Being a conservative does involve both bravery and blindness. How can it be both? My high school graduating class members keep in touch often. I know how they vote, what their prejudices are and how staunch they are proudly being conservative. Doing a bit of reading of late I came across a quote by a very old Greek philosopher, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. "Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom myself to consider the nature of the universe loves nothing so much as to change things which are and to make new things like them. For everything that exist is in a manner the seed of that which will be."
Those friends of mine and so many others in both government and industry hold tightly to rules that defy explanation. So many, I feel, operate from fear of change. Holding onto so-called hot button issues like gay marriage, women the right to vote, transgender issues, all encompass fear of change. It is, I feel, testimony to the bravery of so many that say "what will be will be" and welcome change.
I grew up during WW II. Rationing was part of my home. Squeezing the margarine pill to make it all yellow; the 5c savings books; gasoline stickers inside car windows and one activity I did and got 25c a bag collecting Milkweed for parachutes, so told. Those days are past and now with electric cars and even gay marriage society and its people move on. Resisting change, as so many of the louder voices suggest, means to me that change is wrong, maybe evil?
Maybe a few conservatives that read this message to them is explain why being a conservative is so valued. So many voted for Donald Trump knowing much of his questionable ethics and morals. Was that a conservative decision of something else?
A few more words, "always run the short way and the short way is the natural, don't forget that."
Robert Brooks
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The nature of truth is this. When there are multiple truth claims, only one can be true. So if Mr. Brooks' view is truth, then mine is false. And if mine is true, then his is false. I find my truth in a text that has stood the test of time, and will outlive both Mr. Brook and Mr. West. We know that text as the Holy Bible, God’s Word.
Truth cannot be rooted in change, otherwise it is not absolute and thus it is not truth. So pointing to change as the substance of what one should embrace ignores the foundational question: What is truth?
Pontius Pilate asked Jesus that question: “What is Truth?” Yet, standing right in front of him was the One who claimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.“ If Jesus referred to Himself as truth, then anyone or anything that contradicts Jesus is in fact not true, or a lie. And if Jesus claimed He was the only path to the Father, then that exclusive claim is at odds with the beliefs of literally billions of people. So who is right? I’ll chose the Son of God’s claim over others.
But, at the end of the day, rather than looking to editorial columns, political parties, or man-made ideologies, that change as quickly as a baby's diaper, I would encourage you to ground your truth in the unchanging nature of God and the Words He has chosen to share with us.
By the way, Mr. Brooks, I have identified as a political conservative throughout my entire life… and I did not vote for Donald Trump — precisely because of the truths I understand from Scripture, which I must be honest and admit that I sadly fall short of every day. But that leads to another truth, that my God is a loving and forgiving Father, because of the sacrifice of His perfect Son.
I hope you have a great day. And thanks for sharing your truth claims.
Mark West
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Mr. Brooks,
As for your question as to why President Trump was voted in. Sometimes in life we must choose between the lesser of two evils and pray we were right. Hillary Clinton was not and never will be an option for many voters, especially when it comes to ethics and morals as her past will continue to follow her. We could go over the list again but what’s the point. Just the mentioning of her name sends chills up my spine.
Chris Morgan
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Mr. Brooks,
As a former Republican, I can appreciate your words of wisdom. Thank you for sharing them.
I would like to build on what you wrote by pointing out what you left off. It takes bravery and blindness to be a liberal. Change for change's sake does not always equate to progress. Change by force leads to resentment and a longer, more soiled battle for change. Your opinion piece made a lot of Liberals nod along while the conservative digs in a little deeper to fight change.
Those in government and industry often hold tightly to rules that defy explanation. They often shake the ant farm if for no other reason than to attempt to shape progress to their vision. We watched Councilman Anderson try to make change here in Chattanooga despite the wheel of progress that was already in motion. Less than two years later, Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion that (had it not been rejected in referendum) would have made Councilman Anderson's ordinance obsolete. Was I a "brave and blind," "fearfilled" Conservative for opposing the Domestic Partner's benefit? I was labeled as such. Did I want legal same sex marriage? Absolutely, but not at the cost of paying for every city employee to have a +1 on their benefits.
I agree that conservatives can be an unsavory bunch, but where I differ is that the liberals are not accepting of someone who thinks that change needs the natural logic you speak of. Many people voted for DJT, while overlooking questionable ethics and morals. Just as many people (actually more) voted for HRC while overlooking questionable ethics and morals (progressives support those who stay in an abusive relationship in order to advance in their career, right? I'm with her; she's with him; he's with someone else). So many voted to see a woman become president, not because she was the best fit, but because she was the quickest, easiest way to make change.
Look, I don't think that change is wrong or evil. I change my clothes every day and with good reason. But there are plenty things I don't change, and with good reason. I cook chicken to 165 degrees because I don't want to get sick. I segregate my laundry.
The things that I find to be wrong and evil are the motivations of the duopoly of our political parties. This is why I am no longer a Republican. This is also why I cannot be a Democrat. Republicans think everything has to regress and Democrats think everything needs to be a cause. Check out of those two boxes and come join us in the middle. You'll find that there's a lot of people like you and you can vote your conscience. You'll also find that people you once adored are just as bad as the people you vilified.
Tim Giordano
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Well Chris, in this case you got it wrong when choosing between the lesser of two evils. Better luck next time.
David Turner