What Kind of Conservative Are You?

[public servant]

Then the terrorists have already won.

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

You lost me... huh?

 

[BloodEclipse]

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:
I am a mixture of these and maybe not true to your definitions.

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.
While I am strongly against BIG Government, I expect the State to have control over the laws that should affect me on a day to day basis and not the Fed. Those laws also should be minimal and limited.
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.
Law and order are necessary. Laws that protect the criminal more than the victim are wrong.Enforcement of laws is a necessity. What good is laws like illegal entry, if we don't enforce them?
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.
I'm all for free markets and would love to see the burden of taxation lifted from businesses. I also believe in allowing only legal citizens the right to work in this country.

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.
Being agnostic, I might not normally be thought to be associated with this group. However I see attacks weekly on the values of Christians. My morals are closely aligned with Christians and I will help defend them, from those who think religion has no place in the public sector.
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.
While your enemies plot against you it is best to take a proactive stance on defense. If you knew your neighbor was building a machine to smash your house with you in it, would you wait until he completed it? Wait until he attacked you? I'm going to make sure he never builds it. When you are responsible for lives other than just your own and are sworn to protect them, you do what needs to be done period.

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.
See above. What happens in other parts of the world directly affect our security.

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.
I'm in this group. I want to reward responsible behavior. The English is the pubic language, is not only a huge money saver, it prevents the division of Americans into groups. Why assimilate into our culture when they can demand everyone else cater to them?

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.

Tax cuts increase revenue into the federal coffers,increases buying power, increases demand for products, creates jobs. This must also be matched with reduced spending.

 

[theweakerbrother]

I'm a classic liberal, just like like Thomas Jefferson.