Cafeteria Conservatism

[fertile1]

Cafeteria Conservatism


What is a conservative to do when faced with forces and positions within the conservative movement that are abhorrent? Surely conservatism is not a package deal that must be embraced or rejected in its entirety, one hopes.


This quandary has been raised during this year's Republican primary contests. There is an undercurrent that suggests that if you want to do your level best to oust from office an unqualified, maladroit, and philosophically unwholesome collectivist, you have to rub ideological elbows with those who are prepared to give gats to just about everyone and who are perfectly prepared to confer second-hand citizenship on citizens that are unfortunate enough to be born, despite the initial howls in the delivery room, gay.


My memory may well be faulty, but I don't think that Barry Goldwater, author of the definitive treatment of true conservative principles, The Conscience of a Conservative, would have frowned on gays in the military, especially if a gay soldier were the only one standing between you and an enemy bullet. As noted in another post, this has nothing to do with gay marriage, which is a meaningless tempest in a teapot as long as civil unions bestow equivalent legal rights to gay couples.


Even more curious is the notion that in order to claim status as a conservative, you cannot recognize that guns are peculiarly efficient means of human extermination and are therefore a refuge of cowards who can't stomach more proximate means of dealing death. As Ayn Rand once observed, the government is the only legitimate wielder of force and it makes perfect sense to limit guns to that institution. As for the Second Amendment, wasn't that all about the right to wear tank tops?

On the cafeteria line, it's really tough to find a palatable selection on the issue of abortion. Does one really have to choose between the extremes represented on one hand by Bachmann and Santorum and on the other by liberals who seem unwilling to impose even the most modest retraints on lazy, leg-spreading, and indulgent females in order to respect and protect the lives of innocent humans? If you're interested in my solution to the problem, buy my book, Wet Firecrackers, on Amazon. It's currently selling for a song.

[flyphish56]

Wet Firecrackers, on Amazon.

The paperback by G. Osmond? If so I'll order soon.

My memory may well be faulty, but I don't think that Barry Goldwater, author of the definitive treatment of true conservative principles, The Conscience of a Conservative, would have frowned on gays in the military, especially if a gay soldier were the only one standing between you and an enemy bullet. As noted in another post, this has nothing to do with gay marriage, which is a meaningless tempest in a teapot as long as civil unions bestow equivalent legal rights to gay couples.

I believe you will find that many of the voices raised in the whole "Gay Debate" right now are voices like mine.
I have no desire to belittle,begrudge, besmirch, deprive or otherwise confront gay, lesbians, trans-sexuals or anyone else. I quite simply am prohibited by my personal spiritual beliefs and core principles from co-signing for special laws and exceptions with regards to a lifestyle that I do not accept.
I firmly believe that the gay community already has EVERY protection and right that I have--- and a few extras to which I think they ought not have claim. The whole hate crime song and dance is Just That. If it is a crime, it is a crime and should be prosecuted as such. To start measuring the degree of criminality by nebulus criteria gives one group more equality under the law than another and is Wrong. Doesn't make a damned bit of difference what group, what law. If there is Equal Protection there is NO need for sub-sets or delineations.
I am perfectly willing to stay out of the faces of the gay community. BUT--- only so long as they stay out of MINE.

it's really tough to find a palatable selection on the issue of abortion. Does one really have to choose between the extremes represented on one hand by Bachmann and Santorum and on the other by liberals who seem unwilling to impose even the most modest retraints on lazy, leg-spreading, and indulgent females in order to respect and protect the lives of innocent humans

As for the abortion issue, my personal moral and spiritual beliefs are every bit as passionate and as intractable as any Pro Choicer out there, and I have no intention what so ever of mitigating those beliefs to suit the abortionists. Just as they have not interest in suiting me.
The two sides will Never reach accord on this issue. There Is No Bridge. It is an issue that will haunt the nation until there is a clear majority and until the Supreme Court desides the issue based on Real Law and Intent of the Constitution. Something that liberal and conservative jurists have both agreed was not the case in Roe v Wade.

[fertile1]

I totally endorse your views on gay issues, flyphish56. On abortion, I'd like to hear your views after you read my book.
Thanks, by the way, for your interest. I'm thriled that Amazon is now offering Wet Firecrackers by Gordon Osmond for only $5.82. At that price, I can afford to offer it with a double-your-money-back guarantee.

[flyphish56]

On abortion, I'd like to hear your views after you read my book.

Just ordered the book and will look forward to discussing the issue with you after I've read that portion. But at present I am at a loss as to where there can ever be common ground on so fundamental an issue.

As a post script, I have found in my 2 years on this sight that your posts are though provoking at the very least.
Thanks

[fertile1]

I can certainly say the same about your comments. Thanks for ordering the book and I certainly look forward to our discussions.

[Dave O'Connor]

In following your theme of "Cafeteria Conservatsim", I might add the parapharase; 'People who live in glass houses...' shouldn't throw food-fights.

Today, for this commentator, the Goldwater messages ring truer than all the paeans to President Reagan - a disciple of Goldwater. (Note Well: I wrote "Today" .
In so many ways, the candid remarks of Goldwater were as dynamic as Ronald Reagan; not diminishing the stature of either.
Some, might think the gay franchise, which is no more, nor should be handicapped, as a privileged edge, was never treated lightly by Goldwater.
When the issue of the gays in the military came up, his only voiced concern was whether they "can shoot". And, as one whom life circumstances have me so defined, I can be happy with that. I managed to shoot and perform my duties to an Honorable Discharge (without DADT and PC indulgence).
Frankly, those of the various groupings that have been collected under the PC 'infantilization' umbrella have greater opportunities in a country under conservative leadership than a 'nanny-state' (and picture that umberlla when even a fair wind blows). Acceptance has always been merited; exaggeerated compromise is resented, and all that is identified with it becomes fair and open season for descrimination.

[fertile1]

Thank you for your service to our beloved country. I'm in awe of those who have had the courage to take up arms in its defense.

Until this year, I always thought that the Goldwater campaign represented the most significant and far reaching choice ever set before the electorate. It was because Goldwater was such a beacon. I believe that this year's election is even more momentous, not because of the Republican candidate, who has yet to be identified, but rather because of the profound threat represented by four more years of Obama.

The country made a huge mistake by rejecting Goldwater. Let's hope it's learned something since then and doesn't make another, even more serious mistake.

[Cap'n Billy]

The country made a huge mistake by rejecting Goldwater. Let's hope it's learned something since then and doesn't make another, even more serious mistake.

I'm almost certain it's going to make another, even worse, mistake which will signal the demise of this republic. As bad as LBJ was, Obama is magnitudes worse, and what he's already done may be unredeemable. Even with a Republican Congress the chances of repealing Obamacare are zero with him in office, whereas if we get a Republican the chances improve to approximately slim.

Sorry for those of you who have seen this post before, but during the election of '64 I was a SAC Pilot with 12 years' service, and when LBJ won I began to question my commitment to continue performing those somewhat dangerous duties on behalf of a population who made that decision. Some months later I accepted an opportunity to move to a much greener pasture, and enjoyed a Most Excellent Career as a result. To paraphrase Gen. Patton, if I had ever encountered LBJ after that I'd have kissed the sonofabitch!

[flyphish56]

I was 15, very unworldly and quite naive(pro'bly still true the last two) when Goldwater ran his campaign.My biggest fear at the time was that Viet Nam the conflict would be over before I could get there to battle the evil yellow communists.
It is a proven fact that one needs to be real careful of what one wishes. Viet Nam was still a major destination for young men in 68.

When the issue of the gays in the military came up, his only voiced concern was whether they "can shoot".

As it should be. Let the sleeping dog lie while engaged in combat and sort out the socio/political issues as needed.

[quote="Dave O'Connor"]Frankly, those of the various groupings that have been collected under the PC 'infantilization' umbrella have greater opportunities in a country under conservative leadership than a 'nanny-state' (and picture that umberlla when even a fair wind blows). Acceptance has always been merited; exaggeerated compromise is resented, and all that is identified with it becomes fair and open season for descrimination. [/quote
Once again I find myself thinking that although your lifesyle is alien to me,your forthright views are enlightening and devoid of rhetoric.
This give me an opportunity to reflect on what you are actually saying without feeling the need to errect some silly defence.

As for the Goldwater campaign---Had he been elected what then "The Great Society". Medicare(which was ground work for medicade), the theft of the dedicated social security funds.

Are there lessons to be learned from these -- to my simple mind---mistakes.

[flyphish56]

I was 15, very unworldly and quite naive(pro'bly still true the last two) when Goldwater ran his campaign.My biggest fear at the time was that Viet Nam the conflict would be over before I could get there to battle the evil yellow communists.
It is a proven fact that one needs to be real careful of what one wishes. Viet Nam was still a major destination for young men in 68.

When the issue of the gays in the military came up, his only voiced concern was whether they "can shoot".

As it should be. Let the sleeping dog lie while engaged in combat and sort out the socio/political issues as needed.

[quote="Dave O'Connor"]Frankly, those of the various groupings that have been collected under the PC 'infantilization' umbrella have greater opportunities in a country under conservative leadership than a 'nanny-state' (and picture that umberlla when even a fair wind blows). Acceptance has always been merited; exaggeerated compromise is resented, and all that is identified with it becomes fair and open season for descrimination. [/quote
Once again I find myself thinking that although your lifesyle is alien to me,your forthright views are enlightening and devoid of rhetoric.
This give me an opportunity to reflect on what you are actually saying without feeling the need to errect some silly defence.

As for the Goldwater campaign---Had he been elected what then "The Great Society". Medicare(which was ground work for medicade), the theft of the dedicated social security funds.

Are there lessons to be learned from these -- to my simple mind-mistakes inpo

[flyphish56]

Those of you who had the misfortune to read the post I made last night on this thread please accept my apologies. My Dr has started me on Ambien for sleep and it seems I tend to ramble and babble.
No reports of driving or cooking yet.