Wyo. conservatives would sadden Goldwater

BY ROD MILLER

“Where Do You Stand, Sir?”  

That was the title of a column Barry Goldwater wrote for several Arizona newspapers back in the 1960s. As a U.S. senator, he performed one of the most admirable acts of political courage in American history when he convinced President Richard Nixon, mired in Watergate, to resign to avoid a constitutional crisis.  

Goldwater was also the first politician to move the fulcrum of political power in America west by several meridians of longitude. I have always revered him as the father of modern

U.S. Barry Goldwater (left) and President Ronald Reagan.

conservative thought, and it is vitally important for anyone who self-identifies as conservative to know and understand his political philosophy.  

But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what the man himself had to say about important issues of the day. (These quotes are harvested from his book, “Conscience of a Conservative” and from his published speeches and articles.)

“Politics (is) the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.” Goldwater’s political ethos was always to value the individual over the group.

“To my mind, the single essential element on which all discoveries will be dependent is human freedom.” Anything that thwarts individual human freedom, such as large organizations that demand conformity – be they governments or political institutions – run counter to the ethos of the man who defined Republican thought.

“The people’s welfare depends on individual self-reliance rather than on state paternalism. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' "interests," I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can.” If that statement needs explanation, you have no business calling yourself a Republican or a conservative.

“Every man, for his individual good and for the good of his society, is responsible for his own development.”  Again, res ipsa loquitur. That speaks for itself

“The legitimate functions of government are actually conducive to freedom. Maintaining internal order, keeping foreign foes at bay, administering justice, removing obstacles to the free interchange of goods and ideas – the exercise of these powers makes it possible for men to follow their chosen pursuits with maximum liberty.” The notion of a limited and circumscribed government is central to Goldwater’s political thought, and indeed, should be to that of every Republican and conservative.

“The framers of our Constitution were well aware of the dangers posed by self-seeking demagogues, that they might persuade a majority of the people to confer on government vast powers in return for deceptive promises of economic gain.” Both political parties are patently guilty of this, to their shame and to our shame as citizens for allowing it to happen. It’s going on now. What will you do about it?

“(The Republic’s potential will be realized) when we entrust the conduct of our affairs to men who understand that their first duty as public officials is to divest themselves of the power they have been given.” Goldwater offers a suggestion about the above.

“Nothing could so far advance the cause of freedom as for state officials throughout the land to assert their rightful claim to lost state power; and for the federal government to withdraw promptly and totally from every jurisdiction which the Constitution has reserved unto the states.  But if ‘states’ rights’ are so asserted as to encroach upon individual rights that are protected by valid federal laws, then the exercise of states’ rights is a nullity.” The best definition of “states’ rights” I’ve ever seen.

Goldwater rigidly opposed welfare, whether individual or corporate. He believed profit should be earned by individual initiative or corporate competency, not by legislation. A “nanny state” for either the individual or the corporation leads ultimately to loss of freedom: “The power to confer or withhold unlimited benefits is the power to coerce or destroy.”

“In order to achieve the widest possible distribution of political power, financial contributions to political campaigns should be made by individuals and individuals alone. I see no reason for labor unions – or corporations – to participate in politics. Both were created for economic purposes and their activities should be restricted accordingly.”  He wrote this 50 years before “Citizens United”, and it’s still true today as a cornerstone of conservative political philosophy.

I’ll go out on a limb here and say most Wyomingites who call themselves conservative Republicans will agree with what Barry Goldwater has said so far. Let’s see if you’re still with him when you read the following.

“While I am a great believer in the free enterprise system and all that it entails, I am an even stronger believer in the right of our people to live in a clean and pollution-free environment.” Being a Westerner and an acclaimed outdoor photographer, Goldwater had a lot more in common with the early environmental movement than people realize.

“The great decisions of government cannot be dictated by the concerns of religious factions. We have succeeded for 205 years in keeping the affairs of state separate from the uncompromising idealism of religious groups and we mustn't stop now. To retreat from that separation would violate the principles of conservatism and the values upon which the Framers built this democratic republic.” Goldwater later expanded on his views of the separation of church and state by saying, “Every good Christian ought to kick (the Rev. Jerry) Falwell right in the ass.”

“The big thing is to make this country quit discriminating against people just because they're gay. You don't have to agree with it, but they have a constitutional right to be gay. They're American citizens.” Individual liberties, once again. Good conservative doctrine.

“A woman has a right to an abortion. That's a decision that's up to the pregnant woman, not up to the pope or some do-gooders or the Religious Right.” Again, the rights of the individual prevail over organizational dogma, whether that organization is political or religious.

Much of what Goldwater said is in direct contradiction to what many self-styled conservatives in Wyoming espouse. He would question their motives. He would doubt that their dogma is good for the Republican Party he loved.  

He also would warn citizens to be on their guard against this current caustic brand of alt-right, neo-con extremism.

“Where do you stand, sir?”

Rod Miller is a citizen, father and grandfather and a proud former Rawlins Outlaw living in Cheyenne.