Patrick Henry in the House of Burgesses, National Archives, Engraving from painting by PH. Rothermel
Of note, it appears that a descendant of mine may have been in the House of Burgess, Francis Gabriel Holland
Assigning ourselves to a particular philosophy can be tricky. Are you a Democrat or a Republican? To answer that, we probably need to be more descriptive. Let us ask the question differently, are you conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between? Hopefully, this post will help define such terms so that you can more specifically define your beliefs or better stated, philosophy or ideology.
Liberalism, as defined by Oxford, is a "willingness to respect or accept behavior or opinions different from one's own; openness to new ideas." In addition, Oxford says, "the holding of political views that are socially progressive and promote social welfare." Ah, there's that word, progressive. I am under the opinion that classical (of yester year) liberalism fits the first definition listed. Neo (New) liberalism is the second definition. By the true sense of the word, classically, liberal foreign policy views were anti-war. Today, it appears that liberals haven't seen a war they didn't like. Over time, liberalism has become adamantly progressive, almost militant in nature - at least those of the far-left. Communism and Socialism are terms commonly used, accurately, with progressivism. If you do not spend your time watching ABC, NBC, MSNBC, or CNN then you know where I am coming from. Freedom to assemble does not mean freedom to be violent or destructive.
Conservatism, as defined by Oxford, is a "commitment to traditional values and ideas with opposition to change or innovation." In addition, Oxford says, "the holding of political views that favor free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas." With conservatism, as with liberalism, there is classical (think Edmund Burke) and neo (think Mitt Romney or John McCain). Classical conservatives held tight to tradition of all types, only changing when it is proved that society will truly benefit. Neo-conservatives seem to only hold to traditions that may only benefit them. Stop watching Fox News, by the way. There is the far-right, which, as a group, is not nearly as violent or destructive as the main stream make them out to be. Still, there is no right to be violent or destructive.
So, where does that leave Democrats and Republicans? This is an interesting question. I propose that most that consider themselves one or the other does not hold the hard left or right view point. The far-left and the far-right are really not representative of the mainline parties. The term "The squeaky wheel gets the grease!" comes to mind and I implore you and us all to remember that if mainline media is trying to convince us to hate or deplore another group of people, they have an agenda and in the real world, each of us are not as hardline as they would have us believe. Watching the newest Biden campaign commercial made my blood crawl and I am not a fan of Trump. I know many Trump supporters that are peaceful, hard working, committed, and are strong supporters of community and posterity. Guess what? I can say the same for Biden supporters. The vast majority of Trump supporters are not far-right. Those that hold their breath when they vote Biden are not far-left.
Let us throw another one in here: libertarianism. It is my view that most libertarians are a mixture of the classical liberal and conservative philosophy. I consider myself as a conservative libertarian. I don't believe we can completely remove regulation, but that regulation has basically become a prop for corporate success, politicians creating laws for their buddies and their pockets. It stifles growth and innovation. I don't think all street drugs should be legal. War? Only in what can clearly be defined as an immediate and imminent threat to American life and then use Augustine's Just War Theory with an official declaration of war from Congress.
I'll shift gears here for a moment, if you'll allow, and I haven't lost you yet. Do you believe that health care coverage (insurance) is a right? Neo-democratic view. Do you believe that the markets do not need as much regulation as they have? Neo-republican. Do you believe that health insurance is not a right and that we need far, far less regulation - if not the entire elimination of some, of the markets? Libertarian view. Women have the right to an abortion? Neo-democratic view. Strong military, policing the world? It appears that both Neo-democratic and republican views prevail here. Enough military to defend ourselves and holding to non-intervention ideas? Libertarian view.
What we see, from both sides of the aisle, is an increasing militant approach to force someone into agreeing with whatever view is held, by the majority. Majority rule can quickly turn to mob rule, please remember that. Of all the news I've watched, I've never heard someone define these political philosophies. We will discuss what best political philosophy we should have in a later post. :)
As Benjamin Franklin once said, and I paraphrase, "Democracy is four wolves looking at a lamb deciding what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
May God Bless You and Your Family.
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