Core Principles of a Conservative Democrat
September 5th, 2009 | 
Author: I thought I would give a crack at what the core principles of a conservative democrat woult be. This may be a work in progress.
1. Limited Government. A conservative Democrat believes there is a significant role for the local, country and state governments; beyond the role of road repair and zoning. A conservative Democrat also understands the waste and inherent dangers of an expansive federal bureaucracy.
2. Strong Defense. A conservative democrat understands the need for a strong national defense. We see the world as it is and we recognize our role in it, not as a police force, but rather as a deterrent to radicals and totalitarians. We also realize that a military bureaucracy can pose a great threat to individual freedoms, is self-perpetuating, and needs to be put on a budget that is reasonable and appropriate for their mission.
3. Strong Middle and Working class. A conservative democrat sees the success of our country being dependent on the strength of our blue AND white collar families. The government should develop policies that grows and empowers this group. If it make a few people wealthy, then so be it.
4. Responsibility for the poor. A conservative democrat believes that it is our personal responsibility to care for the less fortunate. This demands personal involvement to extend time and resources to those in our communities who need help with the short term addressing of their immediate needs and the long term intension of lifting them up to join the ranks of the self-reliant. We see the value of the personal involvement and the inherit disconnection and sanitation when we surrender our responsibilities for the poor to government.
5. Passion for Education. A conservative democrat desires that they and their fellow citizens reach their full potential and that includes the acquisition of knowledge and understanding. Through the study of science, crafts, arts, morality, and history we believe that people can become independent thinking and feeling beings and not become the pawns of leaders and institutions that would use them. We also believe that the education institutions need to be focused on the highest standards in order to challenge, not the lowest standards in order to be all inclusive. To expect and encourage someone to be less what their God-given abilities allow is the ultimate form of prejudice and bigotry.
6. Embraces Free Market Capitalism to the point where is strengthens the core principles of our culture; life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. We believe that the economics a capitalism is the best way to empower people to reach their potential. We also recognize that capitalism needs to be actively monitored by the government (not replaced by the government).
7. Embodies the Wisdom of our Founding Fathers. A conservative democrat believes Constitution and Bill of Rights was not simply a “good idea” at the time, but is a core part of our nations continued success. No part of the core ideas should be legislated into irrelevance. However, the Constitution is NOT a suicide pact and the founders put in measures to adjust to major cultural changes.
8. Politics is a mix of thoughts AND feelings. To make decisions based upon feelings is a recipe for disaster (the road to hell is paved with good intensions). However, to ignore the human element and the strength and depth of feelings is to de-humanize and sacrifice fellow citizens on the alter of ideology and principle.
Let me know what you think. I expect to break down each one of these in future blogs.
Michael A
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