In light of the recent political developments I can't help asking if perhaps conservatism is indeed dead. For example, we have "W" who is a Republican president yet continues to spend like a drunken sailor. We then have the likes of McCain in the process of winning the Republican nomination whose record often mirrors those of his Democrate counterparts etc. Why is it that there seems to be no conservative voice in the political system anymore? Is it because the current political system prevents a conservative voice or has the appeal of conservatism died among those who once embraced it? As for me, I know of MANY people who are sick of the anticonservative stances Bush and McCain have taken over the years yet it seems they have NO representation for this position. Therefore, I think the reason that no conservative voice seem to a legitimate force in politics today is because the political system innately favors Big Brother wihich is contradictory to everything conservatism stands for. How then can a conservative operate and compete in such a political environment?
Originally posted by whodeyNot dead, just demonized and rejected by those in power. It is much
In light of the recent political developments I can't help asking if perhaps conservatism is indeed dead. For example, we have "W" who is a Republican president yet continues to spend like a drunken sailor. We then have the likes of McCain in the process of winning the Republican nomination whose record often mirrors those of his Democrate counterparts etc. ...[text shortened]... stands for. How then can a conservative operate and compete in such a political environment?
easier to promise someone you'll take care of them than tell them
to get off their a$$ and do it themselves.
Kelly
I still am confused about what conservatism is. It seems to be somewhere between libertarianism and social authoritarianism. Right?
The word is more of a symbol for people to cling to these days. These same people are also obsessed with the word "liberal". Most "conservatives" seem to have purely emotional reasons for associating with the "conservative" tag. That's why "liberal" is used so aggressively but "conservative" is not - despite ample opportunity for dragging conservatism through the mud as has been done with liberalism.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungYou are partial right inasmuch as the word is only a symbol. Excluding kingdoms and dictatorships there are only two representative systems for governments to operate under. Capitalism and Communism (though PC prefer to use the term socialism - I prefer the stronger term).
The word is more of a symbol for people to cling to these days. These same people are also obsessed with the word "liberal". Most "conservatives" seem to have purely emotional reasons for associating with the "conservative" tag. That's why "liberal" is used so aggressively but "conservative" is not - despite ample opportunity for dragging conservatism through the mud as has been done with liberalism.
In order to exercise control over the voter, politicians have created terms to mask their true affiliation, i.e.: Labour, Conservative, Democrat, Socialist, Tory, Liberal, Republican, Libertarian, etc..
The purpose of this ruse is to provide emotional vehicles to divide voters into opposing camps that politicians can manipulate with rhetoric. Much as a herdsman creates pens to divide the flock, making the task of control simpler as opposed to manipulating the entire herd in mass. By accomplishing this, politicians foil the ability of voters to form majorities with power to circumvent politicians control.
In order to avoid this trap, the voter must ignore the contrived “sub-title” a politician gives himself and decide; Is the candidate Capitalist or Communist?
In 2000, after eight years of Clinton - after Monicagate and whitewater and gays in the military and failed healthcare reform - everyone was running to the right. Even Democrats had to paint themselves as more conservative than Clinton to have a shot. That's why Gore ran with Lieberman.
Now, after eight years of Bush - after Iraq and wiretapping and Plamegate - everyone's running to the left. So even the Republican candidates have to paint themselves as relatively progressive, and the more progressive ones will do better in the Republican primary.
If Clinton or Obama wins the white house I'm sure you guys will get a much more conservative candidate four years from now. These things are cyclical.
The question posed by this thread "Is Conservatism Dead?" can be answered below. If you refuse to sign you are conservative, if you have no problem, then you are socialist.
We've all heard of the "Social Contract" -- the unwritten agreement between individuals and "society" (i.e. the government.) Rarely do people actually try to write down the exact terms of this social contract. Below is the contract between the individual and the state as it currently exists. Would you sign this contract? Is this the sort of society envisioned by your forefathers?
SOCIAL CONTRACT between an individual and the Government
WHEREAS I wish to reside on the Earth, and
WHEREAS the Government controls the area of the continent on which I wish to reside, and
WHEREAS tacit or implied contracts are vague and therefore unenforceable,
I agree to the following terms:
SECTION 1: I will surrender a percentage of my property to the Government. The actual percentage will be determined by the Government and will be subject to change at any time. The amount to be surrendered may be based on my income, the value of my property, the value of my purchases, or any other criteria the Government chooses. To aid the Government in determining the percentage, I will apply for a Government identification number that I will use in all activities and major financial transactions.
SECTION 2: Should the Government demand it, I will surrender my liberty for a period of time determined by the government and typically no shorter than two years. During that time, I will serve the Government in any way it chooses, including service in which I may be called upon to sacrifice my life.
SECTION 3: I will limit my behavior as demanded by the government. I will consume only those drugs permitted by the Government. I will limit my sexual activities to those permitted by the Government. I will forsake religious beliefs that conflict with the Government's determination of propriety. More limits may be imposed at any time.
SECTION 4: In consideration for the above, the Government will permit me to find employment, subject to limits that will be determined by the Government. These limits may restrict my choice of career or the wages I may accept.
SECTION 5: The Government will permit me to reside in the area of Earth which it controls. Also, the Government will permit me to speak freely, subject to limits determined by the Government and its Court.
SECTION 6: The Government will attempt to protect my life and my claim to the property it has allowed me to keep. I agree not to hold the Government liable if it fails to protect me or my property.
SECTION 7: The Government will offer various services to me. The nature and extent of these services will be determined by the Government and are subject to change at any time.
SECTION 8: The Government will determine whether I may vote for certain Government officials. The influence of my vote will vary inversely with the number of voters, and I understand that it typically will be minuscule. I agree not to hold any elected Government officials liable for acting against my best interests or for breaking promises, even if those promises motivated me to vote for them.
SECTION 9: I agree that the Government may hold me fully liable if I fail to abide by the above terms. In that event, the Government may confiscate any and all property that I have not previously surrendered to it, and may imprison me for a period of time to be determined by the Government. I also agree that the Government may alter the terms of this contract at any time without my permission.
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signature:_________________________ date:_________
WIKI: Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. The term is derived from the Latin, com servare, to preserve; "to protect from loss or harm". Since different cultures have different established values, conservatives in different cultures have differing goals. Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo or to reform society slowly, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time, the status quo ante.
Conservatism as a political philosophy is difficult to define, encompassing numerous different movements in various countries at different times; there may sometimes be contradictions between alternative conceptions of conservatism as the ideology of preserving the past, and the contemporary worldwide conception of conservatism as a right-wing political stance. For instance, as one commentator questions, "who are the 'conservatives' in today's Russia? Are they the unreconstructed Stalinists, or the reformers who have adopted the right-wing views of modern conservatives such as Margaret Thatcher?"[1
conservative is a point of view in relation to your understanding of the society in which you live.
Originally posted by MacSwainI think a good number of American Republicans are conservatives as well, and then there are conservatives ssuch as myself who consider themselves as independent conservatives, we just happen to vote for Republicans since their views tend to mirror ours in more respects than the Democrats.
American Republicans are not conservatives.
After all, I was registered as a Democrat from 1970 to 1979, although during that time the Democrats never produced a candidate that I would vote for.
1980 to 2005, I was a registered Republican. Now I am a independent conservative. I'll vote for the person who most closely has the same ideas about government as me. And right now the two issues that are most important to me, national security/war on terrorism and illegal immigration, with the economy a close third.
Originally posted by SMSBear716I would agree with your three issues ,except in reverse order.(minus war on terror, national security only)
I think a good number of American Republicans are conservatives as well, and then there are conservatives ssuch as myself who consider themselves as independent conservatives, we just happen to vote for Republicans since their views tend to mirror ours in more respects than the Democrats.
After all, I was registered as a Democrat from 1970 to 1979, alt me, national security/war on terrorism and illegal immigration, with the economy a close third.