My Conservative Friends, How Are You Feeling?
Dear family and friends,
I’m writing to my many good friends and family members who value principles of conservative government, who cherish traditional family values and who love the Constitution of the United States as an inspired document. I love your commitment to these principles, and I share that commitment with you.
I know that many of you may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election. Now, some of you are feeling concerned about the actions of the president’s administration right now.
Many of you voted for Donald Trump — not because you necessarily admired the man — but because you opposed the direction of progressive politics. You worried about unchecked immigration, eroding family values, and a government that seemed more interested in activism than accountability. You were willing to tolerate Trump’s bravado in exchange for what you hoped would be real action: reduced bureaucracy, renewed respect for law enforcement, a focus on national sovereignty, and a reining-in of elite institutions that seemed increasingly hostile to conservative values.
However, now you’re realizing that the process of change feels uncomfortable. It feels contrary to a conservative approach of supporting the Constitution and the separation of powers.
Not long ago, you criticized previous administrations for executive overreach. Now you worry that similar tactics — only more sweeping — are being deployed in the name of conservatism. You acknowledge the inherent risk of empowering future administrations — leaders that don’t share your values — with similar unchecked power.
You wanted to push against ‘woke’ ideology, but you didn’t want it to happen by threatening the foundations of free speech. You’re not a big fan of the left-leaning ideas taught at Harvard or Columbia, but you recognize that federal overreach into the teaching at private institutions is ultimately corrosive.
You wanted a streamlined government, run with business-like efficiency. But you didn’t want a model where the Executive Branch acts like a CEO slashing departments without congressional input. You recognize that if Trump can dissolve programs overnight, so can a future administration — perhaps one less aligned with your beliefs.
You value decisive action. But you’re not ready to create a precedent of disregarding the judicial branch of the government. You don’t want to live in a country where the president can routinely ignore court orders.
You’re not a fan of protestors or agitators, but you’re concerned with the detainment of legal immigrants based on an opinion they have voiced. Yes, there has been a ‘cancel culture’ of conservative thought and expression in the past, but you would hate to see a normalization of the executive branch policing speech and opinions.
You value US economic independence and the free market system. But the erratic tariff declarations have you worried about the economy. Why can’t Congress take charge, as is their prerogative? Yes, Congress can be painfully slow. But markets function best with predictable rules and gradual transitions — not by executive fiat that can change on a whim.
You may be wondering what can be done. I understand that sentiment. You don’t feel that attending a Bernie Sanders rally aligns with your governmental sentiments.
Here’s a solution: let’s put our 2nd branch of government into action! Chances are you live in a state with a Republican representative in the House or the Senate. Give them a call or write them a letter [find your House Representative here and find your Senators here].
There may be parts of the Trump agenda that you like. Have your representatives get those items established as law, instead of executive order. There are things that the Trump administration is doing that you don’t like. Encourage your lawmaker to stand up against those actions.
This is why we have three branches of government! We don’t have to accept everything that the Trump executive branch wants to do. We can pick and choose, and we can slow things down. We can honor the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
Right now, most Republican members of Congress don’t want to cross the Trump administration for fear of reprisal come election season. But it’s not Donald Trump or the Executive Branch that elects representatives. It’s the people of the United States. Let’s give our Legislative Branch the empowerment they need to act. With the current balance of power, only a few Republican members of Congress need to speak up and speak boldly to sway the majority vote.
Contact your representatives. Encourage them to stand up — not in blind opposition, but in measured, constitutional responsibility. Remind them that they were elected by constituents, not by any one individual at the top of the party.
Help our representatives recommit to a government that is bold, but not reckless; principled, but not authoritarian; firm in belief, but humble in power.
More importantly, let our representatives know that government is by the people, for the people, and of the people.
The power is in us, one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.
