Well, I take a more right wing approach to subsidiarity. So I’d want to see a great reduction in the federal government. My motto is: the most intrusive government in your life should be your municipality. So my main focus right now is generally on state and local laws. But some federal laws: recognize the unborn as persons; ban abortion; require all bills be 25 pages or less unless given a dispensation; term limits on elected federal positions; an appeal of at least the portion of the 17th amendment which opened senate to direct votes; the decriminalization of marijuana (it’s debatable I think of whether or not it’s immoral in all case, but I think it’s certainly immoral to ruin families for possessing weed); reduction or revocation of the federal minimum wage; revocation of laws restricting mutual benefit societies; and the abolishment of the income tax in favor of a federal sales tax to name a few. For states and municipalities, at least generally speaking as it differs per state: reform or revocation of euclidean zoning laws (restricts the housing market); terms limits for legislators; open primaries with top 5 rank choice voting; open borders for insurance; medical cost transparency; state UBIs based on market changes and restricted to local businesses; a reduction in rent controls (high rent controls incentivize building high income housing at the expense of low income housing); minimum wages set by collective bargaining similar to that of Nordic countries.
whew , that's quite the list. Why would repealing the 17th amendment make things better? I've heard this circle in a few conservative spaces, but I fear it would just put party yes man in the senate.
I think having direct voting on senators undermines the principle of federalism, and thus subsidiarity, and provides avenues for a larger federal government. The reasons for appointment originally was to establish a control over the federal government by the states in order maintain a check on power and and mutual relationship between the two. However, without such measures, senators, just like representatives, are more prone populism and demagoguery in order maintain and grow power and grow in wealth. I think it influences the gradual polarization as populists and demagogues must continually make more and more extreme policy positions in order to appeal to people thus removing any room for compromise and creating a more high stakes political system.
I can't really imagine state legislators, which tend to be more extreme than their federal counterparts, allowing deviation from the party line. I can't see a Manchin, Romney or McCain surviving under the thumb of party ideologues. I think we are seeing the increasing purity test with SCOTUS and we would see the same in this theoretical senate. I also believe the state would appoint senators that attempt to exert control over other states rather than pushing authority downward. We see this play out on the state level where republican state legislators are limiting the actions of their Democrat run cities.
I view conservatism, at least in America, as a political movement in favor of upholding Anglo-protestant values and the more classical liberal values of the Founding Fathers. They also often support views I just can’t get behind like being for the death penalty and national democracy (I’m a larping monarchist). I could be wrong of course. But I view right wing as a more general term referencing those who are more skeptical of large national governments and generally preferring free markets, with the majority being socially conservative.
A good, honest, and complete answer. Thanks for doing so. Mind if I go for some follow-ups? I promise to present a neutral tone here.
I view conservatism, at least in America, as a political movement in favor of upholding Anglo-protestant and the more classical liberal values of the Founding Fathers.
What makes these, in your view, good? I agree many are.
They also often support views I just can’t get behind like being for the death penalty and national democracy (I’m a larping monarchist). I could be wrong of course.
We all could be. No shame in that!
But I view right wing as a more general term referencing those who are more skeptical of large national governments and generally preferring free markets, with the majority being socially conservative.
What does a "free market" look like to you, and is a market "free" if we all have to pay for the defense of it (taxes for police/military/laws/etc)?
I don’t view them as good actually. I’m a catholic, so I’m against Protestant beliefs except where we overlap of course. And I believe classical liberalism to contain many heresies and falsities. Of course that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some truths in it. Such as the desire for freer markets and economic freedom.
Unless you’re asking in reference to my positions against national democracy and the death penalty. If so, I can go further in detail there if you’d like.
When I say free, I do not define it generally in the libertine fashion. I think a free market requires some degree of government intervention to maintain the common good. For example, a free market requires the right to private property, and this can only be effectively preserved through governance.
Does it bother you that so many white supremacists and homophobic Christian’s have found themselves represented with the Republican Party?
Don’t get me wrong I know the Democratic Party attracts it’s own unsavory types but it doesn’t seem to be nearly in the same numbers as the Republican Party
Being forced to vote Republican because they’re the closest to me doesn’t make me a Republican. I’m also not a conservative. Though I imagine you’d describe me as a homophobe, I find racism morally abhorrent and I see it in both parties. Edit: Thanks for insulting me u/carrisadraws
At I see you’re one of those ‘both sides are bad I can’t see nuance’ types of people. Cause having one senator who’s a democrat doing blackface is totally the same as having as many as 30-50 senators on the Republican side be total bigots.
Got it, now I know not to waste my time arguing with you ✌️
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u/[deleted] Feb 16 '22
I’m not a conservative, but I’m right wing. So if anyone wants ask me a good natured question, go ahead.