Iggy Pop, in his satirical song, “I’m a Conservative,” jokingly sang, “Conservatism ain’t no easy job.” And, on college campuses, he’s right. Being a conservative ain’t easy. Clearly, in my four years here at Marquette I’ve been out of the closet as a conservative. But, this “alternative lifestyle” I chose to engage in remains a mystery to some. So here’s a list of the basic reasons why I’m a conservative and you should be, too, even if it’s unpopular in academia’s culture of intolerance.

Freedom. As human beings, we are not entitled to things granted to us by a benevolent government. Instead, we are endowed by God with certain rights that the government cannot usurp. A liberal believes he can force something he deems to be good on people, but that necessitates stealing other’s freedom. As Barry Goldwater said, “A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.” So when you hear politicians promising things — from “free” health care to “free” college education — be skeptical. Most likely they are trying to buy votes with other people’s money to gain power and limit freedom.

Government isn’t good at “fixing” problems. I think Americans are largely a capable and caring people, sufficiently able to respond to the dire needs of the poor without involuntary compulsion. When government acts to “help” people, there are most often negative side effects. It’s a fact that we conservatives donate more money to charity than liberals. Conservatives see a societal ill and strive to fix it in the manner we see fit. Liberals may have the same endgoal in mind, but go about it through the government – that is, with others’ money.

The free market. I believe that each person is different, possessing unique strengths. The free market respects this diversity. Trying to pigeonhole a person is an assault on human dignity. This respect for diversity is best seen in the free market.

Fiscal Responsibility. Taxes are not good and should be low. When someone earns a dollar, it’s his. There needs to be a compelling reason to take a portion of it. High taxes are an assault on human dignity. They lower the value of hard work. Government can take a certain percentage of a person’s income. But, in order to be fair, it must be the same rate for all. Raising taxes on the “rich” will always score political points—no one sees himself as rich. But when politicians raise taxes disproportionately on the rich through the guise of the “common good,” it is no different than masked horsemen stealing from who they deem to be “too rich.”

Respect for the Second Amendment…Enjoying guns is one thing we can all understand. Something that liberals rarely understand is the role of firearms against tyrannical government. Firearms serve as our last defense against tyrannical governments. Without this basic understanding, there would be no United States. Raising arms against the British ensured the freedoms we now enjoy. This option must always be on the table. Goldwater, again: “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.”

Free trade. Since the world is extremely diverse and good lies everywhere on the globe, liberalizing markets is key in providing a plethora of goods and services to all people of the world. It lowers prices, increases choice and creates wealth, which subsequently begets more wealth.

Popularity: 13% [?]

After last month’s election landslide, or “tsunami” as some tasteless commentators referred to it, the prevailing question was “What now?” No one knows what to expect from the Democrats. They’ve taken the House and Senate for the first time since the Republicans took Congress in 1994. The difference between that takeover and this one is the Republicans won in 1994 due in large part to their ability to put forth a coherent plan known as the “Contract with America,” while this 2006 takeover was not the result of a coherent agenda by the opposition. Liberals did not put forth an agenda or any substantive ideas. Rather, the Left simply tapped into the nationwide discontent over Iraq and decided to recruit “anybody but Bush” voters. But no dynamic leadership or innovative ideas emerged on the Democratic side of the aisle. Continue Reading

Popularity: 6% [?]

Sometimes I feel lost walking around campus.

Not because there aren’t enough random arches and pillars (“portals”) around, but because I’m a conservative awash in a sea of liberals.

With liberal professors, liberal administrators and liberal speakers who elevate their liberal friends as the Marquette alumni we should emulate, I’m lost without a role model. I need a Marquette alum who has given conservative expression to our mission, “Be the difference.”

Last year Congresswoman Gwen Moore made the cover of Marquette Magazine for a flattering bio-portrait.

Gwen Moore? The one who as a state senator started the initiative to force Catholic institutions like Marquette to cover abortion in their health insurance policies? The pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage Democrat?

Yep, that’s the one. She appeared on the front cover of Marquette Magazine. But Don Manzullo has been nowhere to be found.

Manzullo has represented Northwestern Illinois in the House for over a decade. A Marquette Law graduate, he’s one of 18 committee chairs in the House. While he’s a solid supporter of family values, his main task is championing American manufacturing.

(Somehow I doubt they were concerned about maybe stepping on the toes of my Warrior column.)

Marquette gave an honorary doctorate to retired Congressman Jerry Klezcka, a South side Democrat who represented Milwaukee for a number of years.

But where’s the three stripes for Margaret Farrow, the first female Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin’s history? Talk about breaking barriers in the interest of social justice and opportunity for all.

Of course, our semesterly speaker series is campus conservatives’ biggest gripe. Marquette brings in Winona LaDuke, Ralph Nader’s Green Party running mate, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who said Bush caused Katrina, and their ilk.
The Administration has yet to bring in a major conservative speaker during my time here. Maybe we could bridge the gap by bringing in a few successful alumni who are conservatives.

People like Brian Gunderson, Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice. I’m sure he could tell some pretty cool stories about his travels around the world. And at the same time, he could discuss the administration’s plan to keep America safe by spreading democracy and freedom in Middle East.

Another way to celebrate conservatives is by hiring them. The Offices of Public Affairs and Communications are packed with Democrats. Nice people, but Democrats. And I need not convince any of you that there are plenty of liberals on faculty.

So let’s hire a few more conservatives so Dr. McAdams isn’t so lonely. Someone like William K. Kelley would be a great hire. He just finished up a stint as Deputy White House Counsel. Can you imagine having your class on “Legal Policy Post-9/11” taught by someone who worked on the Patriot Act for the President?

Conservative Marquette alumni do exist, and they are the difference. Let’s celebrate that on the same level as we recognize the accomplishments of our liberal alums.

After all, making the world a better place is a very bi-partisan idea.
daniel.suhr@mu.edu

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