Am I Still A Conservative?

con⋅serv⋅a⋅tive   [kuhn-sur-vuh-tiv] – adjective

1. disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
2. cautiously moderate or purposefully low: a conservative estimate.
3. traditional in style or manner; avoiding novelty or showiness: conservative suit.
4. (often initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the Conservative party.
5. (initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Conservative Jews or Conservative Judaism.
6. having the power or tendency to conserve; preservative.

As I read the definition, I’m not sure I’m a conservative anymore.  As I look at a country that is slipping from the ideals of the Republic to one of Direct Democracy, I’m not sure I want to preserve the current path or even conserve the state it’s in.  I’m definitely not interested in seeing us slip further toward Oligarchy, which I believe is the inevitable result of Bush and Obama public policies.

I think it’s time for liberals and conservatives to exchange titles.

Liberals don’t want to change the direction culture is heading and they like the “progress” that’s been made.  They have almost complete control of TV and print media, both chambers of Congress, the Presidency, and a growing majority of statehouses and governorships.  Although their agenda hasn’t fully matured, their well on their way to a complete Secular Humanist Society run by an elite few angels who will distribute resources and happiness equally.  Those on the Left are the apologists of the status quo.  Doesn’t that make them conservative?

Here are some examples of change I want that I believe makes me a liberal:

I want radical change to the tax code.  I want a flat income tax or “Fair Tax” plan.

I want an unfettered right to bear arms with few restrictions.  I want an unrestricted right to carry concealed weapons nationwide if I’m sane with a clean criminal record and no history of abuse of any kind.

I want to return to the original understanding that religion is free from government, not the other way around.  Tax dollars for faith-based charities, schools, and other worthwhile causes (without discrimination based on religion or denomination) should be encouraged until the goal of 90+% private, charitable welfare is realized.

I long for a time when people realize once again that you “get what you subsidize.”  Let’s quit paying people to make poor choices.

I want radical education changes.  Universal School Choice for all families enabling every parent to choose whichever educational vehicle best meets the needs of their child(ren) regardless of their income or address.  The time of Socialistic education policy should end.

Every worker should have the right to work without having part of his paycheck coerced away by political organizations pretending to represent his goals and ideals.  Legal pseudo-mafias known as labor unions need to end.  Unions should exist to ensure safe and dignified work environments – not political agendas.

I want radical, fundamental, revolutionary, and immediate change in American civics, civil literacy, and public policy.  Does that make me conservative or am I possibly a neo-lib?

Thomas Jefferson said it best: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.  It is its natural manure.”  Is it possible that we can avoid an Oligarchy without that type of resistance?   May God make it so.