I thought diversity was good - people of all backgrounds and experiences coming together to increase knowledge and understanding between them in order to attain more tolerance. America has struggled to increase diversity for decades. Yet the only diversity that really matters – diversity of ideas – is not tolerated, and is actually becoming increasingly castigated, at least when the ideas are conservative.

The core of conservative belief is written in the Declaration of Independence: We are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights (in other words, whether you believe in God or not, we are born with these rights and they cannot be taken away); among these: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

Conservatives are against big government and government intrusion into our lives, no matter who is in power. We do not believe that one person, or a group of people, no matter how intelligent and well-educated, can understand the needs and desires of each individual in the country well enough to centrally plan programs to solve what they believe are the problems. Rather, we believe that individuals need to be free to create their own experiences and deal with the consequences, good or bad. Yes, we as good Americans should help those who are having a very hard time – but we should do so individually, taking into consideration the specific situation, rather than allowing a distant group of people to develop one-size-fits-all programs that may or may not help, and usually have unintended consequences.

Conservatives fund local charities; yet we are called greedy. Conservatives believe in taking care of themselves and their families to not burden society; yet we are called selfish. Conservatives believe that people should be judged as individuals, rather than groups, with the content of one’s character more important than skin color; yet we are called racists. Conservatives believe that each individual has unique talents, and the ability to use these talents to earn a living and pursue happiness; yet we are called haters. We believe that each person’s opinion should be heard and considered; yet we are called close-minded.  A conservative talk-show host is attacked with falsehoods, and a member of Congress calls for his disqualification from entering into a private contractual agreement, yet we are called intolerant.

We stand against increased taxes and government growth at tea parties, and government officials and the media call us brownshirts and Nazis. We stand against government involvement in our healthcare decisions, and our President discounts us as liars. We attend townhall meetings to express our opinions and ask those who supposedly represent us to listen to us, and we are intimidated by union thugs and shut out of the discourse.  We express our opinions and ideas to those who we believe to be close friends, and we are called haters, racists, and fascists.

Yes, intolerance of diverse opinions comes from both sides of the aisle. Conservative principles are not found in all Republicans. And, since people are fallible, conservative principles are difficult to embody and employ throughout life. Even though a self-identified conservative doesn’t always live up to his principles, his failures do not disqualify conservative principles.

You may not always like my opinions or ideas, and I may not always like yours, yet we are all better off if we are allowed to speak them, without being called names in order to shut us down.  I will not shut up and get in line, and I will deal with the consequences. I hope you will speak your mind, too – even if you don’t agree with me.