All over the country there are people who believe in conservatism. These people may be registered republicans, independents, or even blue dog democrats. They come from all walks of life, but whatever their color or creed, they see value in conservative ideals. It is important to realize that the Republican Party is not homogenous. Instead, it is a coalition of many groups whose ideas of conservatism differ, but share a central theme. Those who are unsympathetic to the Republican cause often paint the party with the same brush. A society that places an ever increasing importance on tolerance and diversity is showing an astounding level of prejudice towards republicans. To understand conservatism it is necessary to view the parts of the coalition separately and understand their motivation.
On one side of the republican spectrum we have the economic conservatives. These people may identify as socially liberal but fiscally conservative. So while they support laissez-faire economics, low taxes, and small government, their ideas regarding morality are not in line with the rest of the party. More specifically, they do not believe that the one, true moral code for society stems from religion. These moderates are not motivated by strong religious convictions and do not share the same social agenda as other republicans. They are drawn to the Republican Party because of common support of other policies.
On the opposite end of the spectrum we find the Christian right. This faction includes individuals from many Christian movements including Lutherans, Catholics, and Evangelicals. The Christian right is characterized by its strong support of conservative social policy. One can even argue that the social agenda of the Republican Party is largely determined by the Christian right. Motivated by deep religious convictions, this faction believes that the true moral code for society can be found in religion and should be enforced by the law. This explains their strong opinions regarding abortion rights and homosexuality.
Not every conservative directly coalesces with these descriptions. But every conservative understands that compromise within the party is essential if its message is to be voiced. That being said, the Christian right tolerates pro-choice conservatives and socially liberal republicans tolerate the views of the Christian right. All factions of the coalition are motivated by a common enemy and they recognize that this compromise is vital to the longevity of the conservative movement. While the number and nature of coalitions within the party is subject to debate, it is evident that the Republican Party is a diverse political body and a living example of tolerance, a fact which contributes greatly to its strength. This diversity of ideas makes for lively debate within the party which formulates intelligent ideas.
Regarding the issue of tolerance, it's important to distinguish between which party talks about tolerance and which party displays tolerance. The Democratic Party tends to favor an established platform that you can either take or leave. The static nature of their ideals makes them resistant to change and compromise. Being homogenous in nature and stubborn to the evolution of ideas through debate means the tolerance of the Democratic Party is only skin deep. This lack of tolerance is especially prevalent at Bowdoin College where there is a distinct stigma associated with being a Republican. On the other hand, the Republican Party, being a coalition of varied interests, respects the idea that policy evolves over time through a process of intelligent debate. The Republicans know that the key to success is being an umbrella party which serves the widest range of interests possible. Tolerance is essential to this process.
The beauty of America is its spirit of tolerance and compromise. The far left needs the far right and vice versa. The vigorous campaigning of the more extreme individuals allows for a compromise to be reached which is suitable to the moderate majority. The fierce competition between the two political groups ensures that the time and effort needed to come to the best decisions will be provided.
So how does all of this explain why I am voting for John McCain even though my beliefs regarding social policy are most similar to Barack Obama? It's simple really. The current trend of increased abortion and gay rights is one that cannot be halted by the election of a republican president. So when I vote for John McCain, I do so with the knowledge that I am not contributing to decreased freedoms for homosexuals or women. Instead I am supporting a conservative agenda that I believe can save this country. All too often Americans let social issues dominate political thought and decision making. Pro-choice conservatives, myself included, put more weight in other areas of policy. Why? Although we disagree with the social policies of the Christian right, we see them not as a threat to the continued prosperity of the nation but, as a conservative force pulling policy towards the middle. The real threat, as we see it, is liberal idealism which preaches bigger government and higher taxes which in turn suppress small business and entrepreneurship. Not to mention a healthcare plan that is nothing less than an attempt to turn this great country into a socialist nation.
Steve Robinson is a member of the Class of 2011.