The Conservative Movement

[The silenced majority]

Win or lose, this election is going to mark a transitional time for the Conservative movement and what will represent Conservatism in the years to come. Conservatism, being the absence of ideology is difficult to define. In this thread I'd like people of the Conservative, Libertarian and even liberal mindset offer up what direction the Conservative movement needs to go in.

I'll offer mine.

As Conservatives, we should try to make lessons from history fashionable again and seek to create a movement toward reconnecting to our founding principles but also Western Civilization’s historical roots spanning over 2000 years. We should focus on a conservation first energy policy that uses fewer resources whatever they may be. We should promote a neo-Agrarianism and should be in support of things like Organic farming and local farm markets.
A self-sustaining house is not an undesirable thing.

We should commit ourselves to being beyond Race as a movement and should promote universal values of family, community and civic responsibility. These are areas where people can find common ground regardless of skin color. We should promote small business. Not only via lower tax rates but actually using our feet and wallets to do so. Money spent locally, employs locally and usually gets re-spent locally. We should be in support of labor unions that have at the forefront the objective of providing a good living wage for the generally culturally conservative workers they represent. We should remain opposed to the mega-Unions that suck up workers’ dues to support non-labor political objectives those often being very anti-Capitalist.

We should continue to fight for tort reform in civil court. We should seek to reform the standard of proof measures, excessive damage awards and limit the role of the trial judge.
Our focus should be on the patriotic role of vigilantly defending the principles of the American Republic rather than maintaining America’s national image on the world stage. We should turn away from the ideology of democratism & the belief that we can transform other people abroad into believers in freedom, liberty and limited Government.
The Department of Homeland Security was a mistake & we should seek to turn the fight to a more local, vigilant – less bureaucratic mindset.

Conservatives should return to the principle of: “politics is the art of the possible” and understand that all that is sought to be achieved can’t be done via politics & Government. It is our first and only duty to limit the power of Government. We should stop trying to fight the ideological on their own grounds (Academia, Wall Street, Print media, TV etc…) and seek to maintain our Republic where we can (community, family, church etc…) No functioning society can continually consume its way to prosperity.

We should be frugal, practical and Conservative.

 

[1069]

We should commit ourselves to being beyond Race as a movement and should promote universal values of family, community and civic responsibility. These are areas where people can find common ground regardless of skin color. We should promote small business. Not only via lower tax rates but actually using our feet and wallets to do so. Money spent locally, employs locally and usually gets re-spent locally. We should be in support of labor unions that have at the forefront the objective of providing a good living wage for the generally culturally conservative workers they represent. We should remain opposed to the mega-Unions that suck up workers’ dues to support non-labor political objectives those often being very anti-Capitalist.

So, you're basically suggesting that conservatives should become liberals?

 

[The silenced majority]

So, you're basically suggesting that conservatives should become liberals?

Not everything is as simple as liberal on one side conservative on the other. Labor Unions are a prime example. I support labor unions in a Conservative sense - as an apparatus for representation and wage negotiation on behalf of workers who don't have the time or resources to do so on their own. I reject the mega-Unions misuse of the Union vote as a wedge against Capitalism & the principles of the free-market.

 

[jfuh]

This is what I've said from virtually day one since I joined this forums.
Conservatives need to exorcise themselves of religious intolerance - completely.
Faith is an important part of over 80% of individuals world wide, but we are a nation of religious freedom, and in order to secure that, there must be freedom from religion.
Conservatives must also flush out the neocon infestation.

As for everything else, keep it.

 

[TheNextEra]

Not everything is as simple as liberal on one side conservative on the other. Labor Unions are a prime example. I support labor unions in a Conservative sense - as an apparatus for representation and wage negotiation on behalf of workers who don't have the time or resources to do so on their own. I reject the mega-Unions misuse of the Union vote as a wedge against Capitalism & the principles of the free-market.

That is what liberals believe as well. I agree with the fact that unions have become corrupt, however, that is not the intention of liberals and more along the lines of Americans that simply don't care enough to get involved with politics that has let it go this far.

 

[Bonnie1988]

All this will be argued after the election, but McCain's failing was in not being conservative. His definition of "maverick" is siding with Democrats against Republicans - while Democrats scream he is a Bush rightwinger anyway. McCain actually believes he can get Democrats to like him - stupidly so.

In my opinion he lost when he sided against the majority of Republicans in Congress to vote with the majority of Democrats for the trillion dollar give-away and tax exemptions for the super rich. He lost because when the big decision came, he became a Democrat (again) against his fellow Republicans. Nearly 80% of Americans were against the "bailout," but McCain joined the Bush-Democrat coalition for welfare for billionaires.

The bailout proved that both McCain and Obama are fundamentally liars - particularly for the $150 billion in tax exemptions for the super rich. But Obama's followers support Obama upon "belief" and "faith" - issues irrelevant. McCain isn't a prophet to anyone. He's just a mortal.

It also lead McCain to stupid decisions, like refusing O'Reilly's offer of a full half hour offsetting Obama's 30 minute infomercial. When pushed hard, McCain always switches parties to join the Democrats - the result then being no one likes him very much.

McCain isn't losing because he is "McBush." He is the least Bush-ite of all Republicans - unless Bush is with the Democrats and visa versa. McCain is losing because is he McDemocrat. There is no Republican candidate for president.

 

[niftydrifty]

If the Republican party is going to be the opposition party for a while, Conservatives need to grow up and engage, otherwise, this country is going to go right down a Liberal crapper.

what Conservatives need to do is drop the alarmist rhetoric, and forget about appealing to the least educated, and to fear and division. They need to turn off Rush Limbaugh.

They need to speak about issues, and let that be their primary message.

They need to say stuff like:


"These social programs may not work the way you intend because...[insert real-not-imagined-or-exaggerated fact here]"
"Your health care plan may not work because..."
"And btw, my plan is..."


...NOT:

"He associates with a known terrorist!"
"He has ties to a voter fraud group!"
"And someone else he knows is in jail!"
"They don't live in real America!"
"Some dork named Joe whom admits that he knows nothing distrusts him!"
"Socialist!"

 

[jfuh]

If the Republican party is going to be the opposition party for a while, Conservatives need to grow up and engage, otherwise, this country is going to go right down a Liberal crapper.

what Conservatives need to do is drop the alarmist rhetoric, and forget about appealing to the least educated, and to fear and division. They need to turn off Rush Limbaugh.

They need to speak about issues, and let that be their primary message.

They need to say stuff like:


"These social programs may not work the way you intend because...[insert real-not-imagined-or-exaggerated fact here]"
"Your health care plan may not work because..."
"And btw, my plan is..."


...NOT:

"He associates with a known terrorist!"
"He has ties to a voter fraud group!"
"And someone else he knows is in jail!"
"They don't live in real America!"
"Some dork named Joe whom admits that he knows nothing distrusts him!"
"Socialist!"

I agree, as much as I want to see these republican morons out of office, I'm not the least bit eager to see a completely democrat dominated government for very long. The near absolute power would inevitably lead to corruption, abuse of power, and various other "you can't catch me" ordeals.
First thing first, kick out the republicons. Then let's get some real goldwater conservatives in there.

 

[GarzaUK]

They will head rightwards, making Palin there leader. Social conservatives, pro-gun, big government. All moderate Republicans will be abandoned. It is possibly we could see the emergence of the Lib party if that happens.

The fragile alliance between social conservatives and fiscal conservatives could tear apart.

 

[jfuh]

They will head rightwards, making Palin there leader. Social conservatives, pro-gun, big government. All moderate Republicans will be abandoned. It is possibly we could see the emergence of the Lib party if that happens.

The fragile alliance between social conservatives and fiscal conservatives could tear apart.

That might actually be a good thing.

 

[StillPhil]

Conservatism, being the absence of ideology...

:rofl Is this really how you think of yourselves?

 

[Orion]

That might actually be a good thing.

I think it would only be good if the social side split and then faded away, but we all know that would never happen. At least as a unified party, the moderates can even out the radicals. The last thing America needs is a radical right party that has lobbying power to actually get elected, while lacking any internal moderate forces. That would be the true rise of fascism.

What the Republicans need to do now is clean up shop, especially when it comes to neo-con and neo-liberal ideology. The "conservatives" of the past eight years represent an almost complete departure from the practical values of classical conservativism, all while still keeping the title. This has given the right wing a very bad name, which, in my opinion, is not founded. The next four years will require fiscal conservativism which will include increasing regulation. People fear this as "socialism", but you know what, it's either that or America will completely tank as a world power. Obama is not the face of socialism, he is simply the man who has to execute this plan, and that will make him unpopular at times.

Few will admit it, but America really needs the cycle of Liberal and Conservative to come into place in order to maintain fiscal, social, and economic balance. America is a unique plurality that always has both forces pushing back and forth... it is a country where interest groups must be delicately balanced. In my opinion, the past eight years have devastated the balance of America. The people have become so polarized according to manufactured ideologies of Liberal and Conservative that many have lost sight of the fact that both contain essential philosophies for a functional America.

I really hope Obama maintains his promise of unifying the people. In my mind, the worst thing that has happened in America in the past eight years, even beyond the specific issues, is that Americans have begun to turn on one another almost to Mccarthy proportions.

On the whole, it has been disheartening to witness the past eight years as an outsider. I don't entirely blame Bush... I feel he facilitated many of the divisions, but in a Democratic Republic, the people must also take responsibility for their vote and their informed participation. I, as well as many around the world, wish America all the best in the coming years and hope that it returns to glory worthy of inspiration.

 

[The silenced majority]

:rofl Is this really how you think of yourselves?

That's what I think of myself & other true Conservatives.

Unless you know me better.

 

[StillPhil]

That's what I think of myself & other true Conservatives.

Unless you know me better.

Whatever you say.