Manners Matter

[Cathy Mitchell]

 

When you think of Conservative values, what comes to mind? Certainly, being fiscally prudent, adherence to the Constitution, limited government and states’ rights are attributes often associated with being a Conservative. In addition there are social conservative values, such as belief in a Judeo-Christian basis for our country, opposition to abortion and homosexuality. When I think of conservative values, I also think of honesty, integrity and compassion.

There is a saying that people “don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” I think a major misconception about Conservatives, promulgated on purpose by Liberals, is that Democrats are the party of compassion, while Republicans are mean and greedy. I see the opposite as being true. I am a Conservative because of my compassion. When I think of the economic slavery caused by our modern welfare system, my blood boils. If I were stuck in such a system, I would want someone to help me. Ironically, it was attending school to become a Social Worker that firmly cemented my conservative values. How dare liberals, either through mis-guided good intentions or, in some cases, outright evil goals, use and abuse those less fortunate in our country? As a Christian, I am obligated to do what I can.

Perhaps one reason Liberals have been able to perpetuate this false idea about Conservatives is that we sometimes do not act in accordance with what we believe. Edmund Burke, the “Father of modern a Anglo-American Conservatism believed that manners matter, even more than laws. To be more basic, according to your religious views, we need to observe either the Golden Rule (not the version that he who has the gold makes the rules!) – “treat others as you would like to be treated” or the second greatest commandment, according to Jesus – love your neighbor as yourself.”

Rush Limbaugh has been a popular radio personality amongst Conservatives for years. I’ve never been able to listen to him for more than a few minutes not because of what he says, but because of how he says it. Arrogance and rudeness don’t go along with my idea of how Conservatives should act. While Rush may score humor points with people who agree with him, insulting someone is not a good way to persuade them to your side. I’ve tried to make this point to Mike Rosen, in hopes of encouraging him to change his tone to not be so off-putting to Liberals. His rebuttal is that his radio show is out to make a profit, not to facilitate public debate. Conservatives like to hear him cut Liberals off at the knees, so he gives his target audience what they want to hear. While completely in favor of companies making a profit, I think true Conservatives should follow self-imposed restraint in being ethical. Mary Kay Ash built a successful company because she followed the Golden Rule, not in spite of it.

Not just our leaders, but individual Conservatives should also be of good moral character. While the two biggest moral issues of our time are homosexuality and abortion, (isn’t it a little fishy that those are the two sins heterosexual men can’t commit?), I think other, more basic morality issues cause more harm, such as lying. The sin of lying by people such as Bernie Madoff, the Enron scandals, basically all the white collar criminals, causes a great deal of harm in society. Even general lack of consideration for others, such as happens when someone engages in road rage, is harmful. A recent Kaiser Permanente commercial advocated doing random acts of kindness, not only to benefit others, but doing so has been shown to cause the perpetrator to be happier.

It has been pointed out to me that some Liberals engage in unethical behavior to accomplish their goals, so maybe Conservatives need to “fight fire with fire.” I would counter this by replying that either, “two wrongs don’t make a right” or “turn the other cheek.”

[Cathy Mitchell]

Yes, I agree that there is much waste and lack of accountability in government spending - by nature. I would prefer no federal tax dollars go to Planned Parenthood. Not because of morality issues, but because "family planning" is not one of the enumerated powers given to the Federal government. And of course, any power not specifically given to the Federal government, is reserved for the states.

[reform]

I mentioned this about Planned Parenthood because of the way our tax dollars are spent. 

The budget passed with the promise to continue to fund Planned Parenthood. 

My comment was made as an example of the waste and lack of accountability on how our tax dollars are being spent. Those who are not conservative if shown the truth will open their eyes and begin to see our side.  Don't make an issue out of religion, but our dollars instead. 

Whether someone is pro-life or pro-choice we can find common ground.  70% of the billions being poured into Planned Parenthood is not accounted for.  This should outrage pro-choice people more than the pro-lifer's. 

Pass this on to those who are on either side of the fence and we can get something accomplished regarding tax, spending and no accountability. 

The conservative message can reach even the far left. 

(I am extremely pro-life. But am always looking for common ground.)

 

[Cathy Mitchell]

reform, Thanks for reading and commenting. It does seem that the country has fallen into the trap of thinking that the Federal government (and only the Federal government) can solve all problems. There is a place for government, but charity work is not something government does well.

 

When debating whether to outlaw something, the assumption is that outlawing something will stop it, but that obviously is not the case (there is still homicide). That's not to say nothing should be illegal, but there is a cost associated with establishing laws. The possible benefits need to be weighed against those costs (i.e. seat belt laws).

I was not trying to come down on one side or the other of the abortion debate, but rather to try and put it in perspective with other morality issues in our country, which seem to be largely ignored.

[reform]

I enjoyed your article.  I am a firm believer of God's graces.  If we are unable to do charity out of the kindness in our hearts we lose those graces that God wanted to bestow on us.  Forced charity through taxes does not allow individuals or our nation to receive these graces from God.  We as individuals and a nation have expected the other person or the government to take care of those in need.  Many people also feel as if others and the government owe them. With this loss of grace we have lost our ability to function in a civilized manner. 

Regarding the abortion issue.  The government has forced Planned Parenthood on our nation.  They are in our schools and are targeting the young and impressionable.  They are also worse than Hitler when the target poor racial neighborhoods.   When looking at the amount of money on the "non-profit" Planned Parenthood one can easily see that the money is not given to women's health issues.  Planned Parenthood will become a huge part of Obamacare. It has been awhile since I have looked at Planned Parenthood,s tax statements. And if you were to read the newspaper it is a game of statistical lies.   Most of the money that is being used on healthcare may be used for non-abortion care.  That is the catch.  It only describes how part of the money is spent.  It does not include the money that the execs make, or the cost for lobbyists, etc....   Planned Parenthood is a mult-billion dollar business.  Not only do we fund the national Planned Parenthood's.  But we also fund the minimum of one Planned Parenthood in each and every state. Planned Parenthood in California was under scrutiny for misappropriation of funds.  The list goes on. 

 

"The Washington Times is reporting that a new GAO report shows that Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the nation’s most prolific abortionist, took in $2.3 billion in taxpayer funds from various government programs and grants between 2002 and 2008, but spent “just” $657 million during the same period. That means that more than 70% of the billions given the abortion provider remains unaccounted for."

Sounds like Wall Street doesn't it?!?!?!?