By GARY STRADLING
Los Alamos

We live in interesting times.

As President Donald J. Trump swept the elections in November, many strong opinions about the nature of the Conservative movement have been expressed, from both sides.

I would like to share my own views with our community. Note that this statement does not necessarily represent the Republican Party.

The core value of Conservatism is the respect for the freedoms of individual Americans.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” –US Declaration of Independence.

Conservatism seeks to maximize individual freedoms within a constitutional framework of representative government, emphasizing minimal laws that restrict our inalienable rights. Intrinsic to that political philosophy is the ability to defend such rights, as embodied in the First and Second Amendments to the Constitution.

We believe in a representative government elected solely by citizens and are committed to safeguarding the integrity of our voting processes. Every citizen with a legal right and desire to vote must have the opportunity to do so. All valid votes must be accurately counted, and no illegal or unqualified votes permitted. Full transparency in the election process must be provided to all citizens and candidates to ensure fairness and legitimacy. Disputes and polling issues must be resolved openly and lawfully by authorized officials. Allegations of election fraud, as they strike at the foundation of our nation, demand the highest priority and scrutiny within our legal system.

As our nation has aged, natural oversight and regulatory roles have metastasized into bloated bureaucracies, increasingly detached from the control of the people’s elected representatives. Bureaucratic rules not rooted in legislation undermine democratic principles and invite corruption, functioning as self-serving entities. Like cancers, grow unchecked, they drain resources, and obstruct the rightful freedoms of citizens. Regrettably, this issue went unaddressed for too long, and the necessary remedies may be difficult. Conservatives back the bold reforms and restorative measures, including those led by President Trump with DOGE, to curb these excesses. We advocate for a balanced representative government—effective yet restrained—that avoids overreach and waste.

Corruption is as old as government, and must be effectively deterred with sharp penalties and government structures that provide fiscal transparency. Elected representatives who amass wealth through privilege and influence of their office must be deterred and punished. Political dynasties are counter to American values. Term limits are desirable.

American Conservatives tend to be Christian (though not all are) and family oriented. Christians believe God commands marriage and fidelity, viewing faithful families as civilization’s foundation.

Since the time of Adam, God has commanded mankind to marry, remain faithful, and build fruitful families. Christians uphold marriage and family as foundational to a thriving civilization, a view supported by evidence (Stradling-Science of Family Enabled Society). Across every measure of well-being—safety, longevity, health, prosperity, education, achievement, peace, and fertility—men, women, and children in stable families consistently outperform those in other social arrangements. Ample data shows that children raised outside nurturing family environments more often struggle with essential social skills like cooperation, respect, honesty, and discipline. The family remains the bedrock of a successful society.[1]

So, as many contend over the core values of a nation, we see that many of the points of friction today are about human sexuality and family formation.

While Conservatives value family formation and success, we believe that people should be allowed to do for themselves as they please, in as much as they do not injure others. No one should be discriminated against in freedom, safety, employment, or opportunity because of whom they love. Likewise, Conservatives value life and safety and believe our laws should protect the innocent and the helpless. So we oppose abortion and gender distorting treatments and surgeries for minors. Our children should not be indoctrinated in schools counter to family values. Rather, family values should be celebrated.

Among the most profound and revolutionary of Jesus’ commandments are those calling for inclusion, social harmony, and peacemaking:

• Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matt 22:39)
• Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven (Matt 5:44-45)
• Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matt 5:9)

The hero of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln, said: “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”

As Conservatives, we believe in reasoned and civil debate. We do not harass, vandalize, riot, nor defame. We may peacefully demonstrate, and vote our conscience, and we allow others the same privilege. We oppose any violence in politics.

We support freedom. We believe that other countries should work out their problems to the best of their abilities. We support our allies, but are reluctant to go to war. We support President Trump’s efforts to extract the US from foreign conflict, while protecting our legitimate interests of national safety and security. Conflict by American military is a last resort, not a routine, and should be decisive. We do believe in economic development to better all mankind.

American Conservatism rejects racism and sexism, upholding that all are equal before God. Historical discrimination, especially against Black Americans, betrays our founding principles and the Civil War’s costly sacrifices. Yet, it’s echos persist in “progressive” policies—Jim Crow laws, de jure property restrictions, unequal justice, and the “Great Society” programs that weakened Black family structures. No law-abiding individual should fear unjust targeting by police.

Conservatives value both sexes equally, acknowledging their overlapping yet distinct strengths and contributions. Women need protection from predation, including separate facilities, and women’s sports should remain exclusive due to physical differences. Family success as spouses and parents outweighs other achievements. The 0.018% with sex chromosome abnormalities face medical challenges, not new genders, and deserve compassionate treatment.

Conservatives seek to understand health risks in our changing world, marked by shifts in nutrition, environment, lifestyle, and medicine. We aim to address the rising tide of diabetes, obesity, autism, cancer, heart disease, and dementia with effective solutions for individuals and society. Medical interventions must show clear benefit-to-risk balance, with rigorous science driving improved health outcomes.

We are a nation of immigrants that value legal immigration, secure borders, and that oppose illegal entry. Immigrants are often courageous, diligent, and law-abiding, enriching us with diverse cultures. Yet, we prioritize assimilation into American values—freedom, equality, and rule of law—over cultural upheaval. The pace of immigration affects assimilation, and some newcomers may hold views at odds to our Constitution. Europe’s challenges with uncontrolled immigration serve as a stark warning.

As faithful Conservatives, we follow these principles and desire our fellow Americans, whatever their politics, to be well, prosperous, happy, successful, and FREE.

^[1] To those who haven’t fully experienced family’s benefits and might feel overlooked by this view: your unique experiences and lessons hold value. Many have triumphed over adversity—perhaps raised by a heroic single parent—and your success deserves celebration. Yet, imagine the added advantages of the team of a loving, diligent father and a nurturing, wise mother, with supportive siblings and shared resources, engagement, and efficiencies of a strong family. That said, some families falter; abusive parents or siblings are a grim reality. No one should endure harm in the name of family.