I am a conservative. I desire to restore a republic rooted in faith, family, and local community. I respect the dignity of the human person and oppose political ideologies that promote an abstract liberty. I do not believe our primary enemy is government. Man’s primary enemy is found in original sin and its effects. Contrary to the argument that government is evil, I recognize that government is a tool. It is the persons wielding the tool who may do evil.
In my view the vote for president on November 6th is a choice between the two major party candidates. Sadly, neither of them represents my conservative principles. I will choose the candidate I believe will do the least damage to the Republic and (miracles do happen) will work to reduce the size and scope of the federal leviathan. The voting booth is where we make practical choices. To think it is the place to declare our principles is folly.
We don’t have to like either candidate. We aren’t picking a roommate. As in much of life we are not presented with an ideal choice but choose we must or others will do it for us.
The sad truth is that many Americans believe that we should have a nanny state that will take care of us. Is this the fault of the politicians? No, it is the failure of the citizens of the Republic. The fault is not in our stars but in ourselves.
I will vote for Governor Romney. I disagree with him on many issues and I am particularly concerned that he will be prone to involve us in new nation-building follies. Still, I think he will be significantly better than President Obama. And yet, not as good as Senator Rand Paul or Ted Cruz (the next senator from Texas) would be. But they are not on the presidential ballot. It is Romney vs. Obama. The lesser of two evils still involves some evil. Welcome to the human dilemma.
This was originally published in The American Conservative’s Conservative Vote symposium. The Imaginative Conservative does not endorse candidates. This is a personal statement only.
I respect the presentation of the basis and root of your conservatism. I respect the dilemma we face in two candidates that have serious flaws (take that any way you want.) I love your comment that we're not picking a roommate! Many do say things like, "I don't like her voice," or some such regarding a candidate.
I do have a bone to pick with you in stating that "many" Americans want a "nanny state." It is true, it is we Americans who are at fault. Even the most conservative politically I see accepting State "welfare" while at the same time denouncing government as evil. My bone is whether "many" is an accurate assessment of people actually wanting a "nanny state."
As a conservative leaning Dem., I certainly see the imperfection of the government, and yet much of the effort for the poor etc. are efforts to get them out of the situation. Misdirected sometimes? Yes. Inefficient sometimes? Yes.
I voted for Obama, somewhat reluctantly. What I voted against was the (often Christian) lack of sympathy and grace given to the poor, etc. It is the spewing of "those that don't work don't eat," with great condescension, while forgetting the dozens and dozens of verses about loving your neighbor, caring for the poor, being hospitable.