The Conservative Manifesto
If the Communists can have a Manifesto, then we conservatives can have one of our own. Conservatism...
Embraces as its core the concept of the individual as an abstract, rational entity possessing liberty and freedom as natural and inalienable rights.
Believes that all should enjoy an equal opportunity to succeed—or fail—based upon their individual choices, talents, abilities, and the will of Providence or Fate.
Believes in the right of all citizens to participate and vote in open, free, and fair elections in a secret ballot unfettered by intimidation or threats for the candidate or candidates of their choice.
Rejects the notion of equal outcome. While all are born equal, one rises or falls as a result of their own actions and/or the whims of Fate or the will of God.
Rejects the concept of the "social" and its accompanying notions of group rights and collective identities as being a pernicious notion inimical to individual liberty and freedom.
Believes strongly in the freedom of conscience to worship or not worship as one chooses both privately and openly.
Embraces the culture of life in all of its manifestations and rejects the culture of death in all of its manifestations.
Embraces the sacrosanctity of private property and the right of the individual to make use or not make use of the natural resources on his or her own land as he or she deems fit and proper.
Embraces the free market as the ideal vehicle and driving force behind the American economy and calls for a return to the laissez faire principles that made the American economy the greatest in the world.
Believing in the principle that "the government that governs best...governs least" calls for limited government with a true separation of powers between the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Accepts the need for a strong national defense to protect this nation, its people, and their individual rights from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Believing that the right to self defense and to individual liberty is a natural and inalienable right, embraces the rights of all free citizens to keep and own firearms.
Does not oppose the entry into this nation and community of those individuals from elsewhere coming into this land to join us in our peace and prosperity and love of freedom, but we do insist that those immigrants enter this country through the legal procedures as enacted constitutionally through our governing institutions and representatives.
While conservatives do not wish for newcomers to give up all of their old traditions and customs, we do expect those coming to our shores to accept, adapt to, and follow our laws and to participate fully in American society as Americans. As conservatives, we reject the concept of "hyphenated Americans" as divisive and instead embrace the concept that all who are citizens of this great land are truly Americans regardless of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.
Opposes any sort of "open border" policy that would allow free and unfettered access across our borders to those who might seek to do us harm.
Accepts that with rights comes responsibilities. As Americans and conservatives, we have the responsibility to exercise our rights in respectful manner and to recognize and respect the rights of our fellow citizens. As Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. once stated, "The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic." We accept that, in order for society to function, there must be certain circumscriptions on our rights. However, as conservatives, we maintain that those circumscriptions must be as limited as possible and only to the extent necessary to preserve the rights and properties of others.
Believes that the American experiment is a unique and special one and, while taking pride in the accomplishments of our ancestors, are also humbled by the enormous legacy they have bequeathed to us. As conservatives we are determined to ensure that our progeny have the same opportunities to enjoy their lives in the same freedom and liberty that we and our ancestors have had the good fortune to enjoy.
This is the Conservative Manifesto...or Credo...or Declaration...or whatever you choose to call it. It is who and what we are.
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