Right-of-center politicians, activists, and intellectuals are currently engaged in a vigorous debate about their movement’s present condition and future prospects.
All tagged conservatives
Conservatives see freedom as progress
Although the definition and priorities of American conservatism have been the subject of much debate among the chattering classes in recent years, most actual American conservatives will readily tell you what unifies their sometimes-raucous ranks: freedom.
Conservatives rally around Mark Robinson after abortion revelations
Despite not appearing on the ballot in 2022, North Carolina’s first black lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson, has been the focus of a week’s worth of negative stories from the mainstream press.
OPINION: The tragedy of ignorance
A few weeks back, I scribbled a fillip on the far-left wanderings of librarianship in general and the American Library Association in specific. For those who have always positioned libraries among mom, apple pie, and country, this may have raised an eyebrow, if not a hackle. The exordium was not meant to anger but to exhort regarding books like “Gender Queer: A Memoir.”
To do good or do better
There are at least as many different ways to explain the origins of political disagreement as there are political commentators. I, for one, think such factors as cultural traditions, religious views, family background, educational experiences, and interpersonal relationships all help to shape how we choose our preferred political candidates or “sides” – and how we choose to act on those preferences.
Effect of state policy isn’t huge
For years, North Carolina conservatives and progressives argued incessantly about the effects of the state’s rightward turn. Conservatives said lower taxes and less regulation tend to boost entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth. Rejecting that position, progressives argued that spending more money on education and other public programs and making greater use of health, safety, and labor regulations would have net-positive results for the economy.
Right and Left differ on personal agency
Because political behavior is a rich and fascinating field of study, you can find many valid and useful theories to explain why conservatives and progressives disagree about the proper role of government. Here’s one with salience right now: the Right and Left disagree about personal agency.
Carolinians remain fiscal conservatives
North Carolinians are closely divided when it comes to party preference. Our state has long been one of America’s key political battlegrounds. But when it comes to managing the state’s finances, the conservatives in charge of the state legislature are in tune with prevailing public sentiment.
Fred Barnes taught me a lesson
I’ve written a regular column for nearly 35 years. It debuted in the Spring Hope Enterprise, a Nash County weekly, in the summer of 1986 and then quickly expanded to dozens of other daily and community papers.
Groups see opportunity to persuade conservatives to back carbon tax
A former South Carolina congressman says it’s possible to get N.C. conservatives to back a carbon tax and other progressive climate change policies if the left uses an economic argument to do so.