Basics
- Values of the Founders.
- True, complete faith.
- ALL of our Constitutional rights (including freedom of religion and right to bear arms.)
- Traditional American and Christian values (pro-life, pro-family, pro-hard work.)
- Limited government, reduced regulations, and reduced government spending.
I built a career upon analysis, so I use numbers to help me identify the rational choice, rather than the easy or appealing choice.
However, I also understand the human element, especially via my experience overcoming mental and physical disabilities.
My particular talent is reconciling the two.
Conservatism
To me, conservatism is less about anything being set in stone, and more about preserving a rural and traditional way of life.
I believe we can adapt to new situations without compromising our values, and try different strategies without changing our goals.
Questioning the need for change is good and necessary.
But when our country, both parties, and even families are falling apart, it’s clear that change is needed. Continuing on the same path would meet Einstein’s definition of insanity.
This is no different than solving any other problem in life. When we’re stuck, we get two choices: change our strategy, or change our goal.
I believe that we ought to embrace new strategies, so that we have a clear path forward which keeps our goals constant.
Our values don’t need to change, but we definitely need to adapt to living in a modern world which—only twenty or thirty years ago—would have seemed like science fiction.
Home
A sketch of what “traditional” values call to mind:
- Respect, especially toward parents and elders.
- Politeness, especially toward strangers and company.
- Willingness to lend a hand.
- Hospitality in many forms, but especially that of a front porch.
- Learning how to do most things for yourself; not afraid of dirt or hard work.
- Avoiding waste, especially with money and food.
- Making sure old knowledge and skills, especially crafts, aren’t lost.
- Standing your ground, figuratively and literally.
- Real family dinners with no TV or phones.
- Tolerating almost any quirks in a good person, or one who can be depended upon when it matters.
- Trusting the neighborhood enough for Trick-or-Treating, and your kids enough to buy them fireworks.
- Fiddle, banjo, and harmonica, even the rock music.
- The toughest crowd knowing when to take off their hats and quiet down.
As people, we’re incredibly independent and resourceful. If it can be done, we’re confident we can learn. If we can’t, we’ll have a good laugh.