It seems the popular thing to do these days is to declare oneself a conservative, at least, it appears that’s the aspiration of nearly every one of the Republican candidates for President. It’s also true that during nearly every Republican Congressional campaign, the candidates insist that they are the true conservative.
But is the Republican party overwhelmingly represented by conservatives, both in Congress and in those seeking the Presidency? Is it simply that easy: just assert one is a conservative and, voila, he or she is such?
Conservatism is not merely defined by one’s state of mind, feeling, belief or even a pronouncement. Rather, I would assert it is much more. Conservatism is ultimately defined by action which produces one’s track record.
Too often we see the electorate, politicians, and bureaucrats claiming conservatism. But is claiming such enough?
There is a verse that states, “by their fruits you shall know them.” There is not a more appropriate verse than this when discussing or wondering about a person’s true political convictions.
I am humored by the claims of so many Republican politicians that they are “dyed in the wool” conservatives. It’s almost as if it’s a badge of honor to claim such. But we can tell their true colors when it comes to the bills they champion (or fail to champion) and the votes they cast (or fail to cast).
The $1.1 trillion Omnibus spending bill that was voted on before Christmas is the most recent example of what conservatism is not. We should note that 150 Republican Congressman (including my own TN Congressman Chuck Fleischmann) banded together with 166 Democrats to fund this orgy of spending on nearly every conceivable program and agency across the entire range of the political spectrum. True there may have been some minor aspects of this 2,000-page bill that conservatives might have endorsed. But all in all, this was a horrendous bill that encapsulated all that is wrong with Washington.
There are plenty of articles from reputable sources that document the voluminous “sins” that are endorsed and funded by this latest fiasco so I will not take the time to reiterate them here. But suffice it to say that the December 2015 Omnibus bill is the poster child for all things progressive and the antithesis of all things conservative.
Following the vote by a majority of the Republican and Democrat delegations in both houses of Congress, Senator Ted Cruz from Texas criticized the legislation saying it “effectively forfeits our massive Republican victories of 2014 and cements Obama’s priorities for nearly the remainder of his term.”
Following years and years of manipulation, deception and double-speak, it’s time for ordinary Americans to move beyond the words of politicians and look only to their actions and track records. Conservatism is more than a word. Most importantly it is action. And the most revealing action a politician takes is his or her vote. Their vote affirms who they are and what they believe.
The Omnibus vote this month separated the wheat from the chaff. And sadly, if chaff is worthless, the Republican majority in both houses of Congress is the epitome of worthlessness, at least until a new crop of true conservatives is elected.
Well written & simply true. Is it any wonder that Joe American is looking for a plain-spoken candidate? It may well be that the Republican party is facing the same hangman that the Whigs did not so long ago. The Whigs turned their backs on right and moral issues, not answering the call to justice and to right principles. While there is a heavy burden on the candidates to step up the plate and stand firm for what is right, there is an equally heavy burden on we the voters to ensure that the candidates earn our votes and keep the promises they are making. Too many of the “conservatives” we have sent to Washington have turned their backs on ‘we the people’ who sent them there. They are the reason that ‘non-politicians’ are leading the polls; Joe American has finally become convinced that politicians cannot be trusted. They spend us into the poor house, ensuring the enslavement of ourselves and our children. They are traitors to us and to the Constitution.
I totally agree David. we have all grown tired and disgusted with the lies and deception. But if we want better we must hold their feet to the fire and “throw the bums out” when their actions don’t align with their words.
Mark thanks for pointing out that conservativism is an action and not just a word. I’m tired of politicians claiming to be conservative and claiming to hold conservative values when they turn around and vote for that omnibus budget. They even have the nerve to admit that very few in congress even read it. I remember under Bush II democrats passed the campaign finance bill which restricted speech against incumbents ( among other things). Many republicans , including the president, said it was unconstitutional and implied that the Supreme Court would take of it. Well… We all know that the Court upheld the law. It is tiresome to listen to so called conservatives tell us voters “if we could only win the senate…if we could only win the white house… If only, if only.” We need to be cautious of those claiming to be “for the people” when they’re really for themselves or special interest or not voting in our country’s best interest. We are facing a serious juncture in our country. Every vote counts! Your scriptural reference reminded me of the rest of that passage — beware of false prophets. That’s how I see these “fake conservatives”. Thank you again.
Happy New Year!
Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “.
Great points Karen. We must awaken the American people to what is at stake in 2016 and instruct them to ignore the appealing sound bites and look only to the candidate’s track record. This will reveal who is the real conservative and who we should support.