Whether you call it Republicanism or Conservatism, the creed which holds that there are limits to what the State should do, how much of our income it should consume, and how much it should control us, is one which finds itself on the defensive in both the US and Europe.
As those who hold this creed are usually pragmatists, it behoves us to admit that there are reasons why this is so, and to be honest about them. There is much in our creed which is not attractive to children. It requires us to take responsibility for our actions; it requires us to work hard; and it requires from us a sense of responsibility to those outside our immediate family. One of the most pernicious lies told by the Left is that the Right lacks compassion It is because we have compassion that we do not think it can be subcontracted to the State and its organs; it has to be delivered by people to other people, and, many of us would hold, its impulse lies deep in the Judeo-Christian ethic that as we are all made in God’s image, we owe a duty each to the other
Now contrast this with the Creed of the Left. That says you can do whatever you like and Daddy (the State) will make it all right if it goes wrong; it says you shouldn’t worry your little head about morality, as that is just made up stuff by the oldies who want to control you. If you are a girl and want to marry a girl, fine, and if you want a baby, why someone else will pay for the IVF. You can have a fine old time and Daddy (the State) will pick up the tab; what’s not to like?
License is always going to look more attractive than responsibility. Own up here guys – how many of you presented with the chance to spend an evening with a stunning blonde with movie-star looks, or one of us more homely types would opt, instinctively, for us? But then, when it comes to thinking about home, family, the long term and what makes for real happiness, how many of you would choose the Hollywood blonde then? It is the same with the Creeds of the Left and the Right; the former is fine for a fling, but you wouldn’t want to come home to it every evening.
Our modern society may be technologically whizzy, but that does not give it any insight into how we should live, move, and have our being. There’s no sign that it is developing the sort of jobs and social infrastructure which will support a stable society. There’s every sign that as the bill for the night before comes in, Daddy’s pocket-book isn’t big enough. Any society in which the rich get richer and the poor, poorer, is going to be unstable. Any society which lacks the values of compassion and responsibility is going to be a nasty one.
The USA has something which we, in Europe, have forgotten and neglected. It has that sense of being a set of communities with a destiny. That makes it harder for Statists to preach their message and to implement it – however attractive to those who believe in a free lunch. But what the political Right lacks is a figure to give voice to those values and that message.
Whether you like or loath President Obama, he’s a good actor and gets the message across. What our side needs is someone who can do the same. Let us hope one emerges.
Authored By nebraskaenergyobserver
