Conservatism

Let’s say that it is Texas in the early 2000s, and you are a successful businessperson, a regular at church, an active member of the Rotary Club, a local philanthropist, and a respected member of the community. You are a good Christian. Growing up in Texas, you were raised drinking from a deep well of libertarianism and rugged individualism. You consider yourself a conservative, and that means you vote for Republicans.

Conservative principles define your worldview. They are the secret to your success, and you believe that they are the foundation of American Exceptionalism. These principles include fiscal restraint and the belief that the US should balance its budget and live within its means. A faith in free trade and commerce without government interference is practically a religion. You strongly oppose the government meddling in private affairs.

You also consider the rule of law and the separation of powers to be fundamental pillars of our constitutional system, which has made the US the world's dominant power. The strength of our global alliances provides us with unrivaled economic and military superiority. We don’t rule a hemisphere. We rule the world. You understand the responsibility that comes with this dominant role and are willing to invest to maintain it. It is our principles that give our global leadership legitimacy. We are the envy of the world.

The politicians you support are unselfishly serving the public and doing their best to make the country “more perfect.” They usually behave civilly, and their fundamental decency serves as a model for the rest of the country and the world. You count on their honesty and integrity and hold them to the same high standards you hold your friends, neighbors, and business associates. You would never publicly tolerate, much less celebrate, crass, disgusting, and undignified behavior from the leaders you support.

So, what happened? Are you still a conservative? Do you support protectionism, profligate spending, blatant corruption, concentrated power, state-sanctioned murder, and government intrusiveness? How about the celebration of intentionally cruel and disgusting behavior? Is it conservative to destroy a stable world order that the US created, controlled, and dominated for 80 years? Do you stand by the subversion of the rule of law and the assertion of state power to address personal grievances? Do you support public money and communication channels being used to promote obviously damaging lies and propaganda? Does the word “conservative” have any meaning when the constitutional system is being trampled?

This moment calls for us to think deeply about our values. I know who you are. I am one of you. We may not agree on all policy choices, but the conservative principles that we believe in have not changed. What has changed is the values and behaviors of the political party we once respected. It is time to reevaluate our allegiances and reassert our conservative beliefs and ideology.

You can be a conservative, or you can be a Republican, but right now you can’t be both.