Letters to the editor: The real meaning of 'conservative'; a vote for Nordblum

Defining ‘conservative’ in present

Re: Ingrid Jacques’ Jan. 30 column, “Trump isn’t a true conservative”:

USA Today columnist Ingrid Jacques identifies herself, legitimately, as a conservative, allows that the meaning of words can change, and asserts that she resents “how the Republican Party has conflated Donald Trump with conservatism.”

She is correct. Donald Trump is a right-wing populist and radical — seeking changes “from the roots” — not a conservative.

Let’s note, though, that meanings have indeed changed and that traditional American economic conservatives are what were once called — and in many places are still called — liberals or even radicals: in their ideologically purest forms calling for capitalism unrestrained by governments, totally free, “free trade.”

The great conservative columnist George F. Will reminded us repeatedly that capitalism is a “relentless engine of change,” a point made also in the Communist Manifesto, so it’s safe to say it’s a widely accepted idea.

The old conservative motto had it, “Unless it’s necessary to change, it’s necessary not to change,” and politics can start with the questions, “Necessary for what? Necessary for whom?” Old-style conservatism talked about “the continuity of generations” and what each generation owes past and future generations. They saw the state and society as less like a machine we can tinker with and more like an organism where “everything is connected to everything else” and “you can’t change just one thing”; ideas shared with environmentalists, mystics, and associated nowadays with, well, liberals.

“Change is good” is sort of true for young people — rapid change helps them compete with their elders — but unmodified that’s just a overgeneralization (Which changes? Good for whom?). But change is inevitable, and decent conservatives are necessary to help slow change down and direct it with common sense and compassion.

Donald J. Trump, indeed, is not a conservative.

Richard D. Erlich, Port Hueneme

Vote for Nordblum for assembly

It’s hard to believe, but we are only a month away from election day. Newbury Park residents will have the opportunity to vote for change this year, and that change is Ted Nordblum for State Assembly.

I am voting for Ted because he will protect Prop. 13, support our law enforcement, and empower parents in helping shape their kids’ education. Career politicians have run this state for too long. I believe it’s time for a change in leadership.

Vote for Ted Nordblum for State Assembly.

Evan Sullings, Newbury Park

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: The real meaning of 'conservative'; a vote for Nordblum