There seems to be a bit of a rumble about Paul Helmke being invited to speak, so I thought I’d repost this article from last year.
The Audacity of Unity
A guest column by Frederick L. Rost II
“Any unity which doesn’t have its origin in the multitudes is tyranny” - Blaise Pascal
After a recent Conservative Breakfast Club meeting one attendee stopped me and asked, “How can this be a meeting of Conservatives if you’re inviting Steve Shine and David Long to speak to the group?” This comment is representative among many Conservatives. My response is, “There is neither one homogeneous “Conservative” point of view, nor a single set of “Conservative” issues on which everyone agrees, but views across a spectrum that vary by issue and individual. We should work together on those things on which we agree, and continue the vigorous debate on those things on which we differ.” Dare Conservatives and Republicans unite?! If the results of the recent primary election, 75% to 25% Democratic to Republican voter turnout, is any indication of what to expect in the fall, then indeed we must.
The point of view of the Breakfast Club attendee quoted above is emblematic of the type of hard positions taken by many Conservatives and Republicans alike in Allen County, and why the Conservative Breakfast Club was founded; to foster understanding and trust; to serve as a forum where Conservatives of all stripes can speak frankly and openly with one another on Local, County and State issues that affect citizens and their families; to let all points of view be known, discussed, make arguments, persuade others, and perhaps most importantly, to listen one another. More unites Conservatives and Republicans than divides them. Certainly we can respectfully agree to disagree on some issues. Our focus should be on coalescing around the things we agree upon, continuing the discussion on the things we don’t, forming a united front, and taking action.
For unity to prevail among Conservatives and Republicans alike, it’s going to take respect, understanding, trust, integrity and discipline. It also assumes cooperation by all sides and the desire and will for unity. It can’t be a one-night stand during an election year; it needs to be like a marriage, a long-term commitment based on trust, respect, and fundamental principles, with the occasional ups-and-downs attendant to such a relationship. The focus and motivation for coming together ought to be to avoid the alternative that results from disunity, each group sitting on the sidelines watching the game, each beating their chests about how right THEY are, complaining about the outcome of the contest, and not able to do anything about it. Being right in principle may be its own reward, but if you want to prevail and effect change, it requires unity of purpose, and mass, to gain a position to govern.
How did we get here?
Like the US Dollar, the Republican currency has been de-valued because of a departure from the proven principles that were the gold standard for over 40-years. We were more interested in having the media and our enemies like us, rather than standing up for the principles that differentiate us from them. We lost the toughness and will to fight for the things we, as a community of interest, believe in because it made us appear “harsh”. On the national scene, Republicans have had their share of “scandals”, leaving the impression that there really isn’t a dime’s bit of difference between them and the Democrats. We got so used to winning election-after-election; we lost the recipe for what it takes to win. We took Conservatives for granted as reliable Republican voters, then decided to “broaden our base” by turning our backs on our principles (and Conservatives), to attract Independents and “swing-voters” many of whom don’t share the same ideals. Finally, we aren’t cultivating or promoting enough authentic candidates at all levels that represent, connect with and inspire the majority of voters; instead we get well worn candidates or the guy deemed by the Party as next in line, and abandon good candidates based on internal political calculus rather than common principle. It’s all recoverable, if we change the bad behavior and reunite around the common principles that brought together the coalition that dominated the 80’s into the 90’s, Republicans and Conservatives.
The First Step to Unity - The Three R’s
The first steps to bringing factions together and focusing on those things we agree upon begins with, in my view, the three R’s, recognizing, reconciling, and repenting. It’s easier to be critical and judgmental of someone else than it is for most of us to be equally honest with ourselves on the same issues. Recognizing in oneself what I’ve called, bad behavior is the first essential step to taking ownership of it. Reconciling the truth and motivation behind bad behavior gets to the root of it to address it. And finally repenting, honestly admitting it’s wrong and committing to not repeat the same behavior completes the cycle and allows us to reset, and begin anew. We can do it, but are we willing?
Conservatives ? Republicans (Necessarily)
Another Conservative Breakfast Club attendee once asked me, “Is this the Conservative Breakfast Club or the Republican Breakfast Club?” In general, many Conservatives may be Republicans, but not all Republicans are necessarily Conservatives. This is evident in the national debate occurring today amongst Conservatives regarding Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain (Is he a Conservative?, Is he conservative enough?). The difference is that Conservatives are not a Party with standing, but a community of common interest driven by shared ideals, principles and action. So what are the ideals and principles that distinguish Conservatives from political Parties and other communities of interest? Here is a list with some explanation to start the discussion that is by no means all encompassing, and I believe equally applicable to Republicans as well:
1. The principle of subsidiarity
” Where the individual/family unit is the lowest responsible governing unit on which Government should not interfere in the internal life of an individual/family [communities], depriving the latter of its functions. Government should support these communities in need and coordinate its activities with the rest of society.2. The principle of respecting the will and wisdom of the voters
” Within the construct of the founding documents, let the will of the people be manifest in the law, and in the decisions of those that represent them.3. The principle of limited Government
” Limit the reach of Government so neither the state nor any larger society should substitute itself for the initiative and responsibility of individuals and intermediary bodies. Respect the freedom of individuals to succeed and enjoy the rewards and to fail and learn from the consequences.4. The principle of smaller and more efficient Government
” A more efficient Government may do more with same amount of taxpayer funding, but the objective should be for the size of Government to be smaller and do more with less taxpayer funding.5. The principle of law and order
” Respect for the law and its enforcement, not situational rationalizing or relativistic application and enforcement. Assuring the safety of citizens, respect for the law and those that enforce it, abiding by the standards set by the law, and uniform application and enforcement.6. The principle of living within our means, save to invest in the future
” Do with what we have. Carefully plan for the future, focus on the proper role of Government, infrastructure, public safety, and administration. Establish and maintain a foundation on which to grow into future, without mortgaging it.7. The principles of Responsibility, Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability
” Openly present and discuss all the plans and issues which affect the citizens, make them a part of it. Identify people in Government responsible to the taxpayers/voters/citizens, and have clear and direct accountability to them with open and transparent decision making processes, and timely and accurate reporting available to the public.8. The principle of leveraging the free market
” Develop an attractive business environment through less Government and taxes, superior infrastructure, and a high quality workforce for businesses to take root and grow. Treat Fort Wayne, Allen County and Northeast Indiana as an asset of value to be leveraged, not as a giveaway. Free but Fair.9. The principles of volunteerism and charity, a hand up versus a hand out
” Promote the idea of individual service and free will giving beyond our place of worship. Don’t let the Government substitute itself for personal charity and volunteering each of us should do. Creating opportunity for each person to achieve to the utmost of their ability.10. The principle of respecting the rights of individuals, parents, the family, and innocent life from conception to natural death
” Respect and advocate for the rights of those that cannot speak for themselves. Let parents and families exercise their responsibilities, and let them be the primary teacher, preacher, and lawgiver. Don’t let the Government displace or replace the rights of individuals (including pre-born babies, the disabled and aged), parents and families.
“Without unity, tyranny”
Practical, strongly held principles are what distinguish Conservatives from political Parties. Today, the Republican Party is a mechanism through which Conservatives, and others, must pass if they want to get elected and participate in the political process beyond simply voting. It has been said that since Conservatives are not a Party, they don’t really need the Republicans, but to win the Republicans need the Conservatives. I contend that both Conservatives and Republicans need each other, not to just survive but to lead and govern, and that can only happen by uniting, with principled leadership, coalescing around the things we agree upon, continuing the discussion on the things we don’t, and forming a united front to take action.
Tyranny is defined as oppressive power exerted by government. Whether it’s raising the County option income tax and garbage fees, an unelected body levying taxes or obligating tax dollars, or public funding of a private enterprise against the will of the majority of voters, it is oppressive power exerted by government. Just because it comes with the scratch of a pen as opposed to the report of a rifle doesn’t make it any less oppressive. Today, Pascal’s maxim might more succinctly be restated as,”Without unity, tyranny”. Which will you choose?
Fred Rost is co-founder of the Conservative Breakfast Club, a Senior Vice President at the Sierra Nevada Corporation, President of Allen County Right to Life, a Fort Wayne resident, and decorated Army combat veteran.
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I saw this in the paper when it came out. I think it’s about right.
If all that is ever done is preach to the converted, how do you engage with others to exchange ideas and grow as a group? There are other good ideas and observations from folks other than just “conservatives”. I’d be disappointed if so-called conservatives didn’t want to compete in the arena of ideas with others and make an argument. I don’t think “conservatives” have a lock on all the good ideas.
Maybe conservatives don’t, but, I like to think the Founders did. And, Helmke doesn’t.
If Mr. Helmke is conservative then I don’t want to be.
Conservatives are first individualists who have principled world views with little room for compromise. We are envied by socialist-leaning moderates who straddle the fence between “extremist” liberals and conservatives.
Ayn Rand gets it right in “Extremism and the Art of Smearing”:
The safely undefined, indeterminate, mixed-economy, ‘moderate’ middle—with a ‘moderate’ amount of government favors and special privileges for the rich and a ‘moderate’ amount of government handouts for the poor—with a ‘moderate’ respect for rights and a ‘moderate’ degree of brute force—with a ‘moderate’ amount of freedom and a ‘moderate’ amount of slavery—with a ‘moderate’ degree of justice and a ‘moderate’ degree of injustice—with a ‘moderate’ amount of security and a ‘moderate’ amount of terror —and with a moderate degree of tolerance for all, except those ‘extremists’ who uphold principles, consistency, objectivity, morality, and who refuse to compromise.
You either are …or you are not a conservative. There is no such ting as a “fiscal” or “social” conservative …its all or nothing. Paul Helmke does not qualify.