Commentary
We are witnessing a profound shift in California’s decades-long progressive governance as voters showed a more moderate approach in several high-profile campaigns across the state this November.
While media pundits are paying attention to this change in voting behavior, typically apolitical citizens are dropping their polarized political glasses and acknowledging the legitimate concerns of their conservative family members, coworkers, and neighbors.
Although a significant ideological divide persists—whether in perception or reality—conservatives are emerging from the shadows of the Golden Gate Bridge and the sprawling palms of Los Angeles. As our state continues to experience a significant outflow of residents, and with the echoes of recent elections still ringing, it’s time we take a moment to understand, rather than judge, the conservative Californian.
One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Elias Boudinot observed, “Good government generally begins in the family, and if the moral character of a people once degenerate, their political character must soon follow.”
This reflects a belief in the foundational role of personal and familial morality in shaping effective governance. Modern conservatives generally resemble this description of yesteryear. Indeed, the principles of good governance start at the grassroots level—the family unit. The values, ethics, and moral education instilled at home are critical to creating citizens capable of participating in and supporting a virtuous government.
Admittedly, conservatives either struggle to explain their ideology to modern Americans or refuse to cast their proverbial “pearls before swine.” Political theorist Roger Scruton posited, “The real reason people are conservatives is that they are attached to the things that they love, and want to preserve them from abuse and decay. They are attached to their family, their friends, their religion, and their immediate environment.”
California’s political landscape has always been a tapestry of vibrant colors, but the ideological divide seems to widen with each passing year. Yet in this divide lies an opportunity for understanding and healing. As Ronald Reagan once said, “The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally, not a 20 percent traitor.”
Conservatives in California are not a monolith but a mosaic of various factions, united by shared principles rather than identical views. They believe in localism, advocating for solutions that start at home, in our cities and counties, rather than being dictated from Sacramento. They value free markets, not out of disdain for regulation but from a belief in innovation and personal liberty. And they champion limited government, not because they wish to abandon the vulnerable but because they trust in the power of community, benevolence, and personal responsibility.
Explaining the ethos, pathos, and logos of a California conservative is instructive. They’re less concerned with being morally superior than instituting integrity in public service. Their public frustrations are less “get-off-my-lawn” sentiments than deep care for the community’s future. Their hyper-rational approach is not about winning arguments but pursuing heathy policy that benefits all.
When evaluating policy proposals, conservatives take the formation of law seriously, often through a federalist lens with an initial question: “Should government be involved in this activity at all?” If the answer is yes, they then determine which level of government—federal, state, or local—is best suited for the task. Finally, they consider the extent of government involvement and funding, always mindful of overreach and inefficiency.
Conservatives are not naive about the ramifications of various political and economic phenomena, such as public choice theory, the tragedy of the commons, and the rebound effect. They demand transparency, accountability, and respect for human ingenuity in policymaking processes to ensure government actions are justified, effective, and constitutionally sound.
They know that “getting to yes” isn’t always the goal if that “yes” leads away from what’s truly beneficial for the public.
California’s conservatives are concerned about the complexities of municipal finance and intricate regulations designed to confound the public and hide behind the wall of bureaucratic inertia. While building durable relationships with elected colleagues of all political stripes, a conservative in office remembers that their audience is not just the board, council, or legislature—it’s the constituents who entrusted them with their vote.
They are not interested in dismantling the government; they want to refine it, ensuring government serves us all—not just the loudest or most powerful voices. Nevertheless, as conservatives continue to be unfairly maligned, they try to absorb the inevitable character attacks with a thick skin and a soft heart.
To truly empathize with California’s conservatives, one must see beyond confrontational media headlines and various political skirmishes. They are your neighbors, family members, and community partners, striving for a state where freedom, responsibility, and local governance pave the way for prosperity and peace.
In this era of political polarization, let’s remember that understanding breeds compassion. Let’s aim to heal our country by first understanding each other. We might just find that we have more in common than we’ve been led to believe.
