As I lamented the occasional lack of fiscal discipline even within a group of so-called “fiscal conservative” friends, I thought, “We need to entertain and subsequently postulate what a conservative is and is not?”

As I look back on the great quotations that have inspired my own conservative roots, I think of Thomas Paine, President Ronald W. Regan, and Milton Friedman, to name a few.

Thomas Paine, in “Common Sense”, reminded us of the founding fathers’ intent regarding the role of government. “Here then is the origin and rise of government, namely a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government, freedom and security.”

President Regan, in his first inaugural address stated “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government IS the problem.”

Milton Friedman visited my ancestors’ homeland, Iceland, in the autumn of 1984, met with prominent Icelanders and gave a lecture at the University of Iceland on the Tyranny of the Status Quo. He participated in a lively television debate on August 31, 1984 with leading socialist intellectuals, including the President of Iceland. When they complained that a fee was charged for attending his lecture at the University and that hitherto, lectures by visiting scholars had been free-of-charge, Friedman replied that previous lectures had not been free-of-charge in a meaningful sense: Lectures always have related costs. What mattered was whether attendees or non-attendees covered those costs. Friedman thought that it was fairer that only those who attended paid. Thus the expression, “there is no free lunch.” As a result of their “cradle to grave” socialism, the state of Iceland’s banking system collapsed in October 2008 and was subsequently proffered a $6 Billion “rescue package” including $1 Billion from the International Monetary Fund, and the remaining $5 Billion from Nordic region central banks and Japan’s central bank.

1. Social Conservatism

The Big Lie; Conservatives are Greedy

Perhaps the biggest lie about “conservatives” is that they are selfish, out for only themselves. In fact, how I ferret out “imposters” is with simple tests of selflessness.

Near the end of a recent meeting of self described “fiscal conservatives”, a member of the group asked “what is a fiscal conservative”. I literally jumped at the opportunity to say “we’re selfless!” I further explained that all of us who regularly attend these meetings are pretty much self-made men and women who understand that what we give back, our legacy to our children and grandchildren, is the most important thing to us. I can’t deny that a few sets of eyes in the group were surprised at my answer; they are the conservatives that haven’t quite got the “true conservative” thing down to a science…

Social conservatives are “right to life” or “anti-abortion”. And many strongly believe that the threat to America “from within” (attacks on the moral, ethical, and spiritual “fiber” of America) is as ominous as any external foreign threat.

Social conservatives believe that what we need in this country is a return to real “public service”, the kind of “service” promoted by Christ. The kind of service that does nothing materially for the SERVANT; that does nothing materially for THE SERVANT”S FRIENDS; that does nothing materially for THE SERVANT’S GOVERNMENT-EMPLOYED FRIENDS. The kind of service that is selfless, that understands the role of government as opposed to the role of spirituality (for most of us, the church, synagogue or mosque). The kind of service that encourages the correct priorities, as delineated by Pope Benedict XVI in his book, “Jesus of Nazareth”. Priorities that resemble those of the German Jesuit Alfred Delp:

1. Belief in something bigger than ourselves, something that replaces our inflated egos with a sense of wonderment and amazement at the word around us and leads us to be better people: Belief in God.

2. Freedom to help others directly using the fruits of our labor, without interference from “imperial political power”. Freedom from those who brag about the spoils they offer to their “friends” with the fruits of our labor. Freedom from those for whom re-election, associated salary and benefits, and the ability to reward their “friends” are the most important elements of public service.

3. God-given talents that provide us with the fruit of our labor in order to feed, cloth, and shelter ourselves. And when we are truly blessed, a plentiful harvest so that we may directly offer Faith, Freedom, and Food, in that order, to those truly in need of all three, those identified by Jesus Christ in the Beatitudes.

Liberals (and now “moderates” as well), who can justify almost any tax, implore us not to feel too guilty if our tithing is under 10%, inferring that “taxes” are somehow equivalent to “tithes”. I have news for them; taxes do not necessarily help those “in need” of help; tithes almost always do! Perhaps a future initiated measure is in order to eliminate legislators’ salaries and health benefits, leaving only set dollar limits (that automatically increase commensurate with inflation) for mileage reimbursement, meals, and lodging during the session and interim meetings. Such an idea may seem radical and can be argued as favoring the “rich” (preventing those with less means from seeking office), but it would result in the exodus of self-serving legislators and attract real “servants” as modeled by Jesus Christ’s true followers…

2. Fiscal Conservatism

What does a “Conservative” think of various taxes?

Conservatives believe in lowering taxes, ALL taxes; not just the ones they themselves would benefit from lowering. The exception, of course, regards that legislation that bestows benefits to those who volunteer to protect us, our police, fire, health, safety, and military. A conservative understands that WE CAN NEVER DO ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO PROTECT US FROM DANGER AND EVIL, starting with our God and extending to our protectors. This can be an Achilles heel when members of the “takings coalition” use the knowledge of this weakness by attacking the prospect of tax cuts by placing entire budgets under the “public protector” umbrella. So the next time a local official tells you that lower property taxes will require cuts in “essential services”, point them to the recent “City of Duluth” case where significant funding cuts have actually promoted innovation, community involvement, and efficiency. A “true conservative” will be fully capable of explaining the downside of each and every tax devised or imagined by mankind, and believe me, liberal politicians are the most innovative when it comes to inventing new taxes. The internet comes to mind; “just say no” to taxing the internet!

What does a “conservative’ think of entrepreneurship?

A conservative understands that private business is the heart and soul of lasting economic prosperity; that jobs are the result of the activities of men to better the lives of their fellow men by inventing things and services that make their lives easier and richer. Casting business as evil is the work of demagogues that only wish more political power by “harvesting the fruit”, encouraging all employees to dislike the boss.

A conservative understands that “results” are more important than “intent”. They have seen throughout their lives that some of the most counter-productive schemes to “better our lives” come from well-intentioned fools.

A conservative “thinks big”, ignoring obstacles that would “Scare the Dickins” out of those fear-ridden souls who espouse “cradle to grave” socialism and the associated “equality of results” that equate to “universal poverty”.

What does a “conservative” think of personal responsibility?

Conservatives understand that they and they alone must plan to pay for the results of their vices. They understand that if they smoke, they’ll likely get cancer and/or heart disease; if they drink to excess they will likely negatively affect the lives of about eleven people close to them and will get liver disease; if they take illegal drugs, they will reap the “rewards” of both alcoholics and smokers times a multiplier depending on how long they use; so if they do one or more of these things, they’d better plan on significant damage to their ability to think and comprehend life and they better buy good insurance and plan on a short, lonely, poverty-stricken, and stinking life.

Conservatives invest in exercise to keep physically fit, reading to keep mentally fit, and spirituality to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others, to focus on something bigger than themselves, and to minimize the extent to which they could become a burden on others.

Can government cause economic development?

Government would be just another unnecessary “middleman” or “skimmer” in the free marketplace if it were not for the fact that it picks winners and losers…and government doesn’t necessarily do so on the merits of the contestants or with much understanding of how such activity damages the “real marketplace”. The best way for government to promote prosperity is to “get out of the way”. “Government Leader” is an oxymoron, except when it comes to freedom, security and associated commerce.

The next time a local “leader” proposes to “do a study” to see what some “progressive idea” may accomplish for some special interest, confront that so-called “leader” and suggest the “study” be performed on his or her own dime, and report back the results!

3. Foreign Policy Conservatism

Foreign policy conservatives believe that the legitimate constitutional mandates of our federal government are to protect us from eternal threats, insure a secure America within our borders and the closely related task of facilitating commerce both at home and throughout the world. That means power and resources to guarantee access to air, sea, and land routes. And it means the resources to build and maintain airports, highways and seaports.

The expansion of powers by the corrupt extension of the original meaning of the “commerce clause” of our constitution is highly troublesome. The original meaning of the commerce clause was to guarantee that commerce could and would occur, not to somehow subject every aspect of American life to federal intervention under a broad definition of “commerce”.

Christ said “turn the other cheek” when it comes to our own personal safety and security in dealing with any enemy. Sacrificing our own safety in response to evil is admirable; it makes the evildoer think twice before continuing. When third parties such as family, neighbors, or even other sovereign nations are involved, however, it is not that easy. I do not believe Christ would not want us to just “stand by and watch” an evildoer killing a neighbor in his driveway. Nor do I believe Christ would want us, as a nation, to just observe genocide occurring at some remote location in the world without taking action to stop it. These examples differ only in the magnitude of the response necessary to confront “evil”.

4. Property Rights Conservatism

Property rights are paramount to a free society. Erosion of property rights “under the thumb” of all levels of government is receiving renewed attention in America today.

5. The “75 Percent Rule”

Far too often we are confronted by those who believe that if they espouse one of the tenants of conservatism they must be a conservative. My challenge to the “25 Percent” conservatives out there is to read, examine, discuss, and ultimately comprehend all of the tenants of conservatism and understand that lifelong growth involves the continual expansion of such understanding. Until you have embraced at least 75 Percent of conservative values and are working towards 100 Percent, you have a lot of study and comprehension to undergo.

Another example of “polluted conservatism” is the topic of illegal immigration. While securing our border with Mexico is an important first step, a return to immigration laws that were in place at the turn of the twentieth century should be seriously considered. Those laws encouraged immigration in large numbers as long as the immigrant learned the English language, learned the history of our nation and its customs, and took an oath of allegiance within three years. The virulent “send ‘em back to Mexico” is not what America has represented to the world in the past (one must simply recall our own European ancestry). The unions that have fought Mexican immigration since the early 1920s would be far better off today (their union membership numbers would be far greater) had they accepted those Mexican immigrants with open arms and firm rules to accomplish the above in three years or be immediately deported at the end of the three years.

My gift to you…

One of the best things I’ve done for myself is to tape the following on the door of my refrigerator since I was a very young man. I offer it up periodically to individuals and groups that are having difficulty dealing with the seeming unfairness of life. It reminds us that life is a test of our Godliness (our love for ourselves and others) that prepares us for eternal blessings to come. I offer it up as my special gift to viewers of the Dakota Beacon website.

The Paradox of Leadership

1.                  People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.

2.                  If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

3.                  If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

4.                  The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

5.                  Honesty and frankness can make you vulnerable. Be honest anyway.

6.                  The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest ideas. Think big anyway.

7.                  People favor underdogs but follow top dogs. Fight for the underdogs anyway.

8.                  What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

9.                  People who need help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway.

10.              Give the world the best you have and you get kicked in the teeth. Give your best anyway.

Doing the right thing won’t always win you the prize – life is full of compromise and even disappointment. True leaders know that the right thing is reward in itself, and eventually other rewards and recognition will follow.