Do You Really Understand Conservatism or Common Sense?

By Russ Minary | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”  

In the very funny 1987 film, ‘The Princess Bride,’ the character Inigo Montoya clearly identifies a problem that plagues both culture and politics today: people use words without thinking, understanding or agreeing upon their meaning, which leads to needless mistakes, arguments and division. 

We often use words like conservative and common sense, assuming that the average American knows what those words mean. But hardly anyone really understands or agrees upon their precise meaning. And there is no such thing as an average American. We are all spectacularly unique beings, unlike zebras or rats. 

Last May, I penned an article for the Rocky Mountain Voice – “Common principles of Conservatism and why they matter in Colorado” – which described 12 principles with which any self-described common sense conservative would tend to agree. It is not a litmus test for either common sense or conservatism, but it can provide clarity, meaning and context for words they often use.

A dictionary can be used to precisely define, and learn the true meaning, context and proper use of words. For example, a word like ‘pretty’ can be used in two very different ways like: 1) a pretty girl, or 2) a pretty ugly person. Even though the word is subjective, the context allows you to decide which is which.

Similarly, most people have no idea what either conservatism or common sense mean. Here are three examples to prove my point.

• In Douglas County, CO – in the recent school board election four ‘common sense conservative’ candidates were soundly defeated by Leftist candidates with a radical anti-parent agenda. 
• In CO, people actually voted in favor of an initiative that would allow the State to retain funds, rather than returning the money to them as required by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). 
• Two high profile races resulted in shocking outcomes: 1) a Muslim jihad-supporting communist was elected as Mayor of NYC, the financial and media center of the US, and 2) in VA, voters elected a candidate for attorney general who had threatened to kill his Republican opponent and his children. 

One would think that any conservative with common sense would have voted against these candidates and issues, but they didn’t. What happened instead is that a majority of those who voted actually cast ballots to support things that have the potential to inflict financial and physical harm on them, their loved ones and the communities in which they live.

But the actual majority of eligible citizen-voters, regardless of political affiliation, did not cast ballots. And that produced outcomes that will negatively impact the freedoms and finances of all Americans. 

We can and should do much better if we hope to reverse the downward spiral of our nation, State and culture. Here are a few suggestions for your consideration.

In 2006, two bedrock conservative thinkers, Edwin J, Feulner and Doug Wilson, wrote ‘Getting America Right – The True Conservative Values Our Nation Needs Today.’  They pose the following 6 questions that should be asked by every citizen, taxpayer, bureaucrat, elected official and policymaker before considering, supporting or voting for any issue or candidate. 

1. “Is it the government’s business?”  Government is necessary and cannot stay completely out of our lives; should have the least possible involvement in most matters; should be kept within the limits of constitutional authority; and should only do those things that cannot be handled better by a state, community or individuals. 
2. “Does this measure promote self-reliance?”  All programs should help individuals stand on their own. Our welfare state has grown out of control, creates permanent dependency and punishes individual initiative. 
3. “Is it responsible?”   Programs must be able to stand on their own and withstand the scrutiny of both citizen/voters and legislators. They should not destroy what they pretend to safeguard.
4. “Does it make us more prosperous?”  Prosperity is an intrinsic ingredient of the American Dream and has made our nation and economy the most competitive and desirable on Earth. Economic freedom allows some (not all) individuals to achieve prosperity. FACT: the top 1% earn about 19.5% of U.S. income but contribute approximately 37% of total income taxes. Without those ‘rich people’, there is not enough money to run the nation.
5. “Does it make us safer?”  Government policy should protect our country and citizens, and ensure our security and our future, first and foremost. Our nation is under constant attack from enemy nations, terrorists, criminals and cartels. Keeping Americans safe is government’s first duty.
6. “Does it unify us?”  Government should bind us together with shared national values, rather than dividing us against one another based on things like race, gender, socioeconomic classes or other types of destructive identity politics. The US Constitution applies to all American citizens equally.

I think most people would be conservatives if they understood what that word means. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition defines it as follows: 

1. The inclination, especially in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order. 
2. A political philosophy or attitude that emphasizes respect for traditional institutions and opposes the attempt to achieve social change though legislation or publicly funded programs. 
3. Caution or moderation, as in behavior or outlook. 

This doesn’t mean that conservatives dislike or cannot change; they just prefer free choice and tend to change cautiously after some serious thought and consideration. Most human beings dislike anything that forces them to change. At the same time, they feel that change is good…for those other people. 

What our enemies fear the most is a safe, prosperous and UNITED States of America. When American citizens are informed and united in their core values, principles and common interests, very little can stop us from continuing to be a safe, prosperous and secure nation. 

Russ Minary is a retired sales executive, marketing consultant, small business owner and veteran. He has lived in CO for 50 years and resides in Douglas County. 

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.