What Does Conservatism Mean To You?

As the Convention on Founding Principles begins tonight, one thing that I think might be valuable would be for all of us to ask ourselves, "What does it mean to be conservative?" I think we would all benefit from the discussion.

Is it like the Tories of the UK? Cultural conservation?

Is it Constitutional conservatism? and is that originalism? Textualism? Stare Decisis?

Is it free market capitalism?

Is it fiscal conservatism? 

Is it small government conservatism?

How much of it is libertarianism? As in, actual libertarianism, not the unevenness you see in the Libertarian Party?

Is it social conservatism? And if so, how do you define that? Is that just about abortion? Is that Family Values? And what does that mean after Obergefell and Bostock?

Or is it literally conservative thought - cautious, careful - rather than progressive - always pushing the boundaries?

Which of these are absolutely necessary for you when you think of the term?

And also, in what proportions? I would imagine most of us share some levels of most of those ideas. The question is how do we prioritize them? Where do we draw the line?

I know I have my opinions, but share yours, either via Twitter or Facebook, or feel free to email us at dormousesez@aol.com.

Either way, this is definitely something we all need to brainstorm on and discuss.

That isn't to say that the Convention is wrong - far from it. But the CFP seems to be very much about what Heath Mayo and others call Principled Conservatism, which is well defined in their Declaration.

But I do think that are other ideas out there, and more information, the better right?

So add your voice to the dialogue.

What does Conservatism mean to you?