Conservative values
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
References
- â See, e.g., conservative Mike Huckabee losing 110 pounds.[1]; relatively few conservatives are overweight.
- â 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.
- â Conservative principles fully support self-defense.
- â "Liberal teenagers always felt more stress than conservatives ....," according to one study summarized in The Economist. [2]
- â An example of a conservative who overcame a difficult is fear is President Ronald Reagan, who conquered a longtime fear of flying.[3]
- â See, e.g., Hollywood values
- â Conservatives accept and teach respect for Rule of Law, and this deters dangerous driving, particularly by teenagers, that can tragically end in death.
- â Conservatives emphasize learning to read by phonics, rather than the ineffective memorization approach of liberals.
- â "While 58 percent of Republicans reported having excellent mental health, only 38 percent of Democrats described themselves that way."[4]
- â "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]
- â See, e.g., the Coase Theorem