Debunking stereotypes of conservatives

By Joe Vigliotti

The drive for a return to America’s founding principles is in full swing. The populist tea party trend has renewed the debate on the nature of American conservatism. Is conservatism for the elite few or for the many? The stereotype is all too familiar: Conservatives are members of the elite upper echelon of American society, wealthy and content, powerful and controlling, generally discriminatory and exclusivist. But the stereotype is wrong.

Far too often, conservative misperception has marred true conservatism. It has been masked in popularized misconceptions, limited by fringe elements, and publicly defined by its enemies. It has been harangued by anti-Christians, secularists, intellectuals and modern liberal proponents. Yet, it survived and remains relevant; ushered in by Edmund Burke, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, seized upon by William F. Buckley, Barry Goldwater, advanced under Ronald Reagan, and ultimately embodied in the center-right nation that is the United States. It is a mantle that is currently carried and sustained by working and middle-class grassroots movements and the populist rejection of the policies that arose from the election of President Barack Obama.

If there ever was truly a movement of the people, it is American conservatism. Its core principles are predicated upon constitutionally-limited government, Judeo-Christian values, and ultimately, God-given human freedom. A very basic and simple fact drives American conservatism: there are inalienable rights endowed to man by God, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Human freedom is indispensable to conservatism. That is why, from the very roots of conservatism, the charges leveled against it are fallacious.

American conservatism is a natural and transcendental political philosophy. It recognizes no classes, no social divisions. It recognizes no race, no ethnicity. It recognizes no privileges, no special interests. American conservatism is predicated upon the individual, upon the family, upon society as a whole. It seeks the advancement of all individuals, regardless of class, race, religion and any other superficially-manifested and socially-constructed division. While differences among people do exist, such as those biological in nature, true American conservatism transcends these differences because it looks upon humankind as a collection of human individuals. It looks upon men and women as just that: men and women. Conservatism is value-driven and principle-defined. It is not commandeered by any one particular group, since its causes, founded around the individual, call all individuals to its standard.

Believing in God-given human freedom transcends division. Believing in life transcends division. Believing in family transcends division. Believing in voluntarily lending a helping hand transcends division. Believing in constitutionally-limited government transcends division. Believing in free enterprise transcends division. Believing in a strong national defense transcends division. Believing in the cause of advancing human freedom and liberty transcends division. Believing that individuals are unique and worthy gifts by God to society transcends division. Indeed, believing in American Conservatism transcends division.

What is more, believing in the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, and in the laws established in the United States Constitution, not just transcends division, but willingly and daringly defies it. Conservatism believes in the ultimate wisdom of the people, since ultimate power is vested in the hands of the people in universal suffrage. If the representatives we elect to govern do not govern in the best interests of society, then we will replace them. Indeed, ultimately, the wisdom of the people will prevail. Poor choices and mistakes can be counteracted. Improvement and success can be perpetuated. The power ultimately rests in the hands of the people.

That is the beauty of American conservatism. Its transcendental universal values apply to all mankind.

The rising conservatism has been visible in the anger over illegal alien amnesty policies; it was seen in the tea party protests over spending; it was seen in the grassroots campaigns against healthcare reform; it was manifested in the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey; it was seen in the special senatorial election in Massachusetts; and it is being seen in the opposition to transferring  terrorists from military to civilian jurisdiction. The people will defer to the wisdom of their elected representatives until they see their interests are no longer being served. Then, the people will speak, and the people will act according to their rights protected under law.

Contrary to liberal propaganda, American conservatism does not serve special interest groups, demography or voting blocs. It does not attempt to exploit differences. It does not define itself according to partisan politics or political convenience. The conservative momevement espouses values that are ultimately beneficial to all American citizens.

-Joe Vigliotti is a writer and essayist residing in Maryland. His work can be found at: www.traditiontomorrow.blogspot.com.