Fiscal conservatism is just an easy way to express something that is a bit more difficult which is that the size and scope of government and really the size and scope of politics in our lives has grown uncomfortable unwieldy intrusive and inefficient.
There is nothing wrong with describing Conservatism as protecting the Constitution protecting all things that limit government. Government is the enemy of liberty. Government should be very restrained.
Conservatism discards Prescription shrinks from Principle disavows Progress having rejected all respect for antiquity it offers no redress for the present and makes no preparation for the future.
Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear.
I met the president when he was president-elect at a meeting in Austin. He spoke of his faith. He spoke of his desire for a compassionate conservatism for a faith-based initiative that would do something for poor people.
The future of Conservatism lies in our beliefs and values not by throwing them away. We need to shed associations that bind us to past failures but hold faith with those things that make us Conservatives.
I think experience will teach you a combination of liberalism and conservatism. We have to be progressive and at the same time we have to retain values. We have to hold onto the past as we explore the future.
There is danger in reckless change but greater danger in blind conservatism.
Among the best traitors Ireland has ever had Mother Church ranks at the very top a massive obstacle in the path to equality and freedom. She has been a force for conservatism... to ward off threats to her own security and influence.
All conservatism is based upon the idea that if you leave things alone you leave them as they are. But you do not. If you leave a thing alone you leave it to a torrent of change.