I feel I may have straw manned the conservative position a bit in my last question. What are the basic tenets? Are there any fundamental axioms to the philosophy? Conservative relative to what? Does the goalpost always move as societies values change? I have listened to conservative radio talk shows all my life I actually quite enjoy Savages show and much of my family identifies with conservatism so I think I have a reasonable idea of the sorts of things that people believe in but I was told I dont know the first thing about it so I would like to be informed. I know that my philosophy, libertarianism, is based on the non aggression principle, private property and individualism and all the logical implications that follow from that. What is conservatism? @mao Which values? @grandma Thank you for actually answering the question. How did you come to the conclusions you hold many of them I agree with and why do you label them as conservative? What is the conservative principal that led you to be anti-war for example and why do so many of your brethren not follow suit? @Andy So conservatism is just another word for constitutionalist? Should congress have declared war before we entered into Iraq and Afghanistan? Should we have a central bank? What about the military commissions and patriot acts? These are just a couple of examples of many unconstitutional things the government does that I rarely hear conservatives complain about.
Answer: Gotta love some of the people here, on both sides. Just out of control. Anyway, the conservatism youre probably referring to came about in the latter half of the twentieth century, as a response to a growth in government in every sector, but especially social welfare. It was apparent in Barry Goldwaters 1968 campaign for President, when he railed against the size of government. He said taxes were too high and spending was out of control, he wanted to pursue a much more aggressive foreign policy, and protect what many refer to as "traditional/family values" pro-life, anti-gay marriage, etc. This conservatism gained steam after Goldwaters crushing defeat to Johnson in 68. Throughout the 1970s, anti-tax protests were all over, there was great frustration with the Carter administrations handling of the Iran hostage crisis, and many fought the Roe v. Wade decision. Then in 1980, Ronald Reagan was elected to the presidency, and he pursued this kind of three-pillared conservatism that we see today: National Security aggressive, show Americas strength, Economics low taxes, low spending when it comes to social welfare, and Social Values again, those "traditional family values" that a lot of Christian groups refer to- opposed to gay marriage, stem cell research, abortion. The country apparently approved, and in 84, Reagan was reelected with 49 states going in his favor. This conservatism continued even into the Clinton Administration, when the GOP took back the House and Senate in 1994. It continues today, but has had an identity crisis, and instead of being the Establishment view that it had been during the Reagan/Republican Revolutions, it is now the grass-roots Tea Party movement we see on the news. The conservative stance could change again in the future, as the country changes. But for now, it is essentially what Reagan and Goldwater spoke about- again, those three pillars.
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-30
Difference between liberalism and Democratic? Conservatism and Republican?
If youre a liberal, does that make you a Democrat? If youre a conservatist, does that make you a Republican? Whats the difference?
Answer: Nope. Democrat and Republican are political parties, Conservative and Liberal are political ideologies. You can be a liberal republican, Lincoln and Horace Greenly were, and you can be a conservative democrat, Sen Byrd and Grover Cleveland were.
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-29
Isnt there a difference between professionalism v. conservatism in the workplace?
My boss has recently become admittedly fearful of her image and her ability to network with other organization representatives. She has instituted a new policy of what she calls professionalism--all based on image. This is an educational nonprofit that serves adult students in need of alternative education in order to re-enter the job market. At the end of each session, all the students have thanked us for creating such a relaxed and even fun learning environment. Many feel that this is the first time they have ever worked with instructors or teachers who actually care. She now supervises all of us everyday to make sure we are all very quiet and appearing to be studious. We have always gotten the work done and taught many, many students in a more casual learning environment where students were once allowed to be open and speak their minds. Some of our students are becoming sullen, feeling betrayed, and feeling that our coordinator has changed--rightly so. She has said over and over again that she wants us to be professional. We are professional. Professionalism, to my understanding, is about being focused on the work, treating all our students and tutors with equal respect, being kind, being honest, and being ethical. Our coordinator, even as she is instituting a policy of supposed professionalism, is notoriously loud, rude to anyone she dislikes, dishonest telling one person one thing, telling the other another...splitting, playing favorites, gossipy, arbitrary, and moody. Her whole attitude is my way or the highway: I am the boss. Do as I say, not as I do. Where is the professionalism in that? I have had plans to give notice for a couple of months now. Yet I still want to come to terms with what is wrong in this organization. I want to do the right thing by my students and, ironically, by our boss. But this time I think she is creating a policy that will cause her to lose many students. My opinion means next to nothing to her. We are too different. I have been teaching for over twenty years. Never before in my life have I been called unprofessional. Thanks gottaread: She has been running this nonprofit for over three years. She began the process pretty much traumatized by what happened to her at her last place of employment--now a rival. A major community organization now has a new director. She wants to impress him and gain more power and prestige in the community. The students who need a more relaxed learning environment will suffer or leave. I had already decided to leave--to return to my teaching position in NYC, at higher pay, with nice benefits, and the invitation to compete for a promotion. She told me a long time ago that she would never write a reference for me if it meant losing me. My boss suffers from many borderline traits--the main one being that contradictory dynamic known as "I hate you. Dont leave me." Its time to move on, but I want to do right by everyone.
Answer: I feel for you. What a frustrating situation. Did something happen to make your boss take such a turn? Has she been with the organization for long? My mistake is always to assume that people mean to be doing a good job for the students, and Im a bit too direct, so Im probably not the right person to advise you. I would say that if you are at the point where quitting is a preferred choice, then perhaps you should have a sit down with her and explain how you are feeling. Tell her how much you care, what a pleasure it used to be to work in your organization, and that the environment has become toxic. If youre really good, you could do that without actually putting the blame on her - and leave it for her to reflect upon why things have changed so much. People always learn more when left to draw their own conclusions. I wouldnt give my resignation, but I would let her know that youre looking for something new and ask if she would be willing to give a positive recommendation. Make sure you say it that way or she could say yes and then tell them exactly what she thinks which, if shes so hostile, might not be what you would like a prospective employer to hear.
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-26
Pros and cons of liberalism and conservatism?
What are the pros and cons of liberalism? What are the pros and cons of conservatism? Im trying to decide whether I should support the Democrats or the Republicans. :
Answer: "Any man who is under 30 and not liberal has no heart but any man who is over 30 and not conservative has no brain."....Winston Churchill
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-26
Doesnt conservatism/libertarianism have a built-in problem?
The GOP calls for lower taxes, especially on the rich, but all that does is increase the deficit and, consequently, the national debt. Ronald Reagan, who Republicans hail as a demigod, increased the debt by 189%. Doesnt conservatism, Reaganomics, voodoo economics, supply-side theory, whatever you wanna call it, have a built-in problem? If this is so, why is conservatism so popular? As a side-note, Im not that politically opinionated. Neither liberal nor conservative. Centrist.
Answer: If you are truly non-partisan, then I ask you to do a bit more research about the Reagan years. Reagan INCREASED the income to the federal government. It was the DEMOCRATIC congress that spent more than he could bring in. There is no problem with Reaganomics. EVERYONE wins. Were you an adult in the 1980s? It was an extremely prosperous time. Please look up the information. Heres how Reaganomics works: A rich guy buys a multimillion dollar house. His real estate agent gets a huge commission and buys a new car. That car salesman buys some new suits. The suit salesman takes his family out to dinner and provides jobs for the waitress, cook, busboy, janitor, restaurant owner, the people who sell food to the restaurant, the truck driver that brings food to the restaurant, the gas station owner who fills the truck with fuel, etc. Now, if the evil rich guy doesnt have enough money to buy the house, exactly how does all this money get distributed? Do you honestly think the government can do it fairly? Theyve messed up everything theyve ever touched with the exception of the military. AND they always make sure they keep a huge chunk for their efforts. .
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-26
When will "Conservatism" die out?
Ive been noticing that many in this generation are holding moderate to liberal views, is it just a matter of time before progress can be made?
Answer: When our fading generations with their dated ways and old fears move on. Most of the youth is Liberal.
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-26
How long before conservatism becomes something we all can look back at and laugh about?
A 10 years B 20 years C 30 years D 40 years
Answer: Which part of Conservatism do you laugh at? Is it: A The belief that a person should be allowed to keep the fruits of their own labours B The belief that the government belongs to the people, not the other way around C A smaller fiscally responsible Government is better than one with bloated out of control spending D We need to secure our borders and protect our citizens
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-26
What do people mean when they say education cures conservatism?
Answer: With all this "indoctrination" crap, pretty soon were not going to need immigrants to clean our toilets, as conservatives will be wholly qualified to fill all those jobs.
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-25
why is conservatism so selfish?
it just seems from what i have seen demonstrated here that conservatism is all about "you look after your family, and ill look after mine" coupled with the delusion that "as long as the rich stay rich they will keep handing us jobs"... it seems conservatives are more willing to look out for the rich and their own welfare that they dont care about the poor starving masses they have to crush to get what they want... i can agree with that... money is the root of all evil, but what is money worth exactly... the power and freedom to do what you will with it...is there ever a reason to own more than you will ever have use for in your life? to be honest i would gladly pay taxes to support a family in need, as long as i make a modest living and can support my own family, then why do i need luxuries? why do i need a 72 inch tv when i can have a smaller one that looks just fine, and take that excess money and give it to someone who needs it? societies were formed to protect the weak who could not protect themselves... if everyone could defend themselves we wouldnt need armies now would we? if everyone could afford a fighter jetand ammunition, we wouldnt have need of a military now would we? that is why we band together to support all the members of our society... i hold no hatred in my heart for anyone Sophie... i just hold the belief that societies were formed to look out for everyone not just the rich and powerful...that it is our job as citizens to get the poor on their feet so we benefit all of society not just one part...i dont like suffering... i dont like people who hide from the reality of the suffering that makes their happy little lives the way they are... do you know how many asian children died to make the clothes you are wearing? quite a few...
Answer: 1 who pays the taxes to feed and help the poor starving masses 2 why is it a horrible thing to look after your family and work hard to better them, if every one did that we would not have poor starving masses 3 have you ever thought it through if you "rob the rich to give to the poor" there will be no rich " left to help feed the poor starving masses
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-25
How to combine the common sense of conservatives with the compassion of liberals?
Political conservatives are often wise and sensible - calling for restraint in spending, tougher measures against crime, a strong national defense, etc. Unfortunately, they are often callous or insensitive when it comes to those who are not-as-well-of: the poor, single mothers, the underprivileged, health care, etc. Political liberals are often highly compassionate or care about being a voice for those who have no voice, or helping out those in need. Unfortunately, this often comes at the price of sensibility: Liberals often over-spend, throw too much money at problems, try to enact laws that backfire i.e., welfare often results in people milking the system for benefits, are rather naive, or are easily taken advantage of. How do we combine the strengths of both conservatism and liberalism to have a government that is both effective conservative yet compassionate liberal?
Answer: By using our peak abilities of, Practicality. Empathy. Adaptability. Knowledge.
Category: Conservatism; Date: 2010-07-24
