Transcript from the Jeremy Sarber program – 12.16.09
It is incredible to me how different conservatives can be from one to another. It would be strange and unnatural if this was not the case. For instance, you may listen to Rush Limbaugh and hear him give his opinions on a matter. Next, you tune into the Glenn Beck Program where he has a different opinion. While Rush and Beck may agree 85 percent of the time, there are times when they do not.
I bring this up because I have noticed an alarming trend across the Internet. To be more specific, several disagreements have broken out in chat rooms across BlogTalkRadio among self-identified conservatives. Is this a problem? Not necessarily. It all depends on how the debates are conducted and where they lead.
You may wonder how two conservatives can disagree and yet both still be properly identified as conservatives. Well, every conservative has his/her primary focus. Some conservatives could be labeled religious conservatives. Their primary focus is on restoring God and Christian principles in this country. If nothing else, they fight to keep the secularists from destroying the last remnants of Christianity in our society. For these patriotic men and women, it is God’s purpose for us to have individual freedom unencumbered by the force of government.
Some conservatives, however, may not be religious at all. There is a certain breed of conservatives which I call “flag-waving” conservatives. These folks deeply believe in America. They believe in the American culture. They love football, apple pie, and freedom. They may or may not be especially intelligent when it comes to subjects of government and politics, but they know what they like and what they like is America. These patriots would remind our current administration, “Leave America alone. We like it the way it is.”
Other conservatives focus intently on specific issues such as the economy. For instance, they may believe strongly in free-market capitalism, tax cuts, and protecting their hard-earned cash from socialists. Their money, property, and other earnings from their labors are most important to them and in this way they seek freedom.
Some conservatives speak out and defend states’ rights, gun rights, and many other issues of liberty. Many conservatives are like me and they defy the labels and categories. Most conservatives are a hybrid of all of these groups. Are they still conservatives? Yes, of course. What makes them conservatives are their love for individual freedom.
I say all of this now, because as I said, there is some unnecessary infighting happening among us. I love to debate. I love to disagree. Not for the purpose of fighting, but when I am forced to defend what it is I believe it only makes me stronger in what I believe. Sometimes, more times than I care to admit, I have been shown the errors in my thinking. Debating can be quite productive, but at times, it can also be destructive.
Not that it ever will be, but now is certainly not a good time to be divided. We may disagree on some issues. We may have different ideas and perspectives. But stooping to the level of children with name-calling and disdain for one another is completely foolish. There is a common bond among us which we can all circle around: FREEDOM.
Yeah, Jeremy. I've noticed some of this going on also. While any animosity among conservatives is a bad thing, I think part of the reason for disagreement may actually be a good sign. Usually, in my experience, the "butting-of-heads" among conservatives comes from a disagreement among three groups: Moderates, Reagan Conservatives, and Libertarians. All of which share some common beliefs, but as you said, sometimes for different reasons. But what this means to me, is that the general idea of conservatism is growing, and a larger base of people identify with each other.
But, again like you said, the debates must be civil. That is very important, especially now.
I think there's a lot of truth to what you said. I'm glad you've pointed out the silver lining to the infighting. Here's to 2010.