Right this way...

My new weekly column is written primarily for three types of people:\n1. Rich Republicans.\n2. Compassionate conservatives.\n3. Anyone who hopes to one day belong to either or both of the first two categories.\nIf you don’t find yourself in any of the above groups, please take two aspirin and read on anyway. I want to invite you to join us.\nFor those who imagine that all conservatives are wealthy, cold-hearted, old, white men always looking to cheat people out of their money (or start wars around the world), I want to challenge that mindset in the coming weeks and months.\nI want to welcome you into a movement that is driven by the love of its ideas and vision of the future, not by hatred for the opponent. We’re young, we’re passionate, we vote and our only problem with Ronald Reagan is that he was just a little to the left for our tastes. We’re unashamed to say “ditto” to Rush Limbaugh, and we sometimes wish that Ann Coulter would stop holding back and let loose with what’s really on her mind (just kidding on that last one).\nOur parents’ generation staged a counter-cultural revolution that tried to remove guilt not by reforming behavior but by redefining right and wrong. The “rebellion” of our generation is against the status quo of immorality, relativism and big government. Our goal is to restore personal responsibility, moral standards and prosperity.\nConservatives appreciate the diversity of America, and we are excited about the variety of thought and opinion that is spreading in traditional liberal bastions, such as the media and university campuses. We truly believe that the conservative movement is the best place for all demographics, even those that traditionally vote Democrat, namely: blacks, Hispanics, Asians, whites, gays, Muslims, Mormons, Catholics, wealthy, poor, old, young – conservatism is the best hope for all freedom-loving Americans.\nConservatives believe in the values that have made the U.S. the greatest nation in world history. We believe that an individual knows how to better take care of himself and his family than the state; that the state can govern itself better than the federal government; and that the federal government should never abdicate its sovereignty to any international organization.\nConservatives believe in protecting life at all stages, and that euthanasia, abortion and embryonic stem cell research not only destroy human life, but also cheapen the value of those who live. \nConservatives believe that social programs should be judged by their results, not their intentions. We don’t need victims to make us feel generous; we’d rather see our fellow men and women achieve success, and we recognize that usually happens best when government stays out of the way.\nConservatives celebrate morality, prosperity and optimism. Sure, there are some on the right who like to express themselves with anger and cynicism. But true conservatives embrace the hope and vision embodied by Ronald Reagan, always focusing on the goodness of America and the promise that freedom brings.\nConservatives are coming to a campus near you. If you can’t beat us, join us.