GOP Politicians Must be Held to Their Promises on Limited Government
by Rich MunyIn the wake of last week’s vote for national health care, it is becoming clear that the Republicans have a great shot at success on Election Day this November. The Republican establishment is wisely listening to conservatives who believe in limited government, but will Republican politicians keep their promises once back in power?
Today’s political landscape is reminiscent of 1994. Conservatives were incensed at big government. Threats of national health care legislation, gun bans, and tax increases woke up the movement. Conservatives demanded limited government. They made themselves heard and they put Republicans back in charge of Congress. America had a conservative Congress for a few years, thanks to principled conservatives like Dick Armey and Newt Gingrich.
Unfortunately, some within the movement wanted to use the levers of power to achieve societal change. As I detailed in an earlier column, a handful of aging social conservative leaders who still cling to the statism of the progressive movement of their youth wished to use the power of big government to change American society. Rather than seeking to prevent big government from harming traditional values, they instead thought big government could promote values by limiting freedom. Needless to say, this was the wrong direction for a party elected on the promise of limited government, and it would not be long before they were put out of power.
In the final years of GOP control, all we saw was big spending and even bigger government.
In fact, if he chose to, President Obama could plausibly claim that he has simply continued GOP-era big government. After all, Bush and the GOP establishment gave us the unfunded prescription drug benefit program, bailouts for Wall Street and the auto industry, an attempted big government ban on online poker (legislation that even forced banks to act as an unpaid arm of the Justice Department), and huge budget deficits.
Unfortunately, there are already warning signs that this pattern will repeat itself. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee refused to attend this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), claiming it was too libertarian. He was actually confused and offended by the refusal of the attendees at CPAC to focus on empowering the federal government to force societal changes. Similarly, Politico recently reported on the growing rift between some social conservative leaders and the rest of the conservative movement. In the article, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council calls Americans for Tax Reform and FreedomWorks leaders “liars” for implying that conservatives want less big government in the social arena. [Focus on the Family declined a request for comment.]
For limited government to succeed, it must be limited across the board. If we allow government to expand in one area, it will naturally expand in other areas as well (as we saw with Bush’s prescription drug benefit). Fortunately, we can accomplish all we want – without big government.
For example, pro-lifers can be pro-life without being pro government. Legislation can be based on protecting the unborn from the aggression of others, rather than on the morality of having or performing abortions. This is how many Libertarian presidential nominees have been able to be strongly pro-life (including Bob Barr and Wayne Allyn Root in 2008 and Ron Paul in 1988) without being statists. Protection of rights is a proper function of government under any definition. This is why no one thinks laws against murder or robbery represent big government.
Likewise, we do not need laws against things like online poker. People who do not wish to participate can simply choose not to participate. Problem solved! The Internet is a wonderful tool that is best kept outside the realm of government prohibitions. If one group wishes to control one part of the Internet, another group will seize control of another part, and soon we will have a far less free Internet. It is time to step back and leave the Internet alone.
Big government is the problem, not the solution. Most conservatives have seen the light. We have seen the corrupting impact of big government. We have lived it, and we would rather protect our values from big government than entrust big government with them.
If we want to preserve the next electoral victory for limited government conservatism, we will all need to hold the GOP to its promises. We will need to tell our lawmakers that we demand liberty. We will need to tell them that their cushy seats on Capitol Hill will be at risk EVERY time they even hint at voting for more government. We will need to tell them that we no longer accept lip service.
If the GOP can remain committed to limited government, we can have an enduring conservative majority. If they cannot, it will be 2006 and 2008 all over again.
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243 Comments
Yes, and to counter Hillary care, they introduced a bill containing mandatory health insurance. Hmmm. Does the word hypocrite come to mind?
My fellow citizens, there is NO PROFIT in a government structured for LIBERTY! What I say to you is this; if there is NO PROFIT for those that RUN government to DEFEND liberty, than why should the citizens PURSUE liberty?
It is because WE, the citizens, PURSUE LIBERTY to realize our need to express our FREEDOM.
And if we wish to be free; if we really mean to preserve this purity to be a free people which will provide to ourselves, our families and our neighbors an incalculable set of privileges noticed among mankind; for which has been, for so long, given to us by the founding fathers of these United States;
if we mean NOT to shrug off and abandon the struggle which has engaged our citizens to MAINTAIN the LIBERTY for over 200 years, and to which we have pledged ourselves to LIBERTY without ever knowing life WITHOUT liberty; we today must stand to drive the concept of LIBERTY into our own home and resolve our minds to FIGHT the PROGRESSIVE virus that infects our minds with intent to push LIBERTY from our hearts!
For without LIBERTY, FREEDOM is lost.
If our FREEDOM is LOST, our nature as MANKIND is choked, and our FREEWILL is taken.
Such that when the walls of LIBERTY fall, the reign of SLAVERY rises again.
You might say, “These words you speak off, these concepts you express… this strange thing called LIBERTY and FREEDOM. WHY do I hear these words with a dull regret and emotionless indifference?”
I ask you, “Would it not be true that those whom might wish to PROFIT from the controls of GOVERNMENT, should encourage your ignorance and indifference toward LIBERTY and FREEDOM?”
“But what is LIBERTY?” you might chime, “What about this thing I know little of? How might it make my heart sing, my spirit soar, and my will dance in anticipation to serve my fellow citizens every day?”
Liberty, as it has been defined, is a freedom from external governmental restraint, compulsion, or interference and the freedom from subjection to the will of another claiming ownership of our own property or services.
But Liberty has also been known to mean permission granted to a sailor, for example, a liberty to go ashore for a leave and in the most limiting fashion it can also be used to justify limits on goods or services such that you have less choices which could imply that you have more FREEDOM from the confusion and effort of having to make choices.
But which makes the most sense, I ask, a LIBERTY given to you by what is not determined to be restricted?
Or a LIBERTY defined by what is expressly acceptable?
Publius
Great article Rich, but I think you are smart enough to realize that November will just be rearranging the deck chairs on the titantic.
Whomever replaces the tyrants in congress better be not only listening but doing or they will be history. Never again will the American people fall asleep at the wheel. The days of a tyrannical government is over starting with our 2nd independence day November 2010 and then again November 2012. My guess is Obama will be impeached by then but their are still plenty to throw out in 2014 like Grahm of SC.
Sara Palin stumping for McCain priceless.
See Sara Palin stump for McCain and talk about how great he is, truly classic.
Sara, are you going to tout Mitt Romneycare in 2012?
November will be more of the same, business as usual.
Don't worry, tea partiers, Sara Palin will fix everything, just like she is fixing McCain's campaign.
What a joke she is.
[...] Email this to a friend | Print | Share on Facebook | Tweet this | // Posted by Editor at 12:20 PM Tagged with: Big Government, Congress, Culture, Economics, Featured Story, Financial Services, Mike Huckabee, Poker, Poker Players Alliance, politics, Regulation, Tea Party, technology, Tony Perkins [...]
You seem to have a Sarah Palin fixation.
The only accountable politicians are republicans and only if we hold them accountable — nobody would dare hold libs accountable.
The first thing that needs to be done is term limits. Too many in their life times in office have created fiefdoms of power and money. If the politicians won't pass this into law, we the people need to stop electing anyone that has served more than two or three election cycles. That should be at all levels of government.
Create a part time federal government. Based on the time these people actually spend in Washington it comes out to about that amount of time anyway. Limit the number and cost of all perks for both the House and Senate and any law that they pass they are subject to as are the rest of the population, no exceptions. If we can get the terms limits there is no reason a Congressman or Senator needs to walk away with a pension or medical care for the rest of their lives. A small one time stipend at the end of their terms should more than suffice.
Lastly, severely limit the amount of money spent on campaigns and limit where that money can come from.
I realize that the logistics of this would need to be worked out, but it's a good place to start.
Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran Sara Palin. That will fix everything.
Our politicians are entering a new age of citizen and new media scrutiny of every action, contribution, vote and promise.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Walk the talk or walk the plank.
There ya go, add more restrictions like term limits. Typical authoritarian, if the people aren't smart enough to vote out poor representatives, then by god we will just add more regulation.
Take liberty from the people by imposing more restrictions, how retarded.
We need a law that allows the voters to fire them once they break their promises to the American people. And yes we also need term limits. Quite afew comes to mind: Robert "KKK"Byrd, John "I was in Viet Nam" Kerry, Nancy"the Joker" Pelosi, "Dirty" Harry Reid. They longer they've been there, the worse they get. Now I know that there are states that don't allow them to be recalled, instead vote them out next election. Unfortunately, we can't wait that long.
Just limit the time they can be in Washington DC. In this day and age, we can do all the meetings with video conferencing, etc. Make it so they are only in Washington DC for two weeks per year. If they aren't present in their home districts/states for 40 weeks per year, they aren't eligible for re-election.
More laws and restrictions? You are ridicolous miss authoritarian. If the people aren't smart enough to vote out representatives then you argue for more rules, laws, and restrictions?
How stupid.
I don't know what happens to these guys…I remember when Graham was leading the charge to impeach Clinton. Seemed to have his priorities right back then. But now- he's just another bum that needs the boot.
trolls trolls every where and know one is aware, that some day soon we'll all be doomed to double speak, without a dime to spare!!!!!
So you think law makers should be exempt from the laws they impose on us? That only millionaires should be able to run for office? If I remember correctly, the founding fathers believed that all citizens of the Republic should participate in government. The current system only allows a small elite. We have a Federal government that has no interest in peoples liberty, only their own ideology and power. If you've got any better ideas, lets hear em'.
Great idea. It would tend to eliminate that Washington culture mentality and expose them directly to their constituents instead of being able to hide out in the capitol.
You failed to grasp the point of the article.
The rift in the GOP is between average Americans who want limited government and lower taxes, and career politicians who pay lip service to those principles as they continue their backroom dealings, pork barrel spending, and perpetual reelection campaigns.
Any candidate who doesn't support a return to limited, constitutional government must be voted out of office. We, the people, don't care what their party registration is as long as they continue to attack liberty, hard work, and the American dream.
Amen!
We also need an immediate closure of the earmark favor factory in Washington.
Pork barrel spending is the lubricant that allows all this bad legislation to go through.
It is nothing more than a way for elected officials to launder public money into campaign contributions.
In November, vote out any crook who appropriates for himself earmarks or parochial pork projects.
Isn't it though?
I see everyone coming buy and giving you the thumbs down. I don't. I don't follow the herd. Consequently, I'll further piss off folks here. I am not a Palin fan. I had reserved opinion on her, until this past Friday when she was shilling for McLame. He is part of the problem. If Palin was her own person, she would say to hell with patronage. The way the McLame folks treated her after the campaign, she should have told them all to go pound salt.
She just un-sold me.
Ah yes!
"Send the Maverick back to the Senate".
For chrissakes, if I hear that one more time, I'm gonna hurl chunks of rare meat.
He does, doesn't he?
The sad part is, some of his positions, I agree with.
I liked Palin. I liked her energy.
She just unsold me this past Friday shilling for McLame.
I watched it. It was phoney and contrived.
I said nothing about lawmakers exemptions from laws.
You don't have to be a millionaire to run. THAT'S FALSE.
People only listen to the big spenders, they don't care enough. When people care enough, then money won't matter. Maybe that time is coming, maybe not.
Was Doug Hoffman an elite?
Ya, I could have agreed to disagree with her on some of the conservative issues of the day, but her pulling that stunt is unforgivable.
Have to agree with there HLBo,………Hence the birth of the Tea Party,…………….
see ya out on the streets on April 15.
Something tells me,……not this time there JK, ………like I told Husker,……….
Hence the birth of the Tea Party,…….see ya out on the streets April 15.
It was just so embarrasing, watching McCain in the background smiling as she said that.
Just truly cringe worthy. How could anyone fall for that. It was worse than Bushes "I have to abandon free market principles in order to save the free market."
Every Republican politician and November hopeful wannabe,…………
had better watch the April 15 Tea Parties and take notes,…………….
You WILL take your marching orders from US.
Good analogy. The Party of Lincoln will always be vulnerable to the "social conscience" interest groups in the Democratic party who will charge Republicans with being "racist" every time they try to slow spending. And the dopes over in the Party of Lincoln fall for it every time. EVERY time.
I thought it was just me, but evidently you had the same reaction.
I am a fan of Breitbart here. I see he was in Searchlight yesterday, and so was she. I think it is great we have this forum, but I will not drink the Kool Aid, from either, or any party.
I will not support her, or anyone else, simply because she is photogenic and pretty. Hell, that is what got us the Barracker. Photogenic nonsense and propaganda.
jerseygirl, the real problem is the unseen money that controls politics. What we call "the establishment" are very wealthy individuals and families (especially the trustfunders) who control politicians by the purse. The problem is that if you take that purse away, then the media has even more power. This is a lot more complicated than mere term limits. Sometimes I think the only way out is revolution. But who knows what lies on the other side of one of those…?
Well count me in on the not on the Palin bus. While I think she has a place and obviously has influence over many, her support of McCain lost a lot of points in my book. He and Lindsey Graham are those of the old school that have a lot to do with the mess we are in.
My fear is that the Republicans will try and front another milk-toast candidate in 2012 and not seize the moment of this anti big government momentum that is building. They need to find a strong conservative that has exceptional speaking skills and can taut himself as being the one to take the fight to Obama.
No more Mr. Nice Guy (aka McCain) and his civil debate mantra. If I hear McCain say Mr Friends or My Friends Across the Aisle I think I will puke. They are not our friends……..they are the ENEMIES fighting to take away our Liberty and Freedom.
I don't know who that candidate will be but we need to start looking and grooming someone to take on this battle for our Country.
I agree with you that the big spenders get all the attention. Bloomberg in NY and Corzine in NJ as examples, bought their elections, but unfortunately Doug Hoffman is the exception not the rule.
And you're right, up until now not enough of us have cared. Hopefully that's changing with our country on the line.
Republicans paint a scary picture with McCain and Palin/ She knows who pays her and got her to where she is today — too bad but a third party is not good / maybe that's the plan/ get us to like Palin / Obama pulls victory over her in 2012 – all the same
Yes.
I hare that "My Good Friends".
I want politicians like in Japan or South korea. I want to see them flinging furniture, and brawling in the aisles.I want more bang for my buck.
Don't even get me started on Lindsay Graham………
We all need to check out Hayworth and get to know what he is about. I have heard him a couple of times and he seems to talk the talk, but admittedly I don't know that much about him.
But when you really look at McCain's true colors and who is has been in bed with on many pieces of legislation and his current stance on major issues in front of us………………he MUST be defeated and by a conservative who can preserve the Senate seat for the red side.
Hi Rich. Good to see another post from you here. While I agree with the spirit behind your article, I'd like to submit to you the notion that it is as much the responsibility of the average citizen to ensure that politicians of either party keep their promises as it is the politicians themselves. How many life-long politicians are still in office today after repeatedly violating their promises to constituents? Far too many, in my estimation. This is the voter's fault, not theirs.
I can't help but see a parallel between your article and the recent Ann Coulter / Canada flap. Threatening (or warning…as the case may be) aspiring politicians before they've even decided to run for office might be a tad counter-productive. I'm pretty sure that anyone considering throwing their hat in the ring at this stage of the game is already fully cognizant of the mood of the average citizen.
There are many more facets of this topic that bear further discussion, but I don't want to be a thread hog. Overall, I'd say…good job. It was an article worth the read.
L4S
I have watched her closely.
I am afraid she will either split the party, or fracture it beyond repair.
I agree.
McLame is a huge part of the problem.
Wouldn't it be funny, if he listened to the polls, and pulled an Arlen Spinchter and switched parties? Now that would get people up in arms………
I'd rather that they adhere to the Constitution and faithfully and consistently act in the best interest of the country, rather than follow the "will of the people". Let's not forget that 40% of Americans are pinheads who WANT to live in a nanny State! Sometimes NOT getting what you want is the best thing for you!
Nice summary.
At least we're smarter this time. I'm sure those who want limited government will no longer assume career politicians will take care of it for us.
Good point. Monetary limits would be the only way to curb that though. As for the media( the standard fair), I don't think they have the exclusive power they once did. Too many new, news outlets have usurped their domain.
And you're right, revolution can have unintended consequences, but it's good to have the conversations.
Our founding fathers were only men trying to do the right thing. I think most of us here are trying to do the same.
If all we can do is rearrange deck chairs then we might as well use the materials we have at hand to and start building a new ship of state. One House or Senate seat at a time.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my article. Yes, it is the responsibility of the citizenry to hold politicians to their promises. When I titled the column, "GOP Politicians Must be Held to Their Promises on Limited Government," I definitely meant that it will be the citizenry who must hold politicians to their promises.
Senator McCain's last hurrah will only hurt the Republican Party as much as we will allow it to do so.
As far as Sarah Palin's support of this old fool,……one can only hope that,……….
there exists a sense of loyalty, though a tad misguided, must be admired.
Why is it that the democrats can pay homage to their old goats (i.e, Byrd),………..
but Republican are always chastised when we do the same (i.e., Thurmond)
It may not fix anything but it will get rid of future threat
Mr. Muny, Your analysis is good. However, we the people are now wide awake even if we are not attending Tea Party Protests all over the country. If the Conservative (back to the Constitution) Republicans take over the majority in Congress in November, I believe we need to start seeing the beginnings of the elimination of the EPA, IRS, and all other Big Government acronyms who are draining our wallets dry with their unnecessary existence in our lives. What we need is to begin to turn the clock back about 100 years to the time before the progressives got a foot in the door! It won't be easy, but we need to keep our elected officials accountable for their actions and punish accordingly with our votes. If people with DEMONSTRATED HONOR AND CHARACTER are elected, then they are less likely to stray away from their mission to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION. We the people must keep engaged in the political process and keep track of what they are doing…..thank God for the Internet!
I smell the republicans passively supporting a fairness doctine.
So if it comes down to Sarah or Barry in 2012 – how u vote?
"I'd rather that they adhere to the Constitution……."
We (The Tea Party) People are on the same page there L4S,………..so the only ones left to get on board,…….
are the Republican politicians,………we already know that,…….
there is no hope for the Democrat Pols.
SDgal,
Thanks so much for checking out my column and for commenting on it. Yes, I think the Internet is key to keeping the GOP's feet to the fire this time. After all, we were wide awake in 1994 too, and we saw what happened.
IMO, it's up to us. If we all stay motivated and refuse to accept lip service from these politicians, we can get what we want.
Rich
Rich,
Good thought provoking article.
Also, if you follow me on Twitter (as I mentioned in the column), I'll definitely follow you back.
I agree with what you wrote.
Strange contradictions, eh?
Just think for a minute if the drunken murderer Teddy Kennedy had been a Republican….
Thats not fair…..
2012 / 2010 a big chess game – get ready folks – who's pawn ? who's king? – these progressives are not stupid – both parties – if they play us off against eachother in party lines – danger – don't put it past them – I think already planned – long , long time ago – they all said the bill was going to pass – what do they know that we don't ? – our next move has been in the books years ago – sucks ! – am I wrong ?
He/she did not miss the point but instead ignored it and tossed the usual BS bomb.
Term Limits would change that.
Surely the Republicans after the 2008 misstep are done with the Rudy McRomney's.
Surely they are smart enough to let Chuckabee sit at home.
Surely they have learned their lesson.
People may have reached the tipping point. Plane into IRS building…
It may finally be the perfect storm.
The only way for them to recover is new meat up there…No more "Reaching across the isle" with crocagators.
Perhaps we (TPM) need to provide ourselves an alternative instead of waiting to see who the Repubs put up as candidates. After many years of disappointment, I can almost guarantee that some promising candidates will start the race but will drop out one-by-one until we are left with either McCain or Romney-Care as Republican options. The gives a choice between the devel and the deep blue sea unless we have a third candidate in the race and ready to go. A third candidate can always bow out if the Repubs actually run a conservative candidate.
"For example, pro-lifers can be pro-life without being pro government. Legislation can be based on protecting the unborn from the aggression of others, rather than on the morality of having or performing abortions. "
Nope, can't be done. Roe vs Wade makes it illegal to pass all but the least sweeping protective laws about abortion, like those against partial-birth abortion, which is really nothing more than infanticide. And to be blunt you are evading the question. You cannot pass laws protecting the unborn from the aggression of others because the assumption of the pro-abortion people and of the law is that the unborn have no rights. The mothers, on the other hand, have unlimited rights to kill their children so long as they are still in the womb. The belief that unborn babies have a right to life is a moral belief, and the contrary belief is equally a belief in moral (or perhaps amoral) principle.
Non-economic matters are generally more complicated than libertarian ideology can handle.
It seems to me that if they aren't on board now, they can't really call themselves Republicans OR conservatives. You need a spirit of discernment. Just as everyone who tells you they are a Christian is not a Christian, everyone who tells you they are a conservative Republican is not really a conservative Republican. You (generic usage) have a responsibility to your self and your country to be smart enough to know when you're being lied to.
Excuse me, but what about the post is BS. Senator Hatch from Utah several days ago admitted that the Republican counter-proposal to Hillary care was an enforced mandate. I guess he was for the bill, before he was against it.
I don't know if you are wrong. I do know that everyday more and more Americans are waking up. They are from both parties, and they are pissed. This article drives home the accountability factor. People in this country who raise kids, work, pay taxes, run a local eatery, have employees and know a liar when they hear one.
The old-school politician is on the way out. The new ones will be people like Cowboy Logic ( I cite him without permission ) who everyday people understand and believe what they say because they chose to run a business instead of attending Hawvawd Law school and they have real-life experience which is easy to respect and trust in regard to REPRESENTING the people. My question is will enough people feel the sense of urgency in 2010?
Apologies for the run on sentences….and thanks to Rich for a great read!
That stinks and I don't like it – Jim Norton
Republicans get ONE (and only one) more chance; I really, really mean that. If the Congress doesn't significantly trim deficit, spending, overhead, etc. then I must assume the ballot box no longer works.
When it appears the ballot box can't replace this irresponsible system that mooching bastards (and their supporters) have perpetrated, it's time to go to war with all involved parties; I'll be there.
[...] Thoughts on what looks like a rosy November for the GOP. For example, pro-lifers can be pro-life without being pro government. Legislation can be based on protecting the unborn from the aggression of others, rather than on the morality of having or performing abortions. This is how many Libertarian presidential nominees have been able to be strongly pro-life (including Bob Barr and Wayne Allyn Root in 2008 and Ron Paul in 1988) without being statists. Protection of rights is a proper function of government under any definition. This is why no one thinks laws against murder or robbery represent big government. by Thomas Brewer @ 11:46 pm [...]
Does anyone know of a good candidate for pres in 2012?
Blame Dr. Dobson.
Or, as they say in Casablanca, "Round up the usual suspects."
You wrote it, usually thats enough right there.
Lefists are like parots, they sound like they can speak until you make or point or ask a question, then it's "Awk … repeat" "Awk … repeat"
What will you do when the government no longer pays your bills? Well there is always mexico, I would say canda but I dont think your qualified to clean streets
JohhnyNutz at it again
Johnn Nutz crusing for a date, hey try a public mens room Johhny
Hey Johhyn Nutz
Heard they picked a few of you jew haters up in Michigan
I don't think he will run, bit I hope Paul Ryan is drafted, to run in 2012.
He would have been a ONE term senator.
Like your style
Pat Paulsen.
That was sarcastic.
On a serious note, I'd have to say Lt. Col. Allan West.
It's a matter pf priorities. They have to focus on getting government out of the way of a good economy, and make social issues lower priority. Cut spending, cut taxes, cut regulations (Bush added thousands of pages of regulations). Open up drilling for oil (which would both cut the price of oil and create thousands of jobs). More nuclear clean energy. Defund wasteful departments and programs. There is too much to do to save the economy to spend any time on social issues.
Republicans have until 2012 to get it right.
After that, they risk becoming the Whigs of 2014. The Democrats will always be with us: there will always be a political party that runs on a platform of buying some people happiness with other people's money.
Okay, after Nov. and they leave the "Health Bill" alone and they let the Dems take the lead and just enough vote for it.
John Kasich from Ohio. Running for Governor but the right man for the Oval Office in 2012.
I believe alot of the productive, tax paying citizens are fed up and have been awakened. I love all of the grassroot movements, like the Tea Parties, but after this weekend – I'm really confused. Can anyone explain to me, why in the world Sarah Palin would support John McCain? I like her ideas on energy & smaller govt., but she doesn't seem to be walking the talk when she comes out in support of McCain. (Anyone who reads the comments here, knows why I say that.) I feel she is tainting the Tea Party movement by that type of action. Pretty sad….. don't feel I can believe her convictions or anyone she supports now.
Thanks! I appreciate the comment. Glad you liked it.
You've mentioned his name in the past. I'd love to hear more about him. Maybe he could write some articles for this site to get some exposure. We need to find someone good to get behind and not just recylce the same old trash! I'm sick and tired of voting for the "lesser of 2 evils", as the saying goes.
GOP Politicians Must be Held to Their Promises on Limited Government – Big Government…
Trackback from PunditKix…
Won't happen. She's too divisive within the party. People either lover her or hate her. She's kind of like Hilary is/was to the dims/libs, so I don't think she'll ever be on the big ticket again. Hopefully she sticks around though because she's got some great ideas and God knows we need them now. With her knowledge of how the game is played (been there done that sort of thing), she can certainly help groom whoever our next candidate is.
Rich,
A few days ago you nailed the obvious. The conservative movement is not homogeneous. We are made up of people of all colors, religions and races. Except in one way. We all want the freedom to succeed. The calls for "limited government," "lower taxes," and, "less regulation" are drowning out the most important principle of all. The need — yearning even — of middle America for freedom from social and economic engineering. In our estimation, one of the greatest achievements of the founders was to codify an environment in which political jurisdictions were allowed (perhaps forced) to compete amongst each other to deliver the best environment for freedom and prosperity.
The argument is much more complicated than big v. small government. The discussion should revolve around the notions of centralized v. decentralized government. As I survey the landscape of my fellow Americans in every state, county and municipality from coast to coast — I see people trying to make their way in this world and being blocked at every turn by an ever expanding centralized government.
You are correct to point out the eagerness with which the social conservatives were willing to wield the Centralized model. Within that group the desire was not for more freedom, but simply for central control of a different flavor.
As representatives of middle America, our focus should not be on big v. small, but on central v. decentralized government. Power must be moved from Washington to our school districts, towns, counties and states.
Lately it appears that there is no issue too small to escape the need for federal control. Tanning salons, are they out of their flipping minds??
The rallying cry is not simply "Smaller Government," but LOCAL government. The representatives and senators we send to Washington need to focus on pushing governance to the local level. To allow the local people to determine their own fates. To allow smaller jurisdictions to compete with each other rather than being wrangled in to a national soup that allows for no competition, no local control.
This, I believe, should be the motto of the new conservative movement. Down with central government, up with local government!
The message is simple. The test of fidelity is easily understood. Who should control the local elementary school?
But it seems to me that local government can become just as interfering and prying as federal government.
Yikes. A bit pessimistic. The Republican party is just an apparatus – an infrastructure – that changes as often as its membership and leadership changes. Not to say there aren't entrenched interests and influences, but it would be far easier for all of us to get more involved in the Republican party and redirect it than to start from scratch.
Chum……….
Here is a theme song for U.S. all.
http://bandofpatriots.us/
Also, this needs to be on all of our protest signs as well.
If it doesn't change then the people that want to be responsible will continue to get punished.
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