Here is a comment from NYT regarding the article,"Chris Christie Could Show the Path"
As a young conservative and College Republican, I'm often asked the question "why are you a conservative, do you hate everyone who isn't a white man of European descent?"
I believe in traditional American values, but I am also accepting of the changing world. For instance, I'm pro-life but I don't think politicians the right to decide who can marry who. I believe in God, personal accountability, small government, and a strong national defense. I'm a dying breed, and it scares me. I have plenty of friends who are Republicans, but the traditional "conservative" is disappearing.
Lets be clear. if this college republican is actually asked the question he claims to be asked he's not being totally honest with himself. The proof is in his response.
I believe in traditional American values, but I am also accepting of the changing world.
It's not a changing world. The world's been changed for a long time. The fact that you equate "Traditional American Values" as something separate from acceptance of a changing world goes back to the same issue we see over and over again with republicans: they politely (and many times not so politely) let you know that this changing world - of ethnically diverse, liberal minded human beings - are the antithesis of being "American." It's a rude, ignorant, arrogant view of the world and it's clear this homunculus has no clue he's even being rude, ignorant or arrogant. It's ingrained.
I believe in God, personal accountability, small government, and a strong national defense. I'm a dying breed, and it scares me.
Personal responsibility is an easy thing to believe in when you've never, EVER had a financial challenge in your life. It's an easy mindset when you're narrow-minded and cannot perceive the day when you become middle aged and are closer to retirement without the retirement income you've worked for having grown. It's a wonderful way to be when you don't have a single infirmity, will never have to rely on Social security or disability for debilitating problems and assume that anyone who hasn't planned ahead (or even been able to save $100,000 a year every year) for an unexpected turn of the coin should die as millions did back in the turn of the century.
It's the mindset of someone who's been coddled - yet feels they are an authority due to their upbringing. I just have no stomach for that kind of smug ignorance.
God? If you are not tolerant of other's ideas of God (or lack thereof) you are as small minded as they come. It's more of the same mindset: My way is the only way. Pity you for not seeing it my way for I will never see it your way. What should I?
Small government? Most of the College Republicans will never feel a change in the amount of money the government pulls in. Small government is what their conservative parents instilled in them and, like most republicans, they never bothered questioning what that means. Why question anything when you're simply a lemming.
Dying breed? Hopefully. The last thing any of us need is more intolerance from those who feel they know it all, without any moment of questioning their beliefs.