The whole idea of "social conservatism" seems to be that the state ought to actively promote - and in some cases impose - a particular concept of morality and a particular code of conduct. I can think of few more interventionist ideas. The war on drugs stands out as a classic interventionist program favored by conservatives.
Note that this is not an attack on conservatives per se, merely a comment that the two sides are not so far apart as they would like to believe when it comes to basic perspectives. Liberals go all mushy whenever social spending is involved, conservatives often toss the idea of fiscal responsibility out the window when military spending comes up. Neither has any real objection to excessive Government spending, they just want the money to be spent in different places.
It is sometimes amusing to see how some of the conservatives that run up the flag and salute when a police officer is killed in the line of duty react when someone suggests that local police ought perhaps to have some input into who is allowed to own deadly weapons. All of a sudden the same cops that are heroes in another context become agents of the great Government disarmament conspiracy.
There are, of course, as many contradictions, or more, on the liberal side. Ideology of any sort is incompatible with thought.
I'm deep in the preparations for my son's birthday party, which will be held this afternoon - prematurely, but it's the start of spring break and some kids are leaving. Beach barbecue with small boats, at last count 7 kayaks and 2 sailboats. Fun, but exhausting. We will take off for a few days after, it being a holiday, so the thread will have to get on without me. Somehow I suspect that you'll manage.... |
