Conservatism Revisited

"A people free to choose will always choose freedom" - R. Reagan

"How can a President not be an actor?" - R. Reagan

The impending Presidential election has certainly stirred up a number of my Reagan Republican-Conservative friends and co-workers. I have heard numerous reasons to not to vote for various candidates and I have heard a number of people questioning which candidate for President is supporting the "conservative values" attributed to President Reagan. These comments and discussions have really left me with the impression that many of my conservative friends aren't really sure what they mean when they use the term "conservative" and they seem to only care about conservatism during a presidental election year. I to often wonder about my own use of the term and what it means to me. Conservatism in my opinion is and always will be an individual/grass roots effort since conservatism is rooted in the way people think, believe and act versus who or what organization you align with.

So when one thinks of conservatism what general thoughts, words or ideas come to mind and then most importantly in what practical ways can your beliefs be turned into action? I encourage everyone regardless of political leaning to take a few minutes work through the following exercise.

1-Turn off the radio, TV and your computer.
2-Get a piece of paper and a pen
3-Find a quiet place to sit down
4-At the top of the paper write "I believe..."
5-List the first 5-10 things that come to your mind
6-Turn the paper over
7-At the top of the paper write "I want my elected officials to..."
8-List the first 5 things that come to mind.

Now look over what you have written and come to terms in your own mind on what being a conservative means.

It is a good exercise and yes I went through it myself. I may even post my responses.