Why America Needs Conservatives (& conservative women)

photo by Julia Percy  graphic by Caroline Chisholm

I grew up watching Fox and Friends on our circa-2001 kitchen TV (VHS port included) while my parents made dinner. But I’ve seen my fair share of NCB News during my post-school snack with my mom.

Now, neither grace our flat screens. Why?

Politics have become too divided.

But what about those of us in the middle? Is it even possible to — gasp — be in the middle?

Stereotypically, conservatives are rifle-wielding white men who sit on big white porches, drink good ole American beer and worship the patriarchy. Too far? Maybe. Accurate? No.

Though a common misconception, conservatives (as well as liberals) can support different beliefs and ideals than their party’s stereotypical platform. Currently, American society is designed to make us believe that you are either an elephant or a donkey, and you can’t cross the political line. Either you’re red or you’re blue. You watch CNN or FOX. You wear pantsuits (shutter) or follow @POTUS religiously.

Since the 2016 election, America has faced a problem — and no, it’s not the President. It’s the people. There is a strong divide between Democrats and Republicans, which has only been made worse with Twitter battles. And having two presidential candidates in 2016 so far from the middle has only made this problem worse.

But politics don’t have to be so divided. We need a moderate. Or at the very minimum, someone who can bridge the gap of the political divide. We need a Ronald Reagan.

Reagan was a believer in laissez faire economics (thanks Mr. Bickers) and believed in a small central government. Therefore, he believed in having the government be hands-off in social decisions

Reagan was opposed to abortion as an individual, yet he never introduced the issue of abortion into government during his presidency. In addition, Reagan supported women’s rights and said that, if given the chance, he would appoint a woman to the Supreme Court. This just goes to show that legislation and personal beliefs can be — and should be — kept separate; the government shouldn’t implore their personal beliefs on the citizens of the country.

Reagan is the perfect example of America’s moderate, or more moderate, leader, something lacking in the current political scene. Donald Trump is about as far right as they come, and Hillary Clinton is the exact opposite. And currently there is no inbetween at the national level.

And while I’m not a supporter of Hillary Clinton, I would like to see a (conservative) woman in office.

Melissa Rooker, a well-known Kansas moderate, is someone I look up to as a 17-and-a-half year old preparing to vote. She has conservative beliefs with the economy and taxation but also advocates for public education and funding, something close to me as a student of a public school, a topic commonly considered more liberal.

I consider myself to be a moderate, conservative woman — I’ve grown up surrounded by them. My mom and both grandmothers identify as conservatives and I consider them all to be role models, both in their political beliefs and as people.

But the current notion is that women can’t be conservatives. Why do women have to be pro-choice? And have to want government-provided healthcare, right? And an extended maternity leave?

In reality, you can believe in all of those things, yet still consider yourself a conservative.

For example, I don’t support Donald Trump’s behavior. He’s a poor role model for young and aspiring politicians. Yet I do agree with most of what he has accomplished in office. Trump has increased communication with North Korea and Russia, both of which the U.S. had strained relationships with during the Obama administration. The current unemployment rate is at an all-time low at 4 percent and the minority employment as well, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics — all good things. In addition, Trump has actually implemented policies he advocated for in his campaign — something not always seen from presidents — and GDP has shown a growth of 4.1 percent, according to Forbes.

But currently, politics and the media are leading people to believe that you can’t be in the middle, that you must make a choice. If you didn’t attend the Women’s March or post a picture from the March for Our Lives rally, then you’re a conservative. If you don’t own a Make America Great Again Hat and read the Wall Street Journal, then you’re a Democrat.

But this simply isn’t true.

So if you think it’s impossible to be a woman and a conservative, or a moderate, I assure you, it’s not. It’s what America needs.