What to Expect


This page was last updated on April 20, 2004.


 

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.”

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Except when the mother’s life is threatened or when the pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, abortion is wrong.

  • Marriage is only between a man and a woman.

  • 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.

  • I believe in a strong national defense.  This is one of the few federal responsibilities explicitly listed in the U.S. Constitution.

  • I believe in the sovereignty of the United States.  Decisions concerning our national security should never depend on “permission slips” from the United Nations.

  • 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.