2013-10-22 – For several decades now I’ve been listening to people claim to be conservatives who don’t even remotely fit the definition. Conservative are supposed to want to preserve assets, institutions, and values that have stood the test of time. Does anyone see that kind of conservatism in today’s Republicans? Heck, I’m more conservative than any tea partier. By a long shot (fired by a gun that is protected by the Second Amendment, of course).

Take the idea that laws be made by a vote of a majority in Congress. This is a principle that has been hallowed since the foundation of our nation. Okay, it is true that the Constitution does not explicitly say this. It does, however, specify exceptions to majority rule. It takes two thirds to approve treaties, two thirds to send constitutional amendments to the states, two thirds to remove a President from office, two thirds to expel a member from Congress, and two thirds to override a presidential veto. These are extraordinary action with supermajorities required. It is reasonable to assume that all other actions are meant to be passed with a simple majority.

Yet Republican insist on requiring 60 percent to pass bills in the Senate, and by their recent actions, the House requires approval of the Majority Leader to get a bill passed. I thought only the President had veto power.

My ideas on this point more align with the constitutional requirement. Conservatism score: Steve 1, Republicans 0.

Or take the idea of the separation of church and state. The First Amendment tells the government to state out of it, neither promoting it nor hindering it. Republicans spend a great deal of time trying to get prayers established for public events or promoting religious symbols. They cry that liberals want to hinder religion by prohibiting these things. But prohibiting a cross on public grounds is not the same as prohibiting the display on the property across the street! That’s not good enough for these folks. It’s not the religious expression they are after, it’s the stamp of the government promoting the religion. It’s forbidden by the Constitution but these folks want it.

My ideas on this point more align with the Constitution. Conservatism score: Steve 2, Republicans 0.

So while we’re on the topic of religion, let’s talk about some values set forth in the Bible.

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather everygrape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger. (Lev. 19:10)

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. (Lev. 19:11)

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (Lev. 19:13)

Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind. (Lev. 19:14)

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Lev. 19:18, repeated in Mark 12:31)

Smacks of excessive governmental regulation, don’t you think? I’m pretty much on the side of the Bible with these points. Conservatism score: Steve 7, Republicans 0.

And there’s this one:

Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deut. 10:19)

Kinda puts you in the mood to vote for immigration reform, doesn’t it. Not something the Republicans would put up with. I’m on the side of the Bible again. Conservatism score: Steve 8, Republicans 0.

And back with the Constitution, there’s equal rights in the Fourteenth Amendment, and voting rights in the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty Fourth Amendment. That’s two more for me. Conservatism score: Steve 10, Republicans 0.

And there’s conservation of our natural resources, and . . .

I can’t continue keeping score, I think I skunked ‘em.

What again is it that makes these folks conservative?