@Cycloptichorn,
Cycloptichorn wrote:
I mean, that's nice and all; but it doesn't adequately describe modern Conservatism in practice.
If the definition I provided is approved as essentially the definition for MAC, then it describes Modern American Conservatism in practice. That is not changed because everybody dosn't practice Modern American Conservatism.
Quote: See, all those 'RINOs' and 'CINOs' that you guys go on about? They are Conservatives. You may claim that they are not, but that's just a dodge to keep your definitions from being muddied by actual people who don't act the way you say Conservatives should act. I'm more interested in a definition of how they do act then how they should act.
If they were conservative, they would not be RINOs or CINOs. What they call themselves is irrevelent if they do not behave as they describe themselves. I can call myself the Queen of England but it won't make me queen. And I can say that I am thrifty and responsible even while I max out my credit cards.
Quote:There are problems with your theory, also: much of it is subject to interpretation which leads to inevitable corruption. For example,
Quote:
1. The Constitution, as understood and intended by those who wrote and ratified it, must be enforced as the best protector of the people’s unalienable, legal, civil, and human rights. No judge or court should be acceptable who would presume to interpret the Constitution differently than those who wrote and ratified it interpreted it.
Who decides how they intended it? And who decided that this is even a true statement? We've amended the Constitution many times, b/c we didn't agree with the intent of those who wrote it. Should we not support Constitutional Amendments?
They decide how they intended it. They left behind a wealth of writings and documents clearly describing what they intended. And of course we should support Constitutional amendments necessary to correct points overlooked by the original Constitution and/or necessary to address the needs of an evolving society. But again, those amendments all come with a plethora of supporting materials so that no judge has any reason to misunderstand the intent of either the Constitution nor any amendment.
Quote:Quote:That includes respect for and honoring traditional values that have served society well.
Who decides what 'served society well' means?
The people themselves decide. And in a Democratic Republic, where no unalienable, legal, civil, or Constitutional rights are involved, a majority consensus determines that.
Quote:Quote:
3. The government should do only those things/functions that are Constitutionally mandated and that cannot be done more efficiently or effectively by the private sector.
Who decides what is more efficient/effective?
Again the people decide. If the people don't want to get together and hire a contractor to put in a sewer system for a new subdivision, the city or county will appropriately handle that responsibility as a prudent use of the people's money. If the people decide they can do it more economically and competently than the city or county, then the people will put it in themselves. Here in New Mexico where numerous rural communities are springing up all over the state, that kind of thing can go either way.
Quote:7. Property precedes government, and a people cannot be free nor can any government be uncorrupted that presumes to take lawful property from Citizen A and give that property to Citizen B.
Are you against all taxation, then? ALL taxation is redistributive by it's very nature.[/quote]
If I was against taxation, I would have said I am against taxation. I am against all taxation unnnecessary for government to carry out its Constitutionally mandated responsibilities and those functions necessary for the common good that cannot be carried out more efficiently and effectively by the private sector.
Quote:ACTUAL Conservatives use these ambiguities as their tools of corruption quite often; your pure principles have a hell of a lot of wiggle room in them when the rubber hits the road.
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Give me an example to illustrate what you mean by that please.
