We Abandon Social Conservatism at Our Own Peril

Too few Americans understand that social conservatism cannot be separated from economic conservatism. Without strong natural families, it will be impossible to limit the welfare state or an ever-growing government. Over the years I’ve linked articles saying that very thing — you can see the page of links here: On the Connection Between the Economic and Social Issues.

Here are two more — first up is Carlos D. Flores writing at Public Discourse:

We Abandon Social Conservatism at Our Own Peril
Fiscal conservativism cannot exist without social conservatism. Strong families form the foundation of healthy societies and strong economies.

In the current election cycle, social conservatism seems to have lost no matter who ends up being elected president. After all, of the possible future presidents, who is poised to defend social conservatism?

[I]t is troubling that so many “fiscally-but-not-socially-conservative” young Trump supporters have begun to repeat a common refrain: “Social conservatism is dead—only religious nuts care about it. It’s not popular with the public and so is politically disadvantageous. We have to forge a conservatism that appeals to the future, one that abandons social conservatism.”

Read more: Public Discourse

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Next up is an article written by Cary Maguire, James H. Amos, Jr., and Dr. David Grantham:

Values: The Foundation of our Culture and Economy

Economic indicators point to the possibility of yet another financial meltdown, perhaps worse than the United States experienced in 2008. Household debt has risen to nearly $12 trillion, downward regulatory pressure on businesses recently reached $6 billion, and the current recovery remains the slowest in the post-World War II era. The numbers look bleak. But those are symptoms of a larger ailment.

Our country is experiencing an ethical malaise that has inspired a value-neutral and morally relative leadership model that continues to negatively impact government policy, business and families. We as a community bemoan public corruption but fail to promote the values that might have prevented it. The illogical conclusion that a Bible can be read in prison but not in school is akin to the old English saying, “The beatings will continue until the morale improves.”

A lack of adherence to an ethical code of conduct was at the root of faulty decisions leading to the financial crisis in 2008. From government to banking, credit raters to home buyers, an absence of honesty, integrity and fiduciary duty at the highest level allowed for a near collapse of America’s financial market.

The 2008 meltdown should have taught us that our livelihood rests on more than numbers and spreadsheets. It should have reminded us that neither regulation nor a lack thereof can engender principled behavior. Instead, these events exposed our culture’s growing indifference to moral convictions; our growing dependence on modern day trends to determine truth. Indeed, some discredited values of honor, truthfulness and integrity as ancient and stale.

Read more: National Center for Policy Analysis

Image credit: www.barbwire.com.