Joshua “Stiltz” Andrew Riddle
Born: October 21, 1988
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
School:
Dartmouth College ‘12
Northfield Mount Hermon School
Grandview High School
Why “STILTZ”
Josh was dubbed “Stiltz” because he stand six foot nine inches... “head and shoulders above the rest.”
David “Serious C” Isaac Rufful
Born: March 22, 1989
Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island
School:
Dartmouth College ‘12
Northfield Mount Hermon School
Bishop Hendricken High School
Why “SERIOUS C”
Dave is seriously Christian and Conservative.
Who are The Young Cons?
The Young Cons are conservative activists, division-one basketball players, Ivy League students, Dartmouth Review editors, co-founders of Young Conservatives Facebook group, bloggers, and rappers. We have a mission to spread the love and logic surrounding true conservatism. In a technological era driven fiercely by the main stream media, those who vocalize the true conservative message of individual responsibility, moral absolutes, and small government are slanted as intolerant, racist, "bible and gun clinging", corporate fat cats who could not care less about the environment nor the well being of their fellow man. Our group proves otherwise. Our performances and videos are meant to be entertaining, combining both humor with serious commentary. In a day where conservatives are seen as close-minded and archaic, we bring a new perspective to a long-standing philosophy. Instead of sinking into the assemblage of the self-satisfied, we challenge the hearts and minds of Americans with lyrics that expose the true agenda of big government.
The inaccurate manifestations of conservatism cloud the real mettle in its core. Flawed politicians lay on both sides of the political spectrum, however, we believe the core conservative principles of Ronald Reagan and the Founding Fathers are needed to give the power back to the individual and rescue this economy. We should boldly ask questions about the past in order to learn about the best strategies for the future. All that we can do is look to the principle and values that were held dear to our past leaders and decide for ourselves which ideology they seem to remember.
How would Jesus and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. feel about the current state of affairs in this country? "Not one place in the Bible did Jesus advocate it was the function of government to do what loving human beings ought to do on their own. Conservatives are not opposed to social programs. We shed our blood, donate our time, apply our labor, and voluntarily redistribute our income to the poor... Jesus was a conservative because he promoted charitable giving on behalf of individuals, not government. Jesus was a conservative because he promoted the hard work and success of the individual, not the legislative body of the government. Jesus was a conservative he saw giving as a ministry of the gospel, not a secular and spiritless exercise of government in order to level the economic playing field... It takes a lot more to give from your personal resources than it does to compel others to give through taxation."1
Modern liberalism rejects Martin Luther King Jr.’s core belief of the power and necessity of faith-based association and self-government based on absolute truth and moral law. In contrast, conservatives place these ideas at the center of our philosophy.2
The goal of The Young Cons is to grow intellectually by promoting constructive debate. Rather than bashing viewpoints that deviate ideologically, the purpose is to make both side of the aisle think critically about their respective political and moral beliefs. People never to a person shouting forceful and rude statements, no matter how “correct” said statements might be. True conservative views will hold up in any ideological debate, and turning positive discussion into hate propaganda and name-calling is unacceptable. For real change to occur we must do as Jesus did and love those of opposing views with all our hearts. Once this happens our fiscal and social views will be recognized as undeniable truth.
You can either love us or hate us, but either way we love you and respect you as a fellow human being. Certain philosophical views of current politicians could not be more opposite than ours, but this changes nothing of the my feelings for them as brothers and sisters under God. The Young Cons encourage discussion among the American youth. Our goal is to get young Americans excited about politics.
References:
1. "Was Jesus A Conservative"
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258938/posts
2. “Martin Luther King’s Conservative Legacy”
http://www.heritage.org/research/americanfoundingandhistory/wm961.cfm