There's one thing that's true about me and it's that I'm a free thinker. Don't laugh, if you're a new visitor to my blog you may think that I am just a Republican talking head. There are so many reasons why that is farthest from the truth and I hope to explain why. I'm not trying to drum up any sympathy for my situation. I'm telling you in hopes you do the exact opposite. I hope to open your eyes to the fact that I am someone who actually thinks about others before himself and just wants to live his life free.
I decided to walk to the store this morning to grab a few things. On the way home I started to think about the importance someone's lifestyle plays into their political affiliation. There are stereotypes that say a poor black man will always be a Democrat. Then there's the one that says a rich white man will always vote Republican. What about the poor white man? You'd probably assume they also vote for the Democrat or not at all. I want to give you a little insight on a poor white man that doesn't stand up to your preconceived notions.
People tend to see politics as a venue for them to gain what they want. They look at it and wonder "what cut can I get of that pie?" That is evident by the countless amount of politicians that start with good intentions but ultimately fall to corruption. It's tempting, to take what you can even if it's not yours. I happen to see politics as a venue to change things for the better and to protect our most precious values. I see myself as a constant thinker, someone that doesn't rule any possibility out, because of this mindset I have grown into a firm believer in conservatism.
You may be wondering, "what does being a conservative do for me?" In other words, what does conservatism do for the poor man? Conservatism is not a rich or white man philosophy. It's a universal system that benefits every man and woman of all sexes, races and classes. Conservatism at it's core is the idea that every person has a right to live their lives without too much interference from the government. This also means the government should be kept in check and taxes should be low. We believe in keeping our traditions intact and don't see the need to change everything for the few.
The well rounded conservative believes in the right for all people to have the chance to live, that's why we are pro-life. We want every child to be given the ability to chose just as we have. How can we call ourselves the land of the free if the simplest form of freedom--the freedom to life--is tossed to the side? Liberalism takes the selfish side of the argument and feels the woman's right to live without inconvenience is greater than the child's right to live. Conservatism does not cherish one life over the other. Let all beings have the chance to live their lives as they see fit.
In the same mold a true conservative does not see the government as a spending black hole. We do not feel the government is here to carry anyone through life. This means the the welfare state should not exist. Give man the ability to live his life how he sees fit. That includes allowing them to struggle and to fail. We shouldn't prop up one at the expense of others. What kind of America is that? We are a country of opportunities not of hand outs. Let each man carry his own weight. As a poor individual I see honor in taking care of my own problems. No one should pay my way.
You see, the Republican Party may have it's quarks but don't get confused with the difference between conservatism and the GOP. The GOP has been the vehicle for which the movement has gotten it's message out. We don't owe anything to them. You saw what happens when the GOP swerves to the left and abondons it's conservative brethren; It fails. If you educate America about true conservatism they will flock to it. Ronald Reagan is proof that people vote for freedom. The GOP will make it's return once they return to real conservatism and stop playing games with moderates and liberals.
I want you to take out of this that I am no one's lap dog. I look across the field and decide what is best for this nation. What movement has every person's interest in mind? Being poor has nothing to do with why I vote the way I do. I find hope in conservatism, I see it as the perfect outlet to restore America to the nation that it once was. I don't want the easiest route but only the correct route.
I want to be able to create a future for myself and to take care of my family on my own merits. I want the government to stay out of my personal life and to keep taxes at a minimum. I want my faith to be respected and for everyone else's as well. The wealth that someone else earns is not mine for the taking and I do not want any of it. I want the life of the unborn to be protected, traditional marriage to be upheld and spending to be lassoed in and cut down. Those beliefs make me a conservative. Being poor simply makes me a poor conservative.