A Very Morton Christmas
Well, if you couldn't tell by the Santa hat I'm wearing, it's Christmas time. Aside from the religious reason for the season, this is also the time of year to give to others. That's why I was very pleased to read about a recent study which shows conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than liberals.
And while I certainly advocate charitable giving, I also think it's important that conservatives go out of our way to help one another. You see, sometimes we end up viewing each other as competition. But as Morton Blackwell's "16th law" (of the public policy process) says: "A well-run movement takes care of its own." For this reason, I've been meaning for a long time now to write something on the topic of What it means to be a "Movement Conservative". And part of what it means to be a movement conservative is to go out of your way to help other conservatives -- even if it is an inconvenience. Here are a couple of quick examples that I use, not to brag, but to illustrate what I'm talking about .
... Two of the folks who worked for me on my campaign in North Dakota are now working for conservative companies and/or firms in DC. Both of them spent some time crashing on my couch and spare bedroom, too. Now, that's nothing huge. But the truth is that it has a multiplier affect. It means that I had a hand in any good work that they do -- or any lives they touch. And truthfully, I've found that the best way to get ahead in life is to give to others. Most people that you help will someday return the favor -- especially if you help them without expecting anything in return (as the Good Book says, "Give and it shall be given unto you.")
If you have good folks who have interned for you -- or worked for you -- go out of your way to help them segue into their next job. Sometimes that means writing letters of recommendation, setting up job interviews, or even having someone crash on your couch.
So this Christmas -- by all means give to charity -- but don't forget to give back to the movement, too. So go ahead and Pay it Forward!
And while I certainly advocate charitable giving, I also think it's important that conservatives go out of our way to help one another. You see, sometimes we end up viewing each other as competition. But as Morton Blackwell's "16th law" (of the public policy process) says: "A well-run movement takes care of its own." For this reason, I've been meaning for a long time now to write something on the topic of What it means to be a "Movement Conservative". And part of what it means to be a movement conservative is to go out of your way to help other conservatives -- even if it is an inconvenience. Here are a couple of quick examples that I use, not to brag, but to illustrate what I'm talking about .
... Two of the folks who worked for me on my campaign in North Dakota are now working for conservative companies and/or firms in DC. Both of them spent some time crashing on my couch and spare bedroom, too. Now, that's nothing huge. But the truth is that it has a multiplier affect. It means that I had a hand in any good work that they do -- or any lives they touch. And truthfully, I've found that the best way to get ahead in life is to give to others. Most people that you help will someday return the favor -- especially if you help them without expecting anything in return (as the Good Book says, "Give and it shall be given unto you.")
If you have good folks who have interned for you -- or worked for you -- go out of your way to help them segue into their next job. Sometimes that means writing letters of recommendation, setting up job interviews, or even having someone crash on your couch.
So this Christmas -- by all means give to charity -- but don't forget to give back to the movement, too. So go ahead and Pay it Forward!
posted by Matt Lewis at 12:00 PM
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