Why I'm a Conservative
Conservatism works. We should try it.
posted over 11 years ago
Why, you might ask, am I a conservative? For what reason do I believe that limited government should be the emphasis? Why do I wholeheartedly support the principles of individual liberty and responsibility?
In short, the answer is this: my conservatism exists because this much-maligned philosophy is the only one that guides effective government. the historical evidence supports it, and the logical, rational arguments lend credence to conservative values.
Conservatism works. Liberalism, or progressivism, I should say, doesn’t.
Has President Obama’s stimulus program created jobs? Have government-controlled healthcare frameworks truly helped consumers and patients?
The answers to both questions: no.
In 2009, it was promised by stimulus proponents that the program would keep unemployment figures from exceeding eight percent. Throughout the year, into 2010, the jobless numbers Unemployment as of Obama’s inauguration was 7.8%. Right now, it’s 7.9%. The U6 unemployment metric, measuring jobless and underemployed citizens currently hovers at approximately 14%. Not exactly the Bush record -- and President Bush wasn’t even a true conservative.
So many Americans are suffering as a result of the Left’s failed and fundamentally flawed policies. Keynesian, “progressive” approaches have been exhausted in an effort to prove liberalism’s validity as a governing ideology. Decades of proof abound to demonstrate that liberal policies simply don’t work.
Let’s examine conservative alternatives in two key issues.
First, job creation. Conservatives promote free market, pro-growth alternatives to the Democratic Party’s statism. We know that establishing a free energy industry here in the United States is important so as to ensure our national and economic security. Instead of blocking the Keystone XL pipeline, conservatives would have permitted its construction. We would also remove barriers to oil drilling on land and in American waters.
Our tax policies would enable individuals and companies to retain more of their earnings to encourage spending and investment in the next generation American economy. As opposed to onerous tax rates on corporate and personal income, on investment returns in the form of dividend and capital gains, and on the estates passed from one generation to the next, we would promote and establish lower rates, abolishing some forms of taxation altogether.
“Wait,” the liberal says. “Won’t that reduce revenues to the government? You’re going to gut vital programs!”
In response to that, I would state that our problem is one of excessive spending. With a 2012 deficit of over $1 trillion, the continuation of a trend during President Obama’s tenure, the obvious resolution would be a reduction in unnecessary and unconstitutional programs.
Healthcare is also important. Unfortunately, the left-wing, progressive approach won’t work. Already people are seeing their insurance premiums increase. Many are wondering why. The reason is because Obamacare requires providers to include provisions for things that aren’t useful to everybody. Some young, healthy citizens may want basic plans, but government requirements at state and federal levels limit their options.
Instead, we should let insurance providers offer plans across state lines. That way, residents of states with higher premiums will be able to purchase insurance from firms in states where prices are more accommodating. Additionally, we should institute tort reform, limiting the burden on doctors requiring them to purchase large malpractice insurance plans when they may never be sued.
Hopefully, the United States will avoid the path taken by the United Kingdom, Canada, North Korea, Cuba, and the Soviet Union with their government-run healthcare systems.
As a college student, these issues are important to me. They should also matter to you. After all, you’re going to graduate eventually, and you are likely to have begun a job search by then. However, it’s going to be difficult finding employment when leftist policies are eliminating the positions available and discouraging firms from expanding.
We also have a government debt exceeding $16 trillion. That is greater than our GDP. When the sum total of economic transactions in this nation shrinks in comparison to the mountainous debts that our nation owes, it will be ever more challenging for the private sector to expand. This is because, quite simply, these obligations, and the interest steadily rising in tandem, are going to require reduction.
Perhaps it’s reasonable to assume that you have absolutely no desire to pay this debt. Unfortunately, you, as well as the entire American population, are saddled with the grim duty of providing money from your hard-earned paychecks to fuel the profligate and irresponsible spending by those in Washington.
So there it is. Not the intolerant, sexist, racist, bigoted rant you may have anticipated. This should prove that I’m not the villainous right-winger some of you envision when thinking about conservatives. Just common-sense, time-tested, uniting principles to restore American prosperity and Christian values.
In short, the answer is this: my conservatism exists because this much-maligned philosophy is the only one that guides effective government. the historical evidence supports it, and the logical, rational arguments lend credence to conservative values.
Conservatism works. Liberalism, or progressivism, I should say, doesn’t.
Has President Obama’s stimulus program created jobs? Have government-controlled healthcare frameworks truly helped consumers and patients?
The answers to both questions: no.
In 2009, it was promised by stimulus proponents that the program would keep unemployment figures from exceeding eight percent. Throughout the year, into 2010, the jobless numbers Unemployment as of Obama’s inauguration was 7.8%. Right now, it’s 7.9%. The U6 unemployment metric, measuring jobless and underemployed citizens currently hovers at approximately 14%. Not exactly the Bush record -- and President Bush wasn’t even a true conservative.
So many Americans are suffering as a result of the Left’s failed and fundamentally flawed policies. Keynesian, “progressive” approaches have been exhausted in an effort to prove liberalism’s validity as a governing ideology. Decades of proof abound to demonstrate that liberal policies simply don’t work.
Let’s examine conservative alternatives in two key issues.
First, job creation. Conservatives promote free market, pro-growth alternatives to the Democratic Party’s statism. We know that establishing a free energy industry here in the United States is important so as to ensure our national and economic security. Instead of blocking the Keystone XL pipeline, conservatives would have permitted its construction. We would also remove barriers to oil drilling on land and in American waters.
Our tax policies would enable individuals and companies to retain more of their earnings to encourage spending and investment in the next generation American economy. As opposed to onerous tax rates on corporate and personal income, on investment returns in the form of dividend and capital gains, and on the estates passed from one generation to the next, we would promote and establish lower rates, abolishing some forms of taxation altogether.
“Wait,” the liberal says. “Won’t that reduce revenues to the government? You’re going to gut vital programs!”
In response to that, I would state that our problem is one of excessive spending. With a 2012 deficit of over $1 trillion, the continuation of a trend during President Obama’s tenure, the obvious resolution would be a reduction in unnecessary and unconstitutional programs.
Healthcare is also important. Unfortunately, the left-wing, progressive approach won’t work. Already people are seeing their insurance premiums increase. Many are wondering why. The reason is because Obamacare requires providers to include provisions for things that aren’t useful to everybody. Some young, healthy citizens may want basic plans, but government requirements at state and federal levels limit their options.
Instead, we should let insurance providers offer plans across state lines. That way, residents of states with higher premiums will be able to purchase insurance from firms in states where prices are more accommodating. Additionally, we should institute tort reform, limiting the burden on doctors requiring them to purchase large malpractice insurance plans when they may never be sued.
Hopefully, the United States will avoid the path taken by the United Kingdom, Canada, North Korea, Cuba, and the Soviet Union with their government-run healthcare systems.
As a college student, these issues are important to me. They should also matter to you. After all, you’re going to graduate eventually, and you are likely to have begun a job search by then. However, it’s going to be difficult finding employment when leftist policies are eliminating the positions available and discouraging firms from expanding.
We also have a government debt exceeding $16 trillion. That is greater than our GDP. When the sum total of economic transactions in this nation shrinks in comparison to the mountainous debts that our nation owes, it will be ever more challenging for the private sector to expand. This is because, quite simply, these obligations, and the interest steadily rising in tandem, are going to require reduction.
Perhaps it’s reasonable to assume that you have absolutely no desire to pay this debt. Unfortunately, you, as well as the entire American population, are saddled with the grim duty of providing money from your hard-earned paychecks to fuel the profligate and irresponsible spending by those in Washington.
So there it is. Not the intolerant, sexist, racist, bigoted rant you may have anticipated. This should prove that I’m not the villainous right-winger some of you envision when thinking about conservatives. Just common-sense, time-tested, uniting principles to restore American prosperity and Christian values.
