What Defines A Conservative? Conservatism?

Once upon a time, I asked a friend the above question as we sat having lunch at local cafeteria. He replied that it was simply anyone who was a pure horse's behind (only he didn't say behind). So I obliged him with a real horse kick.

Well, that was a fictitious parable there, but on the other hand, there are people who feel that way when they actually do not know what true conservatism is. And to tell you the truth, I don't know myself. Unlike the fictitious friend (the only kind I really have), I believe exactly opposite to his description. So, if I embellish a little, bear with me while I actually do give the best description I can.

I've always held the exact ideas on this as I do now. However, I grew up thinking the Democratic party was the party. But as I grew up, I began to see that their platform did not agree with my philosophy. And it grew worse and worse. So now, with that in mind, I'll try and define the things in which I differ with them.

First, I believe in a very limited government. One large enough to maintain a military defense for whatever crisis might arise in that respect. One large enough to support (with moderate incomes) our constitutionally appointed judicial, legislative and executive branches of government. And that is close to it. There are other things necessary in the operation of government, but for the large part, most all else should be left to the states. Our government could function on 15 percent of the present income they are presently taking in. We do not need an IRS, we don't need a U.S. Postal Service, and on and on. We don't need a Federal Reserve and we surely do not need a Fannie Mae, a Freddie Mac, or a federally funded ACORN. And hundreds more. These functions can be handled simply by the private sector and with many times the efficiency.

There were many things which our founding fathers managed without and did quite well. We even fought wars under those conditions back then, and by the way, we won wars then. We didn't go in saying if you shoot at us we'll shoot back. We didn't take off 4 days for Thanksgiving and the same for Christmas and then criticize our enemy for breaking the truce. If you shoot a missile from that spot, we will come and bomb it, but only it.

I believe in all the freedoms we had one hundred years ago. The freedoms pointed out in the constitution, freedom of speech, press, religion, to raise one's own children with out governmental interference, to speak out against anything whatsoever that you think is wrong. Anywhere.

I cannot speak for all conservatives but I do believe that most feel somewhat as I do, that government based on Christian principles is best by far. Many will have much to say about that. They will refer you to the cruelty of the "Christian" crusades, the sorriness of such and such "Christian" and other nonsense.

I'm referring to the moral attributes taught in the New Testament. Sanctity of life. Caring for the needy, but "that if any would not work, neither should he eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Punishment of crime suitable for the crime. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman. And many more such common sense items. It is unfair that someone like Nancy Pelosi should tell those in Alabama whether or not they can own a gun. Or whether or not she can blow our money on anything and everything.

A conservative is dead set against judges legislating laws rather than interpreting laws. He is dead set against a president being able to dictate rather than lead. Most conservatives are opposed to an impotent United Nations Organization having the authority to tax us for an imaginary "man-made" global warming scam.

They are opposed to banning domestic oil exploration and drilling while paying other nations exorbitant prices for doing exactly the things we are banned from doing.

There is no need to throw the names of McCain and/or Bush up as doing this or that. Neither of them are conservatives, both are Republicans but not conservatives in the true sense of the word. Alan Keyes, Newt Gingrich, J.C. Watts, Fred Thompson and others like them are conservatives. And I proudly stand with them.

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