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I was thinking about this today in connection with Erika Harold, ex-Miss America who is running for the US House in the IL 13th district (central Illinois). She is a Christian conservative, but much of what she says strikes a pleasant chord to my libertarian-oriented ears. She talks a lot about her focus on limited government. She strongly supports gun-rights and the 2nd Amendment.
I used to be a lot more involved in GOP politics than I am now, and I always noticed that it was the Christian conservatives who had the most energy and drive. When it came time to select delegates there would be some grey-haired Christian ladies running around w/ pads of paper asking all would-be delegates on their position on abortion. By contrast there would never be any libertarian types like me asking about their position on, say, the war on drugs.
Over the years I became disillusioned and complacent. It's been 15 years since I attended a caucus or convention. I find this to be quite typical of libertarian types. I know more than one Libertarian who has given up on the US and bought a place in Latin America to retire to.
The Christian conservatives don't roll that way. When you believe that your God is watching your every move and holding you accountable, you face a different incentive structure. If limited government is ever to return to these shores, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross. And that is why I, an atheist, am thankful for Christian Conservatives.
Interesting post, wutitiz, although I neither view myself as a conservative and I'm not really a libertarian. I suppose my views are more... let's say... eclectic.
I have some libertarian sympathies. I think prostitution and drug possession/use ought to be decriminalized. I can see outlawing solicitation of prostitution down public streets and so forth. I can see outlawing your typical citizen from having in their possession a kilo of cocaine without the proper licenses for distribution and so forth.
But I believe in having some level of a welfare state, or some level of welfare benefits that is to say. Most Americans living in urban areas today and this is not an agrarian cultural of the middle 1800s where the poor can shoot squirrels off their back porch.
The favelas of Rio de Janiero are examples of what happens in modern urban areas when governments are "failed states" in sectors or urban built-up areas where public services and public assistance have been absent (though Brazil has been changing that with the favelados).
There are even less Americans than there were in 1964 who truly believe in limited government. Us that do must find others to join with in order to win elections. With the Christian conservatives you have to take the bad with the good.
There are even less Americans than there were in 1964 who truly believe in limited government. Us that do must find others to join with in order to win elections. With the Christian conservatives you have to take the bad with the good.
Wrong, people want a smaller government unless of course you want the handout, then of course you want bigger government. You're not paying the bill.
Except Christian Conservatives regard you as an evil that must be purged. Given enough power, there would be no place in America for anyone who doesn't pray, look, or talk like them. Do not think for a second that they would tolerate your existence in their "Paradise on Earth". Most Christian Conservatives hold a special contempt against atheists otherwise reserved for child molesters and serial killers.
Actually I'm conservative and Christian and when I read OP's post I thought it was fine. My position is I don't understand his choice to be atheist but he can not be forced to believe something especially if he can't see it. After soul searching myself I made my choices too. As long as no one forces anyone on the other and takes care of their own what's your problem?
So what you are saying Smoke_Jaguar is nothing but trumped up false allegations and talking points put out by the left wing media. As usual the left promotes hatred of fellow Americans. Keep hating for that chip on your shoulder will get very heavy and the only one truly effected and made miserable will be you. Keep being a follower and that heavy chip will keep you down.
I was thinking about this today in connection with Erika Harold, ex-Miss America who is running for the US House in the IL 13th district (central Illinois). She is a Christian conservative, but much of what she says strikes a pleasant chord to my libertarian-oriented ears. She talks a lot about her focus on limited government. She strongly supports gun-rights and the 2nd Amendment.
I used to be a lot more involved in GOP politics than I am now, and I always noticed that it was the Christian conservatives who had the most energy and drive. When it came time to select delegates there would be some grey-haired Christian ladies running around w/ pads of paper asking all would-be delegates on their position on abortion. By contrast there would never be any libertarian types like me asking about their position on, say, the war on drugs.
Over the years I became disillusioned and complacent. It's been 15 years since I attended a caucus or convention. I find this to be quite typical of libertarian types. I know more than one Libertarian who has given up on the US and bought a place in Latin America to retire to.
The Christian conservatives don't roll that way. When you believe that your God is watching your every move and holding you accountable, you face a different incentive structure. If limited government is ever to return to these shores, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross. And that is why I, an atheist, am thankful for Christian Conservatives.
Great post. I agree for the most part. I just think it's too late to do much about it now. When those who are drunk on having power over your every action in life get enough "booze" in them, the will never sober up willingly.
I like Erika, and have for awhile now, but I wish she was running for any other position then US Congress in our district. She knows that unless some how she wins the primary, which is very doubtful, I will not be putting my support behind her. If she would of thrown her hat in any other race, I would be in full support. I have a lot of respect for Erika
Christ was a libertarian. The "atheist" who originated this thread sounds like they need to get back in the game. A lot of people who have studied the core of original Christianity - use the concepts without embracing religion or God for that matter. Just do what is right and what we know to be good....I know of secular organizations that are very successful who unknown to themselves use old Christian concepts but NEVER utter the words Jesus- or God... What turns people of is this stupid relentless recruiting by Christian extremists who are not that smart...Those who think it is their job to convert the world - it is not. One person doing one good thing is enough to save the world...Christians should stop being arrogant propagandists and simply shut up and get to work.
Neither the cross-carriers nor the flag-wavers want limited government in any coherent sense of the word. They are phonies who use that phrase disingenuously, like most interest groups.
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