Russell Kirk and other great conservatives have believed in “flattening the power”—or limiting—government.  Real conservatives know the danger of power being vested in just a few, even it is called benevolent. Constitutional restrictions are necessary, political checks and balance a must, and enforcement of the law a must—all the while balancing the claims of authority with the claims of liberty.   Under George W. Bush, the size and influence of government grew, a no-no for a true conservative.  Under Pres. Obama’s first 100 days, it seems as though growth hormones have been added, and government is being super-sized beyond anything we have seen before.

When Russell Kirk revised his list of ten conservative principles in 1993, not long before his death, he noted that the word “conservative” was being abused.  If alive today, he probably wouldn’t be surprised that the distortion has continued.  The bottom line is that being “conservative” should describe how one feels about “truth.”  Being “conservative” is about seeing great value in permanent things.  Being “conservative” is about creating opportunity and empowering people, not government.  It sounds old-fashioned, and in a way it literally is.  I hope the GOP can convince their rank and file, old and young, that being conservative is cool—and that it is a worldview that can win elections.