Being a Conservative

Obviously I have had too much time on my hands today, but I have reading through all these political posts and it seems to be that people are confusing a political CONSERVATIVE and a RELIGIOUS RIGHT. They are two different things, SO when you say the Conservatives in the middle of the country that will vote based on their religious beliefs, you are talking about the Religious Right, not a true political Conservative.

The media does this. They are the ones that confuse people about the difference between being a Conservative and the Religious Right.

Also you can be a Conservative with out being a Republican. Since there are SO many different types of Conservatives, it is hard to put a blanket statement such as that. There are fiscal Conservatives, religious conservatives, social conservatives, and even more then that.

I feel like people are taught that Conservative politics are the enemy, when they are not. I would say most political Conservative, base their politics on the Constitution, and are federalists, wanting to give the power granted to the states, back to the states as it was intended to be (refer to the tenth amendment).

Sorry for the long post, but it has been driving me nuts, and my goal this election, is to educate as many people as I can the difference between the two.

I think this quote by Barry Goldwater sums up my thoughts well; ? When you say ?Radical right? Today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye.".

Re: Being a Conservative

ITA!!! WELL SAID!!!!!

Re: Being a Conservative

Re: Being a Conservative

Well said.

Message edited 10/7/2009 11:14:46 AM.

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It is not only the media but it is also our educational system that creates false ideas about Conservatives. Not to mention they filter history, and don't truly teach the Constitution.

It really frustrates me.

Re: Being a Conservative

very well said!!!!! COming from someone is very conservative and very liberal on other things, the term "Conservative" doesn't fit me.

the media is totally to blame for this... people think that every conservative out there wants to blow up the world fighting terror while goign to Bible Study. NOT TRUE!

Re: Being a Conservative

Re: Being a Conservative

thank you for clarifying some of the misconceptions for us...

i know i probably should have but i just don't have the patience anymore it is hard and frustrating at the same time to try and explain when there are some people who will just never understand.

yes, the media is to blame - for the most part.

thank you!!!

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know I probably should have but I just don't have the patience anymore it is hard and frustrating at the same time to try and explain when there are some people who will just never understand

I have tried to keep my mouth shut for years,( I got tired of fighting in high school) but I just can't anymore. I realized that there are so many people with misconceptions of Conservatives that if I did not stand up and start saying something then it would only further the ignorance.

I feel as though there are a lot more Conservatives out there then people let on. But in areas like New York and California they don't come forward because they feel they will be chastised. I know I have.

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Message edited 11/16/2011 8:41:45 PM.

Re: Being a Conservative

What does Conservative mean then? When I think of a conservative I think of anti abortion, anti gay marriage, no amnesty/path to citizenship for illegals, keeping God in schools, etc.

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I agree that a lot of people lump conservatives into one large category, when there are so many types of conservatives and different views within the range of what we can call conservative. This is also done to liberals and to various ethnic groups. Sometimes, people like to use labels that are too broad. As for what you said about the Constitution, I see your point, but a lot of groups would say that their positions are based on the Constitution. Many of my liberal views are, to me, based on constitutional principles.

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Re: Being a Conservative

I totally agree. I'm Jewish, so I certainly am not a "christian conservative", which is generally what religious right refers to. The only things I don't agree with, which many repubicans support, are the view points which have root in christianity, such as pro-life and believing being gay is a choice.

Message edited 2/7/2008 5:36:14 PM.

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mmmm, it's more than that, though.... It's also the religious right staking a claim for the title 'conservative'.

Just like they redefined many other political catch phrases and ideas (remember when you were not patriotic if you didn't bow down to Bush?), they redefined 'conservative' to mean 'social conservative'. and social conservatism they redefined as following fundamentalist christian values.

the conservative party has had a coup, bluntly stated. Fiscal conservatism has now essentially vanished.

Re: Being a Conservative

Re: Being a Conservative

What does Conservative mean then? When I think of a conservative I think of anti abortion, anti gay marriage, no amnesty/path to citizenship for illegals, keeping God in schools, etc.

Conservatives want a smaller federal government. That the power should be resolved into the states, as I said before refer to the 10th amendment, the 9th amendment or the Constitution as a whole, as it is a truism.

They are for lower taxes, not just the wealthy like people would like you to believe, but lower taxes for everyone. But not just lower taxes, cut cost on federal spending.

They want to promote business in America, by again, giving tax breaks.

And when I say they mostly follow the Constitution, I am talking about the Federal government out of public schools, which is SPECIFICALLY says they have no claim to in the Constitution. The federal government should not be involved in agriculture, again stated in the Constitution. I could go on, but unless people are really interested in it, I feel like I would be wasting my time.

it is about individual freedom, not shared wealth.

A true Conservative, would send most of the matters that you brought up back to the states where they belong, according to the Constitution.

It is like if I called all Liberals Godless, that is a blanket statement that is simply not true. Not all Conservatives are religious or Christian.

The Constitution is a system of restraints against the natural tendency of government to expand in the direction of absolutism.

Now I am babbling, and probably cleared up nothing, but what you said makes me really sad and scared for the Republican party.

***This is my view, I already know not every one thinks like me.

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I have to agree with this. The candidates who are running to get the "conservative" vote are looking for the religious conservative, not the fisca

I agree. And it is ruining the Republican party.

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I don't want to come out wrong, but if you ever want to discuss the Constitution, I love to debate and discuss it. This is not a challenge or me being aggressive, I just really love the Constitution and talking about it with people.

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Re: Being a Conservative

I agree. I am a fiscal conservative and believe in State's rights. Though socially, I am liberal.

As with everything that is discussed in the mainstream media, things get distorted into 20 second media bites.

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Re: Being a Conservative

I swear, it's not due to media sloppiness.... Both political parties have ample opportunity to define themselves in the media, and the new GOP leaders have chosen this direction.

it really is due to the NeoCon's remodelling the GOP to suit the fundamentalist christian ideal.... the fiscal conservatives have been marginalized in the party. My dad was a minor politician in the conservative party in the 70's, and his positions were mainly fiscal conservative.... he would cringe if he saw what happened to the GOP......


I do not think it is entirely the media's fault, but I do place a lot of the blame on them. This is why I am out spoken about being a Conservative.

And your father would have every right to cringe.

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I agree. I am a fiscal conservative and believe in State's rights. Though socially, I am liberal.


You can be socially liberal and Conservatism can go together, I just feel that States and private funds should deal with welfare, NOT the Federal Government. They are over stepping their boundaries, and unless they are going to change the boundaries with due process then they have no right to force federal Welfare.