While most people probably believe “conservatives” and “progressives” have little to nothing in common, as a conservative for nearly 50 years, I submit that true conservatives actually have more in common with progressives than today’s republicans. Perhaps you’re wondering how can that be? We need only look at the policies advocated and enacted by the leaders of these groups to find the answer.
First and foremost, conservatives and progressives believe in our founding proposition that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Clearly, we cannot honestly say we believe in this quintessentially American proposition without also supporting policies derivative of it.
To enable this proposition to come to fruition, conservatives and progressives alike ought to believe that all people are worthy of dignity, including the essential elements of at least a modest and secure life. That of course must include health insurance, lest people be left at risk of untreated illness and financial insecurity.
Conservatives who are ProLife ought to be able to come to this same conclusion. For ProLife beliefs to be fully honest, they must be about not only protecting life just in the womb but after a child is born and throughout life.
The ACA, enacted in 2010, took a major step in making healthcare affordable for all. While it was hoped that improvements and expansion of the program would come, President Trump and Republicans chose to try kill it. When they couldn’t kill it, they worked to destroy it by taking away subsidies. That started a system death spiral, where rates go up, healthy people leave, the average cost of care goes up, and rates go up further.
Not only has the ongoing response of Republicans to the ACA revealed their antipathy to the needs of “the people”, but it runs counter to the financial best interests of the nation. A recent study from Yale found that enacting universal healthcare would save $1.04 trillion per year and over 100,000 lives per year.
Conservatives and progressives alike also believe in the importance of providing children with a quality education. Providing children and teens with a quality education is one of the most effective ways to build dignity, build an informed citizenry capable of self-government, and provide all with an opportunity to build at least a modest and secure life. Tragically, every year President Trump has been in office, Republicans have chosen to cut spending on public education by billions. This defunding of resources our children need, devoid of policies that would genuinely help children, reflects a level of indifference far outside of any conservative or progressive mindset.
Conservatives and progressives alike also believe in protecting the environment. Tragically, current republican “leaders” have chosen to rescind environmental regulations on coal-fired power plants, and autos and trucks emissions, even while global warming and climate change are accelerating and devastating climate events roiling our country. They’ve even gone so far as spending billions to cancel renewable power projects.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly to many, social issues like LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, if thought of pragmatically, conservatives and progressives needn’t consider themselves far apart. While many are inclined to view these issues in black and white terms, I submit that compassionate conservativism would serve our nation and all well.
With respect to LGBTQ+ rights, while some conservatives, perhaps many, find gay lifestyles outside of God’s Biblical counsel, most believe and practice treating people of all sexual orientations respectfully. While some may harbor fears that LGBTQ+ lifestyles are being promoted in schools, and boys are allowed in girls’ bathrooms, these are nothing more than fears. Teachers and staff encourage tolerance and respect, but that’s a long way from encouraging a gay lifestyle.
It would also serve conservatives well to appreciate that homophobic fears are counterproductive both personally and politically. All would be wise to recall that fear mongering, like the “constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage” on the 2004 ballot, was solely a political ploy to win votes. We’d all be far better off if our political choices are guided far more by our founding belief that all are worthy of dignity, than giving in to loosely founded fears.
With respect to abortion rights, while Biblical and secular beliefs systems seem largely incompatible, I submit that conservatives and progressive have much in common and ought to be able to agree on at least three major things.
First, that strict abortion laws have not only failed to slow the number of abortions in the US, they often fail to provide the medical flexibility pregnant women need. We need to restore the long held right to an abortion in cases of rape, incest and the health of the mother. Failure to provide this basic right often results in terrible and unnecessary medical and psychological harm, which is nothing short of cruel.
Secondly, we need to provide more resources and care for women with unwanted pregnancies. Beyond compassionate care by other women and items a mother might need, a safe place to stay, if needed, and support throughout pregnancy and once their baby arrives, are essential. Thirdly, we need to redouble efforts to provide meaningful counsel to all teens about preventing unwanted pregnancies through public and private organizations.
Given that current Republican “leaders” have chosen to give trillions in tax cuts to the wealthy, while reducing funding for the very things we need most, like affordable healthcare and educating our children, I submit that conservatives would serve their families, friends and country well by abandoning republican wannabe “leaders”. Republican willingness to stoke homophobic fears and use women with unwanted pregnancies as pawns to win votes, are additional reasons for compassionate conservatives to walk away from today’s Republicans.
Like our Founding Fathers, who believed “all men are created equal….”, and Republican Presidents Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Eisenhower, who put into practice programs to build dignity and lend a helping hand up, perhaps we conservatives today have more in common with progressives than we ever imagined.