benefit parity with full-time workers. Comment: Some conservatives would disagree.
26. Women should use their God-given talents in the public sphere, where that be in paid labor, government service, volunteer work, social commentary, or church service: they must not bury their talents in the home, lest a female sensibility and perspective disappear from the public realm. Comments: Some conservatives would disagree.

As can be seen, Red State Feminism has the potential to ruffle the feathers of both stereotypical conservatives and stereotypical feminists. And yet this very Red State, very Feminist space, described above, is healthier than either sterotypical viewpoint, in our opinion. Red Sate Feminists are committed to the equal valuation of women; but they are also committed to God and family. Yes, we can have it all--if "all" is our heart's desire.

Thanks to Red State Feminists for permission to reprint.

Conservative New Years Resolutions #1

Get serious about state/local issues, where we can actually make a difference and present our alternative. - http://twitter.com/DavidGuenthner

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In 2009, I hope to accomplish the following:
- One, to finish my book on Sarah Palin and get it published, perhaps by Christmas;
- Two, to generate as much opposition as possible to Obama's "pro-death" agenda;
- Three, to continue recruiting people for TeamSarah, ReadMyLipstick, and similar groups.
- Steve Maloney (http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com/, plus you'll find Steve on Twitter and Facebook, and a few other blogs and websites...)

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My resolution right now is to get out the truth, whatever it is, and stop Obama from destroying this country. - Lyn

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1. Be more vocal, while resisting becoming combative.
My thinking and feelings and beliefs are conservative, but I tended to keep my opinions to myself when around others whom I suspected were liberal-minded. No more being mute on political subject matter when faced with opposing views. While I don't plan to instigate lively debates every time I turn around, I will have confidence in being armed with facts, along with having a strong faith, to be ready to defend traditional American values. I will not shy away from challenging people's statements that I hear which go against what I know is right.

2. Actively engage in conservative communities to help them grow and strengthen the movement.
I have no problem expressing frustrations & disappointments with fellow conservatives about what is happening throughout the world. However, being truly engaged means more than just "preaching to the choir." It requires action. Sure, I visit conservative blogs/websites/message boards to converse with other conservatives, as well as listen to talk radio to be informed, but my activity level needs to be upped some notches.

I should also be:
*networking with other conservatives by attending meetings and/or conference calls or online chats where activities are being organized/planned to advance the movement
*doing more political blogging to reach out to people and share the conservative message instead of just reading other's blogs
*more vigilant in boycotting companies who give money to progressive organizations or causes and instead spend/send money to those who support and defend traditional American values
*in regular contact with members of Congress to voice my opinions and offer constructive feedback or encouragement (whether they represent my state or not!)
*volunteering in campaigns to help conservative candidates get elected to office

- Tracy (Tracy TN - http://twitter.com/TracyTN)

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Send your Conservative New Year's Resolutions to: readmylipstick at live dot com!

Dagney's Rant on Conservatism

Conservative is: Family values guided by the word of God.
Conservative is marriage between a man and a woman.
Conservative is accountability, i.e., taking responsibility for your own actions, and refusing to blame others for your shortcomings.
Conservative is being informed and doing your own research on topics of the day, rather than falling for media spin.
Conservative is using rational logic, not programmed talking points fed to you by liberal teachers, media talking heads and socialist professors.
Conservative is learning history by delving into many sources.
Conservative is discernment.
Conservatism IS! Like God, it IS!

-- Juli Betz
http://dagneysrant.com

The Conservative Voice of America, Steve Atkinson

There are those who call themselves "Compassionate conservatives", but who are really Liberal more than not. There are those who say they are Conservative, but like the actors who do not live up to the billing, stray unavoidably from true Conservative principles often times. There are so-called "social" Conservatives, with a tendency to engage in profligate spending of public money to that end. Then there are the "fiscal" Conservatives, who are derided for lacking a social conscience caught in the rat trap because they dared to NOT spend the public moneys, and are labeled as being without a "social conscience".

This year in particular, the "Republican party elders" offer that it is time to redefine Conservatism, for it is no longer a winner for them as a party. None other than Colin Powell, has said recently that the republican party should "fire" Rush Limbaugh, purportedly, because Rush was a bad influence, and the party should disassociate itself pronto. Newt, among others, I think, believes that the Reagan Era is long gone, and rather effete, if not down right antithetical to modern day Conservative view points.

You get the picture. We lost an election by giving these people exactly what they demanded in a candidate for the presidency this year, and somehow, it is the Conservative base's fault for that loss. It was not so much that Conservatives acceded, Conservatives were unable to convince the party of the need for a principled individual to represent the party in 2008. Instead, Washington insider elitists got their wish, and when their wish bore not the fruits of victory, they looked elsewhere for someone to blame, ergo, the Conservative base.

We do not have to go back to the Founders discussions when implementing their vision for the greatest country ever to represent a people. We have only to travel back some 28 years to the nascent days of the man who was to become Conservatism's most eloquent spokesperson. Ronald W. Reagan was this man. Initially, he was not held in the highest regard, but how he prevailed over the rebirth of true Conservatism. His Conservatism was, and still is, contemporary with the Founders visions for America. Conservatives got a belated taste of Reagan's principles with the ascendancy of Sarah Palin to the vice president role in this recent election.

Many things Sarah is, and some things she is not. One thing she is however, is a Conservative in the classic mold. In other words, when Sarah speaks, the world listens, and the Liberals denigrate her, her family, and hence, all Conservatives nation wide. Liberal fear is the root cause of this media hysteria, and the blatherings of the ONE, and the SECOND (Joe Biden). There is a fundamental reason for all this, and it is Conservatism itself.

So, what is Conservatism? If a reasonable man were to search his very soul, he would doubtless find his thoughts transforming themselves into very Conservative mouthings indeed! The very foundation of America was built upon Conservative ideas, Conservative ideals, and most importantly, Conservative principles of self governance.

How difficult is it to understand the nature of man himself? A yearning to be free, and especially free of the constraints of federal government. It has always been the other way around hasn't it? Government has always been constitutionally constrained from intrusions into personal life through the "enumeration of powers" as set forth by the Framers as a safeguard against a tyrannical government one day usurping the collective power of the people. States were left as the custodians of the bulk of the power, for the people, of the people, and by the people themselves. You wouldn't recognize this today, nor would the Framers either.

Conservatism as both a political, and personal philosophy, requires that no government, or group of individuals may impress their desires on those so governed, without the consent of the governed. Conservatives abide by the principle that we are free to succeed, or to fail in the manifold things we choose to do for ourselves, those things being both moral and legitimately engaged in. Liberty! Liberty is a Conservatives life blood, and it courses through the veins of our self sufficiency with the same effect that Warfarin, or Lipitor does in the veins of our mortal existence. Absent that liberty, our mortal existence remains very questionable.

Conservatism, Liberal protestations aside, is the most passionate of all political ideologies when it comes to individual rights, liberty and freedom. Charitable examples include the extending of a helping hand to those truly in need, and teaching those so afflicted to survive on their own that they too, may enjoy the fruits of their own labors. Conservatives teach others how to dirty their hands in honest labor, not do the work for them, thereby lessening their self dignity, and sense of worth or value to themselves and their families.

Since the 1994 Congress took their seats, there has been a steady reduction of dependency on government, especially through the Welfare Reform efforts of that congress. It is the Republican party which has lost it's ideological way, and not Conservatism. What is it that Rush always says defiantly, "Conservatism works every time it's tried!" How true

Ask yourself these questions: Do you simply want to go home at the end of a day of hard work, and be alone with a loving family? Do you want to simply be left alone to try alternative methods of advancing your family's future? Do you cherish your country's beliefs, and are willing to defend those beliefs with the sacrifice of your own life, if necessary? Do you believe in a future for your children and grand children uncomplicated by messy, and intrusive government mandates regarding your personal behavior? Do you believe in Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?

If your answers are yes, then come on and confess, you are a Conservative!

http://www.theconservativevoiceofamerica.blogspot.com/

Stanley C. Phillips, Team Sarah

Conservatism is exercising faith in God, and embracing family values. This includes respecting the right to life for the unborn. It includes honoring marriage between one man and one woman.

Conservatism is for a strong America, with support for those who defend her from shore to shore and around the world. It means standing up to face terriorist anywhere they appear in the world. It means honoring our veterans from all wars.

Conservatism is support for small government, with responsible spending, and a balanced budget.

Conservatism is for reasonable taxes to support this small government.

Conservatism embraces the Constitution our forefathers gifted to us and defended by our military.

Conservatism is Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, and Sarah Palin.

Stanley C. Phillips
www.TeamSarah.org

Vets on the Watch on Conservatism

Sam Ewing once said:

“Hard work spotlights the character of people:
some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses,
and some don't turn up at all.”

In general, the term conservative embodies this thought. To be conservative means that you don’t want or need a handout from the government; you are more than willing to roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes to succeed. This is not to say that you will not accept a hand up, but a hand out is inconceivable.

Some say that to be conservative is to want to maintain the status quo. While that may be true in a sense, it is a very large over-generalization. It is my desire that the government remain as it was designed- a governing body whose sole purpose is to protect its citizens. This is not by growing ever larger, with providing ever more entitlements, but by enacting sound policy that governs our trade and security affairs and staying out of the lives of its citizens.

It is my desire that the legislative branch quit telling me what is right to believe or say. I do not want to be punished because I believe that I am not responsible for something promoted 5 or 6 generations ago or that it is wrong for people of the same sex to want to infringe on a purely religious institution or that while global warming certainly can be attributed to the intensity of solar activity the fact that man made the problem is purely an activist view. It is my desire that government quit bowing to the whims of a minority group who happens to have a well-funded supporter who begets those extensive media times. Live and Let Live is a quality motto to live by, until letting live means having to table my own personal beliefs.

It is my desire that the judicial branch upholds the constitution, not ratify it through inappropriate judgments. Our founding fathers put together a document that is not a living or breathing thing that can be interpreted a dozen different ways, but rather a set of core ideals that need to be rigorously and vehemently defended at all costs.

It is my desire that my children not be stuck with the serious mistakes made by their parents’ generation. I believe, like John Adams, that my children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom so that they are fully aware when those freedoms are being infringed upon. To offer anything less is doing a disservice to them.

It is my desire that the money collected by my government not be used to supplement institutions that help women abort the children they had no right aborting. While I understand that there exists an obligation to protect the life of a woman in extreme cases (and other obligations to abused women) the fact remains that if a woman wishes to promote irresponsibility the full cost should be burdened by her, not me.

My above arguments in no way mean that I want to maintain the status quo. Conservative does not mean static and immobile. I wish for values such as life and the pursuit of happiness to become the norm and not the exception. Too often there are those who are slandered, ridiculed and run out of town merely for expressing their constitutionally protected viewpoint (i.e. the gay marriage proponents). Too often the rights and beliefs of the millions like me are suppressed in favor of a more progressive ideal. Too often the voice of the many is shouted down by the voice of the few.

Change for the sake of change is no better than not changing at all. But it is a course that our great nation continues to follow. A course which this conservative shall endeavor to change.

Sean Williams [EagleEye]
http://vetsonthewatch.blogspot.com