I have never considered myself a MAGA Republican. I have always considered myself a conservative. From my perspective, MAGA is not a departure from conservatism but rather an expression of it. Conservatives spent decades advocating for secure borders, fair trade, America First policies, limited government, constitutional protections, and respect for our nation’s symbols and traditions. Many supporters believe the MAGA movement acted on those principles, while establishment Republicans often failed to.
I remember growing up proud to be an American. I saw people from around the world who wanted to become American citizens, worked hard to achieve that goal, learned English, embraced American customs, and sought to join our national community. That experience shaped my understanding of what citizenship and assimilation mean. Today, many Americans feel those expectations and shared cultural values are no longer emphasized as strongly, and they worry about what that means for our national identity.
Education is another area that deeply concerns me. When I was growing up, people strongly encouraged academic achievement. Parents expected their children to complete their homework, study hard, and earn good grades. Today, too many students advance through the system without mastering basic reading, writing, and math skills, while taxpayers continue to face rising property taxes. Parents and taxpayers deserve confidence that educational outcomes are improving along with educational spending.
I strongly support enforcing immigration laws, promoting American energy independence, reducing taxes, and limiting unnecessary government regulations. I also continue to believe in the American Dream: the idea that if people work hard, play by the rules, and take responsibility for their lives, they can achieve success, own a home, and build a better future for their families. Unfortunately, many Americans, especially younger generations, increasingly feel that this dream is slipping out of reach. That reality should concern all of us, regardless of political affiliation.
I believe we must defend the Constitution against government overreach and the growing influence of unelected bureaucracies. The Constitution protects fundamental rights, including the Second Amendment, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech, and we must preserve them for future generations. These are not simply political issues; they are core American principles.
One of my strongest disagreements with arguments such as those presented in Jennifer Tichy’s InkLink article is the suggestion that conservatives should “hold their nose and vote Democrat” to save conservatism. From my perspective, voting for candidates who support policies that fundamentally conflict with conservative principles does not strengthen conservatism; it undermines it. Asking conservatives to support expanded government, increased spending, and progressive social policies requires them to abandon many of the very principles they believe in.
Bipartisanship is a worthwhile goal, but it requires compromise from all sides. Many conservatives believe they have seen little willingness from Democrats to compromise on issues such as immigration, gender policies in sports, crime and policing, federal spending, and energy policy. My opposition to certain policies is not a rejection of bipartisanship. Rather, it reflects a belief that those policies are not in the best interests of the American people.
The real divide, in my view, is not between MAGA Republicans and traditional conservatives. The divide is between America First conservatives and a political establishment that many voters believe has failed to secure the border, control government spending, protect American industry, and address concerns about culture and national identity. For those voters, supporting Democrats is not a path to restoring conservatism. Instead, they view the MAGA movement as having revitalized a Republican Party that had, in their eyes, lost sight of the concerns and priorities of many American citizens.
I also believe we would benefit from returning to the values embodied in the phrase “God, Family, and Country.” These principles emphasize personal responsibility, strong families, respect for others, faith, community engagement, and service to the nation. While people may interpret these values differently, they represent ideals that have guided generations of Americans. A stronger focus on these principles could contribute to a more united, respectful, and stable society.
Ultimately, voters should not be told to “hold their nose” and support a political party they do not believe represents their values. Instead, they should carefully evaluate each candidate, consider the issues that matter most to them, and vote for the individual who most closely aligns with their principles. No candidate will agree with every position we hold, but as citizens, we have a responsibility to make informed choices based on our values, priorities, and vision for the future of our country.
