What Is A Conservative ?

What is a Conservative? The media and liberals would have everyone believe that a Conservative is a far right wing fanatic who is either a religious or a moral zealot that will condemn anything or anyone who disagrees with them or is some sort of Christian fanatic bent on forcing others to a similar belief or creed.

Now don't get me wrong this is not nor ever will be a condemnation of religion or Christian beliefs because those are beliefs that are a fundamental part of my life and they are part of my views as a Conservative. Now that the media and liberal perception of a Conservative are defined and set aside, what then is a Conservative?

First a Conservative is one who understands and accepts the original intent of what the Founders conceived in the Constitution as the fundamental principles and foundation for this Nation. The principles that this country was founded on as described in this most profound document are unchangeable and as viable today as they were when first written and ratified.

The Tenth Amendment states that all power that is not specifically defined in the Constitution belongs to the State and the people. This is a fundamental Conservative and Constitutional principle calling for limited Federal Government. The Founders never intended for this Nation to have an all powerful and all encompassing Federal bureaucracy and this principle for limited Government is both Conservative and Constitutional.

This includes taxation, government entitlements, the expanded powers of government over the people and government intrusion in the lives and business of our citizens through excessive regulation and legislation. Conservatism believes in the power belonging to the people and not the government which is the original intent of the founders and the Constitution.

A second principle of Conservatism is the understanding that a strong and viable military is necessary for the defense of this Nation and the protection of our people, our borders and our National Security. This too is a Constitutional principle that is found in the Presidential oath which states that it is the responsibility of the President, the Commander in Chief to, "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution." A strong military is a key component to this oath and the preservation of the Constitution and the Nation who holds our Constitution as law.

While Conservatives understand and believe the First Amendment right to freedom of religion, it is also with the understanding that the Constitutional provision that government shall not establish or make any laws pertaining to the practice of religion does not mean that God is not a part of who we are as a people and a Nation. The notion that Jefferson's statement concerning, "the separation of church and state, " made in his letter written in 1804 to a New Hampshire church organization in reference to his not proclaiming a Day of Thanksgiving meaning that it is a Constitutional provision that God is excluded from all aspects of American government and public society is not only false but not what the Founders intended.

Conservatism also understands that life is precious and that all have a God given right to live. The Declaration of Independence which is the document that gave birth to who we are and all that we believe and adhere to as Americans states, “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator to certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This right that we have as Americans to, " life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, " applies to all life both born and unborn and as such that is why Conservatism holds to the principle of, "right to life."

Conservatism is not a party nor a political dogma or policy but a core of fundamental beliefs that are based in and follow the basic principles and intent of the Founders and the Constitution that they passed down to all generations of Americans. That this Government and the Nation that it governs is now and always will be a government of by and for the people. A Constitutional Republic whose representatives are fully answerable to the people not the people answerable to government through taxation and regulation or socialistic programs that force dependency on and control by an all powerful government.

Conservatism literally believes that, "We the People, " is not just an opening phrase or eloquent words to begin an outdated document, but a foundational principle that this nation holds true and firm and that the Constitution that holds these words are the principles and laws that this Nation was founded upon and as such follow to the letter today and in future generations. That those fundamental rights granted by our Creator of, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” are our legacy as a people and our responsibility to defend and protect both for ourselves and all future Americans.

Ken Taylor The Liberal Lie, The Conservative Truth