It is now time for some political education. Is there a difference between, say, a Conservative and a Republican? What are the differences between Right-Wing, Moderate, Far-Right, Religious Right, and Belt-Way Conservatives? What is a RINO? Or are there differences? Going further in this conservative blog is a comparison of the terminology to identify a Conservative?
The Republican Party is said to have a big tent. Included in the Republican Party are those who believe in most of the Republican issues. However, not all Republicans believe in Conservatism. Thus, if you are a Conservative, you also are most likely a Republican, but a Republican might not be a Conservative. In addition, some Conservatives in this modern world have become Independents, voting either Republican or Democrat depending on the person running and his/her views.
Starting at the far-right are the extreme ULCONs, (Ultra-Conservatives, like the Religious Right who tend to be Born-Again Christians) ranging to the other extreme, the RINOs (Republicans-in-name-only). Most Republicans fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, but in elections, they almost always vote Republican. However, there are a few who cross over and vote Democrat. For example, Colin Powell, a Republican, made it known he voted for Obama.
To try and make sense of this, I would like to give some history: “Right-Wing” refers to the seating arrangements of the Legislature going back to France of 1791. The Royalists sat on the right and wanted to keep the Old Order, and supported the king. They were conservative. The “Left-Wing” was more radical and sat on the left, supporting socialism and liberalism. At this time the Left-Wing was also known for mob-violence. The Right-Wing refers to those who sit on the right side of the aisle and to this day, most want to keep the old traditions, morals, and values of our fore-fathers, while the Left wing wants change; they want to leave the old order behind as antiquated and not applicable in the modern world.
This background is important because our Conservative, Right-Wing traditions go back to 1791, although muted by the years. Right-Wingers today are still traditionalists, wanting to keep the basic government as it was set by the Constitution. Liberals, or Left-Wingers see the Constitution as a changing document that molds itself to the modern day. Moderate Conservatives are willing to seek some new directions, while still keeping most of the Conservative Tenants from the past. Today, Republicans tend to be religiously-oriented wanting to keep prayer in public life, being Pro-Life, and seeing the Constitution as an unchanging document, while Democrats tend more to secularist ideas, wanting religion out of public life, approving of abortion, and wanting to change the constitution to fit the modern era.
Beltway Republicans are those who live around Washington D.C. and are in a political class of their own. They are often more caught up with politics than most and tend to be very much involved in the political issues of the day — the cultural view, economic factors, political economy, and even political globalization. They are experts in their fields and can be either Conservative or Moderate. Whichever side they are on, they tend to be able to expound at great lengths on their views, getting in a great deal of either moderate or conservative spin. If you listen to them, you will know within a few words where they stand on political politics, cultural issues, and economic problems. They give valuable advice and it is worth your time to listen to their views.
Keep in mind, there is a great deal of blurring of edges between types of Republicans, Conservatives, and Moderates. Politics, like religion, is a personal thing. Thank goodness, we can all choose how to believe. This is part of the greatness of America, the right to choose how we feel and the freedom of speech to express these views.
Information from: Left-Right Politics, Wikipedia
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Excellent article! Aptly describes the fundamental differences between Republicans like Arlen Specter; Olympia Snowe; Colin Powell and Michael Steele from Conservatives like myself, Gov. Palin; Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. We understand that the more freedom and liberty the individual has, the stronger the economy is.
Dear Cecil;
So true about economy and freedom. I am worried sick, that the more Obama can gain control of our economy, the more freedoms we Americans will lose. I feel the answer for Republicans right now is to return to our conservative base and take a strong, vocal stand against the far left agenda being forced on us by the Obama Whitehouse. I’d love to read more on your ideas and input. Sincerely, Carol Fosdick