Nothing like an unabashedly, (at least in actions, media censorship notwithstanding), Leftist administration to get 
conservatives back to their ideological roots. At least that’s my reading of today’s national Gallup Poll survey here, showing in the top picture that 40% of Americans consider themselves either conservative or very conservative. Only 21% are self-identified as liberal, 35% are moderate. But don’t take that simple fact as validation of the Republican Party, or denial of the elephant stampede as shown below here.
conservatives back to their ideological roots. At least that’s my reading of today’s national Gallup Poll survey here, showing in the top picture that 40% of Americans consider themselves either conservative or very conservative. Only 21% are self-identified as liberal, 35% are moderate. But don’t take that simple fact as validation of the Republican Party, or denial of the elephant stampede as shown below here.
-busting ways of the Obamanation and Democrat congress, to the point of putting our entire nation and fiscal future in peril. The free-market abandonment failings of the GOP emboldened and paved the way for the stampede to socialism that were are now in the midst of. The only way to fight back this tide and bring American back to it’s ideological center-right foundation is to purge the GOP and relentlessly point to such things. An appeal for ‘moderation’ will only lead to an increase minority status of the GOP and a further dwindling future of the nation as a whole – by the rule of the State-Faith-Disorder Donkeys….Update I : Reader William put it brilliantly in the comment section – “The Cato Institute, has consistently said that at least 20% of Americans consider themselves libertarian, and from what I hear daily on talk radio and the blogosphere, that may very well be a conservative estimate.”
“Conversely, I wonder how many of the 21% who consider themselves liberal, would be comfortable sporting the “progressive” jacket. I know so many people who say they are liberal, yet value personal, and fiscal rsponsibility to a high degree. I think they believe they are liberal because they have a tolerant views of social issues, such as drugs, gays etc. Many of these same folks I know aren’t very appreciative of how many religious people want to micro-manage their lives through morality. Funny thing is, that these same people have glazed over eyes when I bring up libertarianism. Also, these same folks would be either skeptical, or horrified if they knew what the “progressive” agenda was really about, both historically and in the present moment.”
“Conversely, I wonder how many of the 21% who consider themselves liberal, would be comfortable sporting the “progressive” jacket. I know so many people who say they are liberal, yet value personal, and fiscal rsponsibility to a high degree. I think they believe they are liberal because they have a tolerant views of social issues, such as drugs, gays etc. Many of these same folks I know aren’t very appreciative of how many religious people want to micro-manage their lives through morality. Funny thing is, that these same people have glazed over eyes when I bring up libertarianism. Also, these same folks would be either skeptical, or horrified if they knew what the “progressive” agenda was really about, both historically and in the present moment.”
I couldn’t have said it better folks. As I told William here, perhaps the turning point in our country will take place when the so-called liberals that support Statists merely for social-cause reasons wake up and smell the coffee. That seems to be what has happened in Europe recently, I just hope that it doesn’t take as long here as it did there.
16 comments:
Of those 35% who consider themselves moderate and 40% who label themselves as conservative, I would like to know how many would say they are libertarian leaning. The Cato Institute, has consistently said that at least 20% of Americans consider themselves libertarian, and from what I hear daily on talk radio and the blogosphere, that may very well be a conservative estimate.
Conversely, I wonder how many of the 21% who consider themselves liberal, would be comfortable sporting the "progressive" jacket. I know so many people who say they are liberal, yet value personal, and fiscal rsponsibility to a high degree. I think they believe they are liberal because they have a tolerant views of social issues, such as drugs, gays etc. Many of these same folks I know aren't very appreciative of how many religious people want to micro-manage their lives through morality. Funny thing is, that these same people have glazed over eyes when I bring up libertarianism. Also, these same folks would be either skeptical, or horrified if they knew what the "progressive" agenda was really about, both historically and in the present moment.
William – I just came to a realization. Your thoughts/comments/intellect on my posts sometimes are better my posts. Your words are very true here, I have friends that consider themselves 'progressives' yet they conduct their lives in a very conservative/libertarian manner, ie. they don't carry any debt, have an independent spirit, work ethic, etc. They come to their politics through social liberalism, ignoring the very horrors of the progressive/liberal/statist movement itself. Perhaps the turning point will be when such people wake up. Thanks for the comment, I'm putting your thoughts in the body of this post….
I like to think of myself as conservative, although I do probably have some libertarian leanings on some issues. For example, I don't care if a person's gay despite the fact that it goes against my religious principles. I have no business in dictating what they do behind closed doors. Just don't tell me I have to accept an oxymoron like "Gay Marriage". I prefer to hate the sin and not the sinner.
If conservatism was defined as people who live by a moral principle of right and wrong mixed with common sense, the number would be much higher than 40%. As it stands now, we are told it's an ideology that has no tolerance and whose members carry a Bible right next to their firearm of choice. If the left was so tolerant, wouldn't they just accept that? Instead, they paint those of us with a moral compass as haters.
Funny, I never heard the right saying they wished Ted Kennedy would die of his brain tumor in the same fashion Wanda Sykes called for the death of Rush Limbaugh.
Thanks for the kind words, Tim. I personally feel an obligation to do and say whatever I can to help people wake up to the nightmare we are headed for with the "progressive" agenda of our current administration and Congress.
While I generally consider myself a libertarian, in truth, some ideas of the libertarian movement simply do not make any sense to me. Call me a Republitarian, Conservatarian, Jeffersonian, Goldwater dude; all is fine by me. What I care about more than these labels though, is liberty. For without liberty (and on a personal level, balance) we have nothing. And nothing is what you get with a "progressive" agenda. One only has to take a look at the short lived history of the former Soviet Union to the horrors of "progressivism," statism, collectivism (choose your language) and realize this is where we are headed. I'm not saying there will be gulags and gas chambers for people of dissent, but the film "Brazil" often comes to mind, to describe what it could be like.
Blackandgold – I agree with your sentiments, conservatism used to be defined by a basic code of morality and common sense, intertwined with a strong belief in markets and free-will. As you say here Leftists are the true haters in political discourse today.
William – Well said again sir, I am a libertarian in a similiar vein as you, I'm sure we could sit and have a beer and find nearly identical leanings. I am not comfortable with/reject some tenets of the Libertarian movement – defense, border issues, legalizatin of all drugs, etc. That is not to say however that I don't agree with the main theme of the movement and ideology. I am very similiar to a Goldwater/Glenn Beck/Ron Paul/Reagan mix, does that make sense? Thanks for reading and I appreciate your intellect.
William – BTW, are you a blogger as well, when I click your profile it says that you are not….also, feel free to email me any stories or insight that you may have for future reference here at LCR.
I'm sure that the number is much higher and the pucker factor is probably pretty high over at Gallup.
I think we need to get past either being Libertarian or Conservative or Moderate and get the country back on it's feet. I , personally, am a Conservative with Libertarian leanings. I really think that when we start bringing ideology to the table it dilutes the main objective which is to rest the country away from the socialists.
I think overall the country does lean more conservative on the fiscal issues, and more libertarian on the social issues.
If a group could put this type of coalition together, I think they could win a lot of elections.
This essentially was the old Rockefeller wing of the GOP.
Current GOP strategist Mike Murphy, perhaps summed it up best yesterday on Meet the Press. He said the public is not tired of conservatism, just tired of Republicanism.
It is refreshing for me, as a more liberal type, to hear voices from the right, voice some criticisms of Bush, and his policies.
Perhaps had that been done while he was still in office, we'd all be in better shape.
Good post, and you too Blue.
That's how I found you.
One major problem stems from the fact that, while Americans may be more conservative than not, we are dived in support for a political party. Now that we have one party rule in America, how do we get politically motivated to create a new conservative party? Do we elect Republicans and let the party walk all over us and our values again?
Blue – 40% conservatitve is a huge number, I agree that the 'pucker' factor probably discounts and we are probably closer to 45% +. I am for liberty and against socialism, statism, etc. I agree with you 100%
Dave – thanks for visiting and you have a great blog over at your place. You are a missionary in Mexico? My grandparents did mission work with the MAP org a few years back….
Eripides – I agree, this really is the big issue, I really don't have an answer.
I was a liberal for so long, I am uneasy making the jump to republican or even liberalism completely and frankly believe that all our parties have let us down. I am certain that I am not alone in this odd alienation of party affiliation. Though I should admit here that I am leaning most toward Liberalism at this point. Like so very many, I am searching. It is hard to trust after our recent let-downs.
Euripides: I think the Tea Parties are a start to the reformation of the Republican Party. We need to put the pressure on the party leaders to give us a candidate that we WANT; not what they think we want. Hopefully, we can get this thing turned around.
*divided* not dived.
I remain unconvinced that the Republicans can once again represent conservatism in our country. Unfortunately, they are the ones entrenched in the system, as are the Democrats. I keep thinking that the two party system is broken, but if breaking the Republican party means having a one party system, I'll opt to try and revitalize the Republicans rather than fall into an oligarchy.
Ananda – hope I have enough influence here to bring you to the conservative/libertarian side. I appreciate that you listen!
Euripides – I unfortunately agree…we will see what we have to do to get conservatives back in power, I'm not sure that the GOP is the answer…
Tim, you're correct, I am not a blogger, and don't have immediate plans to start one. Reasons being, that if and when I start a blog, I want to make commitment to have daily news, commentary, and links to other blogs to form a growing network of folks who see liberty as the only way of living a fulfilled existence. The other reason is of course, what to call the damn thing. hahahaha
As far as contacting you, I see your options are by using .mac, POP, IMAP and Exchange; none of which I am interested in subscribing to. I did send an e-mail to another blogger who I think has your e-mail address, and asked him to forward my e-mail to you. We'll see what happens. If he doesn't comply, I'll post a throw-a-way address to make initial contact.
Thanks,
Will
Will – My email is at the right side of the site here, you can always contact me that way. Also, I think that you would be a great blogger – you definitely have the fire in the belly and a 'voice' so I'd say that you would be welcome in the fold!
LCR
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