Ever since the beginning of the Conservative movement, there has been one constant that seems to be its biggest hindrance; that those with Conservative beliefs feel a need to apologize for them. This was first stated by Senator Barry Goldwater is his manifesto “The Conscious of a Conservative.” Many people are intimated into this belief from a variety of factors, all of which are designed to silence debate and opposition to the left-wing agenda of the Socialists who have invaded our Political atmosphere.

But I say Conservatives should not feel apologetic for their views, and should fight for them with every fiber of their being because ultimately, modern American Conservatism stands for freedom, while modern American Liberalism will lead to serfdom and totalitarianism. No doubt there are immediate knee jerk reactions to this statement from people who claim to be liberal, but this piece is not meant to persuade anyone to join our movement, but to encourage Conservatives to stop apologizing and fight for our freedom and the basic founding principles of our nation. Sadly, there are many Conservatives unable to defend their views, or only know the cover explanations of them. The only reason they stay Conservative is because in their hearts they know they are right. You’re hearts are right, but a thorough understanding of Conservatism is needed to defend it.

It would be impossible to completely explain what Conservatism is in a short essay, and there are much better people than me who have written several books dating back to the 1940’s who have helped shape our Governing philosophy. Rather, I hope this encourages Conservatives that they should not be ashamed of what they know to be right.

Simply stated, the foundation of Conservatism has always been to undo the collectivist policies of The New Deal, to restore the Constitutional balance between the Federal Government and the State Governments, to preserve individual liberty, and preserve our free economy. When the first leader of the modern Conservative movement, Senator Robert Taft of Ohio, led the Republican Party to a platform seeking to undo the policies of FDR’s New Deal, he was met with the same attacks Conservatives hear today. His tax policies would only help the rich, they were racist, sexist, etc. etc. etc.

These attacks were ignorant, and made by a Democratic Party who had enjoyed a monopoly of power for almost two decades. The purpose of Taft’s policies were to release Americans from Government dependence, and return to a Laissez Fair economy where people would have complete economic freedom, and thus complete individual liberty. His beliefs coincided with the publication of a phenomenal book titled “The Road to Serfdom,” written by Austrian Economist F.A. Hayek, which explained how economic planning would lead to totalitarianism, and the preservation of a Laissez Fair economy was essential to individual liberty.

Conservatives should know and be able to defend Free-Market Capitalism against collectivism and economic planning based on two premises. First, Free-Market Capitalism has always been more successful in creating wealth, increasing employment, raising the standard of living, and preserving individual liberty than a planned economy. Second; collectivism and economic planning, the foundation of modern American Liberalism, have always eventually lead to poverty, the destruction of wealth, the crumbling of the standard of living, apathy, totalitarianism, and dictatorship. Whether it be a socialist government, a communist government, or a fascist government, totalitarianism and dictator’s have always emerged. Communism and Fascism are always portrayed today as extremes, while Socialism is usually portrayed as a nice middle ground between Capitalism and Communism. This is an error which is dangerous and ignorant. Fundamentally, there is no difference between Communism, Fascism, and Socialism as all involve planned economies, unlimited Government, and restricted individual liberty.

On the other hand, Free-Market Capitalism and limited Government, which occasionally lays its bad egg, ultimately preserves economic and individual liberty. When the Government is not directing your life, you have the power to direct your own life; this is freedom in its most basic definition.

Unfortunately, there have been many cultural and political attempts to silence Conservatives and intimidate us from entering the arena of public debate. At the front lines of this assault on liberty is our own main stream media which takes every opportunity it has to accuse Conservatives as being racist, sexist, homophobic, ignorant, mean spirited, defenders of the rich, and stupid. In the last twenty years, an alternative media has emerged through the internet and talk radio, but attempts to silence Conservative voices through Government regulation, public condemnation, and outright censorship have become present.

The leftist and Socialist in America use these methods because they cannot win in the arena of public debate. Freedom always appeals more to the human soul than serfdom. Even when the do-gooder socialist (which I will concede often have good intentions, but are still unwilling to debate), try to appeal to our sense of compassion in defense of their ideas, the true conservative can always point out the implications of economic planning, the unintended consequences which always occur, and the effect on freedom and individual liberty.

Public education is another method leftist use to silence Conservatism. Today, our public education focuses not on facts of history, but on indoctrination. Leftist professors and teachers (who again I concede have good intentions) mistakenly believe economic planning is the only way to save the poor and rid the world of economic injustice. Their aim is to condition our youth to focus on their feeling of empathy, rather than on their desire for self-determination and historical truths. And just like in the area of free-speech, whenever alternatives arise, they attempt to shut them down.

But at the end of the day, the Conservative movement cannot be made of a group of people looking for something to belong too, but rather a group of people united out of conviction and passion for what they know to be right and just. Parents must be able to explain to their children what true Conservatism means, co-workers must be able to defend their beliefs in Free-Market Capitalism, and elected leaders must be willing to be unapologetic and stubborn in their strive to restore our economic freedoms. But most important, the Conservative must be willing to educate themselves on what true Conservatism is. Read books, study economics, know our Constitution, and understand the underlying philosophy of Conservatism. For if we sit and wait for others to lead, then the Socialist, who are more than eager to re-make this country in their image, will continue their aggressive march to the left, taking all our freedom with them.