A Note To Conservatives
What is suggested here is radical—that Puerto Rico be granted independence
from the United States. A conservative might well believe that the our
current relationship with Puerto Rico is justified and that to suggest
otherwise is unpatriotic, but consider this: in our own revolution the
conservatives wanted to continue our relationship with England; the radicals
wanted independence. With regards to slavery, the conservatives were with
the status quo while the radicals were the abolitionists. In the old Soviet
Union the conservatives were the hard-line Stalinists; the radicals wanted
democracy.
In defense of conservatism, where "radical" comes from a Latin word
meaning "root", the intent of conservatism is to conserve. Conservationists,
historical preservationists are conservatives, and while conservatism seeks
to temper progress, one must consider the nature of the progressive act:
is it destructive or is it just? To tear down a valuable, historical old
building, or an ancient forest is an act of destruction. To grant a nation
of people self-determination is just. Those who are blindly conservative
are just as myopic as radicals with no concern for the consequences of
their actions. Each must balance and temper the other. But where justice
is concerned they must stand united and save their partisan rhetoric for
when they can afford it.
If you are a "conservative" I respect and share your concern for the
value of the past and of tradition; I only ask you to respect my hope for
the future. Please read these pages with an open mind and with reasoned
thought. If you do not agree with us at least understand our passion and
convictions.
We all long for peace, support the struggle for liberty and believe
in justice. There is much more that we have in common than divides us.
