Conservatism

Conservative means:

A.  The etymology of the word Conservative:  etymonline.com

conservatyf, “tending to preserve or protect, preservative, having the power to keep whole or safe,” from Old French conservatif, from Medieval Latin conservativus, from Latin conservatus, past participle of conservare “to keep, preserve, keep intact, guard,” 

B.  Oxford/American Dictionary:

Conservative:

1. a commitment to traditional values and ideas with opposition to change or innovation: 
2. the holding of political views that favor free enterprise, private ownership, and socially conservative ideas.

C.  Dictionary.com

Conservative: disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change

Some commonly held Conservative beliefs:

1. the rule of law – Lex Rex – the Law over princes – no one is above the law
2. private property with privileges
3. freedom within bounds – speech, religion, press, assembly, petition (Amend #1)
4. limited government – checks, balances, federalism, state’s rights
5. tradition morals, mores – marriage, family, children, neighbors, the Ten
6. church and service groups free and protected – a wall of separation
7. God – a higher power – accountable, so be thoughtful
8. citizenship – “We the people” – good for others – poor, stranger, weak
9. law and order – police and military, courts, jury of peers, borders (Ellis Island)
10. all human life is precious – taking a life is a capital offense – eye for eye
11. free markets – open markets, supply and demand, a market-driven economy
12. just war – take up arms only after serious attempts at peace
13. labors rewarded – work is a virtue (or not eat), patents, copyrights
14. stewardship – care of others, the soil, plants, animals and history

There is desire by many US citizens that we go back to the conservative principles that guided us so very well for many decades.

There is a desire by another portion of our country that we NOT go back to previous values as they were too racist and in favor of the 1%, but go forward into a new way and to new culture.

What the United States has experienced over the past couple of decades has been a shifting from the old Conservative beliefs to a new national and world order.

I think the USA’s best decade was the 1920’s with Calvin Coolidge president for about half that time.  He was a true Conservative – maybe our last true Conservative (even better than #40).

Come the 30’s with FDR and in swept socialism in the New Deal (WPA, TVA, CCC, FHA, SSA, etc.).  Those got a strong foothold in our fabric, then our boys came back from “Paree” with European ideas and entitled their kids who rose up in rebellion in the 60’s and it has been downhill ever since.

Over the last 20 years, there has been a rapid, even meteoric, movement away from Conservatism.

Values today are:  I’m entitled, I deserve, the government can and will, trust the government, the government owes me, etc.  Nevermind JFK’s “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Too many have bought into the idea that there is a better day ahead – one not defined, nor demonstrated – just something better than that which served previous generations well.

The vote on Nov. 5 will further the rejection or slow the demise of Conservatism.