Friday, November 10, 2006
Understanding the Paleoconservative Perspective on Life
-By Dr. Dan Phillips
During my years of reading paleoconservative books and magazines and visiting paleoconservative websites, it became obvious to me that paleocons are very critical of the modern pro-life movement. Since paleocons are almost universally pro-life, this criticism always baffled me. Because many paleocons "convert" to that orientation from more "mainstream" conservatism, as I did, I suspect I am not the only one who has been troubled by this. But as I have studied the paleoconservative perspective and begun to understand it, as it has become more second nature to me, I believe I now better appreciate the paleo criticism. Perhaps my intellectual journey can help enlighten others.
First, let me make it absolutely clear that I believe the pro-life movement has the noblest intentions of any movement in politics. Most interest groups, whether right or wrong, are ultimately in it for some sort of self-interest. Farmers lobby for continued and increased farm subsidies. Businesses lobby for favorable tax and regulatory policy. Pensioners lobby to maintain and increase benefits, but pro-life activists have no personal stake in saving the unborn. They are not in it for their own sake but for the sake of a voiceless other. Anti-religion (especially anti-Christian) bigots who claim pro-lifers are in it to "keep women down" or "cram their religion down other people's throats" hardly merit a rebuttal. Even liberals who disagree should acknowledge the noble motives of pro-lifers.............
Click HERE To Read On
During my years of reading paleoconservative books and magazines and visiting paleoconservative websites, it became obvious to me that paleocons are very critical of the modern pro-life movement. Since paleocons are almost universally pro-life, this criticism always baffled me. Because many paleocons "convert" to that orientation from more "mainstream" conservatism, as I did, I suspect I am not the only one who has been troubled by this. But as I have studied the paleoconservative perspective and begun to understand it, as it has become more second nature to me, I believe I now better appreciate the paleo criticism. Perhaps my intellectual journey can help enlighten others.
First, let me make it absolutely clear that I believe the pro-life movement has the noblest intentions of any movement in politics. Most interest groups, whether right or wrong, are ultimately in it for some sort of self-interest. Farmers lobby for continued and increased farm subsidies. Businesses lobby for favorable tax and regulatory policy. Pensioners lobby to maintain and increase benefits, but pro-life activists have no personal stake in saving the unborn. They are not in it for their own sake but for the sake of a voiceless other. Anti-religion (especially anti-Christian) bigots who claim pro-lifers are in it to "keep women down" or "cram their religion down other people's throats" hardly merit a rebuttal. Even liberals who disagree should acknowledge the noble motives of pro-lifers.............
Click HERE To Read On
# posted by Publius @ 11/10/2006 08:15:00 AM 
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