What Kind of Conservative Are You?

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    antsi

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    Nov 6, 2008
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    We've had a lot of threads lately that refer to "real conservatives," getting rid of the RINOs, "moving to the right," and "returning to conservative roots."

    My question is, what kind of conservatism are you talking about?

    There are lots of different sub-types of conservatives, and they don't necessarily agree on things.

    Just off the top of my head, I can identify:

    1) Individual Liberty / Limited Government Conservatives
    These principles are also advocated by the libertarian party. Republicans like Ron Paul (not too many of those!) fit this bill also. These folks are most concerned about government overstepping bounds and becoming oppressive/tyrannical.

    2) Law and Order Conservatives
    Mostly concerned about catching and punishing criminals. Often at odds with the Liberty/Limited.gov conservatives over issues like interrogating suspects, surveillance, search and seizure, and criminal trial rules and procedures.

    3) Free Market / Big Business Conservatives
    These folks are interested in deregulation, low taxes, and free markets. They don't want the .gov messing with businesses. Would like rules changed to weaken environmental protection and union influence. Often at odds with Border Control conservatives because they like hiring cheap foreign labor.

    4) Religious Conservatives
    These are folks who would like to re-shape society to more closely fit their Christian values. Simply living your own life according to conservative Christian principles does not put you in this group - only if you want the laws of the state to reflect your Christian values. Often at odds with the Liberty/Limited.gov folks over issues like pornography, prostitution, and drugs.

    5) National Defense Conservatives - activist
    Want a strong military, and want to use it. Believe the world is full of bad guys, all of whom threaten us directly or indirectly. Let's go get the bad guys. Condoleeza Rice, Paul Wolfowitz, and other "neo conservatives" belong in this group. Want to re-shape the world according to democratic ideals, and willing to go to war to make that happen.

    6) National Defense Conservatives - isolationist
    Want a strong military, but also want to mind our own business. Only get involved in wars if a critical, immediate US interest is at stake. The world is full of bad guys, but we can't be the world's police. Conservatives like Ron Paul opposed the Iraq war along these lines. Prior to WWII, the Republican party was very much isolationist.

    7) Border Control Conservatives
    Prevent illegal immigration, deport those already here. Make requirements for legal immigration much stricter. Want to ensure English is the public language of the US. Often in conflict with Big Business and Liberty conservatives.

    8) Fiscal Conservatives
    Deeply concerned about the national debt. Want to reign in spending. Would like to lower taxes, but balancing the budget comes before tax cuts.

    It is obvious that there are a lot of potential conflicts between these groups. Great leaders like Ronald Reagan have at times united these groups in a mighty coalition, but without that kind of leadership they tend to splinter off.

    Answers to the poll questions below will help decide which kind of conservative you are.
     

    4sarge

    Grandmaster
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    Mar 19, 2008
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    FREEDONIA
    I read 1 - 8 quickly but make these your choices and allow multiple answers. I found your 2 choices restrictive and did not answer :twocents:
     

    antsi

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    Nov 6, 2008
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    Annoying - the poll didn't work the way I wanted it to. I meant to have a number of either/or choices. I will just have to put them here in a reply.

    Here are a few more either/or options to determine what kind of conservative you are:

    A) The world is full of tin pot dictators, but it's not our job to depose them all. Slap them down if they threaten us directly, but otherwise, leave them alone.
    B) Rogue dictators and failed states threaten our security sooner or later. Use military force to stabilize problem regions and get rid of bad governments.

    -

    C) Religious freedom means being free to choose one's own religion, or choose none at all. Each will worship his/her own way, but don't try to enforce religious values through government.
    D) This country was founded on Christian principles and most Americans are Christians. The best government is the one that governs according to God's principles.

    -

    E) Drugs, gambling, and prostitution are harmful, but trying to enforce laws against them is even more harmful. Being free means having the freedom to do stupid and self-destructive things.
    F) Legalizing bad choices implies approval of bad choices. We should try to shape our society according to our values. Strict enforcement of drug and prostitution laws. If the people vote for it, they should also be allowed to enact bans on alcohol and gambling for the same reasons.

    -

    G) Business and markets are the foundation of prosperity and prosperity is the foundation of freedom. Government should work to strengthen and support business success. If special tax breaks or public-private development deals can help a business to thrive, the people will benefit.
    H) Businesses should live and die on their own merits. End corporate welfare. Government shouldn't mess with business, but shouldn't cater to business either.
     
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    antsi

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    Nov 6, 2008
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    I read 1 - 8 quickly but make these your choices and allow multiple answers. I found your 2 choices restrictive and did not answer :twocents:

    Read post #4.

    I couldn't make the poll work the way I wanted to.

    I wanted to have a series of either/or choices, to make people choose on each issue, and determine which "conservative mini-camps" they belong to.

    Personally, my profile is:
    1) Liberty/Limited.gov
    2) Fiscal
    3) National defense - isolationist (mostly)

    Sometimes I will agree with an activist defense policy, but I think it mostly buys us trouble.

    I do not support the "law and order" conservatives. Unrestrained search and seizure, detention without trial, and brutal interrogation are the tools of a police state. Even if these powers are used for good now, they will be turned to evil tomorrow.

    I am personally religious and I try to live my own life based on Gospel principles, but I don't want my government run that way. The thought of electing some moron like Obama to impose religious principles according to what is politically popular is pretty close to my definition of blasphemy.

    My favorite question to ask about government is, "Will I still be happy about this government program or power when the Socialists get ahold of it?"
     

    SavageEagle

    Grandmaster
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    Apr 27, 2008
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    The problem is for those of us who take a little bit of each of the different TYPES of Conservatives.

    Where would that place us?
     

    Turtle

    Master
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    2   0   0
    Jul 8, 2008
    1,901
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    INDY
    I'm an Independent. Or a constitutionalist! I think both Dem's and republicans are both Big government control freaks and that America is way off the tracks like communist crazy train.
     

    antsi

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    Nov 6, 2008
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    From the two sets of choices you listed in your two posts...I'd be a 2, "A", "C", "F" and "H".

    I agree with you on 4 out of 5 of those.

    However - and this is my main point - on each of those issues, either option could be considered "more conservative" depending on what kind of conservative you are.

    For example, religious conservatives would say that choice D is more conservative than choice C. Liimited government conservatives would say that C is the more conservative of the two choices.

    So, if we want the Republicans to be "more conservative," that could mean different things to different people - some of them completely contradictory.

    I'm surprised nobody has picked the "tough on crime" option in the poll. It does represent the views of some conservatives.
     

    public servant

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    I'm surprised nobody has picked the "tough on crime" option in the poll. It does represent the views of some conservatives.
    By the "tough on crime" option in the poll, I'm assuming you meant choice one. While I'm all for being tough on crime (mandatory sentencing, three strike rule, etc.) I don't believe we should give up the right to proper searches, etc. I personally have nothing to hide...but it doesn't mean I want to open myself up to being searched anytime someone feels the need. I would have voted for number one had that part not been in there.
     
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    antsi

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    By the "tough on crime" option in the poll, I'm assuming you meant choice one. While I'm all for being tough on crime (mandatory sentencing, three strike rule, etc.) I don't believe I don't believe we should give up the right to proper searches, etc. I personally have nothing to hide...but it doesn't mean I want to open myself up to being searched anytime someone feels the need.

    Well, you're obviously just not tough on crime enough ;)
     

    Fletch

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    Jun 19, 2008
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    Oklahoma
    By the "tough on crime" option in the poll, I'm assuming you meant choice one. While I'm all for being tough on crime (mandatory sentencing, three strike rule, etc.) I don't believe we should give up the right to proper searches, etc. I personally have nothing to hide...but it doesn't mean I want to open myself up to being searched anytime someone feels the need. I would have voted for number one had that part not been in there.

    Then the terrorists have already won.

    At least, I think that's the way the argument goes.
     

    paddling_man

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    Jul 17, 2008
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    Fishers
    Hmmm...


    1) Yes, 90%.
    3) Somewhat -
    4) No. These people frighten me greatly.
    5) Big yes. Everything from the "1% doctrine" to taking out the regimes who find wholesale rape/genocide a tool.
    8) Big yes.
     
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