They say that there are about a half a dozen fractions in the Conservative party.

I think it is extremely important to examine the beliefs of these groups for make no mistake, their sanctimonious impatience has caused more harm than nutty Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore. We expect bashing of our wartime president from the opposing side, but loyalty and support is supposed to mean something to “conservatives”.

And I agree with Michael Medved that whichever side wins in 2008 will be the side that controls their extremes.

First, let me give you my definition of “Conservative”.

CONSERVATIVE

Conservatives are traditionalist. They value the lessons of their fathers but are not afraid of the wisdom yet to be learned. They can dream big but are aware that dreams take time and lots of hard work. Many are religious but open to science; understanding that science is frequently God’s method of revealing His secrets.

Conservatives find strength in family, friends, and community; yet they strive to be independent and self-reliant.

Most of all, Conservatives tend to be extremely busy. Conservatives have little time or inclination to complain about the “splinter” in his neighbor’s eye or the riches on his co-worker’s table.

CONSTITUTIONIST

Constitutionist claim to be followers of the Founding Fathers and the “Constitution”.

Only at the time the Constitution was written, slavery, female apartheid, child labor, and a whole host of “unconstitutional” practices were acceptable.

Is the Constitution a cage to keep this nation forever bound to the wisdom of men long dead or is it a document that encourages America to be better, to strive for something the FF could only dream of?

LIBERTARIANS

They won’t call themselves Libertarians, but you can recognize their “government needs to get out of our lives” speech. Except…they don’t mean this when it comes to throwing 10% of America’s labor force out and closing the border to America’s number 2 trading partner. On THAT they want government action. And they passionately believe that “we need to stop spending like a drunken sailor” …except of course when it comes to building a wall on the South, not the more liberal and easier to cross Northern border—then they don’t care about the cost nor how big a department it will create.

REAGANITES

Reaganites worship a politician that never existed. Reagan NEVER solved the illegal immigration issue. He did NOT stop pork spending or cut government programs. He went after one small union that no one heard of but failed to take down any of the bigger unions. He took on the Soviets and then tried to hook up with them to fight Space Invaders. He cut and ran out of Lebanon when the media heat got too hot.

When the Reaganites say they want another Reagan, do they REALLY want a president that will give illegals real amnesty, cut and run out of Iraq, go to town on military spending and try to have mutual nuclear disarmament with past enemies?

I personally liked the man; after Carter’s hate America policy, Reagan’s inspirational love of our nation and our military was wonderful. But I value the real contributions of the man not the ones he could have-would have-should have accomplished if only…

GINGRICHS

The Gingrichs credit Clinton’s balance budget and smaller government on Gingrich’s leadership of the House. What they fail to mention is that Clinton out foxed the guy and called his bluff when Gingrich closed down the government. Gingrich is another “if only” fable; just as alluring as the one written for Reagan.

His main attraction for his followers is his “tough” lack of compassion for the poor. A revamped take on Buchanan’s belief that the average person can do everything without any government aid (interference) and those who fail just aren’t trying hard enough.

Gingrichs do not see the humanity involved or the fact that for most Americans, government help happens if not to them, then to their family and friends, freeing everyone involved from having to personally help.

Today, it may sound tough and right to say no to emergency care for illegals but almost every American would recoil at a child being turned away and dying because her parents came here to work illegally.

Gingrichs live in a world of absolutes; only most of America doesn’t reside there.

ABSOLUTISTS

Absolutists believe that the single most important issue is Mexican illegal immigration. This issue supercedes the war, the courts, the economy. They site all kinds of reasons for throwing out 10% of the labor force. The most compelling is that these workers are taking jobs from Americans—this from Conservatives who are supposed to be against job protection.

They are recycling old welfare tales about illegals who don’t put in a dime into the social security system but Congress will be voting to give them access to this fund. ~until they are reminded that illegals use fake social security cards to have MANDATORY SS tax taken OUT of their payroll checks and while the government don’t mind you putting in money; they will put you threw h*ll before giving you back any.

And of course, Mexicans are “unclean”, “criminals”, “uneducated.” They are “invading” this nation and will soon take over our culture. ~only they are “preaching” to a nation of immigrants whose grandparents came over uneducated, some were no doubt criminals, and many unclean and unshaven and a whole bunch of “undesirable” traits.

WHY THEY AREN’T CONSERVATIVES

Constitutionist are intent on bringing back the values of the past because they see nothing of value in the present.

Libertarians are isolationist who does not extend their world to include community, local, national, or world.

Reaganites break the 11^th commandment as set down by their icon, “Do not speak ill of other Republicans.”

Gingrichs fail to comprehend that Americans may be busy but they are not heartless.

Absolutists will make Conservatives spend another 40 years trying to convince another group of people that Conservatives are not racist.