Difference between revisions of "Essay:Conservative Benefits"

Revision as of 03:41, January 8, 2008

There are significant personal benefits to conservatism:

it recognizes that ideas, and particularly political ideas, do have serious personal consequences^[1]
it recognizes that politics and culture are adversarial and deceitful, and helps one filter the falsehoods
it allows one to speak and think freely without distortion by political correctness
it enables one to rise above his personal likes and dislikes^[2]
it recognizes the importance of personal self-defense, mentally and physically
it encourages a personal frugality that doesn't waste other people's money ... or one's own
it encourages self-restraint that is invaluable in combating addiction, temptation, and obesity
it encourages self-sufficiency and self-help rather than dependency
it facilitates genuine personal charity, with all its spiritual benefits
it is shared across all religions and cultures
it facilitates extraordinary insights and epiphanies
it helps tremendously in raising and educating the next generation, including one's own children
it appreciates law and order, and the personal value in adhering to it

Feel free to improve this list.

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 # it recognizes that politics and culture are adversarial and [[deceit]]ful, and helps one filter the falsehoods
 # it allows one to speak ''and think'' freely without distortion by [[political correctness]]
-# it enables one to rise above his personal likes and dislikes<ref>Often a debate with a [[liberal]] comes down to what he likes and does not like.</ref>
+# it enables one to rise above his ''personal'' likes and dislikes<ref>Often a debate with a [[liberal]] comes down to what he likes and does not like.</ref>
 # it recognizes the importance of ''personal'' [[self-defense]], mentally and physically
 # it encourages a ''personal'' frugality that doesn't waste other people's money ... or one's own