Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth
Every so often it is good to take a few moments and review things one once thought etched in stone. As time moves forward and people gain additional experience, additional knowledge, and their wisdom increases it stands to reason that occasionally viewpoints will change.
There are really only
fourthings that one can be
absolutely sure of; Taxes, death, the hands of time will not stop, and the only real constant is change. We have absolutely no control over time or death and almost zero control over taxes, other than electing folks who may or may not raise our taxes after they are elected.
Change, or how as an individual one views change (positive versus negative), reacts to change (positive versus negative), or fosters change (proactively seeking or encouraging change)is completely within our control and therefore offers us the opportunity to grow, modify our views, or completely change direction if believed appropriate based on either additional experience and or additional knowledge. Wisdom is IMV a combination of the two and therefore grows over ones entire lifespan.
With those thoughts in mind the proprietor of this humble weblog decided to take a look at the sites
Conservative Manifesto, one which was penned almost six years ago and based heavily on 19th and 20th century thought. In doing so it became apparent that a few things needed modification if it was to represent current thought of the weblog proprietor.
A Conservative Manifesto
I consider the principles of true, independent, modern day conservatism to be the belief in:
1) Limited government with authority granted to it as enumerated in our Constitution
2) A true free market economy, that is to say, laissez-faire capitalism
3) A judiciary (Supreme Court) that interprets law from a strict constructionist view rather than legislating from the bench.
4) A legislative branch that recognizes their responsibility is to the people and not their own corrupt political interests
5) A government that recognizes the rights of the individual always, and by necessity exceeds the rights of any collective
6) A government that views its mandate to tax the citizenry as limited to funding the proper role of government, not every flavor of social program that happens to come along
7) A government that recognizes the value of borders, language, and culture and insures we do not lose ours through overzealous multiculturalism.
8) A government that recognizes the only appropriate use of deadly force is in the defense of our borders and our people
9) A government that protects the rights of everyone to free thought and speech.
10) A government that insures it's citizens are protected from crimes against their person or property, and when necessary administers proper and effective punishment
Items number 2, 5, 6, and 10 stood out as needing some tweaking. While the core belief driving the statements remain unchanged the realities of the 21st century and our global economy make it necessary to view the statements as they relate to present realities. Following is the rephrasing and end resuilt of what I believe modern day conservatives ought to respresent.
2) A truly competitive market, one in which the influences of government is limited to insuring that all competitors have a level playing field on which to play and that special interest receive no favorable treatment.
5) A government that places the rights of the individual superior to the rights of the collective; in doing so greater individual and personal responsibility must out of necessity fall to the individual.
6) A government that views its mandate to tax as limited to funding the proper role of government. That is to say; funding the government so as to insure the integrity of the nation's defenses, infrastructure, and supporting the common welfare of its people.
10) A government that insures it's citizens are protected from crimes against their person or property, and when necessary administers proper and effective corrective action(s).
Contrary to what many on the hard right would have you believe liberalizing conservative thought as society continues to evolve is not evil, nor is it shameful. If circumstances indicate it makes sense to consider new avenues of thought and move forward when evidence suggests the benefit of doing so smart folks move ahead. To do otherwise is reactionary and if humankind had taken the reactionary path through its development we'd still be living in caves and carrying clubs.
Being flexible when it makes sense is always the best path to take. Perhaps manifestos and unyielding beliefs in first principles sometimes get in the way of good judgment and common sense. Today's political environment highlights this quite well.