Virtues of the Right:
- Capitalism Voluntary exchange of goods and services Capitalists cannot succeed unless they are offering something of value
- Life Conception to natural death
- Rule of Law/consent of the governed Free, fair elections, one person, one vote. Everyone is equal under the law
- Free speech All points of view should be allowed to be heard.
- Individualism Judging people as individuals. The rights of the individual.
- Citizen control of government Government through legislation, not regulation.
- Libertarianism, conservatism Preserving the value of liberty. The government that governs least, governs the best. (attributed to Thomas Jefferson)
- Equality of opportunity We are not born with equal abilities and strengths but have equal right to use them
- Private control of resources, production Essential element of capitalism. Fair and voluntary commerce.
- Natural (God-given) rights Some rights are necessary to the pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is not for any government to take them away.
- Personal responsibility The freedom to fail. Mature persons understand the relationship between their actions and consequences and are expected to respect the rights of others.
- Ends in accord with the means Only just actions can produce just results.
- Truth stems from facts There is an ultimate truth that is not subject to our passions and prejudices
- Western Civilization Our civilization is based upon the principles borne of the Athens-Rome-Jerusalem triumvirate of social, moral, and political teachings
