The problem with "Conservatism"

HA! What a title for a blog post. Such a title really needs a book. Or two. Or three.

I've been thinking about this for quite some time now. A quote from a very smart and upstanding individual reignited the ongoing questions and debate I've been having with myself and others. This individual essentially argued for "revolution" within the conservative movement in order for it to survive. I'm paraphrasing of course, but he essentially complained that conservatism has become so watered down, that it has strayed from its principles.

I think there are a lot of problems with this type of thinking. Sadly, most people, even if they aren't as libertarian as this individual is, would agree that "conservatism" has lost its principles.

But what are the principles of conservatism?

Perhaps part of the problem is that conservatism has bought into the idea that for it to be successful, it must be political. Those who truly study conservatism know, that conservatism is inherently anti-political because it is inherently anti-ideological. Conservatism never looks to political solutions for answers. It does not hinge its success on the political success and failures of its political manifestations.

True conservatism is a way of life. And it has existed long before John Locke or the American Founding Fathers. It is a tradition of great thinkers, who together form what Christopher Dawson and T.S. Eliot understood to be a "Republic of Letters." Dawson's "Republic" never carried a political connotation. Rather it united an understanding of God, man, and man's place in the order of things. These things are in themselves, non-political.

Conservatism of course, has political manifestations. But the key to uncovering them, is not found through political means. I'm curious when conservatives will finally realize this... if they ever do. We can win as many offices and presidencies as we want. But until we understand our own specific place in the world, we will never change lives or minds. Perhaps the key is to first change ourselves.

Intern Lunch

Today the office scheduled the obligatory "farewell" lunch for their interns. I guess they do one every spring, summer, and fall since there are always interns in the office. Kathleen, who is the other intern in our office this past summer has her last day tomorrow. Next week with the recess, many of our staffers will be in and out of the office. Thus they decided to do the lunch today as both the congressman and the staff would be available.

You think staffers can debate policy... wait until you see them debate pizza toppings. In an intense half hour struggle, the pizza toppings were finally selected in a controversial compromised proposed by the chief of staff to let the interns select the toppings since it was technically their lunch.

I probably would not have gotten sentimental except they gave me a card! Then all sorts of emotions and thoughts took over...

After sitting down, as we got enjoyedconversation as a staff... I was thinking what a great summer it has been getting to know these people on a more personal basis. While we were sitting there, laughing a lot because that is what my office seems to do very well, it seemed as if everyone there was no longer a chief of staff, a communications director, a legislative assistant, an office manager, or a staff assistant. Rather we were Justin, Dave, RJ, Leah, and Keal... among others. I think that is the most rewarding part of any experience I've ever encountered. Getting to know people for who they are beyond the labels they identify themselves with, and the boxes the world places them on.

In my own life the most enriching relationships I have are with those I would never have expected as much. I may never encounter these people again in this life, but I am blessed with the opportunity to know them as people... outside of their jobs... if even for little glimpses at small moments in time.

Eliot and the "world"

Eliot writes in Burnt Norton that "to be conscious is not to be in time." Such a thought centers around what I believe to be Eliot's understanding of time which relates to how we understand true being and reality. One might wonder why this matters...

It seems that Eliot connects understanding ones place in the order of things to how one views his current place in life. From a logical standpoint, why wouldn't there be a correlation?

What does Eliot mean when he says "that which is only living, can only die"? Perhaps "only living" equates to being "caught in the form of limitation" which Eliot describes as "between un-being and being." Perhaps life in this world is being caught between living and dying, but never sure how to live between them until you actually die.

For Eliot this world, which is not permanent, is a problem because it attempts to satisfy what it is not able to satisfy.

Like Scripture, Eliot notes the folly within the wisdom and attitude of the world. He writes in East Coker "The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless." Eliot reminds us of the inherently temporary state of the world:

In order to arrive at what you are not
You must go through the way in which you are not.
And what you do not know is the only thing you know
And what you own is what you do not own
And where you are is where you are not.

We are not created for this world and should never become truly satisfied in it. "As we grow older" writes Eliot, "The world becomes a stranger."

I do not think Eliot is suggesting that we not attempt to live or minister to this world. But fundamentally, we must have an understanding of our true place and being in something much higher than this world can ever offer.

Rotunda Tour... and Time...

Today I got to do one of the most incredible things I have ever done... which perhaps suggests that I have not lived a very incredible life...

Thanks to the persevering work of Leah our executive assistant, our office was able to schedule a Rotunda tour for the interns! Kathleen and I were able to invite two friends each so logically I picked Will and Zach knowing that they will likely read these words someday and will no doubt be flattered. The tour was of course amazing... indescribable really... and it was a great way to (almost) end my internship.

Thinking about myself four years ago, I would have been so pleased with the idea of a Capitol internship for the sake of my future political career. Obviously things have changed and I'm not altogether certain what direction this next year will bring.

Many of my recent feeble attempts to think "intellectual" thoughts have focused on T.S. Eliot's conception of Time in the Four Quartets. C.S. Lewis also deals with this subject in a very similar manner I think... throughout his writings. Going through "Screwtape Letters" at the beginning of summer has allowed me to keep thinking about the similarities in Eliot's and Lewis's understanding of time.

Both note a tension in human beings. We are made for eternity but we live in time. God Himself is outside of time. He is the beginning and the end, and thus naturally does not operate by the human and finite understanding of time. In this sense, God is outside of time because he is eternal. Eliot writes in "Little Gidding" that history is a pattern of "timeless" moments... The moments in time which somehow are eternal for they have greater meaning outside of this temporary world.

Lewis suggests that since we are created for eternity, while we are on earth, God wishes for us to attend to the Present, "For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity." In these
"present moments" can humans experience true reality, which is outside of time for true reality is an encounter with our Creator. It is in our Creator, that the Apostle said on Mars Hill that "we live and move and have our being."

Thus, Lewis warns against both dwelling too much in the past, but especially in the future claiming that the future is "the thing least like eternity" for it is the "most completely temporal part of time." Ideology, evolution, scientific humanism, and of course Communism all fix men's eyes upon the future, the "very core of temporality."

Men must instead focus on "today's duty." I think this reminder is good not just in a practical sense... because I cannot worry what the next year will bring, but also in an eternal sense. God's will will be made known to me, He has promised me this and I can trust His promises for they are faithful. I think this is what Eliot means when he writes:

Time past and time future
What might have been and what has been
Points to one end, which is always present

Regardless of where we are in life we are called to pursue those things that are timeless. God's grace allows us to comprehend beyond what is temporary and live inside the eternal present, the moments which God makes us truly alive...

"Center" Government

I've realized what an interesting summer it is to be in Washington D.C. It is historic in which the nation's first black (sort of) President appointed the nation's first (maybe) Hispanic justice to the United States Supreme Court. Obama's agenda has been the most liberal, most progressive agenda our nation has ever seen. In my view, he has already outdone FDR and he is not even one year into his presidency. Just the government takeover of what were private industries and banks signals a step further than FDR. The largest majority by the Democrats in recent history has also yielded a history infighting that is impossible to ignore.

These same questions exist on the Republican side as well. The question of winning seats/sticking to one's "principles" seems to lack a fairly cohesive answer. Certain divisions seem to be put aside when there is a strong leader to the political party. George W's strength in 2004 quelled internal party dissension... Barack Obama's strength seems to have ignited the Democrats to electoral success. However a very different result seems to be in store for Obama's legislative agenda.

The "Blue Dog" Democrats are a group that fascinates me. Dr. Bobb wants to spend some time identifying them and researching their districts a bit. It is no secret that they come from relatively "conservative" districts elected in the Democratic waves of 2006 and 2008 in which the Republicans were "out of touch" with their constituents. The centrist policies of the Blue Dogs seems to be giving Nancy Pelosi and President Obama major headaches. It is no secret that Pelosi had to arm twist Republican votes to pass cap and trade. As for health care, the Democrats for now have woken up and realized that the proposed legislation by Waxman and the rest of the progressive caucus, would fail by an overwhelming vote...

I'm impressed with the Blue Dog's policy of fiscal conservatism and for the most part social conservatism. I like that they seem to understand the interests of their constituents.. and that what is needed is not an abolishment of entitlement programs, but a reform of the current system. This type of government might serve America good for certainly far-right and far-left government has proven to be ineffective.

In my last two weeks here, I will be keeping a close on the Blue Dogs. Ultimately they may have a bigger share of power than anyone ever imagined headed into the 111th Congress.

I'm probaby not going to come back here... maybe...

Dr. Birzer told me I needed to start writing things down that I have learned/been challenged with. He asked me on the phone the other day if I was enjoying myself and learning a lot. I launched into a very long-winded answer. Poor Dr. Birzer... but I do know why he told me to start writing things down!

I've been asked quite a few times if I will come back to D.C. after college. My answer is a firm "No"... but then I hesitate. After all, how am I supposed to know what God's plan is for right now?

Little Gidding's lines continue to define the way I think about... everything. In many ways, I am right back where I first started. I am in D.C... (which is not where I started), but I have rediscovered my love and passion for politics. I understand politics... the election cycles... and how to get things done in Congress. I wish more important things came more naturally to me. But in another sense, I know this love of politics "for the first time" in that I think about it differently. Conservatism is inherently anti-political. Myself as a human being has little to do with politics. There is a proper place for politics... I'm more convinced than ever that both the left and the right do not have the answers.

So in a sense, I only have rekindled my love of politics, because I have discovered its proper place in the world... and for now in my life. I expect these thoughts to change as well as I grow and mature and am challenged. I still believe God is calling me to serve him through education, which has become a greater passion of mine. But for now, I do not know where I will be one year from today. Rather I must focus on the present... for this is where God has placed me for now.

A Thought on Transparency

"Transparency" has become a major buzz word since the beginning of the Obama administration. Now everyone, Republicans and Democrats, are using it to describe what they believe to be in part, the character of the government. The actions of the government, should be made transparent or visible... at least visible to certain people.

Every time I hear this word I cannot help but think of the quotation by C.S. Lewis at the end of the "The Abolition of Man." I realize that Lewis probably did not have in mind the 21st century U.S. government when he penned one of the greatest responses to the problem of modernity... that being the destruction of man...

However I do think this quotation is fitting whether or not it's relevant to the current usage of the word. If anything, it demonstrates the problem of language... words have lost their meaning and a word which once had perhaps negative connotations has taken on a "positive" meaning... (assuming a transparent government is what we need to solve the world's problems and immanentize the eschaton).

Then again maybe the problem with government is the desire to know... to control... and to manipulate. Both by those inside the government or those who wish to "reform" it. Enough of me... here is Lewis...

"... the kind of explanation which explains things away may give us something, though at a heavy cost. But you cannot go on 'explaining away' for ever: you will find that you have explained explanation itself away. You cannot go on 'seeing through' things for ever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something through it.... It is no use trying to 'see through' first principles. If you see through everything, then everything is transparent. But a wholly transparent world is an invisible world. To 'see through' all things is the same as not to see."