Britannica roughly defines it as, “conservatism, political doctrine that emphasizes the value of traditional institutions and practices.”
There are nearly as many definitions as there are people that ponder the concept. With that in mind, shouldn’t I be authorized to offer my own.
While some center their understanding of conservatism on what they call, “conservative policies,” that leaves us to debate what exactly are, “conservative policies?” Within this group the opinions of what constitutes a conservative policy vary.
Some center on the root of the word, believing that the concept centers around efforts to conserve. This then begs the question, what is to be conserved, and these opinions also vary.
The odd thing to me is the sense that most who consider themselves to be conservatives believe, (regardless of which of these varying beliefs,) think that other conservatives agree with their own view of the meaning of conservatism. It seems to me that there are many things that all conservative agree with, but because of their varying outlooks, they often place the order of importance differently.
I would like to submit that I agree with those that define conservatism as a philosophy of conserving what we believe is good, and worthy of preservation. I don’t believe that something is to be conserved just because it is old, or established, or traditional. I believe that as an American Conservative, what should be conserved is our civil society. I also believe that this is what the founding fathers of the USA, and the framers of the US Constitution would seek to conserve. I believe that it is clear that they didn’t intend to construct a temporary government that would evolve to comply with the fleeting whims of the masses. They sought to build an enduring instrument, able to adapt to changing times, and advancements, but would require thoughtful deliberation, and purposeful actions to facilitate change.
In this spirit a representative republic, of democratically elected officials was created. They separated the powers between three separate branches, which pits the desires of each against the others in a contest of power.
Several great historical quotes seem reasonable to consider at this point. After the close of the Constitutional Convention, “Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, ‘Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a democracy?’
With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, ‘A republic if you can keep it.’”
John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
And many decades later, President Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
“All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke, and John Quincy Adams said, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.”
I have been chastised for repeating these quotes on the basis that if someone dislikes the person who made the statement, or does not trust their judgement, they will be offended.
I offer these quotes, not simply because of respect for the authors, but because the wisdom of these quotes is self evident.
Through the years each generation is burdened with the task of preserving liberty, and conserving our republic. Not all who have set their hands to the plough have done so with the attitude of John Quincy Adams. Many have failed to live up to the expectations of President Reagan, or Edmund Burke.
Here we are today, it is our turn. We stand on the starting block of our race. How will we face this contest? Or as Penny’s father repeated often in the movie Secretariat, will we run our race?
I believe that if we want to be a conservative, policies are certainly important, but what is of utmost importance is the system by which these policies are to be debated, and ultimately enacted.
It is the US Constitution that reigns supreme in this regard. If we use the instruments of the Constitution, to preserve the Constitution, to enact policies through constitutional methods, we have the best chance of conserving conservatism, and all conservative policies. If we deviate from these practices, we run the risk of destroying the constitution, conservatism, and conservative policies.
All changes to laws are to be made by Congress. The House of Representatives, and the Senate agree on bills to present them to the President for signing them into law.
The Executive Branch, with the President as the chief enforcement officer is charged with faithfully executing those laws. The executive branch is not authorized to make law, only to faithfully execute the laws that are constitutional.
The Federal Judiciary, with the Supreme Court as the highest court, is charged with the responsibility to make sure that the laws made by Congress, and signed by the President are constitutional. They too are not authorized to make law, only to adjudicate whether laws, or action are constitutional, and every member of each branch vows, to the best of their ability, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Amendments to the US Constitution are to be made through the instrument of Article V, the congressional amendment process, or convention of states.
These are not my opinion, they are not conjecture, they are facts, any other route to law making, or constitutional amendment are unconstitutional.
God bless you, Dave