Risk of Confusing Ideas with Politics

I had an interesting conversation with a relative following Easter dinner this past Sunday. He is a long-time conservative who is a member of the Republican party. Like many conservatives and libertarian-leaning Republicans today, he has become frustrated and disenchanted with the GOP. He's approaching the point of defeat. His anger and frustration are directed at the Republican party, not the liberal Democrats. He feels that the Republicans have left him. This is not an uncommon theme these days among conservatives. Many conservatives would admit that the Republican party is lacking direction. The troubling thing about my relative was that his frustration with the GOP caused him to question his core principles. He was questioning capitalism. He was considering the benefits of socialism. He was sipping the Kool-Aid. Due to his distaste for our present group of politicians, he was ready to turn his back on all traditional politics only flail about aimlessly hoping to find something on which to politically attach himself. He had lost his compass.

Questioning yourself is not a negative thing. It's a sign of a healthy and true thinker to question, update, and revise views base on learning and life experiences. However, the reason my relative was questioning his beliefs was not a valid reason. He was confusing the Republican party with conservative beliefs. These two entities are separate. The Republican party can certainly make mistakes. The GOP is a political party, so by definition, it is influenced by politics. Politics involves compromise to get things done and to win elections. A core set of ideals is not compromising. They are bedrock. Regardless of what the Republican party does or does not do, conservative principles do not change. Conservatives principles are founded on equality, liberty, our founding documents, enumeration of powers, and limited government (among other things). Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Regan are titans of conservatism. Historically, the Republican party has tended to align with these conservative principles, but there is never any guarantee. For various reasons, the party may not always stay true to these principles. However, if these principles are truly part of your core beliefs, your DNA, then the actions of any political party should not impact those beliefs.
So, question yourself. Explore. Read. Learn. Revise. But don't let the politicians impact your value system.