In the tumultuous landscape of American politics, where every vote carries the weight of ideological battles, the choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris starkly highlights a divide not just in policy but in foundational conservative values. Here’s why, from a conservative standpoint, supporting Kamala Harris could be seen as a betrayal of these principles:
1. Economic Freedom and Fiscal Responsibility:
Conservatives advocate for limited government intervention in the economy, favoring free markets, low taxes, and deregulation. Kamala Harris’s policies, often aligned with progressive ideologies, propose higher taxes on the wealthy, expansive social programs, and increased government oversight in business. These stances directly challenge the conservative belief in economic freedom and fiscal conservatism, potentially stifling innovation and economic growth.
Harris’s advocacy for policies like the Green New Deal, which conservatives label as a “socialist manifesto,” directly threatens economic freedom by proposing an overhaul of the economy under the guise of environmentalism. This approach not only seeks to regulate private enterprise heavily but also hints at redistributive economic policies, fundamentally at odds with conservative beliefs in market freedom and limited government intervention.
Proposals like universal healthcare, significant tax hikes on the wealthy, and expansive social programs under Harris’s banner are critiqued as fiscally irresponsible, leading to unsustainable debt and dependency on government, contrary to conservative principles of self-reliance and limited government spending.
2. The Rule of Law and Order:
Trump, despite his controversies, has been a vocal advocate for law and order, which resonates with conservative values of maintaining societal structure through legal enforcement. Harris, on the other hand, has been criticized for her approach to criminal justice reform, which some conservatives view as too lenient, potentially undermining the principle of accountability and the rule of law.
Harris’s openness to expanding the Supreme Court and her stance on gun rights are viewed as direct threats to the balance of power and constitutional rights. Conservatives see these moves as attempts to manipulate judicial outcomes and infringe upon Second Amendment rights, undermining the checks and balances that are critical to conservative governance.
3. National Sovereignty and Immigration:
Conservatives typically prioritize national sovereignty and secure borders. Trump’s policies, like the border wall and stringent immigration controls, align with this principle. Harris’s approach, seen through her stance on immigration reform, might be interpreted as weakening border security, which conservatives argue could lead to uncontrolled immigration, affecting national security and economic stability.
Harris’s approach to immigration, including comments equating ICE with the KKK, and policies that might lead to open borders, strikes at the heart of conservative views on national sovereignty. This not only challenges the concept of a nation-state but also raises concerns about security, economic impacts, and cultural integration, which conservatives hold dear.
4. Second Amendment Rights:
The right to bear arms is sacrosanct for many conservatives. While Trump has been a staunch defender of the Second Amendment, Harris’s record suggests a more restrictive approach to gun ownership, which conservatives see as an infringement on constitutional rights, a fundamental betrayal of conservative values.
5. Cultural and Social Conservatism:
Conservatives uphold traditional values concerning family, religion, and community. Trump, despite his personal controversies, has been supported by many for his judicial appointments that lean conservative, potentially influencing social issues like abortion and religious freedoms. Harris’s progressive views on social issues would erode these traditional values, pushing for changes that many conservatives feel are too radical.
Harris’s positions on issues like defunding the police, her past support for policies that could be seen as undermining law enforcement, and her stance on social issues like abortion and gun control, are perceived as eroding traditional values. Conservatives argue these stances dismantle the social fabric that upholds community safety and individual rights, replacing them with what they see as a progressive agenda that prioritizes collective identity over individual liberty.
6. Foreign Policy and National Strength:
Trump’s America First policy, while divisive, emphasized national interest over globalism, a principle conservatives often favor for its focus on domestic strength and self-reliance. Harris’s foreign policy might lean towards multilateralism and global cooperation, which some conservatives view as weakening America’s position by entangling it in international dependencies.
Choosing Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, from a conservative perspective, endorses policies and ideologies that fundamentally challenge the core tenets of conservatism. This choice isn’t just about policy differences but about preserving a vision of America that values individual liberty, economic freedom, traditional values, and a strong, independent nation. For many conservatives, voting for Trump, despite his imperfections, remains a vote to uphold these principles against what they perceive as a progressive overreach under Harris.