How to Be a Conservative Democrat
In politics sometimes, it seems easy to categorize a person by their party affiliation. A Republican is conservative and a Democrat is liberal. That is too limiting and shortsighted. Party affiliation does not eliminate individual thought. Defying these stereotypes is not always easy but is what democracy is based on--freedom of thought and choice.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
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1
Believe in small government. Small government means limiting the sprawling bureaucracy that invades people's lives and tries to tell them how to live those lives. Small government also means limiting monetary waste in government that comes with oversized government programs.
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2
Understand that there are services that the government needs to offer. While the conservative Democrat is against big government, they realize that some social programs are necessary for the country to thrive.
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3
Realize that a strong military force is a good. While curtailing government spending is prudent, it should not be at the expense of the nation's military. Even in times of peace, a strong military can be a deterrent to other aggressive countries and governments.
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4
Sympathize with the working class. A conservative democrat understands that the working class is the backbone that built this country. Conservative Democrats keep this in mind whenever taking issue with a policy or ideology.
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5
Focus on education and family values. Education and family values are an important part of the core values of the conservative Democrat. Education is what made this country a world leader and needs to be the focus of a conservative Democrats political agenda.
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6
Consider free market capitalism a positive endeavor. A conservative Democrat understands that the free market and capitalism empower the individual to make her own destiny.
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Comments
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ghostwhite
Oct 22, 2010
I agree with Buckeye. This whole article is full of blatant contradictions, yet most self-described conservatives can not see them for what they are. 1. You can't support 'the free market' yet say some social programs are necessary. That is a mixed economy. Not always a bad thing since some things like health insurance or 'free trade' have failed IMO but let's call it what it is. 2. You can't have 'small government' yet support a large military and the sort of aggressive foreign policy we have now. Ever hear the phrase 'war is the health of the state'? It's basically true, look at all the spying the government has done to 'fight terrorism' or all the trillions we've sent on Iraq. 3. Family Values has become a euphemism for opposing gay rights. An awful lot of 'family values' types go a step beyond opposing gay marriage or discrimination laws and support things like sodomy laws..... -
Buckeyenutschel
Jan 02, 2009
(Again, continued from above [actually below])children nor any protections for the environment that we are forced to obey (and rightly so). It is an uneven playing field designed to weaken and break labor agreements here in the states. We ended slavery in this country 130 years ago and by the use of the term "free trade", our big businesses have found a way to bring it back. These things have nothing to do with being conservative, it has to do with being fascist. If you don't believe me, look up what the term really means.
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Buckeyenutschel
Jan 02, 2009
(Again, continued from above [actually below])children nor any protections for the environment that we are forced to obey (and rightly so). It is an uneven playing field designed to weaken and break labor agreements here in the states. We ended slavery in this country 130 years ago and by the use of the term "free trade", our big businesses have found a way to bring it back. These things have nothing to do with being conservative, it has to do with being fascist. If you don't believe me, look up what the term really means.
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Buckeyenutschel
Jan 02, 2009
(continued from above)trillions of dollars (more than the rest of the world combined) when that money is directed towards very few recipients while ignoring infrastructure is bad for the country. We currently spend three times as much as all of our potential enemies combined. This money primarily is not being spent on bullet manufacturers here in the US, most of it is spent on operations in other countries trying to buy allegiances with shady characters who are selling influence to the highest bidder. This does nothing but empty our treasury while building those that will turn on us at first opportunity. And last but most importantly, free trade is a farce! It is designed by big businesses, for big businesses and it benefits nobody but big businesses (and even that is questionable). There is no control for those countries in the free trade agreements not to use slaves, children no
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Buckeyenutschel
Jan 02, 2009
First however, you must define "Conservative". I consider myself conservative BUT I disagree with several of your presumptions. Although I agree with the points made in 2, 4, and 5, I somewhat disagree with 1 & 3 and strongly disagree with #6. Small government is very important as in the bureaucracies associated with governing itself (each senator and representative does not need a staff of fifty plus people nor do we need five intelligence agencies nor do we need these agencies prying into ever facet of our lives. Every country needs laws but the difference between a dictatorship and a free nation is who those laws protect and who they restrict(those with the ability to oppress such as the government itself and corporations or the common people and small businesses who are trying to grow). I agree you need a strong military for both defense and deterrent but spending trill
