Merriam-Webster.com defines Conservatism as:

…tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional b : marked by moderation or caution <a conservative estimate> c : marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners

Synonyms (like words) for this word include: archconservative, brassbound, button-down (or buttoned-down), die-hard, hidebound, mossbacked, old-fashioned, old-line, old-school, orthodox, paleoconservative, reactionary, standpat, traditional, traditionalistic, ultraconservative, unprogressive

Antonyms (opposite words) include: broad-minded, large-minded, liberal, nonconservative, nonconventional, nonorthodox, nontraditional, open-minded, progressive, unconventional, unorthodox

The year, the annual CPAC (Conservative Political Action Committee)  meeting has created a ton of buzz among Conservatives by the Gay Republican organization, GOProud, to attend their annual event, which, in the past, has featured keynote speakers such a Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.

The Conservative Internet websites have been abuzz the past couple of weeks as to the merits of this group attending the annual event.

I thought it might be helpful to find out exactly who GOProud is.

According to their website GOProud.org:

GOProud represents gay conservatives and their allies. GOProud is committed to a traditional conservative agenda that emphasizes limited government, individual liberty, free markets and a confident foreign policy. GOProud promotes our traditional conservative agenda by influencing politics and policy at the federal level.

 How, you ask?  I’m glad you did.

According to their site, their Federal Legislative Priorities are described thusly:

The so-called “gay agenda” is defined by the left through a narrow prism of legislative goals. In contrast to the approach of the left, GOProud’s agenda emphasizes conservative and libertarian principles that will improve the daily lives of all Americans, but especially gay and lesbian Americans.

1 – TAX REFORM – We support replacing the current tax code with the Fair Tax. Until then, we support death tax repeal; domestic partner tax equity; cuts in the capital gains and corporate tax rates to jump start our economy and create jobs; a fairer, flatter and substantially simpler tax code.

2 – HEALTHCARE REFORM – Free market healthcare reform. Allow for the purchase of insurance across state lines – expanding access to domestic partner benefits; emphasizing individual ownership of healthcare insurance – such a shift would prevent discriminatory practices by an employer or the government.

3 – SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM – The only way to permanent solvency in the Social Security system is through the creation of inheritable personal savings accounts. Personal savings accounts would give gay and lesbian couples the same opportunity to leave their accounts to their spouses as their straight counterparts.

4 – RESPECTING THE PROPER ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY – We believe our Constitution should be respected and that judges appointed to the federal bench should recognize the proper and appropriate role of the judiciary as laid out by our Founding Fathers.

5 – HOLDING THE LINE ON SPENDING – Standing up for all tax payers against wasteful and unnecessary spending to protect future generations from the mounting federal debt.

6 – FIGHTING GLOBAL EXTREMISTS – Standing strong against radical regimes that refuse to recognize the basic human rights of gays and lesbians, women and religious minorities.

7 – DEFENDING OUR CONSTITUTION – Opposing any anti-gay federal marriage amendment. Marriage should be a question for the states. A federal constitutional amendment on marriage would be an unprecedented federal power grab from the states.

8 – ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP – Package of free market reforms to encourage and support small businesses and entrepreneurship. Such reforms would create jobs for all Americans – including gay Americans.

9 – REVITALIZING OUR COMMUNITIES – A package of urban related reforms; expanding historic tax preservation credits; support for school choice.

10 – DEFENDING OUR COMMUNITY – Protecting 2nd amendment rights

Is this group, Conservative?  Why does the phrase “having your cake and eating it, too” come to mind?

GOPProud is about to hold a private event featuring Andrew Breitbart and singer Sophie B. Hawkins.  Mr. Breitbart is a well-known Conservative media figure. 

On the other hand, Sophie B. Hawkins, singer/songwriter is a Pro-Gay, Pro-Abortion, environmentalist who is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post.  In researching information about her, I have found that she sings about both men and women, and has said:

Just because I sing about women doesn’t mean I’m gay. Just because I sing about guys doesn’t mean I’m straight.

Whatever gets you more free publicity and listeners, huh, Sophie?

CPAC is well within their rights as an American organization to invite GOProud, if their purpose in attending is to advance a united Conservative message.  If their purpose in attending is to advance the acceptance and normalization of their sexual orientation, that is another matter indeed.

As I have said and done many times, in my ever-lengthening life, if you tell me you’re homosexual, I’ll pray for you.  I’ll pray with you.  I’ll work with you and I’ll treat you with the same Christian kindness that I treat other men and women.  I will love the sinner and hate the sin.