I believe . . .
I am conservative because I believe in the individual and that includes responsibility. A person should be free, to do, to learn, to dream, and to deal with the consequences. So if I learn and do and work hard doing something productive, and I receive the consequence of high income I should not be punished with higher tax's, more dollars sure but not a higher percentage. (Please note I am speaking as a person with a family of 5 earning about 14,000 before taxes, I am not the rich.)
I also believe that if I choose to do things that harm others, break law's and cause harm to others property etc. I should also be liable for the consequences, i.e. jail time, recompense, and community service.
I believe that while we are not a theocracy, we are a county and cultural phenomenon that was and for the most part is based on Religious Values, and this heritage should be respected and no law should block people from free exorcise of their religion. To me this means we can have a Crèche or Christmas tree in the Towns square and a Star of David and even a Crescent during Ramadan. To me this means it is also fitting for the Ten Commandments to be in a courthouse, not because they represent a religious creed so much as they represent foundational concepts for modern law and jurisprudence.
I believe that or Government has a purpose but that it is a limited one, it should not be government that creates all safety nets, and it should not be their job to control all aspects of the people's lives.
I am even becoming a proponent of legalizing some formerly illegal drugs (like Marijuana), because they are not critically dangerous when used, the users do not become dangerous to others when they are on them, and don't directly cause problems. (I am still investigating aspect of this, i.e. what drugs logical what ones not.) This would free our law enforcement money and other resources to do the truly important enforcement, including shut down the Meth labs and Cocaine and Heroin dealers and users. This would also allow us to refocus on helping the addict of lesser drugs legal or not with clinics as we do with Alcohol, a very dangerous drug that is both legal and widely abused by adults and kids alike. This would also weaken the drug cartels because they would loose a great portion of their income and hold on the users. This weakening of the hold on users will help keep them from being introduced to those drugs that kill, addict forever, and lead to antisocial behavior.
I believe if I want to pray I may pray anywhere anytime, silently if in public out of respect of others feelings around me i.e. school even public school has no right to stop be from praying at anytime. They do have the right to ask me to do it silently.
I believe in America and that if we as a people strive to be a light on the hill and a force for good we will continue to be and become even more so a great county. I also believe we are not perfect, we have a lot of house work to do, and we need separate the wheat from the chaff in our governmental structure. I believe we have good people in each party and in no party politically, but that the system has problems, and each party has some old grafted in habits that need to be shaken up and trimmed away.
I believe we are a society that is rich, and many of our ill's come from our wastefulness, and how we take it all for granted. If you look at history, of the many "great" civilization's and study when they were greatest and when they were richest and when they began to crumble you would realize that most failed because they took the good they had for granted. In fact they started wasting what they had in many ways, becoming greedy for power, greedy for "easy" pleasure, ignoring the morals and values that lead the society to greatness in the first place. Then look at our moral and societal struggles that are taking place even now, not just in the US but world wide. Even those without religion need a moral ethical basis in which to build a society, but that seems to be eroding, even in the midst of a so called revival of many religious groups.
I believe in life and this means I believe in choice, but "when" the choice is made, for me is different then the "Pro-Choice" crowd. I believe we choose weather to get pregnant or create a life when we act in a way so as to create it. That's means if we have sex protected or not and we create a life, we chose to create it. Abstinence is the only absolute choice not to have children (not including vasectomy and having your tubes tied etc. . .) because I (as stated before) believe in being responsible for the consequences of my actions, this works for pregnancy as well. (For those who had the choice taken from them, because they were raped, victims of childhood incest and yes a real life risk to the mother or both. I.E. if it is a choice of her life or the child's it is hers to make with medical backup, if it is a choice between her life or both her and the child also this becomes her choice with medical backup, but psychological distress from giving birth is not, I repeat NOT a worthy medical risk, in that case they have the child, adoption should be always an option for those unable/unwilling to raise or care for a child.)
This is far from all I believe, but is it a basis for why I am a conservative for the most part. I am religious, but my politics does not push my personal specific religious belief on others, though it does affect my opinions as it does for all of us.
© October 7, 2006 by M. Emmett Townsend
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Comments: 35
I believe in personal responsibility.
I believe in religious freedom (which includes the right to be atheist or agnostic or wiccan or hindu).
I believe government's role should be limited (including the fact that they should not be allowed to spy on us, or arrest us without charges, or torture us because we have different beliefs).
You say that you " believe we are a society that is rich", and I agree, but that wealth should not be hoarded by the top 1% of the people, as it is now.
I respect you a great deal, and I know you are sincere and honorable. But so am I. Is there not, in a democracy, room for both of us? It is my belief that the republican (conservative) party has gone so far to the right as to be unrecognizable. Many elder republicans are horrified by GWB's alignment with the neocon right. They are waiting for this administration to go away before they try to take the party back.
I keep waiting for the pendulum to swing.
In fact Nancy, if I was agreed with 100% politicaly, I would know I was wrong, so disagreement and the ability to grow from our diferent prespectives is what has made america stay on the cusp of invention and adventure... =+) a little joke there but isn't it a great adventure, with rapids on the river we have to make it past.... I am a better person for having you along in my ride in life Nancy Spivy... and tyhe rest of you...
As to the questions like "the issues and tenets of neoconservatives," I am not a neoconservative, and my issues are not nessasarily their issues. ALso true I didnt talk about all my beliefs, I didnt have 4 hours of writing time and most here dont like reading 10,000 words off the screen... lol But lets drop the labels for a sec, what do you think about me based on my stated beliefs?
I am interested to know.
Because women and people of color here are still catching up in confidence after having been excluded from political rights for so long, we've sort of all shrugged and thougth "Well - that's just the way it is" when we see the big rich white guy corporatocrats beating up people all over the world, and bending the laws of every nation to suit their agendas.
But that's NOT the way things have to stay - not by a long shot.
Women - look at the brave women in political power in a number of other nations. People of color - look at most of the rest of the world - look at the current head of the United Nations.
Emmett, if you looked at where a large part of our constitution comes from (the teachings and principles of Deganawida, the Great Peacemaker of the Six Nations), you'd see a system where the Clan Mothers have the final say over whether we go to war or not. Hmmmm. Why did Ben Franklin and Tom Jefferson, who studied those principles, spent time with the Iroquoian peoples - why did they leave that out of the constitution? TIME to get some REAL stuff into that document. By real, I mean, a true balance of power between the genders.
Time to stop pretending that men by themselves can run a government. Neither can women by themselves run a government. Time to start figuring out a new way of looking at stuff and analyzing it - a way which includes both feminine and masculine viewpoints and gifts.
That was very interesting, and after reading to my kids I will come back and re-read it and perhaps have more to say. Let this suffice for now, you have made me laugh, not at you but just in the way you stated some things.
In the words of a Liberal Republican "I'll Be Back!"
Peace and Long Life,
This current bunch of people that call themselves Republican are nothing like I who is a Liberal Conservative Republican.
I see all those liberal actions and the attempt at being so liberal as to call those that don't agree with them Liberals.
They don't understand the meaning of the two words, Liber and Conservative.
For you see I am a liberal conservative Republican and have been for years. I also am greatly pissed off and will vote again for those that are called Liberal Democrats, But as I see it they want to pay the bills, which makes them more conservative than any republican in office now.
Those that call Bush the Boss, don't understand what they were elected for at all and must go.
My beliefs mirror yours in many ways. I believe that in today's day and age, people rely on every excuse in the book to exculpate themselves from their actions, however abhorrent. I believe there is a trend today to lay blame on others and not accept personal responsibility. Though I am not strictly religious, I believe in conducting myself in a moral and ethical way. I agree that being a moral person should not rely on whether or not a person is religious.
I believe in freedoms, liberties, and self-expression but not when those expressions hurt other people (i.e., protesting outside funerals of US soldiers) I believe that the freedoms and liberties this great Country grants its citizens, are being abused and being taken for granted on a growing scale. A prime example is the recent assault on the Minutemen at Columbia University.
I believe it is unfortunate that a seven ton, bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin can stand tall and tower over Evanston Ave. in Seattle, but a war memorial cross on hilltop in San Diego is deemed so offensive that the ACLU has championed to take it down.
Like you, I believe that the Ten Commandments should remain in our courthouses. Since when did something good and pure and just, turn into something that a courthouse should not represent?
I believe that my 15 year old niece should be allowed to say the Pledge of Allegiance IN FULL at her school and not have to omit the phrase "One nation, under G-d." (The reason I bring this up is because one of her teachers, while leading pledge, refuses to recite the phrase and it has been the topic of her school board whether or not to amend the Pledge so that all students will have to omit the word "G-d.")
I believe that we can maintain our freedoms and civil liberties while still remaining tough on terror suspects. I do not feel that my rights are being infringed upon because DHS will do what it must by way of wiretaps, tracking banks accounts and other pertinent information on anyone it deems necessary. I believe it is THEIR job to PROTECT US and if we knew how to protect our fellow countrymen, we would be the ones working at DHS, not them.... I believe that if I am someone who has nothing to hide, then BY ALL MEANS, TAP AWAY! I URGE YOU TO!
I believe that partisan politics has gone to the extreme. I believe that while liberals think this only applies to conservatives, in reality, it is the other way around. I believe that nothing is sacred anymore in the world of politics and that there is double standard embraced by the Left that is so blatantly obvious, that anyone who refutes this fact is either in denial or part of that double standard way of living him/herself.
I believe that this Country is divided. That in all irony, it is BECAUSE of being given so many, in essence, too many freedoms. I believe this Country has given us so much that we have become a band of spoiled, immoral, irresponsible brats who. for the most part, never know what true sacrifice is.
I believe that if Americans spent any real time in other countries they would recognize the greatness of their own. And maybe appreciate it. I speak from experience. I come from a Middle Eastern family and I have lived and traveled all over the world. Because of this, I believe America is the light above all others and needs her people to unite now more than ever.
I am also interested in hearing more of what Carolion Grailbear has to say. I feel a certain amount of guilt that I have not looked into the beliefs and culture of my own tribe.
Freedom in the USA comes with reponsible behavior. Thanks to the history of laws inherited thru time (10 commandments, British law, etc), we do not need our govt. to make lists of what we can and cannot do. And yet, there are "Spin Masters" that lie, break real laws and claim they can do what they want "because they can." Very bad example for the next generation.
I am a Libertarian at heart; Republicans and Democrats need each other because as a pendulum swings too far (philosophically speaking), it would muck our system all up.
As much as I have issues with the safty net, I must admit my children wouldn't have enough basicsa with out it right now. For this I am grateful, I just wished I could find the work to directly earn the money instead of reciving it this way... it is better on the dignity... to know I have always done what is needed for my families needs.
I would love to tell you about the things I believe in, but thats really not important. I just wanted to encourage you, and say that I respect you for doing what it takes to care for your family. You've got it right; take personal responsibility...that's what a man does. It sounds like that is what you are doing, as well. Keep on keep'n on...you will have what you want in time...
I too believe in a safety net, but not one run by the government. We should leave that to the private sector like we did over 100 years ago before the government forced the private sector out of the game.
I also believe in making drugs, all drugs, legal. If we did, the price would come down, criminals would stop promoting them since the present day huge profit margin would disappear, the cachet would also disappear, sellers would stop giving them away to school kids in order to get them hooked and we the people could spend money on treatment of addicts.
Best regards, Ben
Author "Leading People to be Highly Motivated and Committed"
I guess I have to say I am anti-abortion and pro-death sentence. I think the death sentence should be carried out in all states or none. I think the standards invoking the death sentence should be the same in all states. It is totally ridiculous that a Serial Killer in one state gets the death sentence, while the Serial Killer in another state gets to live, even if it is for life behind bars.
I am not sure if you are a member of Writer's Workshop. If you are, great, if not, please consider joining.
Ben you would be welcome there too.
http://writersworkshop.gather.com
Since it is private, you may have to contact Howard M. (His credentials would fill up several pages). I have contacted him to see if he can open the group up so that people can apply. However, it is mediated and private. He is limiting the membership in order to work with the members.
Understanding that is difficult for most people but that's just the way it is.
I've been there more than once; as Ben so eloquently pointed out, have you thought of Churches? Neighbours? Family? These are "nets" that generations of Americans relied on and prospered in for many, many years. What say you? Being a religion-basher is no excuse, loving Christians would take you in and help you out no matter how hypocritical you might be or feel. Thats what I love about "the religous." Here is an anecdote that you might enjoy [praying]---
------A man approached a conservative Christian and said, "I'm hungry and homeless; Brother, can you spare a dime?" The man reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and handed him $20.00. He then gave him his business card and said, "Call me tomorrow, and I will give you a job."
But the man had no faith, and was LAZY. He then approached a Liberal athiest and repeated his plea. "Brother, can you spare a dime?" At which the liberal took his $20, gave him back a $10, kept $10 for himself and walked away.
I pray that you understand my point.
I have to, and should have, before, asked what books you are relying on for the info that government forced private sector charities out of existence over a hundred years ago? Since our last exchange, I have done some reading on the subject, and can't, for the life of me, figure out what you are talking about. I also look around and see many private foundations, today? Authors and titles?
I just saw your question up there, missed it before. What to say, what to say? Well, I have some disagreements, the most prominent on Church and State, where there seems to be a lot of confusion on the intent of our founders, but overall, in reading your replies to things here, you seem to me a reasonable and decent guy that is almost heroic, if you're raising 3 kids on what you say you make. Actually, I think it takes a certain amount of heroism to raise kids period, these days. I oppose partial birth abortion, but have no other disagreement with it. The idea that a couple of cells is human, and has human rights, makes no sense to me when we swat higher forms of life with a fly swatter every day. That may be callous, but it's true. Partial Birth is a different story to me, as some could exist on their own, but don't get that chance. I guess that's where I feel the rights of a fetus become the rights of a human being, when it can exist outside the womb. Everyone has their own ideas on this, and those are the only ones that make sense to me. Before that, I support the right to choose. Actually, that's not my deepest held belief on that either, as I have always felt that, by nature, men shouldn't have anything to say on the issue, myself included, because we really don't have a clue to what it is all about. I understand what you are saying about choosing earlier, and your wish we could clean up our morals before our country goes to heck in a handbag, but all through history there have been affairs, premarital sex, jealousy, and lust, but today it's out of the closet, is all. I think many look back through history, and think because decent people didn't discuss it, it wasn't there. I have seen private letters from previous eras, in genealogy research, and was amazed to find the number of references to scandals and girls that left town for 9 months, etc., so it has always been there, just not discussed. We can't put our proverbial genies back in the bottle, so we need to deal with them as adults, somehow, and wishing can't change it. Other than those issues, I don't feel any disagreement right now. Fair enough?
I agree that legalizing marijuana would be a good thing, but I don't see it happening. Too much political energy is invested in fighting this fake drug war.
On creches in town square: Well, I did study the Anti Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, and even though I think it is very nice to have this in the town square (or any religious symbol) I don't see that changing any time soon.
Maybe you are also familiar with the many instances of the Ten Commandments posted in courthouses throughout the South and of the legal struggles they have faced, based on the same clause in the First Amendment. I feel less positive about the Ten Commandments in Courthouses, fan of the baby Jesus that I am.
Thanks for the response to this article, this is indeed from my heart, what I have written in "I Believe..." was an emotional response to all the crap etc I see in the world/media and leaders. I some times write planned things etc... But this I wrote from beginning to end in about 20 minutes, then edited with another 15 minutes. Fast for writing that I like after I am done, trying not to be conceited, but I do like what I have said, and how I have said it, perhaps this is a lesson for me and others of "what we can do when we allow our heart to use the tools our brain have to create something honest and purely true from our center…" I would like to use the words "Devine Center", but Steven R Covey already used it for the title of a book he wrote taking the "Seven Habits" and incorporating the religious perspective.
OK stopping this comment at this point because it will use up all my ideas for articles if I let myself go… lol Thanks again for traveling this part of my life's path with me…