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…