Tag Archives: Equality

Russel Kirk's "Ten Conservative Principles"

 First, the conservative believes that there exists an enduring moral order. That order is made for man, and man is made for it: human nature is a constant, and moral truths are permanent.

check.  Call that order "God" and the moral truths the Decalogue.

Second, the conservative adheres to custom, convention, and continuity. It is old custom that enables people to live together peaceably; the destroyers of custom demolish more than they know or desire.

Check.

I feel the loss of "tradition" costs us dearly, in terms of connecting with those who have gone before.  In church, I miss the hymns, the transcendence.

In reading "The Righteous Mind," by Jonathan Haidt, we learn that conservatives and liberals all have five moral foundations, we just vary how much emphasis we put on different pillars.

this second point is right in line.

Third, conservatives believe in what may be called the principle of prescription. Conservatives sense that modern people are dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, able to see farther than their ancestors only because of the great stature of those who have preceded us in time.

Check (see above)

Fourth, conservatives are guided by their principle of prudence. Burke agrees with Plato that in the statesman, prudence is chief among virtues. Any public measure ought to be judged by its probable long-run consequences, not merely by temporary advantage or popularity.

Check.

Fifth, conservatives pay attention to the principle of variety. They feel affection for the proliferating intricacy of long-established social institutions and modes of life, as distinguished from the narrowing uniformity and deadening egalitarianism of radical systems. For the preservation of a healthy diversity in any civilization, there must survive orders and classes, differences in material condition, and many sorts of inequality.

Check.  BUT - I don't see these differences as a "caste system" where you cannot escape your order or class.  The possibility of success is a great motivator.  If there is no difference in anybody, why work to move up?

Sixth, conservatives are chastened by their principle of imperfectability.

This reminds me of "Matrix" - remember the first one that didn't go so well?  Perhaps more on this later.

Seventh, conservatives are persuaded that freedom and property are closely linked. Separate property from private possession, and Leviathan becomes master of all

Check

Eighth, conservatives uphold voluntary community, quite as they oppose involuntary collectivism. Although Americans have been attached strongly to privacy and private rights, they also have been a people conspicuous for a successful spirit of community. In a genuine community, the decisions most directly affecting the lives of citizens are made locally and voluntarily

Forced volunteerism isn't volunteerism at all - it's slavery.

Ninth, the conservative perceives the need for prudent restraints upon power and upon human passions. Politically speaking, power is the ability to do as one likes, regardless of the wills of one’s fellows. A state in which an individual or a small group are able to dominate the wills of their fellows without check is a despotism, whether it is called monarchical or aristocratic or democratic.

This totally puts the lie to the leftist accusation of conservatives wanting to roll back ALL regulations on companies.

Tenth, the thinking conservative understands that permanence and change must be recognized and reconciled in a vigorous society.

The challenge that presents itself lies in how to reconcile.

 

But, he said, because of Clinton's campaign, "My daughters and all your daughters will know there's no barrier to who they are. ... They will take for granted women can do anything that the boys can do, and do it better, and do it in heels. I still don't know how she does it in heels." SacBee.com

Did you catch that?

Girls will take it for granted that they can do anything that the boys can do, and do it better.  Hardly the words of "equality".

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