What is a conservative? This mysterious sociopolitical outlook has long confounded those of us on the left of the political spectrum. We wonder, "Why would anyone be a conservative?" Is it fun? Is it intellectually rewarding? Does it help you sleep better at night? Conservatism is much like pornography: We may not be able to define it, but we know it when we see it.
Nonetheless, it might help connect us with many of our fellow Americans were the term better defined. After all, we're all Americans and share many core values:
- Love of civil liberties
- Reverence for the checks and balances that prevent a single branch of the government from arrogating excessive levels of power
- The rock-solid belief that government should never spend beyond its means
- The conviction that each one of us should be live our lives without the government telling us what we can and can't do
Which still leaves unanswered the fundamental question: What is a conservative?
I thought I'd leave it to you. I'll start by supplying a couple of possible definitions, one from me and one from a friend. You can add to the list! I'll compile all the answers and post them on my personal web site. I'll let everyone here know when I've done that. You can cut-and-paste the definitions from there to your website and send them to your friends (or enemies, whatever the case may be). Let's get started!
A CONSERVATIVE IS...
...a liberal whose ox hasn't been gored.
...A person who, when confronted with a contradiction between his or her
gut feelings and the conclusion to which logic leads, abandons logic.
Go ahead! Join the fun!