May We Call A Truce?

Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines “truce” as: “a suspension of fighting especially of considerable duration by agreement of opposing forces” or a “respite especially from a disagreeable or painful state or action.”

I believe a truce is needed between liberals and conservatives in our nation. By this I do not mean that we should stop discussing our differences or even stating the reasons why each side believes its approach is best. By truce I mean this: Let’s stop lobbing grenades toward each other and assuming the worst about our opponents. Let’s tone down the rhetoric and actually listen to one another. We most likely will still disagree on many issues, but we will do so with a more accurate view of one another, rather than the straw men that have been erected.

In order to help with this, I plan on posting several times in this blog to clarify what conservatism in its best form believes. Obviously, you can go on line and on social media and find those who classify themselves as “conservative” and will disagree with what I write. Yet, as we interact with each other, we need to interact with the best versions of the other side, not the worst and perhaps most extreme.

Speaking of interacting with the best versions, I truly believe that proponents of the best versions of liberalism believe their stances are what is best for the country in general and people (especially those who are struggling) in particular. I do not agree with them, but I do not doubt the intentions of most liberals.

Now, let me state similarly that most conservatives (myself included) believe what we do because we also are convinced our views are best for the country in general and individuals (especially those who are struggling) in particular. Now, this assertion may seem shocking to you. After all, “Doesn’t everyone know that conservatives don’t really care about the little guy, but only about large corporations and the rich?” Certainly, most conservatives do not think those who are wealthy and corporations are necessarily evil. However, they care very much about individuals and those who are in poverty.

Let me prove my point. To begin, most studies I have tracked with over the past two decades have shown that on average those who are conservatives volunteer more (including volunteering to help those in need) and also give more to charity than those who are liberals. Now, please do not misunderstand me. My point is not to say that conservatives care and liberals are heartless, or that liberals do not give to charity or volunteer. Both would be false assertions. My point in bringing this up is to help us see that the popular narrative that conservatives don’t care is simply not accurate.  

But to continue to prove my point, I want to address some specific issues. I realize that I may convince very few liberals of conservatism. My goal is actually humbler than that. It is to show that what we believe—especially about economic theory, how to help the poor, and how to bring about a prosperous country—is not only a better explanation for how things work than liberalism, but also will end up better helping the “little guy.” This is one of the reasons I believe what I do.

So, next time I post on this blog I will talk about the concept of a safety net for the poor. We will discover that the best forms of conservatism believe in a safety net. However, we certainly approach it much differently than liberalism. In fact, I will argue that the liberal approach will eventually (but unintentionally!) lead to destroying the safety net. Conservativism, consistently put into practice, will actually preserve and strengthen the safety net for the poor.

Stayed tuned for details…  

"Humble Politics"

The first week of April I had the privilege of heading to Indiana with Pastor Lige Reed to attend The Gospel Coalition conference at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Getting back to my state-of-origin, I not only enjoyed seeing family, but Lige and I also benefited from some great plenary and break-out session speakers.

I have to say, though, one of the highlights for me was to have Senator Ben Sasse inserted as a last minute plenary speaker. Though I appreciated his entire talk, one part of it will forever stick in my mind: Senator Sasse believes that we should all have a “humble politics.”

There is no question he believes that how a government functions and the decisions made by leaders in a governing body are important. Otherwise, he would not have become Nebraska’s junior senator. Yet, according to Sasse, regardless of which aisle one finds themselves on, many politicians and political junkies put too much faith in the political process. To have a humble politics is to grasp its significance, but not to make it more important than it is.

Senator Sasse is in good company with this view. The Bible agrees.

In Psalm 33:16-17 we read: “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. ¹⁷ The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.”  In no way is the psalmist arguing that whether or not the king has an army is of no importance. Nor is he suggesting that the soldier’s training is of no consequence (after all, see Psalm 18:32-34). What he is putting forth is that these instruments and structures, though important, make horrible gods—objects of ultimate trust.

The same outlook can go a long way toward preparing us to be involved in the public square in a manner that is constructive and not destructive. If we understand that who is leading, how leaders are leading, and what decisions they are making are significant, then we will be motivated to be informed, to vote, and perhaps even run for office. Yet, to realize these are not our ultimate hope (our god), will go a long way toward:

·         Helping us love those who disagree with us.

·         Engage civilly those on the other side of the aisle.

·         Be willing to critique those for whom we voted when they are wrong.

·         Forgive those who have belittled and taken pot shots at us simply because they do not believe we are right on the issues.

·         Refrain from being devastated when our political heroes let us down (which they inevitably will) and/or when their “correct stances” fail to bring about the outcomes we desired.

“Humble politics:” It’s not only a need we have currently, but would also make a great title for a book written by a Nebraska Senator!