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Here’s what to expect and not expect on this web site.
I am an unabashed conservative; I am not a
centrist,
compassionate
conservative, or Rockefeller Republican.
Most of the initial content will focus on foundation positions.
Descriptions of conservatism and liberalism are examples. Over time I’ll add
positions on specific issues like public education, taxes, et cetera after
laying the foundation.
I won’t knowingly mislead you. If I present incorrect information, it
will be the result of an honest mistake, not a lie. The truth is my biggest
ally.
I don’t do insults or personal attacks. I’ll leave that to professional
entertainers, politicians, pundits, and those persons who can’t support
their positions otherwise. I believe I can be on offense without being
offensive.
Expect both opinion and fact on this site. In general I present
supporting data when I make a case. When I present data, I tend to cite the
source and provide links when available.
Don’t expect me to present both sides of a position. There are plenty of
sources of liberal propaganda. The objective of this site is to present a
conservative viewpoint. Occasionally I’ll present both sides because that
will be the most effective way to make my point.
Don’t expect hyperbole. Many pundits and politicians speak as though
every decision, program, et cetera is either the worst of all time or the
best. It’s contagious. How many times during a football season have you
heard the announcer say, “that’s the best catch I ever saw?”
Don’t expect entertainment à la Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, et cetera.
These guys must also entertain to acquire and maintain their audiences and
readership. As a result, I believe over-the-top remarks and demeanor
sometimes overwhelm their conservative message and turn off the very
listeners who need to hear the message the most. Sadly, in my opinion a
local conservative talk radio host is so vulgar on occasion he presents a
poor image of conservatives and sets a poor example for youth. Maybe I’m
old-fashioned, but I don’t believe you should have to ban adolescents from
listening to a radio show discussing economic, political, and social issues.
It’s tough to do, but we shouldn’t turn a deaf ear to a message because we
don’t like the messenger.
Many of my items are lengthy. The reason is I want to present real data
and thought. It takes only two words to say, “You suck.” It takes a lot more
to explain your position with supporting data and logic. That said, I’ll
work to hone my skills so I can present my positions more concisely.
Liberals will label my positions as those of a right-wing extremist. Below is a list of some of my economic, political, and social beliefs. You
can decide for yourself if these are extreme positions.
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I believe in limited government, not no government. Government should
provide a civil and criminal legal framework, law enforcement, national
security, some elements of infrastructure like roads, et cetera. Government
has no business confiscating the fruits of one person’s labor and giving
them to another. Programs like Medicare, Socialist Security, farm welfare,
et cetera, fall into this latter category.
Limited government also means government functions carried out at the
appropriate government level. For example, national defense is a federal
responsibility but local law enforcement is a local responsibility.
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Rule of law. Laws must be fair without being oppressive. I believe you
should pay the appropriate price for breaking a law, whether civil or
criminal, whether violent or “white collar.”
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Free markets. Other than providing a responsible legal framework,
including enforcement, nothing good comes from government involvement in the
marketplace. Among the offenders are protectionist import tariffs, labor
laws that protect union management at the expense of workers, farm welfare
(subsidies), minimum farm product prices, Medicare, Medicaid, PACE,
distorted tax treatment of “employer-paid” healthcare insurance, “competing”
with the private sector (Pittsburgh’s Parking Authority parking lots are an
example), “targeted” tax treatment for “desirable” businesses, et cetera.
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Self-reliance. In the United States Constitution and the Bill of
Rights, there are no entitlements beyond freedom and liberty. No one is
entitled to the fruits of another’s labor.
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We are responsible for our actions. When I spill hot coffee on myself
and get burned, it’s my fault, not that of the coffee vendor. When I make
poor life choices, that’s my fault and not something my neighbor should be
forced to pay for.
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Related to the previous two points, during the “working” portion of our
lives, we should prepare to be self-sufficient in retirement. It’s
unconscionable for seniors to expect handouts and special tax treatment
after they had 40+ years to prepare for retirement.
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I believe in self-reliance with respect to government. For example, a
township has no business asking commonwealth or federal taxpayers to pay for
its fire or police protection or for roads that never leave the township.
Dumping responsibilities on higher government levels encourages wasteful
spending. It also results in lost local control.
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Except when the mother’s life is threatened or when the pregnancy is
the result of incest or rape, abortion is wrong.
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Marriage is only between a man and a woman.
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Regressive, graduated tax rates are wrong because they punish hard work
and success. Proportional tax rates already result in greater tax revenue
from greater income, property value, et cetera. Raising the tax percentage
with value is regressive and unfair.
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I believe in a strong national defense. This is one of the few federal
responsibilities explicitly listed in the U.S. Constitution.
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I believe in the sovereignty of the United States. Decisions concerning
our national security should never depend on “permission slips” from the
United Nations.
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Discrimination based on religion, skin color, et cetera is stupid. It
works against the best interests of both the person discriminating and the
person who is the target.
©
2004 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.
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