Are You a True Conservative?

Conservatism is under fire right now - not just by liberals - but also by others who say that they subscribe to the conservative brand. Since President Obama's election day victory in November 2008, I have discussed issues surrounding conservatism with some people who proclaim themselves as bonafide conservatives.

Conservative # 1: I oppose the bailouts, but the U.S. should come up with an universal health care system that is totally regulated by the private sector.

Conservative # 2: I oppose the bailouts, universal health care, nationalized car industries; however, the airplane industry should be nationalized.

(There are also others who believe that the defence of family values should be toned down in the "emerging" conservative mindset.)

The bailouts and universal systems of any industry are socialistic to the core - definitely not conservative - because the government, not the people, chooses what is good for the country. The government takes from those who work hard to pursue the rewards of risk taking and gives unearned assistance to those that the politicians deem worthy.

Conservatism is not reached when a person picks and chooses what he or she wants to believe about a variety of issues. Conservatism encompasses the entire package: the belief that our Creator gave us life; the knowledge that because God, not the government, gives us life, each individual has the unquestioned right to liberty: the right to enter the paths of risk and reward in any personal walk of life; the assurance that the government is protecting the life and liberty of the citizens by defending this country from all threats and acts of terror. Conservatism does not change from day to day at the beckon of popular opinion; it remains constant.

Either an individual accepts or rejects the entire pre-packaged doctrines of conservatism. Even though someone holds one or two socialistic positions, he is still supporting a movement that does not differentiate between its supporters; a movement which does not sort the "almost socialists" and the socialists - here's why: the socialist movement ensnares certain people by causing them to believe that a certain group of people can't possibly exist without minimal government aid - but that specific government aid IS DEFINITELY NOT necessary for other groups of people. These ensnared "conservatives" may be then led to believe that that "underprivileged" lot of individuals may need this aid, and that aid, and more of this aid; finally, this group has 100% government aid allotted to them.

Once this step occurs, the individuals who supported limited government intrusion into some people's lives now question an increasing blurred line separating both the government's and the peoples' roles in managing the individual life. They now begin to inquire, "Well if these people over here needed (and received) government assistance, why shouldn't those people over there receive the same aid as well?" This downward spiral continues on as socialism completely chokes the "personal responsibility" mindset out of its victims until they finally cease their questioning of the government. In fact, they welcome the government to take over more and more liberties of their citizens. Thus, a person with socialist positions is a socialist.

True conservatives cannot passively stand by and allow this flawed mentality by some individuals to permeate through the entire lot of conservatives. We do not know everything; we have to realize that it is good to have debate on certain stances on issues, realizing that we may not have the correct political mindset on every issue. However, we must stand up to those who seek to erode the true conservative agenda and stand for the entire conservative agenda: smaller government, strong family values, and a strong and well-equipped military. We must be true conservatives.