I’m Conservative

Although I am no cruciverbalist (which really is a word), I put together the crossword puzzle above to illustrate my thoughts on conservatism. Instead of asking you to solve the puzzle, I will discuss why each word fits my theme for this blog.

Appropriately, 1 across is conserve. A true conservative believes in conserving resources, including both natural resources and capital. Presidents and congresses who authorize more in spending than in taxes are not conservative. Presidents and congresses who ignore stewardship of the environment are not conservative.

Preserve is 2 across. In my view of politics, the Constitution of the United States of America documents the foremost ideals to be preserved. Upholding our nation’s founding document – whether it helps or hurts an immediate policy desire – is true conservatism. I’m talking about all parts of the Constitution, not just the parts that fit a particular political agenda.

With 3 across, reserve, my thought is that conservatives are people who store assets for the future benefit of others, which assets they hold in trust. Strength, be it military strength or financial strength, should be built, enhanced, and kept in reserve until truly needed.

By subserve (4 across), I am describing the act of promoting the nation’s best interests ahead of one’s own. Subservience is not popular in these days of “looking out for number one,” but it should be part of being a conservative leader. That is because subjugating personal desires for the good of all is part of being a public servant.

When I think about 5 across, the underserved, I am thinking about the principle of protecting the vulnerable, particularly children, the elderly, and others who have immutable disadvantages. Conservatives are charitable where I come from. They look out for their neighbors, particularly those less fortunate than them. In serving the underserved, a conservative government steps in when truly needed and in a way that makes the most effective use of resources for those in need.

At 6 down you see the word observe. Norms, traditions, and institutions are observed and honored by conservatives, who believe that moral norms, unifying traditions, and healthy institutions are the foundations of a successful society. Thus, trying to destroy institutions that currently are dominated by political opponents is not conservative. A federal government asserting power against selected states and cities is not conservative, in that conservatives traditionally have believed in separation of powers and states’ rights. Any government ignoring norms by engaging in lawfare, threatening political foes with arrest, stifling free speech and the press, or denying due process is not being run by genuine conservatives. Government officials engaging in corruption are not being conservative. A government thwarting democracy or overriding checks and balances dishonors the Constitution and thus is not conservative.

Deserve (7 down) is shorthand here for conservatives believing in meritocracy, not government handouts. We believe in principles of personal freedom, limited government, and free enterprise.

Lastly, by including undeserved at 8 down, I am looking for humility on the part of conservatives. We do not deserve power, riches, influence, control, or the right to oppress others. Anything we have is an unearned, undeserved gift of grace from God.

Note: Softserve ice cream did not make the crossword puzzle because it is not inherently conservative, although it is a gift and I do like it.