Refplace

An Analysis of Conservatives

 A definition
Overall I do not like conservatives, mostly because of hypocrisy and too many conservative ideas are anti-christian.  My thoughts to the various definitions are color coded.  Red means I disagree and Green means I agree and support that type of conservative idea.

1.  An aversion to rapid change; a belief that tradition and prevailing social norms often contain within them handed down wisdom; and mistrust of attempts to remake society so that it conforms to an abstract account of what would be just or efficient.  It is wise to learn from history but that does not mean you should get stuck in it. 
2.  A desire to preserve the political philosophy and rules of government articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. If we had stuck with the conservative ideology women and minorities would not be able to vote and we would still have slavery. We should respect the Constitution but not follow it blindly, America has gotten better and more humane and the Founding Fathers hoped for this which is why they put in the Amendment process. 
3.  A belief that it is imperative to preserve traditional morality, as it is articulated in the Bible, through cultural norms and the power of the state. Violates Definition #2 where the Constitution forbids the establishment of a single religion. I am all for moral behavior but Christianity is not the only religion. In fact we have a history of Christians killing Christians over disagreements on religion which is why the Founding fathers specifically put in provisions to keep from their being a state supported religion. 
4.  An embrace of free-market capitalism, and a belief in the legitimacy of market outcomes. Good in theory but fails to understand reality and common sense.  Corporations will do what is best for them, usually in the short term and will not as a rule opt for anything that helps anyone else unless it benefits them. The idea that if you do not regulate or make laws limiting corporate abuse it wont happen because other corporations will avoid it is incredibly naive.  That said sometimes the Left goes too far, balance is required and it needs to be between the far right and the far left. 
5.  A belief that America is an exceptional nation, a shining city on a hill, whose rightful role is leader of the free world. A bit egocentric but as  an American it is certainly something to strive for and I feel overall we do a good job. 
6. A belief that America should export its brand of democracy through force of arms. This goes against the beliefs of Christianity which most conservatives claim to be. It is also wrong on moral grounds.  Basically this is just bullying instead of leading by example. 
7. The conviction that government should undertake, on behalf of the American polity, grand projects that advance our "national greatness" and ennoble our characters. Greatness and character come from within but if we are talking about protecting churches and promoting quality education that would be good too. 
8. An embrace of local ism, community and family ties, human scale, and a responsibility to the future. Sounds good. 
9. A belief that America shouldn't intervene in the affairs of other nations except to defend ourselves from aggression and enforce contracts and treaties. Goes against # 6 so you have to wonder what kind of conservative your talking with or listening too.  I support this version. 
10.  A desire to return to the way things once were. Niave and impossible.  This goes from sticking your head on the sand to just wishing for the good old days.  trouble is the grass is always greener and there may have been some good things but there were a lot of bad things too.
11. Affinity for, identification with, or embrace of Red America's various cultural cues. (For example, gun ownership, a preference for single-family homes oriented around highways rather than urban enclaves organized around public transit, embrace of country music, disdain for arugula and fancy mustard, etc.) Umm ok.  Maybe gun ownership is embraced more by Conservatives but the rest? Sounds like its talking about country folk rather than a ideology. Many Americans are good with all this, though more on the left favor some gun control such as no guns in schools. 
12. Disdain for American liberalism, multiculturalism, identity politics, affirmative action, welfare, European-style social policies, and the left and its ideas generally. This is just plain un-american which is a country based on immigrants and looking out for your neighbor.  That said you can go too far so balance is essential. 
13.  A desire to be left alone by government, often coupled with a belief that being left alone is a natural right. Works for me. 
14. A principled belief in federalism.  See the Tenth Ammendment.  This is good and often refered to as States Rights.
15. The belief that taxes should be lower and government smaller.  Works for me, though we need a big enough government to protect America and its people from enemies both foreign and domestic. 
16. The belief that the national debt and deficits put America in peril. Fiscal Conservatives are good, we need that in government. 
17. The belief that whenever possible, government budgets should be balanced. Fiscal Conservatives. 
18. Consciousness of the fallibility of man, and an awareness of the value of skepticism, doubt and humility. Awesome. 
19. Realism in foreign policy. Practical. 
20. Non-interventionism in foreign policy. Practical.