Conservatism: Looking Forward

Conservatives have a very rich history in this country which provides excellent groundwork for the future as well as the immediate needs of our country. When considering how to reestablish the Republican Party, I think that it is critical to use the past as a foundation and to look forward to what the country needs. In my opinion, it is essential to keep things simple and to rely upon two main principles to drive the conservative movement forward. These two principles include adhering to the Constitution and focusing on the family.

The Constitution is what has made our country unique. It is what provides us our freedoms and is the basis for liberties. Other nations look to it as the example of what a democratic republic should be. Far too often members of our party have strayed from its principles to represent a special interest or corporation. Also, many so called Republicans have distorted its intentions in order to expand federal powers and interfere with our freedoms. In my opinion, it is our responsibility as conservative Republicans to evaluate what the Constitution offers us and to strictly adhere to its principles. When endorsing any candidate for any office, we must ask, “Will they support and uphold the Constitution?” When supporting any legislation it must be considered, “Will this restrict our freedoms as outlined in the Constitution? Will it interfere with my freedom of speech? Will it take away my right to my own property?” Former undersecretary of state for Calvin Coolidge, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., put it well when he said: “God provided that in this land of liberty, our political allegiance shall run not to individuals, that is, to government officials, no matter how great or how small they may be. Under His plan our allegiance and the only allegiance we owe as citizens or denizens of the United States, runs to our inspired Constitution which God himself set up…This principle of allegiance to the Constitution is basic to our freedom.” (Improvement Era, July 1940, p. 444.) It is my guiding belief that as Conservatives we must consider what is in the Constitution as well as who is willing to defend it over any self interests.

I believe that focusing on strengthening the family structure should also be the primary goal of the conservative Republican Party. When the family unit is weakened, individuals are forced to turn to their government for support. It is my view that this is the underlying cause for the increase in dependence by our citizens on the government. Without a functioning family or a community support network in place, the only place to turn in times of distress and hardship becomes the government. I see this far too often in my profession as a hospice nurse. When a family member is dying and there is no extended family or community that is able to step in and provide relief, the patient relies on the support of the hospice staff, provided to them indirectly by the government through Medicare, in their place. I also see as growing trend citizens requesting benefits from the government that might normally be provided by a family member or community such as housing and food. When families are no longer able to provide for themselves they become the taxpayers burden and therefore I believe that it is the duty of our elected representatives to do everything in their power to help families become self sufficient and provide for themselves. This principle is of primary concern to conservatives who believe that the government should not be the primary provider and that citizens have a responsibility to help themselves.

By using these two main principles as a guide when determining the future of the party, I believe that Republicans will not only win the support of the people of our nation they will also gain the much needed cohesion that the party is lacking. In the process, Conservatives will also help preserve the freedoms of the citizens of this nation. Finally, I believe that keeping things simple and focused will create a new, strong foundation to build upon.