Conservatism, Free Thinking, and a Central Vision
When I explain these things, I often hear the following questions:
"This sounds good, but don't lots of Conservatives disagree with you?"
"What if I disagree with some of your ideas?"
"What if I join a Conservative group, but they won't support some of my views?"
Here's the big concern: "Can we work together when we don't always agree?"
My answer? Absolutely! How do I know this? Allow me to share a little about myself:
I was raised by strong Liberal advocates. But around age 20, I started to see something: People on my side - even the nice ones - tended toward blaming and even hating various groups. What groups? Oh, rich people, oil companies, white men, Evangelical Christians, the military - each of us could always find some group to blame for all the world's ills.
Moreover, even the kindest among us really struggled to consider other views. Whatever our outward expressions, inwardly, we were just too angry. It didn't matter if we were Environmentalists, Marxists, Feminists, Pacifists, whatever. Swept up in emotion, we either ran or attacked. The more I took part in this futile mindset, the more ashamed I felt, and I eventually formed a personal saying: "Nothing closes a mind faster than a heart."
When I'd seen enough, I did the unthinkable: I listened to some Conservative Republicans.
And were they all wonderful, open-minded angels? Oh, please. Of course not.
But they listened. Though holding strong opinions, most of them didn't fear my thoughts. They didn't value me more if I agreed with them, or shun me if I disagreed. Sure, there were some angry words - we were discussing vital issues, after all - but it was different. These people wanted me to be a free-thinking individual, and they sure wouldn't use the government to make me live like them. Their opinions were better reasoned, and they weren't always wallowing in bitterness. It was refreshing.
Want a modern example of what I saw? Try comparing Leftist Occupy Wall Street or union rallies to right-wing Tea Party rallies. There is no comparison. Tributes to mob rage, the leftist rallies shout threats and leave mountains of trash.
Conversely, Tea Party rallies are respectful; and afterward, spotless. City planners should schedule Tea Party rallies after OWS or union rallies - so they won't have to clean up.
I used to wonder, "Why do Conservatives tend to be more respectful; more thoughtful? Sure, they have angry words and petty moments like anyone else, but it's more rare. They generally don't stop discussions, change subjects, or turn and attack. Best of all, they don't constantly say, 'Let's just not talk about that,' or 'You're blind to the suffering of others!' Why are they usually more willing to listen - to engage, and consider?"
I now believe it is because they value individual choice over collective control. People who don't want to control you are better at hearing you. People who value your choices would rather convince you with reason, not direct you with mandates. It's very different.
This also explains why Conservatives can work together without agreeing on all the details, and it shows why you should have little concern over interacting with them. No, you'll never find total consensus or anger-free debate. But when you're surrounded by people who share the common vision - who elevate individual choice over collective control - then you'll be more valued because you are an individual.
"This sounds good, but don't lots of Conservatives disagree with you?"
"What if I disagree with some of your ideas?"
"What if I join a Conservative group, but they won't support some of my views?"
Here's the big concern: "Can we work together when we don't always agree?"
My answer? Absolutely! How do I know this? Allow me to share a little about myself:
I was raised by strong Liberal advocates. But around age 20, I started to see something: People on my side - even the nice ones - tended toward blaming and even hating various groups. What groups? Oh, rich people, oil companies, white men, Evangelical Christians, the military - each of us could always find some group to blame for all the world's ills.
Moreover, even the kindest among us really struggled to consider other views. Whatever our outward expressions, inwardly, we were just too angry. It didn't matter if we were Environmentalists, Marxists, Feminists, Pacifists, whatever. Swept up in emotion, we either ran or attacked. The more I took part in this futile mindset, the more ashamed I felt, and I eventually formed a personal saying: "Nothing closes a mind faster than a heart."
When I'd seen enough, I did the unthinkable: I listened to some Conservative Republicans.
And were they all wonderful, open-minded angels? Oh, please. Of course not.
But they listened. Though holding strong opinions, most of them didn't fear my thoughts. They didn't value me more if I agreed with them, or shun me if I disagreed. Sure, there were some angry words - we were discussing vital issues, after all - but it was different. These people wanted me to be a free-thinking individual, and they sure wouldn't use the government to make me live like them. Their opinions were better reasoned, and they weren't always wallowing in bitterness. It was refreshing.
Want a modern example of what I saw? Try comparing Leftist Occupy Wall Street or union rallies to right-wing Tea Party rallies. There is no comparison. Tributes to mob rage, the leftist rallies shout threats and leave mountains of trash.
Conversely, Tea Party rallies are respectful; and afterward, spotless. City planners should schedule Tea Party rallies after OWS or union rallies - so they won't have to clean up.
I used to wonder, "Why do Conservatives tend to be more respectful; more thoughtful? Sure, they have angry words and petty moments like anyone else, but it's more rare. They generally don't stop discussions, change subjects, or turn and attack. Best of all, they don't constantly say, 'Let's just not talk about that,' or 'You're blind to the suffering of others!' Why are they usually more willing to listen - to engage, and consider?"
I now believe it is because they value individual choice over collective control. People who don't want to control you are better at hearing you. People who value your choices would rather convince you with reason, not direct you with mandates. It's very different.
This also explains why Conservatives can work together without agreeing on all the details, and it shows why you should have little concern over interacting with them. No, you'll never find total consensus or anger-free debate. But when you're surrounded by people who share the common vision - who elevate individual choice over collective control - then you'll be more valued because you are an individual.