another alternative conservatism

I enjoyed the piece, just because it points out that the conservative-liberal divide is often artificial.

I sent my kids to public schools. At times they received an excellent education; at other times, not. At all times I considered it my duty to supplement what they were receiving in the classroom.

I support public education, but I am not sure that I would want it for my grandchildren if an alternative were available. I would be willing to take on the responsibility for much of it — there are some subjects that I'm just not up to — not because I oppose public education in general but because I think I — with enough time, of course, which is not guaranteed — could do better. But this is not a blanket statement: My daughter had an excellent education in English (a critical survey of Shakepeare and immersion in poetry) and in history (Ask her about the Peace of Augsburg) than I could have readily provided, though I gladly imparted what I could about the subject. My son did not get the same courses but was imbued with a knowledge of many subjects that he would not have learned in the classes but learned at home.

I realize that many parents would not have had the advantages I had in being able to pass along this information. So I think, in a democratic society, we should strive to see that every child is given some basic level of education that will benefit us all.

I am a liberal on some issues, a conservative on others. I suspect I am much like most people in that area. I am passionately for freedom of religion, separation of church of state. I am conflicted about the death penalty. I think drugs are a scourge but am doubtful about the efficacy of laws that criminalize drug use. I believe in the progressive income tax. I do not think that the welfare state should support dysfunctional behavior. I want my life and property secure; I do know that unlimited gun ownership is particularly successful in securing that right. I don't like government interference in my private life. Etc.

I make a good living. I drive a 20-year-old car and think we are wasteful of our resources. I wear Okibashi sandals (they last forever) when I can and wear a tie when it's appropriate. I have taught my children that materialism is folly and I have a 401k and IRAs, as well as CDs.

I am, I guess, just like many Americans who reject left and right and just try to live a balanced life, and we often get it wrong. Sometime we get it right.