Conservative Communication

Since I became a Conservative, I've wondered why Liberals have virtually no knowledge or understanding about what we believe. I came to the conclusion that Conservatives are completely clueless about how to explain their beliefs to Liberals—and how to explain, in ways that resonate with Liberals, why Conservative beliefs are good for everyone. The fantastically idiotic notions that Liberals have about "what Conservatives believe" is proof that we Conservatives are pretty miserable failures at communication.

Every Liberal I have ever known, including myself (past tense) had an utterly absurd idea of what Conservatism meant. Indeed, given their beliefs about our own, it is not really a surprise that they consider us "evil". Their ideas are not very deep or thoughtful, but they are strongly held and never challenged within the Liberal enclave. When I asked a Liberal friend what she thought Conservatives stood for, she said:

"I've got mine; fuck you!"

That's a direct quote.

Liberals think Conservatives don't care about poor people, brown people, clean water, clear air, animals, old growth forests, different cultures, homosexuals, women, peace, justice, or free speech.

They believe that Conservatives are interested in:

1) Enriching themselves at the expense of everyone else, including starving babies... AND/OR

2) Creating a Christian theocracy in America, so they can prevent anyone from enjoying sex.

If that's what Conservatism was, who would BE one? And why does this wildly idotic impression persist?

Because Conservatives don't communicate well.

For example: one of the fundamental tenets of Conservatism is Small Government. The Liberals think that means Conservatives don't want government to help people who need it.

When Conservatives argue about Big Government intruding on our rights as parents (who want to raise our children as we like) and business owners (who want fewer regulations, and manufacturers protected from frivolous lawsuits, and to allow smoking in private establishments, or hire whom we wish); or about government taking our money (through taxation) and property (by environmentalist machinations or eminent domain)... and giving it to others, we cannot possibly convince Liberals. They want government to do those things.

What we have failed to point out is that Big Government is also dangerous for Liberals. We have not made it clear that Small Government also restrains the sort of government action that Liberals hate.

For example, there is no doubt that Liberals absolutely support less power for President Bush. They fear (absurdly, of course...but nevertheless sincerely) that he is assuming tyrannical powers, and is a great threat to the Constitution, the Courts, the Geneva Conventions, individual privacy, personal freedom and world peace. They absolutely want Bush's power diminished, limited, restrained...but they can't seem to translate that into the idea that the power of the Presidency should, in general, be diminished, limited, restrained.

Liberals believe that the Republican Congress—both houses—are corrupt and immoral. They absolutely would like the power of the Republican Congress to be diminished, limited, restrained...but they haven't made the intellectual leap to understanding that the power of the Congress, in general, should be diminished, limited and restrained—because it is always corrupt and immoral, no matter which party is in power.

Liberals believe that a "Conservative Court" will strip individuals of their rights, roll back a "woman's right to choose", put Christian prayer back in the classrooms and silence dissent. They absolutely want the power of a Conservative Supreme Court to be diminished, limited, restrained...but they can't make the obvious connection to the idea that the court's power in general should be diminished, limited and restrained.

I think Liberals were in power so long, they approved of all branches of government having sweeping powers because it did what they liked...but it made them forget that sometimes the opposition gets in power...and then the heavy hand of Big Government is not so attractive—but becomes a burden and a threat. And Conservatives miss the opportunity to point out that Big Government with broad powers results in just the sort of thing that Liberals fear.

Another point: Liberals in direct contradiction of facts, believe that they are the party of the poor. The non-factual basis of their belief is immaterial. They believe it, and it can be used as another "teaching opportunity"

Liberals also recognize that elections and governmental power is controlled by money interests. Since they believe that Republicans have all the money, it is not too far to suggest that since money will always run government, and that Republicans have all the money, the bigger government is, the more power Republicans will have over their lives.

And the point is this: Losing an election (which is becoming for the first time in years, an all too frequent experience for Liberals) would not be such a cause for fear, depression, despair, anxiety and hysteria if the winning Republicans only had power over a fairly small, limited, restrained government.

In other words, Small Government is good for Liberals too...considering that at least half the time, Republicans/Conservatives are in control of that government. Yes, it may limit what you can do while in power...but it also limits the damage the other guys can do when they are. And that's good for everybody!

The Gunslinger