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Those who consider themselves conservatives in our country have traditionally championed unfettered freedom for individuals and businesses. But total freedom for those who dominate our society has resulted in slavery, child labor, segregation and denying the vote to women in their day. The conservatives of our time have embraced the radicalism of the past in these areas and others. Conservatism has traditionally advocated keeping things as they are rather than identifying a vision for our country, but ultimately it recognizes the new status quo as times change. There is a place within each of us that fears change; thus we all have an element of conservatism within us.
Our founders were scholars and enlightened thinkers familiar with the long struggle for human rights throughout history. In creating our founding documents they expressed respect for the dignity of every individual and demonstrated their faith that people of different beliefs can work together to arrive at agreement on the most important issues that face us. A true conservative is committed to preserving these principles. One who advocates policies and actions without considering their long-term effects is a reactionary, not a conservative.
Jefferson expressed a belief that Americans should work together toward a common vision, valuing moderation and consensus. In addition to the “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness” invoked by the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution states that a major purpose of democracy is to “promote the general welfare.” When we respect these values we commit ourselves to the view that the dignity of every human being – not just those of wealth or power - must be considered in the policies of our government. Policies that best serve the interests of all, and not just the privileged few, must be sought in all areas – including education, the economy, and our environment. Real conservatives honor these principles and attempt to bring them to bear in our times.
The genuine conservative honors this vision of our founders and is committed to finding the course of action that best serves the greatest number of people, rather than the special interests of one person or group. In our day this means an education for everyone to meet the challenges of our times. It includes an understanding that an economic flow to every strata of society – via jobs and self-sufficiency – increases prosperity for everyone. A modern conservative sees that what happens to one area of our planet affects all others, and that our environment must be protected so that we all can be protected. These values emphasize a long-term vision of what is possible for our country and its inhabitants.
Our nation was founded on principles that were revolutionary for their time – that “we, the people” could govern ourselves via dialogue and agreement on a course of action that benefits all. True conservatives remain committed to that dialogue. When viewed this way, conservatism can be a significant guiding principle for our country. It harkens us back to the most essential principles of our founders and reminds us that to provide adequate guidance for our country these values must be renewed in every generation - in both our interactions with each other and the functions of our government.