Confessions

I oppose the centralization of political, cultural, and economic authority. This puts me at odds not only with "big government," but with "big business," "big labor," and "big media," too.

The best government is local government.

Significant powers should be reserved not just for the states, but for the counties and municipalities.

The federal regime's relentless attempts at standardizing and homogenizing all aspects of life must be checked.

I am generally opposed to activist government, though I accept the need for basic social insurance programs to provide for the very needy.

I nonetheless consider myself a fiscal conservative, emphasizing strictly controlled spending and low (but progressively scaled) taxes.

Because I am skeptical of concentrations of money and power, I am naturally suspicious -- of not hostile -- toward Wall Street and major corporations, which I see as agents of destabilizing change in small communities frequently at odds with American welfare.

On foreign policy: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations," save those which present direct existential threats (as of now, none).

We must begin phased withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq, abandon many of our bases abroad, reduce the size of our military, and focus on homeland security

As for social issues: Permissive but not lax. Abortion in first trimester only, legalize and regulate marijuana, leave gay marriage up to the states, promote prayer or meditation in schools.

Ten year moratorium on ALL immigration and, after that point, revert to a quota system favoring skilled Europeans.

Staunch conservationist who detests (sub)urban sprawl and corporate and government abuse of our natural inheritance. We need to break our addiction to oil, especially foreign oil (if only for national security reasons!). We need an "Apollo Program" for renewable energy.

"Red Tory"? "Left Conservative"? "Country Party"? Meh. Def, anti-federalist.

My "conservatism" is a philosophy of prudence and restraint, realism and practicality, moderation and incremental reform within the set boundaries of tradition.