Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business
Dear Editor:
I consider myself a conservative.
To conserve means to preserve and protect. Conservatism actually values character, compassion, competence and conscience. I can be as hypocritical as the next guy, but I don’t have to accept what I know are lies, and I don’t have to lie to myself about what is happening to our country. Intentionally dividing us from each other, turning us against each other, is not a conservative value.
For our country and our economy to heal, we must be able and willing to work together. Healing takes time, but we have to allow ourselves to start. Choose leaders who are willing to lead, and take responsibility, rather than those who thrive on distraction and division. Cooperation, compromise, and caring for each other, are conservative values. I’m proudly conservative. I hope what that word means can be reclaimed, in time.
Mark McKinney is a resident of Mesa.
I too consider myself a conservative and it’s upsetting to see that it then needs to be equated to a particular political party which in fact it shouldn’t. I truly believe most Americans as stated “Conservatism actually values character, compassion, competence and conscience” are conservative. It’s problematic and divisive when we start associating it to only one political party’s agenda for governing. There are conservatives in all parties and we should look to elect those that portray those values. We need to look for leaders who will govern ALL people with character, compassion, competence and conscience and support those who lead by example.