Rethinking Conservatism

Since Republicans tend to be slightly more inclined to conservatism than Democrats, I would like to offer them a suggestion. Republicans should be less inclined to pin their platform on issues than on process. This is not simply because the antithesis to "helping the poor" and "looking out for the elderly" is one unlikely to endear them to the public. The liberal argument that the federal government should do more to assist the struggling and the downtrodden should be met with the argument that by decentralizing government, people would gain more control over their own lives and communities, and less control over other peoples' lives and communities. They would have more liberty to address the concerns that they find most pressing in a manner that they see fit, rather than how Washington sees fit. Each community, or state would have the power set their own priorities and to determine which problems are the most pressing as well as how best to address those problems. A truly "empowering" platform would be to actually restore power (if only some. I am not delusional enough to think Washington would cede much of it's authority) to those who must live by the policies and laws passed in their name. It would seem difficult for liberals to criticize a platform that gave political power to the "people." No doubt, it would be opposed. But the opposition to decentralizing government would seem to imply distrust and condescension toward the electorate liberals claim to champion on the basis that people and communities would be unwilling or unable to address their needs and concerns in a fair or just manner. It difficult to see how this criticism and distrust of the public would would endear them to the electorate. Of course, it is quite likely that some communities would enact laws or pass ordinances that other communities would find unpleasant, even perhaps, offensive. But this too could be turned into a "teachable moment" on the virtues of toleration. Toleration is quite distinct from approval and/or acceptance. Indeed, toleration is worthless if one is not willing to tolerate what he disagrees with. An attempt to allow local and state governments greater sovereignty as to which issues to address and how best to address them would be an opportunity to test the toleration liberals claim so proudly to possess. Liberals may champion the little guy, but they don't trust him. As a conservative I say, Power to the People!