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Your Views: Letter writer seems unfamiliar with conservative ideals
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In his Dec. 15 letter attacking Ashley Bell, Christopher Morgan also attacks conservative principles, which he is clearly not familiar with.

I will not presume to speak for Mr. Bell, who is familiar with conservative principles and can speak for himself. But Republicans adopted a set of principles that, if Mr. Morgan is truly interested in learning about, he can find it here.

For starters, we believe in the teaching power of practical experience and a strong Christian-Judeo work ethic. And what human experience has taught us about achieving and preserving liberty and prosperity. We believe in how this experience is captured in the Declaration of Independence and in the U.S. Constitution.

We believe in limited government, which means government providing those things we cannot achieve as individuals but must provide with local, state and national governments each taking care of those things they are best suited for.

As to economic policy, we support tax and spending policies that encourage creativity, innovation and risk; that create more jobs and opportunities for more people. "Of course this isn't just a conservative principle, it's an economic principle."

We believe that: "Taxes should be no higher than what is required to achieve the necessary ends of government. This is the only way to restrict the continual growth of government, and its threats to individual freedom, initiative, creativity and prosperity. This principle demands restraint in spending to produce sound fiscal policy."

Government is essential to liberty and prosperity, but the foundation of our strength is in: 1) families, neighborhoods, churches, and other associations; 2) the attitudes, ambitions, values and virtues of our people; 3) the healthy traditions of our culture and heritage."

We believe that religious voices belong in the public square. They enhance our understanding of the great issues of the day. They are an effective teacher of morals, ethics, and remind us of our responsibilities to one another.

From time to time, I like to use two-word phrases to describe conservative principles: less government, less taxes, fiscal responsibility and government transparency, to name just a few. If anyone is keeping up with current events there are many others who embrace these same philosophies. As witness the Nov. 2 elections.

Kerry Cook
Flowery Branch