The choice in November
Our choice in November goes beyond the name at the top of the ballot. As important as the election of our president is, even more so is a decision as to the political direction we want our nation to follow. The ballot will suggest the choice is between Democrats and Republicans, but really it is between progressivism and conservatism.
Progressivism, the predominant philosophy of Democrats, suggests a journey, as if movement along some path is automatically “progress.” But the journey can take a wrong turn unless there is a fixed point of reference to guide that journey. The problem with progressives is they have no such fixed reference point. They simply charge ahead confident that their journey will be successful wherever it heads. They propose a new policy with an assurance that if we adopt it things will be better for our society and for us individually as members of it. They believe the government has the answers to all our problems and that it should be proactive in advancing change, but change is not always for the better and what has that gotten us over the last 50 years? Take just two examples: The war on poverty has cost trillions of dollars, but we are no closer to eradicating it now than we were when President Lyndon Johnson declared war on it in the 1960’s. And Obamacare by virtually any measure has been a disaster. Moreover, while President Obama has pursued his progressive agenda our national debt has climbed to $19 trillion and continues to grow at an alarming rate. The fabric of America has deteriorated, and with government encroachment into every nook and cranny of our lives, we are less free now than ever.
Compare that to conservatism, the predominant philosophy of Republicans. That term suggests the preservation of something. It suggests an ideal standard against which we can measure whether a policy or action is consistent with that ideal or moves us away from it. For conservatives, that ideal standard is described in our nation’s founding documents: the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as expressed in the Declaration of Independence; limited government with a balance of power between the branches of the federal government and respect for the reservation of powers to the states as expressed in the Constitution; and the protection of individual rights as set forth in the Bill of Rights.
We may hear progressives say they want to advance life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as well. But that can be challenged by their actions. Does their pro-abortion stance support life? No. Do their efforts to suppress free speech, religious expression and gun ownership or their efforts to increase government regulation of our lives promote liberty? No. Do their policies encourage initiative instead of government dependency so individuals can better themselves in the pursuit of happiness? No.
Opinion polls show that the Republican and Democrat presidential candidates are both viewed unfavorably by a significant percentage of the public. But they are the only realistic options and we need to consider as well the political philosophy that directs them. With that in mind, I know the political philosophy that will generally guide a Trump-Pence administration and the Republicans if they can keep control of the Congress.
The goals of conservatism will guide my votes this election. I encourage you to have them guide yours as well. Otherwise, who knows where this country will end up?
— Joe Cornelison
Maryville, Missouri
