Reposted from the archives 10/24/2007
Con•tem•po•rar•y Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuh n-tem-puh-rer-ee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective, noun, plural -rar•ies.
–adjective
1. Existing, occurring, or living at the same time; belonging to the same time: Newton's discovery of the calculus was contemporary with that of Leibniz.
2. of the present time; modern
Con-serv-a-tis-m
–noun
1. A political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes
2. A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.
What is a contemporary conservative?
This is a question that each one of us should ask ourselves each morning in this ever changing world that seems to be quickly spiraling out of control.
The contemporary conservative is a person born post baby boom that grew up with various liberal ideas thrust upon them as stated fact in the media, public schools, government policy and the like. The contemporary conservative didn’t necessarily grow up with the conservative mindset, but came to it through study, observation and meditation on what is right in the long run for all people. The Contemporary Conservative was skeptical and rejected short sighted, easy “feel good” policies that only serve to boost the egos of those who propose them and not help those people in need. We contemporary conservatives tend to be pragmatic educated thinkers that see that the “common-sense” approach inherent in the principles of lower-taxes, managed spending, strong defense, securing the borders, strong local government are the most efficient ways to achieve what every American wants, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. We do not think that it is the job of the federal government is to take care of each citizen from cradle to grave…we are self-reliant and expect others to be so as well. With that being said, most contemporary conservatives understand that we should help those less fortunate and are not against programs that accomplish this in an effective way. Through acts of kindness, efficiently run government programs, and donations to those non-profit groups that do so much to help those around us we can assist those less fortunate but only if it gives them a hand up and not a hand out. The “Absolutes” in today’s society and strict ideological rhetoric don’t always work and can hinder progress on solving issues we all face. We, the contemporary conservative, believe the important work is to ensure that the solution implemented is fair, cost efficient and not duplicated else where no matter where it comes from.
We are first and foremost fiscal conservatives and all political ideology stems from this believe. Although we may be of a particular faith this may not be the driving force in our political viewpoints though God is always in our hearts, minds and souls.
The contemporary conservative understands that every program the government enacts is funded by our tax dollars and that the government should be more careful stewards of our money since they are representing their constituents with every vote they cast.
Contemporary conservatives view themselves as conservatives in the everlasting tradition of the Founding Fathers who put forth a set of political ideas, republicanisms, which all groups, even today’s extreme liberals, have made use of and not other more confusing terms as libertarian, right-wing, Republican or paleoconservatism.
I believe that the contemporary conservative is not inherently linked to any one political party, although I can’t fathom ever voting for a democrat politician, but to a philosophy summed up so eloquently by Edmund Burke ...“[I]t is to the property of the citizen, and not to the demands of the creditor of the state, that the first and original faith of civil society is pledged. The claim of the citizen is prior in time, paramount in title, superior in equity. The fortunes of individuals, whether possessed by acquisition or by descent or in virtue of a participation in the goods of some community, were no part of the creditor's security, expressed or implied...[T]he public, whether represented by a monarch or by a senate, can pledge nothing but the public estate; and it can have no public estate except in what it derives from a just and proportioned imposition upon the citizens at large”
Finally, we contemporary conservative have grown up with these false notions: that the 60’s were the only great time for social change in the US (not true, social change should be the USA’s middle name), that all corporations are run by lying, cheating, money hungry crooks (most are honest people trying to make a living), that the free enterprise system only help a few select individuals, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer (the average income has risen for all Americans), that unions help workers, evolution is a fact (it’s a theory), that global warming is caused by humans and not a, that teachers are under paid, that the press only reports the facts, and that the government can tell us how best to live our lives (when in fact they work for us.) Any other myths you can think of? These myths and many more will be refuted, debated and put to rest on this blog.
Thanks
