It has been said that people either strive to feed the fires of conservatism or they end up liberal. We either actively maintain the basis of our beliefs from which we forge consistent decisions, votes and opinions or else we fall to the folly of immediate reason thus drawing not on core principles but on any opinion that creates satisfaction within oneself.

Yet, it is so easy to mask that exact allure and pretend conservatism is moldable based upon what is immediately preferable over core values. This may-as-well attitude that seems to be so pervasive in the Republican party as well as with general conservatives is exposing those who have a shaky base of belief.

For example, many conservatives fall for the argument that freedom should be diminished because smoking is clearly so bad that it cannot be allowed in public. The argument is while it may offend the reality of freedom we may as well ban it because it makes us more comfortable right now and that we feel good because the media has told us how bad it is for children. Other good examples of this attitude taking hold are gun control, economics and war.

Those conservatives who declare themselves, “Not a gun person” have become as uncaring for the Second Amendment as those who seek to end it. Recall that inaction against an argument is the same as action against defense. Additionally, the left has taken note of the emotional response to shooting deaths and has used that as an ice pick to pierce otherwise conservative people for the liberal/socialist cause.

In terms of economics, specifically, many find themselves accustomed to the notion of government ascribing value to certain jobs through minimum wage and even worse a majority the American people believe that CEOs (specifically but including the generally rich) are greedy, evil and should be subjected to prosecution. Even conservative Americans are notably split on this issue. Only last year when an oil company executive received millions of dollars in stock options many professed right wingers found themselves at odds with the right of a company to distribute its profit as it sees fit without interference from the federal government.

Conservatives have found themselves at odds with each other about the use of force in national protection. While most conservatives are still solely behind victory in Iraq and Afghanistan, none in Congress dare to call for a advancement of forceful action in Iran or in North Korea or in areas where forceful action is called for, even by liberals, such as Darfur or Rwanda.

The problem we have is that Americans as well as conservatives are so dependant upon the media for the facts, they have become accustomed to the liberal way of thinking, assuaging all core values aside and believing for or against something solely upon the emotional response such belief generates.

Nearly anyone reading this will surely be aware of this problem and most likely is not subject to it due to having taken measures to get the media fish-hook out of their ear. But I say this, just because you know what is going on does not mean the rest of the conservative population has any clue.

How can a scientist get an idea of what a giraffe looks like when he is viewing only one skin cell under a microscope? Our opinions on any specific issue are no different than such brevity. Ultimately, we are our foundation. Simple beliefs like freedom, patriotism and consistent moral certainty make up the conservative.

Challenge conservatives on their core beliefs and do your best to expose yours. Show people why you believe what you believe. Do not make a statement of opinion without a reason why that opinion exists. For, if our opinions are not generated from a consistent set of core values then we are doomed to our own fluid emotions which as water in a drain will spiral us uncontrollably away from liberty.