Difference between revisions of "Conservative values"

Revision as of 23:11, May 25, 2008

Conservative values recognize the adversarial nature of politics, and much in life. As a result of their ability to deal with adversity, conservative values are superb in defending against obesity,^[1] addiction,^[2] adversity,^[3] anxiety,^[4] fear,^[5] depression, narcissism,^[6] risky law-breaking activities like dangerous driving,^[7] self-destructive behavior, illiteracy,^[8] rejection, wastefulness, and serious mental disorders.^[9] Conservatives are happier than liberals, and one study gives a reason: conservatives do not insist upon a mindless "equality".^[10]

Conservative values are also helpful in recognizing and combating deceit. A conservative understands the many incentives by others to engage in deceit, and the political power that can result from such deceit. A conservative is often not surprised by the deception that fools others.

Conservative values include:

• placing ideas and principles above personal desire, weaknesses, fears and regrets
• a never-ending quest for the truth, despite obstacles based on emotion and personal experience
• recognizing and utilizing the benefits of competition and hard work
• emphasizing charity, with its unexpected benefits, rather than compulsory tax-and-spend programs
• teaching self-help rather than dependence on government and others
• supporting self-defense
• recognizing the media for its bias, bullying, deception.
• frugality and efficiency
• rejecting the deification of government officials
• downplaying significance of wealth, disparities in wealth, and materialism in general^[11]
• emphasizing self-reliance and being able to keep the fruits of one's labor
• emphasizing self-restraint against hurtful activities
• recognizing the power of the free market
• understanding that a rising tide lifts all boats, e.g. tax cuts benefit all.
• self-control as opposed to a self-indulgent search for instant gratification of desires.

Conservative values are useful and powerful in combating common human weaknesses:

• Lust -
• Laziness -
• Jealousy -
• Gluttony -
• Pride -
• Conflict -
• Corruption -

See also

• Essay:Conservative Benefits
• William F. Buckley
• Andrew Schlafly

References

1. ↑ See, e.g., conservative Mike Huckabee losing 110 pounds.[1]; relatively few conservatives are overweight.
2. ↑ Conservative principles prohibit addictive drugs, pornography and gambling, and favor Rule of Law to prohibit underage drinking and smoking, when those addictions form. An example of a conservative who conquered alcoholism is President George W. Bush. Rush Limbaugh also conquered his addiction to OxyContin.
3. ↑ Conservative principles fully support self-defense.
4. ↑ "Liberal teenagers always felt more stress than conservatives ....," according to one study summarized in The Economist. [2]
5. ↑ An example of a conservative who overcame a difficult is fear is President Ronald Reagan, who conquered a longtime fear of flying.[3]
6. ↑ See, e.g., Hollywood values
7. ↑ Conservatives accept and teach respect for Rule of Law, and this deters dangerous driving, particularly by teenagers, that can tragically end in death.
8. ↑ Conservatives emphasize learning to read by phonics, rather than the ineffective memorization approach of liberals.
9. ↑ "While 58 percent of Republicans reported having excellent mental health, only 38 percent of Democrats described themselves that way."[4]
10. ↑ "Research suggests that highly egalitarian women are less happy in their marriages compared with their more traditional counterparts, apparently because they are more troubled by disparities in domestic labor."[5]
11. ↑ See, e.g., the Coase Theorem