I'd love to have cons give me their definition of conservative

[Little-Acorn]

What is conservatism? It's the idea that government should do as little as possible, and should confine its influence to areas where private people and groups cannot do what is needed.

Not just areas where the govt thinks it can do "better" than private people or groups. But areas where private people and groups can't do it at all.

Such as foreign relations, national defense, setting national standards, running courts, dispassionately prosecuting lawbreakers, etc.

In a word, protecting people's rights.

And conservatives know that not everything we want, even necessary things like food and health care, is a "right". Govt should keep its hands off most things. People should do nearly everything for themselves, helping each other where needed, failing and trying again (a good way to learn), etc.

Conservatives hold that govt's job is to keep other people from interfering as you try to live your own life, except where you invited them to participate. Either people outside the country (foreign attack or invasion), or people inside the country (criminals, fraud artists, and govt itself). Otherwise govt should keep its hands off and stay out of they way.

 

[edthecynic]

Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress; having rejected all respect for antiquity, it offers no redress for the present, and makes no preparation for the future.
- Benjamin Disraeli

Can't think for yourself huh?

Like you would give any definition I offered a second thought.

Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose.
~George Will

 

[Little-Acorn]

BTW, you know that at first, "conservatism" wasn't called that by the people practicing it, don't you?

For a long time government stayed out of people's faces and only took care of routine matters that most didn't want to deal with in their daily lives - foreign relations, coining money, running the Post Office, setting weights and measures, adjudicating disputes etc. Only when actual wars came, did govt get big and imperious.

When big-govt people (today called "liberals", then more correctly called socialists) started to try to expand govt and intrude into people's private lives, the small-govt people resisted and tried to keep govt out of our faces as it should be. The big-govt liars and spin artists immediately announced the small-govt advocates were doing it, not because they knew small govt was a good idea, but simply because they were afraid of change, or something. And they coined the term "conservative" as a pejorative, trying to pretend the small-govt people simply wanted things to stay the same, no matter what they were.

I see that the song remains the same. The big-govt socialists in this forum are still trying to pretend conservatives want to "keep things the same", even though it's conservatives who are trying to change the govt we have now, while the misnamed "liberals" are trying to keep it big and intrusive.

Yes, you guessed it - "liberals" is just as big a misnomer as "conservatives". Though the literal meaning of "liberal" is "supporting liberty", today's big-govt "liberals" are doing anything but, growing government, imposing more and more regulations and restrictions, expanding police forces, and restricting law-abiding people rather than criminals.

 

[whitehall]

Why do liberals instantly launch into a knee jerk hate speech reaction to the word "conservative"? That's the problem with self centered liberals. They are so full of hatred that they can't even engage in a political discussion.

 

[Iceweasel]

Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress; having rejected all respect for antiquity, it offers no redress for the present, and makes no preparation for the future.
- Benjamin Disraeli

In other words, you couldn't form your own thoughts. You must be a liberal.

 

[TNHarley]

Someone that appreciates the constitution and American values and principles.

That would certainly be a nice change...

Yep. Same goes with "liberals". Both have perverted a once good brand.
It is now all about politics and appeasement instead of what's right.

 

[2aguy]

What is it to be conservative? What is it that cons conserve?

The principals of limited government......free markets and capitialism..the free exchange of goods and services. Following the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and using the Declaration of Independence as guide for how to run a country.

The protection of the individual from the state. The checks and balances on the different branches of the government to make sure they do not become too powerful.

Using individual initiative and hard work to provide for yourself and your family and to look out for your neighbors and your community.

Yeah...that is a good start...

 

[Iceweasel]

Today's 'Conservatives' are Conservative when it's convenient. I hate to say it, but most current Republicans calling themselves 'Conservatives', are really just greedy white people who hate gays, minorities, and poor folk. More & more they're being perceived as the 'Party of greedy hateful white people.'

They're also very much into big government and worshipping Big Brother. And they're into Permanent War too. So i'm not sure why they call themselves 'Conservatives.' You've presented a great question. I'll enjoy seeing their responses. Thanks.

If a Republican isn't a conservative then it makes no sense to use them to smear conservatives. Duh. Who hates minorities? You're full of shit. Thanks.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress; having rejected all respect for antiquity, it offers no redress for the present, and makes no preparation for the future.
- Benjamin Disraeli

Can't think for yourself huh?

Like you would give any definition I offered a second thought.

Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose.
~George Will

Like you could have an original thought.

 

[PaintMyHouse]

Why do liberals instantly launch into a knee jerk hate speech reaction to the word "conservative"? That's the problem with self centered liberals. They are so full of hatred that they can't even engage in a political discussion.

If conservatives were conservative instead of reactionaries, we'd have very few issues dealing with each other. Turning back the clock is not an option.

 

[Arianrhod]

It's always a hoot when liberals try to define conservatism. The lies and utter fantasies are impressive in their sheer scope.

You were asked, and your only response was "B-b-b-but liberals!!!!!"

 

[80zephyr]

It's always a hoot when liberals try to define conservatism. The lies and utter fantasies are impressive in their sheer scope.

Liberals "seek to unite"? Lol. Good one. Liberals realize they cannot win if people get along. Its why they constantly pit black against white, rich against poor, men against women, etc.

I could go thru each point and prove it wrong. Its not worth my time.

Mark

 

[Camp]

Left-wingers are some stupid mofo's.

At least, they are giving answers. So far not a single conservative, including you, has even attempted to answer the question. So. is that because conservatives don't know the answer or because they are embarrassed by the answer?

Answer what? It doesn't matter... you left-wingers run with your Huffiness Post narratives; it doesn't matter what anyone says.... your small minds are closed. Wy should I waste time? I'd rather just ridicule you morons.

That is a really lame excuse for not knowing or being too embarrassed to answer a simple question about what the meaning of your ideology is. The normal response should be to proudly explain it, not hide from it.

 

[PaintMyHouse]

FYI:

Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs
http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Conservative-vs-Liberal.pdf
Compiled by the Editors. Copyright 2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com.

We all want the same things in life. We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-free streets. The argument is how to achieve them…

Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems.

Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.
Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs

 

[80zephyr]

Adults understand that our debt will sink us. I suppose that is selfishness. We should all live in a third world country I suppose. We'll get our chance.

Mark

 

[PaintMyHouse]

It's always a hoot when liberals try to define conservatism. The lies and utter fantasies are impressive in their sheer scope.

Liberals "seek to unite"? Lol. Good one. Liberals realize they cannot win if people get along. Its why they constantly pit black against white, rich against poor, men against women, etc.

They don't have to pit those, they already are, by nature. Getting beyond that is the hard thing, that you couldn't care less about.

 

[paulitician]

Today's 'Conservatives' are Conservative when it's convenient. I hate to say it, but most current Republicans calling themselves 'Conservatives', are really just greedy white people who hate gays, minorities, and poor folk. More & more they're being perceived as the 'Party of greedy hateful white people.'

They're also very much into big government and worshipping Big Brother. And they're into Permanent War too. So i'm not sure why they call themselves 'Conservatives.' You've presented a great question. I'll enjoy seeing their responses. Thanks.

If a Republican isn't a conservative then it makes no sense to use them to smear conservatives. Duh. Who hates minorities? You're full of shit. Thanks.

That's the perception these days. Just hating gays, minorities, and poor folks, does not a Conservative make.

 

[PaintMyHouse]

Adults understand that our debt will sink us. I suppose that is selfishness. We should all live in a third world country I suppose. We'll get our chance.

Adults, a few, understand debt. You, not a clue.

 

[edthecynic]

Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress; having rejected all respect for antiquity, it offers no redress for the present, and makes no preparation for the future.
- Benjamin Disraeli

In other words, you couldn't form your own thoughts. You must be a liberal.

I certainly can define CON$ervatism, but you would probably reject it out of hand.

CON$ervatism is a HATE religion, nothing else.
Are you happy now?

"Conservatives thrive on a world filled with mysterious evil and unfathomable hatreds, where good is always on the defensive and time is a precious commodity in the cosmic race against corruption and decline."
- Corey Robin 'The Reactionary Mind'

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

Left-wingers are some stupid mofo's.

At least, they are giving answers. So far not a single conservative, including you, has even attempted to answer the question. So. is that because conservatives don't know the answer or because they are embarrassed by the answer?

Answer what? It doesn't matter... you left-wingers run with your Huffiness Post narratives; it doesn't matter what anyone says.... your small minds are closed. Wy should I waste time? I'd rather just ridicule you morons.

That is a really lame excuse for not knowing or being too embarrassed to answer a simple question about what the meaning of your ideology is. The normal response should be to proudly explain it, not hide from it.

I don't hide from it pal.... all I am saying is that most liberals are very close minded people.. it doesn't matter what you say, they have their preconceived notions and they will never be swayed. Why waste time on them?