A Question We Need to Ask

President Reagan said it so well:

“The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and an ally, not a 20% traitor.”

Yet in parts of the far right today, that wisdom is being thrown out the window. We’ve seen the rise of political elitism — a demand that you agree with them 100% of the time on every issue, or else you’re branded an enemy. This mindset makes it nearly impossible to talk, to compromise, or to get anything meaningful done.

And here’s the reality: we can keep our standards, speak the truth, and maintain integrity without making enemies out of people who share most of our values. But the loudest fringe often hates those who dare to disagree with them — even if the disagreement is over something small.

Principles Over Personality

When conservatism is healthy, it unites people behind timeless principles. But when it’s driven by personalities or factions, it fractures us into competing tribes that care more about “winning” the argument than actually solving problems.

If we’re not careful, we’ll spend so much energy fighting each other inside the conservative movement that we’ll forget there’s still a much larger fight for the future of Wyoming.

I tell folks all the time — I want to Be Something Different. Not because it’s catchy, but because if we want different results, we need leaders who care more about truth than tribalism.

What True Conservatism Looks Like

• Faith that guides decisions — not faith that’s used as a campaign prop.
• Family at the center — protecting parental rights and supporting strong communities.
• Freedom without permission slips — remembering that government exists to serve people, not control them.
• Future-focused thinking — building solutions for the next generation, not just the next election cycle.

This isn’t about watering down our values. It’s about holding fast to them without turning them into weapons against our own allies.

More Than a Political Talking Point

“Conservatism” should not just be a word on a yard sign. It should be a way of life. It should be how we approach spending, governance, personal responsibility, and community.

When I say “More Than a Political Talking Point,” I’m saying that being conservative is more than just checking a box on an issue sheet — it’s about consistently choosing the path of liberty, integrity, and stewardship.

The Path Forward for Wyoming

We can Give Freedom Back — because real freedom doesn’t need permission — but only if we’re willing to lead with principle over partisanship. That means:

• Standing firm on our values.
• Building bridges where possible.
• Refusing to be defined by the loudest or angriest voices.

If conservatism in Wyoming is going to survive and thrive, we need to remember that the root of our movement is not rage — it’s responsibility.

Wyoming, it’s time to Be Something Different. Let’s lead with courage, conviction, and compassion — not just volume. That’s how we protect what matters most.

Watch Joseph’s full thoughts on principled conservatism: sf