Questions for conservatives

Re “The right divide,” Opinion, Jan. 11

Todd Gitlin’s questioning spirit can only do conservatives good. Among the questions they might consider are: Does the “word of God” trump the Constitution? Is faith more reliable than reason? Should abortion be a crime? Are presidents free to violate statutory law, in wartime or otherwise; and if so, are presidents also free to determine when we are, or are no longer, at war? To what extent do we have the right to inflict casualties on other peoples to enhance our security? Is there a point at which disparities in wealth and income are bad for society? Is medical care a right? Is it reasonable to expect a business to incur costs to enhance worker safety, and minimize environmental harm, if its competitors are not required to do the same?

If more conservatives responded honestly to such questions, there would be far fewer conservatives.

VINCE CANZONERI

Newton, Mass.