Selfless conservatism
By Sandra Lea Wise Posted in 2008 — Comments (59) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Mitt Romney gave everyone a lesson this week on what conservatism should be all about. It should be about the country and not self.
It has been extremely disappointing to hear the rantings of some of the “spokesmen” for the conservative cause. Their irresponsible and shocking statements since John McCain has become the presumptive nominee, have demonstrated that they are not true conservatives, for why would a real conservative vote for Senator Obama or Clinton, or not vote at all thus allowing one of them to win?
There are some things that are certain and undeniable. For example, as a conservative I am concerned about "the issue of life." President Bush has given us two conservative Supreme Court Justices. Why would I now decide that this issue no longer matters, and be fine with the idea of Obama or Clinton appointing the next two? If one feels this way, then I would submit that they are not a true conservative and care nothing about abortion. I would submit that they have become so dedicated to self and their own views, that what happens to the country no longer matters.
Conservatives should look at Romney’s example of selfless conservatism, and realize that in spite of all of our differences, it is our country that matters to us most of all.
May God bless America.
Sandra Lea Wise
heal. Its much easier for us nobodies to switch on a dime and we expect pols to make up quick for their own self interest. Its a bit harder for public figures that have been on the line the past 7 years rightfully pointing out the sins of McCain which are legion. But the Titanic will make the slow turn. (talk radio) It would be reputation destroying for them to turn on a dime.
The big turn will come as attacks from the left get heavy. Then we will all bond.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
my jerk now!
http://www.redstate.com/blogs/gamecock/2008/feb/06/calm_down_i_didn_t_si...
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
that rears its head on here from time to time (ok, a lot of the time :-)
"If one feels this way, then I would submit that they are not a true conservative and care nothing about abortion."
I am a passionate believer in the free exchange of ideas and opinions. That is why I'm hooked on this site and spend more time than I probably should on it.
By no means is that the only, or even anywhere close to the most 'offensive' statement ever posted on here. But if one goes back over the past months, the major source of vitriol on this site has been when individuals take their differences of opinions re: issues and candidates and start impugning the motives of those who don't see things the same way.
The only time I've lost it on here was when a couple of Huckabee supporters chose to insist that I wasn't really pro-life because I had the audacity to state that I believed that all 3 legs of the conservative stool were interrelated, and that, according to their ability to read my mind, meant that I was placing money over life. As a 20+ year member of the NRTL, and someone who believes abortion is the taking of a life and therefore believes it should only be legal when it's a choice between the mother's life and the baby's, I can't tell you how much I was offended by that assertion.
There are many people on here who believe that the best thing to move the conservative movement forward is to find a giant clothespin, grab a Prozac, vote for McCain, and bust their butts to elect conservatives at all levels so we never have to go through this again. There are some who believe that McCain is a bridge too far and allowing him to get away with his petulant behavior will just encourage more in the future, therefore they won't be voting for him, and will bust their butts to elect conservatives at all levels so we never have to go through this again.
(Personal disclosure, I vacillate between the two camps on a daily (hourly?) basis. For me, his choice of a VP will be ) huge for me)
But whatever view one takes, ascribing motives, or pigeonholing, or assuming, or accusing, sheds little light but brings a lot of heat. And once the dander gets up, the ability to persuade through logic evaporates. Conservatives want, need and deserve better if we are to come together and win the long, difficult slog of reestablishing conservatism as the best and brightest hope for mankind.
"All that need be done for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
described parameters and have the same good motives. Plus, it is early. Its February. And we get a nominee that is quite surreal given his many transgression the past 7 years when our Jerk demonized his party's conservatives' motives.
patience, and please try and discover The Wonder
of
Rush!
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
if you took the statement personally. To be honest, McCain wasn't my choice either.
However, McCain is pro-life. I remember the 30 + years that conservatives fought on that issue alone. If Obama or Clinton get the chance to appoint two or more Justices, they will be there for life. That can't be changed back. That's my only point. I'm surprised by people like Dr. Dobson, who say they won't vote for McCain under any circumstance. Then I have to question what those 30 years were all about.
___________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
I took no offense. Yours was one of the milder assertions :-) It just struck me as I was reading it how very easy it is, when we don't understand why someone can see something so bass-ackwards from us without being them being a total moron (Mrs. Burke says I am afflicted with just such a malady :-)
I'm in the midst of writing a diary just to talk about passion (which all of us have or we'd be sitting in front of the TV watching intellectual programming like Deal/No Deal) and how it can be used either for the greatest good or to erect barriers which impede the furtherance of the greater good.
I totally understand your pro-life passion. I weep when I think of the 40+ million babies who will never see the light of day. Trust me, the biggest trouble I have getting behind McCain right now (besides his temperament toward conservatives) was the whole Gang of 14 fiasco which, in my opinion blew up a chance to get constructionist judges that I worked 20+ years for. I told myself so many times that I would vote for him over my dead body that to do so now makes me feel like I've betrayed everything I hold most dear.
If I choose not to vote for him it will be because in the next 9 months he will again show me by his actions that he could give a rats rear end about conservatives and people like absentee, Neil and Gamecock will have to reconvince me that sacrificing my queen won't help me win the chess game.
But I am going to cross that bridge if/when it comes up (and I pray by all that is holy it does not) and in the meantime focus on the many things that unite us as conservatives and to believe in my heart that well-intentioned, passionate people can reach different conclusions and still desire the same goal.
Sorry to babble on, Sandra, but thank you for your thoughts and for your passion to defend the most defenseless among us. Have a great evening.
"All that need be done for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
I read it. Very good essay. Also, I loved Rush for many years. I'm sure the MSM and the Dems will use him to show how hated McCain is among conservatives. I can see the commercials already. McCain will be Rush-boated.
___________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
your case to me. Rush is dispatching EIB ONE to Charlotte-Douglas International as we speak. I will be there after the Bud Shootout. Drink some snapple in the meantime!
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
at 2am yesterday!
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
If Senator McCain is a selfless conservative, he would recognize that he is and will be a negative influence on the general election turnout for conservatives. The only option for an honorable man in his position is for him to voluntarily sacrifice his own personal ambition for the good of the country and take the VP slot at most. He should then endorse a strong conservative candidate for the top position.
If he does not, then he places his ego and his ambition above the good of the country. So, I guess what I'm saying is that the country's well being demands that he make another sacrifice of honor for our Republic.
Is being so self-righteous and ignorant fun?
I can only guess it must be. Because there certainly isn't any logic or reason to anything you are saying.
"I ain't never votin' fo another Democrat so long as I can draw breath! I'll vote for a dog first!" - Leola Thomas
Wow. Right off the bat, ad hominem attack.
Let's see if I can explain this. If Senator McCain is in the top slot, it is without doubt that this will depress the number of conservatives going to the polls in November. This is not a flight of fancy. It is a fact.
Secondly, according to McCain supporters, it is of supreme importance to beat the Democrats. Okay, I can see that. So the premise is that the defeat of the Democrats is of high priority for the good of the country.
In my book, the good of the country trumps personal ambition.
So, given that the Dems would be bad for the country no matter what, and that the election of a Republican ticket is the cornerstone of preventing that bad outcome - then (follow with me here without calling me names) it follows that to ensure that result would be the most important thing to an honorable conservative. Ego and ambition are far behind the good of the country.
The only reason he wouldn't step to the VP slot is due to ambition and ego. Any and every conservative would voluntarily sacrifice ambition for the good of the country if it were this stark.
But you disagree? How? And try to do it without insulting me 3 times in a row.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
I agree. This way Senator McCain could select/endorse Watts, Hunter, Thompson, or someone similar in conservative credentials and therefore ensure not only that the Dems be defeated, but that the President would be a strong conservative.
after having waged a multi-million dollar campaign to WIN the nomination -- having spent much of his own money (just as both Romney and Hillary have done), NOW, when the nomination is all but assured, he should say, "JUST KIDDING."
Shirley you jest!
Because the objections raise are not focused on the country, but on HIS money spent, HIS position, HIS ambition. Why is the prospect of him embracing the VP position in order to improve the ticket's chances in November so unthinkable?
so that first President Bush can appoint an acceptable VP, and then that VP can become President, for the good of the Party.
OH wait -- he WON the election! I guess he gets to do what HE wants to do -- even if it does seem selfish.
You are failing to reason. First of all, what President Bush does is irrelevant. Secondly, I am not talking about the "good of the Party", but the "good of the Republic". These two things are different in fundamental ways.
Third, I have yet to see a report that Senator McCain has won a general election. Again, President Bush is irrelevant to the discussion.
And finally, you have yet to address my points reasonably. They are as follows.
1. Premise: Dems will cause harm to the country if elected.
2. Senator McCain will undoubtedly reduce/depress the number of conservatives voting in the general election if he is in the top slot.
3. Based on #1, it is therefore of supreme importance to elect the Republican ticket to block the democratic ticket. This is continually claimed to be "for the good of the country" in arguments for voters to "hold their noses" and vote for McCain.
4. Senator McCain has been an honorable man in the past. This again is not debatable as his service to our Republic was indeed honorable during Vietnam.
5. The Good of The Country is far more important than any one man's ambition. You may disagree, but in so doing I cannot reason with you afterwards because I am unable to understand such a position. If this is the case, I am saddened.
6. The option therefore exists for McCain to voluntarily select the VP position because it is the most selfless and honorable option available to him to ensure that #1 is averted. If we take as stated by McCain supporters that we MUST vote for the Republican ticket to ensure that disaster is averted, and that the election of that ticket is of SUPREME importance, then there is no other option than for the Senator to accept the #2 slot in order to beat the Democrats for the good of the country.
The only arguments I can think up myself for the Senator to refuse to step to the #2 slot is ambition.
It's a simple either/or. Either he stays in the Presidential slot and reduces the ticket's chances, or he moves to the VP slot to increase the ticket's chances. Given #1, then I'm without reasons to offer for him to stay in the presidential slot except for his ambition and ego.
I'm just bemused by the reactions against it.
PERIOD!
The suggestion would have been better made at the beginning of the campaign -- not at the end. McCain has worked hard to WIN the nomination, and to suggest he NOW step down is beyond ludicrous.
NOBODY, except a Troll could credibly suggest it, and therefore at this time, I invoke The Hinz Rule
I only debate with people who are capable of calm reason. You've proven yourself to be of a different sort, so my arguments are indeed "ludicrous" to those who believe that McCain's ego is more important than the defeat of the Dems.
He doesn't deserve anything - he owes the country his service since he is in the political game. But I'm sure you think that the country owes HIM for his money and his time. That's what you emphasized, after all. And by the way, the general election is not until November. This is February.
Since you are incapable of avoiding ad hominem attacks like a certain temper-tantrum-throwing toddler/senator and seem to be incapable of reasoned and calm debate, whatever the "hinz rule" is, I'm sure it's completely infantile and egocentric - much like your posting.
What about all the voters who have voted for McCain? I believe we all still a Representative Republic.
___________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
and you aren't even wise, based on the evidence presented so far. Get serious or we will spew you out or our mouths like the lukewarm spittle you are.
respectfully
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Great - so this is the way - his ambition trumps the good of the country. It is unthinkable for him to be selfless. Since it is November already it would be irrational to ask him to consider stepping to the side. And anyone who bucks the McCain standard is subject to vile calumny and ad hominem attacks.
Ok. Got it.
I thought people rationally debated here - I was too optimistic. I see that McCain's ego is not unappreciated. I see that his ambition is indeed more important than the good of the country by your reasoning.
It is quite telling that so far you two above have insulted me multiple times and never have addressed any of the arguments at all, nor reasoned a bit. Instead you've called me "lukewarm spittle", "troll" and other vile terminology for being so individualistic, so frighteningly non-conformist, so out of lockstep - for thinking differently than you.
I've yet to even insult you - but you don't deserve insult. I'm sorry for you.
accompanied by charity (eg cash).
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
when someone postulates something absurd and then when they are dismissed as absurd, come back with I thought people rationally debated here - I was too optimistic.
Like they think that type of claptrap is original. Sheesh!
Seeing your prior posts, you've convinced me that my change of heart to vote FOR McCain was in error. Plus, it isn't absurd at all and you would know it if you were a student of Republican electoral history.
My idea is only absurd to those who are unable to imagine sacrificing ambition to the needs of the country. Your position is clear and quite distasteful.
That'll show him what happens when he doesn't take your point seriously.
---
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
That would be distasteful as well, and I don't see the reason behind it. I will vote for whom I decide is BEST, but I'm not going to vote for someone I think is a threat (dems). Also, today is not November. Howver, I will not stop attempting to change the game before November. I'm not about to step in line and say "yassir" to every McCain supporter spewing venom and insults.
and call your reading comprehension into question. McCain supporter? Hardly. And your presumption that you are more knowledgeable on, well, on anything is hilarious.
Come back when you finish your HS civics class and get your GED and RS can school you on politics.
I'm a college grad - sure, not from Harvard, and I'm not about to get my masters anytime soon. But again you've insulted me multiple times. Again.
You really have no shame, do you? You're quite happy to insult and spew venom, lies, and half-witted accusations at the drop of a hat, aren't you? Why are you here? Just to yell at people? Scream insults?
You are shameful, and an embarassment. Much. Like. Your. Posting.
Don't worry. You can make it all the way through highschool as well in a couple years. Don't let your failures keep you from your dream, kiddo.
"Come back when you finish your HS civics class and get your GED"
Project much, kiddo? Let me know when you finish hairing out. Don't worry, puberty is an exciting time in each young boy's life. You have much to look forward to, and the blemishes will not be a problem after you hit adulthood.
Jerk.
So, I take it you two tag-team anyone who isn't Pro-McCain, insult them continuously, scream at them, and claim victory.
Sounds familiar. McCain's my Senator, as it happens, so I'm quite used to seeing grown "men" throw temper tantrums. Not a shocker.
Look, kiddo, I'm sure your dog loves your arrogance and I'm sure you've bullied TONS of people so far in your glorious career as a neon-lit bronze-plated jerk - but someone should really tell you to be courteous.
Be courteous.
McCain thinks he'll win in November. He's not sitting around thinking "Man, I just know I'm going to lose to Hillary and Obama... but I got nothing better to do than continue my run for President, even if it harms the country."
---
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
7. Politicians are generally interested in a)keeping their seats or b) moving up the political ladder
8. People don't generally enter a political race unless they want the job and feel they have a chance to win
9. McCain is a politician who wants to be President
10. McCain thinks he can win, or he wouldn't have run
McCain therefore will not gracefully exit the stage and hand the future presidency over to someone who:
a) didn't enter the race, or
b) ran but didn't win
Your ideas sound wonderful, but they just have no basis in reality.
--------------------------------------
I'm not voting for Ron Paul because it's not expressly prescribed in the Constitution.
-- Mark Hemingway, The Corner (NRO)
Thanks for the rebuttal.
I can address this, but first I want to acknowledge that your points are well made and sensible.
Let me counter your conclusion a bit. Just to be clear, there have been several instances in the past where a strong candidate going into the convention voluntarily decided to step completely away and endorse an "also-ran" who dropped out of the race prior to the convention.
Secondly, while normally I would agree with your evaluation of McCain's position, I think that the situation this year is different enough to make Senator McCain continually re-evaluate his impact on the election in November. This expectation is unprovable, I admit, as it is based on personality and observation and ties with individual free will.
But I think that Senator McCain is subject to (due to my understanding of his prior expressions of his personal sense of honor) a degree of self-examination that most political types would not entertain.
I also think that the premise of the Democrats being serious threats to the safety and security of the Republic if elected to the White House is of such a high degree that previously unexamined options should be considered at all times.
I could be wrong, yes, and that would be disappointing. I rely on Senator McCain to be the person I've come to know over the last 10 years, living here in Arizona. Sacrificing the top slot for the VP position in order to secure a higher chance of beating the Dems in November isn't absurd to someone who truly thinks that the Dems are likely to cause severe harm to the country.
Basically, I hope I'm right, but I can see your assumptions.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Aha, another TROLL from a Journo major with a self-control problem, an inability to understand rhetoric (you remember rhetoric, don't you? After all, you're a soft-science guy with no real science/math skills, so it'd be your only recourse for debate) and an unquenchable need to belittle and insult people you disagree with - even slightly disagree with.
I see your temper and your character very clearly.
And yeah, I know you INITIALLY were against McCain, but I also note your "lifelong" adherence to being a "Party Man" instead of a simple conservative.
Which is why you unhesitatingly toed the line for your Bosses in the Party like a good little lickspittle.
I see you and your sense of being someone slavishly subordinate to others.
Your blog post supporting Party Uber Alles was the reason I quite correctly typed you as a McCain supporter because you have stated (with borrowed juvenile AIM-glish stylings) "We must (sigh) get behind Jon McCain (sigh) and do all that we can to get him elected president in November." Read that and wince - isn't it clear why I assumed you were below the age of majority with that idiotic ("(sigh)..(sigh)") AIMglish?
When I say, "Hey, since it's SO critical, why doesn't McCain go for the VP slot and increase the chances of saving the Republic since it is under such threat" and you spew nothing, nothing but infantile insults and irrational attacks.
Then you imply that I'm not welcome, and you further imply that you will take action against me for being so uppity as to disagree with you, stating some sort of personal "Hinz rule" code word. Judging from your irresponsible and repugnant behaviour in this thread, I have no confidence that you were referring to something innocuous.
After all, bullies and lickspittles like yourself tend towards the malign when they are called on their disgusting behaviour. What are you going to do? Spam me to distractio... oh wait, you're already doing that. Never mind.
I see the shape of your mind and it is foul, disturbing, arrogant, and servile to your masters.
But then again, you're a Journo major. Nothing surprising here. Guess it's the same for your buddy up there too.
Bullies tend to flock together, anyway. That way they don't feel as bad because they can all agree to look away from each other when they're prostituting their principles to their bosses' desires. Then they can take a shower, wipe themselves off, and go out and do their master's bidding without being reminded of their shame.
I know why you reacted so badly. Those without honor hate when people remind them of their lack. They can't understand it being discussed either, which is another reason you two are so intent on shouting insults at me continuously.
After all, whores scream loudest of their virtue.
I'll do what you demand and leave Red State because quite frankly, any place that doesn't ban ad hominem attackers like yourself is in need of moderators. You've won! Yay!
I bet your genitalia are much, much bigger now! Get some tweezers and check! Yippee! Hounding those you disagree with makes you so less likely to have to overcompensate again.
Postscript: You should wipe your chin, by the way. It's distracting. (and yes, this is an ad hominem attack, you idiot. Difference is that this attack is more than deserved, you squinty-eyed brainless f(ck)
After all, you drove a perfectly good guy away from here. He could have been one of our most prolific writers, interjecting his views on how our candidates should withdraw once they secure the nomination - that way, there will apparently be nobody else running.
You could have robbed us of all that!!!
Oh, well.
In politics, you have your word and your friends; go back on either and you're dead. (Rule #11 of the public policy process)
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Invective is certainly a lost art these days, compared to earlier ages. Nonetheless, you made a valiant effort, VR, though definitely misdirected in terms of your target. You'd have done much better, though, if you'd stopped at your best line - After all, whores scream loudest of their virtue. The rest quickly ran downhill to the banal. Even so, still an above average performance.
you guys go to all the trouble of naming a Rule after me, I invoke it, and then cannot help but keep poking the stick through the bars of the cage. ;-)
Fred Thompson, and his candidacy turned out to be a flash in the pan and a dashed hope. Before Thompson entered the race, conservatives were loudly unhappy with the field of candidates.
This was not a perfect year for conservatives, but we haven't had one since '84. And prior to 1980, we hadn't had a real conservative in the White House since 1929. (If you count Hoover, it's since 1933.)
John McCain solidly holds many conservative principles. Once the rancor dies down, and if McCain continues his rapprochement, conservatives with their eye on the prize will vote for him: no illusions but plenty of demands.
At the end of the day I want to lay down and sleep with a clear conscienous knowing that I "lead by example" to my children. We all should have principals that are NOT for sale. As a Fredhead (forever) We have come to the conclusion we will support Senator McCain and I will pull the lever for the Republican nominee for President of the United States. I want to state that I am a Conservative first and a Republican second. If the Republican Party continues to act in the manner I have witnesses lately (attaching talk radio)this will be my LAST vote for the GOP. No - I will not move to the Dem's. I will look for a party that better reflexs the Conservative view point. I do this because "as of yesterday" 14 Million Dem's voted in the Primary and only 6 Million GOP's have voted. I have 6 votes in my household and we will pull the lever for the GOP nominee. If Senator McCain is elected President then I will hold his feet to the fire on all the issues that we hold near and dear to our conservative hearts. To make sure this happens I will work at the local and state level's laying fertile ground for the next wave of conservatives that need to go to Washington.
I have always thought that we start at the grassroot level to get the conservative view point on ALL county commission boards. Get good conservatives in both houses and from there we can pull our next Congressional or Senate nominee that will carry the conservative banner.
I've got a 2 year old grandson I'm working on now. All 3 of my children are true conservatives. I will do my part but I need ALL of your help to make this happens. It is time we unite and start building the foundation for a "rebirth".
God Bless America.
Mitt did show a lot of class the way he left the race. I listened to his speech and there was no rancor, no finger pointing, just a thanks I'm moving on.
Mitt's stepping down is a good thing, and I hope he and McCain can mend fences and find a role in a future McCain administration, ether the number two guy or in some cabinet role where his skills can be of use.
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !