Blog Postings
Restoring America Through Effective Advocacy of and Application of Conservative Principles
08.08.09
"It is especially critical at this chapter in our nation's history for conservatives to set aside the dogmas of the quiet past and instead explain their vision to a new generation....Our challenges are great, but they can be met by men and women of good faith who are guided by restraint and prudence instead of rabid, unyielding ideologies." Joe Scarborough, "The Last Best Hope: Restoring Conservatism and America's Promise" (Crown Forum, NY 2009, p. 2).
I have just finished reading Scarborough's book. His analysis of what we need to do to promote conservatism to a new generation is right on. My experiences this past week at the Ozark Empire Fair underscore this analysis.
In my last blog I spoke of how a young Nicaraguan named Christian provides hope for that country. Over the past week, I have had the pleasure of meeting and engaging in discussion young Americans, many of them seventeen or eighteen who will vote for the first time next year. I have been impressed with their enthusiasm, passion and intellect.
Alex, for example, is a seventeen year old who lives in Greene County. One evening at the fair we spent a good ten minutes or so discussing issues. He has read Senator Tom Coburn's book, "Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders." Alex understands the risks of the Democratic leadership's various proposals on health care reform, and the need to preserve private insurance choices for people as part of any meaningful, responsible reform.
My discussions with young people this past week refreshes me and gives me renewed enthusiasm about the long term prospects for our country. We will pass through a season of sacrifice and pain, but emerge a better America of sound principles and a healthy economy if we pursue responsible, reasonable approaches to issues based on good stewardship. Young people understand and grasp the concepts of respect, graciousness and stewardship as being in tune with conservative principles. For example, saying one is "anti abortion" is no longer enough. We must say and live it by showing respect for the life of all persons, even those with whom we may disagree. We cannot model for young people respect for all life when we demean and condemn as unworthy certain people because of their beliefs. This leads to the conclusion that only certain "worthy" people are entitled to life. This selective reasoning is not biblical, nor conservative and has led to an increased devaluation of life, especially as reflected in the senseless murders of people living in and out of the womb. As conservatives, we must model a respect for all human life if we wish to positively affect our cultural norms so that abortion on demand of unborn babies and murders of born individuals become unacceptable because each person believes and accepts that it is wrong to do so. Their belief of wrongness being grounded in their understanding of how abortion and murder disrespect the value and right of all to life, instead of being based on the screams of hateful slogans by some saying it is wrong.
To paraphrase Lincoln, appealing to the "better angels of our nature" by revealing the soundness underlying conservative principles will draw support from people of all political beliefs and persusasions. This past week at the fair, many people, of varying political beliefs, have expressed their disgust at the partisan, personal "bickering" that is going on in Washington. A recurring question is "What are you going to do to engage in constructive discussion about realistic, meaningful change for our country?" I respond with the answer that I will discuss and pursue solutions on issues in a respectful, gracious manner based on the conservative principles of stewardship and limited but effective government as envisioned by the founding fathers and Lincoln.This approach is especially effective in appealing to the current generation of young Americans who will one day be our leaders.
The restoration of vigorous but civil dialogue on the challenging issues of the day is a focus of this campaign. I look forward to a return of civility in our public discourse as we are all reminded that "We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection." [A. Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, The Essential Lincoln: Speeches and Correspondence (Hill and Wang NY ed. by Burton 2009)].
I have just finished reading Scarborough's book. His analysis of what we need to do to promote conservatism to a new generation is right on. My experiences this past week at the Ozark Empire Fair underscore this analysis.
In my last blog I spoke of how a young Nicaraguan named Christian provides hope for that country. Over the past week, I have had the pleasure of meeting and engaging in discussion young Americans, many of them seventeen or eighteen who will vote for the first time next year. I have been impressed with their enthusiasm, passion and intellect.
Alex, for example, is a seventeen year old who lives in Greene County. One evening at the fair we spent a good ten minutes or so discussing issues. He has read Senator Tom Coburn's book, "Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders." Alex understands the risks of the Democratic leadership's various proposals on health care reform, and the need to preserve private insurance choices for people as part of any meaningful, responsible reform.
My discussions with young people this past week refreshes me and gives me renewed enthusiasm about the long term prospects for our country. We will pass through a season of sacrifice and pain, but emerge a better America of sound principles and a healthy economy if we pursue responsible, reasonable approaches to issues based on good stewardship. Young people understand and grasp the concepts of respect, graciousness and stewardship as being in tune with conservative principles. For example, saying one is "anti abortion" is no longer enough. We must say and live it by showing respect for the life of all persons, even those with whom we may disagree. We cannot model for young people respect for all life when we demean and condemn as unworthy certain people because of their beliefs. This leads to the conclusion that only certain "worthy" people are entitled to life. This selective reasoning is not biblical, nor conservative and has led to an increased devaluation of life, especially as reflected in the senseless murders of people living in and out of the womb. As conservatives, we must model a respect for all human life if we wish to positively affect our cultural norms so that abortion on demand of unborn babies and murders of born individuals become unacceptable because each person believes and accepts that it is wrong to do so. Their belief of wrongness being grounded in their understanding of how abortion and murder disrespect the value and right of all to life, instead of being based on the screams of hateful slogans by some saying it is wrong.
To paraphrase Lincoln, appealing to the "better angels of our nature" by revealing the soundness underlying conservative principles will draw support from people of all political beliefs and persusasions. This past week at the fair, many people, of varying political beliefs, have expressed their disgust at the partisan, personal "bickering" that is going on in Washington. A recurring question is "What are you going to do to engage in constructive discussion about realistic, meaningful change for our country?" I respond with the answer that I will discuss and pursue solutions on issues in a respectful, gracious manner based on the conservative principles of stewardship and limited but effective government as envisioned by the founding fathers and Lincoln.This approach is especially effective in appealing to the current generation of young Americans who will one day be our leaders.
The restoration of vigorous but civil dialogue on the challenging issues of the day is a focus of this campaign. I look forward to a return of civility in our public discourse as we are all reminded that "We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection." [A. Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, The Essential Lincoln: Speeches and Correspondence (Hill and Wang NY ed. by Burton 2009)].
