I’m a conservative

These days, the term “conservative,” like the terms “socialist,” “communist,” and “Marxist” have mutated beyond recognition. But I’m old enough to remember what conservatives used to be. Not the Bill Buckley brand of “stand[ing] athwart history, yelling stop” (a fool’s errand), but data-driven conservatism familiar to any research scientist. Accordingly, I’m a real conservative because:

• I believe the nanny state needs to stay out of reproductive choice;

• I believe the nanny state should get out of the marriage business and simply mediate the legal issues associated with civil unions regardless of the sex of the couples;

• I believe there is a state interest in an informed and educated electorate, so I support public schools, universities and libraries;

• I believe that the scientific method offers the most reliable path to understanding our world, so I oppose creationism and climate change denialism;

• I believe that immigration is what made this country strong;

• I believe the 2^nd amendment means what it says, that the right to “bear arms” requires membership in a “well regulated militia” and is not an individual right;

• I believe that no one is above the law, including the President of the United States.

This is just a short list. Right-wing extremists and the mainstream media have hijacked the word “conservative.” You don’t have to be a “liberal” to ignore them.

If you read this and think “hey, I’m a “liberal” and I agree with those things,” then good. It turns out that—contra the right-wing radicals—conservatives and liberals *can* agree on some things.