Conservatism is Exactly what America Wants

Conservatives believe in the individual. 

Frankly, it would seem that all Americans would agree with this sentiment: an individual has value and that individual American should have the rights and freedoms to do as they see best. So wouldn’t it mean that all Americans should be conservatives? ​

WHAT CONSERVATIVES BELIEVE

It is the sanctity and value of the individual life that makes the foundation of a conservative framework. Nuances come into play when you dive deeper into the specifics of topics and situations, obviously.

However, in general, most conservatives believe:

• Each individual has a right to life, from conception until natural death 
• Each individual’s voice, opinions, and perspective matter
• The privacy of the individual should be defended
• There should be space for individual families to choose what is best for them
• An individual has the right to worship as they wish 
• An individual has the privilege to speak their opinion without fear of backlash

These and many other topics spell how the reality: each individual is their own entity and their freedom’s should be preserved and cherished. 

Every American is unique. Every DNA differs, every personality is slightly different, and every person has a unique perspective. The individual as a whole and finite being - body, soul, mind, and spirit, habits, quirks and passions - is specifically breath-taking and beautiful. 

So why is it that progressives verbalize their adoration of the individual (“There is no absolute truth. Do your own truth! They should be able to do whatever they feel is best!”) and expect everyone to march to the same tune?

SOME CONSERVATIVES DON’T LIVE WHAT THEY BELIEVE.

Yet, on the other hand in this hour of American culture, the conservatives, who fundamentally are the champions of individualism and value personal virtue, are eating their own. 

• Republicans are demonized if they do not all agree with Donald Trump.
  
• Republicans are demonized if they don’t all think Donald Trump is bad. 
  
• Republicans are ostracized if they don’t question election integrity. 
  
• Republicans are mocked if they do believe in election integrity. 
  

These are just two of the issues in the crosshairs of today’s political debate. It has some of us scratching our heads and furoring our brow: isn’t their room for all of us?? Can’t we all believe different things on certain topics, while moving our conservative cause in the same direction?

The harsh views of some - who only have room for those who agree with them 100% - is already doing damage to our morale, and community. If we are not careful it will set our party back eons. 

Instead, here is the moment we must all grow up: there is room for each individual viewpoint in our Party. In fact, we are better together.

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IS GOOD

We need all individual personal perspectives. We are not supposed to all see things the same way. Even spouses don’t agree on everything, twins don’t see all things eye to eye, or parishioners sometimes differ their opinions from the clergy. Why would we expect a whole conservative movement or party to see things the same way? 

We are wise to ask these questions with a critical and redemptive inquisition: Why would we as Americans want one another to see things the same way “everyone else” sees it? How does that foster innovation, spur creative solutions, or generate new endeavors to conquer new frontiers? Don’t we want to see some things uniquely different? Aren’t there vantage points that we might miss if we all think the same way? And don’t differing perspectives, challenging conversations, and duals of ideas push us to be better as a company of people but also as individuals?

​

EACH OF US MATTERS 

Conservatives believe in the right to 

• Bear arms and protect their individual self and family and property 
• Own and govern your own individual property 
• Teach and raise your own individual children as you think best 
• Allow individual Teachers’ voices to be respected and valued 
• Provide for the contribution of individual union workers 

Conservatism is more than just the individual (if we only focused on the individual, we would be an island and that is not fun; we need community).  Instead it is a collective gathering of individuals who all have rights and freedoms and worthand when working together build a successful effective redemptive community. 

As conservatives we thrive with community, teams, tribes and we yet at the root of it all we hold in high regard the value of the individual’s freedom. 

For too long “the experts” have said, “you need to be unified.” My argument is we are unified! We are unified in cherishing the individual beliefs and rights are something holy and worthy of preserving.

I suggest it is time we as passionate conservatives, be confident in who we are, stand strong on our own individual convictions, and soften our own hearts and ears to be ready to listen to varying vantage points. 

Conservatives, it’s okay to disagree with each other and still be on the same team. Seeing everything the same is what progressives do and that’s boring, it leads to groupthink, and ultimately results in a rudderless people. 

Embrace the value and sanctity of the individual with confidence and joy and an eagerness to grow the team. Ultimately this is what all America wants: to be cherished, respected, and to be allowed to be included with a seat at the table. Individualism is a beautiful thing.

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​Amy Hawkins (Jackson Michigan) has been professionally organizing and hosting events for 20 years. Her experience and expertise is in statewide politics, cause and movement building, and inspiring action for civic engagement.

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