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What is a Mainstream Conservative?

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I’m a mainstream conservative. At least that’s what I call myself. 

I’m not a far right conservative or a moderate. I’m probably more of a Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio or Chris Christie conservative. I’m not a Ted Cruz or Rand Paul conservative. (I have no idea what sort of conservative Donald Trump is. I doubt he has any guiding ideology.)

As a mainstream conservative, I agree with far right conservatives on many issues, including that we need limited government and low taxes. Most of our ultimate goals are similar. But we differ in tone and approach.

I don’t believe far right conservatives represent the majority of Republicans, and the far right presidential candidates have little chance of being elected. 

I believe mainstream conservatives have made western states like Idaho and Utah into what they are today. Mainstream conservative legislators, governors, and city and county leaders, plus active business and non-profit communities, have balanced budgets, kept government from growing too much, while also investing in infrastructure, public education, higher education, and a safety net for those who need it.

Mainstream conservatism is practical, problem-solving, get-it-done conservatism. It isn’t overly divisive, or aggressively ideological, and it doesn’t use litmus tests that alienate anyone not 100 percent “pure.”

Mainstream conservatism champions robust, but civil, debate and discourse. It recognizes that the other side sometimes has some good points, that finding common ground isn’t surrendering, and that getting 70 percent of what you want in politics is usually pretty darn good. It’s a brand of conservatism that works; that balances the need for low taxes and limited government with the legitimate tasks of government.

It’s the kind of practical conservatism championed by Ronald Reagan, where government works, and problems get solved. It’s the kind of conservatism that can win elections.

Here are principles I espouse as a mainstream conservative. If you agree with them, you’re probably one as well.

Mainstream Conservatism Statement of Principles

  1. We revere the U.S. Constitution and firmly believe that following its principles will ensure maximum individual freedom and help restrain government, while still enabling national, state and local governments to meet international, national, state and local needs and challenges.
  2. We believe in limited government and maximum individual freedom. The government has an important, but limited, role to play in society. Government’s central role should be to protect the rights of individuals and families, providing a framework of law and private property protection in which free enterprise can thrive, and individuals can succeed based on initiative and hard work.
  3. We support balanced budgets, low taxes, and limited regulation so individuals, families and businesses can thrive. Tax levels should, however, be sufficient to meet legitimate government responsibilities, including quality education and a safety net for the needy.
  4. We deplore the free-spending ways of the federal government over many years, which has resulted in colossal debt.  We believe that such spending is bringing the country to the brink of disaster and threatens our security and that of our children and grandchildren. We believe that both states and the federal government must make difficult decisions to rein in spending and gain control of entitlement programs.
  5. We recognize that it has taken many decades to construct the current welfare state, and it will take some years to dismantle it. Moving too fast will hurt citizens and result in electoral defeat.
  6. We believe that free enterprise and capitalism are engines of prosperity and economic growth.  Advanced technology gives us new choices, solutions and tools to solve America’s problems, including energy, health care, and education.
  7. We support balanced federalism as intended by the country’s Founders and in accordance with the 10th Amendment. We need a strong national government that is limited in scope and that focuses on true national priorities. One reason for federal failure is the national government is trying to do too much. Government closest to home is the best government.
  8. We believe that families are the fundamental and most important units of society. Government policies should be family-friendly, supporting strong families rather than harming families.
  9. While we are mainstream conservatives, we respect those who hold different political ideologies, and we believe political discourse should reflect a tone of temperance, respect, and restraint. We must be agreeable as we disagree. We must be courteous and civil.
  10. We believe that political leaders of different parties and ideologies must work together to solve the important problems of our day. Compromise is not capitulation and often leads to better solutions. Our political leaders must be problem-solvers, not ideologues. Litmus tests and demands for ideological purity are counterproductive.