Core principles
The conservative movement needs people who can articulate are values well in the public square. We need people who can explain what a conservative is and why. I see so many people who live thier lives conservatively. They are religious, love this country, are good and decent people. Yet time after time they vote for liberals. If we can somehow overcome the mainstream media and get people to see how much conservatives stand for what they believe in I think we could attract them to the conservative side as conservatives. Not try to bring them into some "big tent" that is so big it ceases to be conservative. If I believed a third party could be viable I'd sign up, I just don't think we have the time, I don't think America has the time to build that can of movement. We are where we are and right now the Republican party is our only vehicle. We need to grow that party through attracting conservatives of all stripes, but they need to be conservative. I know we won't all agree on every issue but there has to be enough common ground to stand against the harsh leftism Obama seems to embrace.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alan Eason on -
This is a great discussion you started, Toni. I agree that the issues must come first - not the politics. So many are thinking strategy and coalitions that there seems to be a forgetfulness of exactly what it is that we are striving for. This site is all about that search. We MUST identify the core issues and the really important points of belief that make us what we are. We may different and have different core beliefs. So be it. If we do not discuss those very beliefs, though, we can neither come to agreement nor even come to a real understanding of each other.
Too much of the atmosphere in ALL political parties (as well as in education, media and other aspects of our culture) is one of staying away from anything that smacks of 'ideology.' In other words, quit talking about ideas - just talk pragmatic stuff. Well ideology is simply the study of ideas - that's what the word means. If our ideas die, what is the worth of politics? We all just become a nation of political cynics, like citizens of so many other countries around the world.
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Permalink Reply by ToniMarie on -
I couldn't agree with you more. If we could all just take a step back, listen to each other understand what the other person is saying. Try to understand why they believe what they believe, then even if we differ we can do so with respect. Then maybe we could hear eachother out and come to some kind of "agree to disagree" on that particular issue but then go on and find out if there is some common ground we can build on. The atmosphere right now is so contentious. People are thinking about thier own reply without really hearing what the person they are talking to is saying. Lets stop debating and start discussing. There will be areas that we cannot bend on, those things that we hold as core beliefs based on our individual religious or moral beliefs, but again there are areas where we can come together. I am as conservative as I think one can be, but I honestly believe that your rank and file Democrat or liberal (not leftist but liberal) love this country as much as I do and want what is best for this country. I believe the majority of Americans want a strong vibrant America. We need to define what that means see where we agree and where we don't. Then we can respectfully discuse those areas of disagreement and try to change the others minds. I am trying this right now in my own family. We are for the most part a very conservative family. A couple of neices have been adversely affected by thier college educations and are leaning left. We are a fairly loud hispanic family and passions can flare, but so far I have been able to stay calm. I figure if I can do this within my own strong opinionated family I can do it anywhere.
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Permalink Reply by Judith Kratochvil on -
We not only need to define our core principles but also need to learn how to communicate these principles to the general public as well as targeted communities. For example, religious (socially conservative) black people and have them listen to the message and possibly join our side.
Our communication of our core principles needs to be positive and relate why people should subscribe to them and not merely sound like it isn't liberal therefore it is better which is what our current pitch sounds like.
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