A Tsunami Approaches: The Beginning of the Great Deconstruction .

Must Read

 

We’ll, I hate to take the glow off all those who lifted their hands towards heaven at the election of Scott Brown, but the truth is, his election was typical of what I’d expect in pragmatic two-party politics.  The democrats win and now it’s the republicans turn to win all the while the debt clock keeps ticking…$105 TRILLION…$106 TRILLION…$107 TRILLION.  So, is Scott Brown the savior of the Republic?

Let’s begin with a little clip from the now rising star the day after his election:

Did you hear that; “I…I think…I think that, first off all, just so we’re past campaign mode, I think it’s important for everyone to get some form of healthcare, so to offer a basic plan for everybody is important.” 

How exactly is that different from what the Olympia Snowe’s of the R’s and Harry Reid’s of the D’s are saying?  And more importantly, where exactly does Senator-elect Scott Brown find authority in the U.S. Constitution to even vote on making sure “everyone” has some form of basic health care?

Brown really pulled a fast one on the Tea Party and glomed onto it, yet is he really one of us?  Or, is the TEA party really just a wing of the republican party?  If his election is any indication, the Tea Party had better do some very quick reflection on this or very suddenly find itself co-opted (if not already) by the two-party system.

I will state this; as a Tea Party organizer in Maryland, invited on Fox News 3 times as a representative, interviewed by CNN Anderson Cooper and a very recent radio talk show host, I didn’t sign up for this.  For every Tea Party member reading this who supported Brown, please take a look at why you supported Brown with your money and emotion…was he really the kind of guy that will go to Washington DC and vote to restore the Constitution to its rightful place as the authority in our country?  If his first press conference is any indication, I suspect we’ll see buyers remorse very soon.  In fact, as reported by Dick Morris at Newsmax.com, the democrats are quite possibly going to find a way around him anyway.  I suspect the republicans would do the exact same thing if it was a polic they we’re hellbent on forcing upon us.  Remember this gem, the new entitlement program we’re forcing our children and grandchildren to pay for, Medicare Part D which was passed under a republican administration and supported by many republicans like Jim Gerlach from Pennsylvania?

So, Tea Partier’s, remember the passion you felt as you confronted your local representatives at town hall meetings in August and September.  Remember how empowered you felt as you read your Constitution and Madison and the other Founders felt so alive to you.  Remember when you read the Declaration of Independence and realized that we’re facing tyranny again, this time in the form of our own federal government.  Finally, remember the clarity you felt about the principles of liberty and freedom so eloquently penned in 1776 with these words that still bring great emotion to me even as I type them;

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Fellow Tea Partier’s, don’t settle for a win for the sake of a win…I beg you.  We cannot morally pass to our future generations that which we have created today.  We cannot act on pragmatism, we must act and stand on principle.  And while I worked on Capitol Hill during the Reagan administration, I can no longer accept his; “somebody who agrees with you 80% of the time is an 80% friend not a 20% enemy.”   While this sounds so enlightened in theory, in practice, the very 20% can lead to hundreds of billions of dollars of extra-constitutional activities and spending.  

Thus, if the Tea Party is to evolve into a true political force that will draw from many different political ideologies and effect the change necessary for our children’s future, it must stand on principle and not pragmatism.  For far too long, compromise (mostly the Constitution being compromised) has been the supposed highest value a politician can pretend to embrace.  And this very lauded term has now led us to the brink of utter econimic disaster.  I suggest it’s time for principle to reign; allow me to proffer a few:

• The federal government MUST be forced back into Article 1. Section 8, as originally written, of the U.S. Constitution via the 10th Amendment.
• The States MUST assert their Constitutional prerogativesand nullify legislation that is not in keeping with the 10th Amendment.
• The citizenry, acting through their state representatives MUST take whatever lawful action necessary to compel their representatives to force the federal government to obey the Constitution via the 10th Amendment.
• The citizenry MUST communicate to their state representative’s their willingness to suffer the pain of withdrawing from federal bribes using taxpayer funds from other states to persuade compliance with federal mandates.

 

Keeping our eye on the ball is critical at this juncture of our movement.  We must not let the goal of the Tea Party become “taking over Washington DC” or putting republicans back in power.  We must stay focused on the FACT that every large centralized government throughout history (which is exactly what we have right now in Washington, DC) has always ended in some form of tyranny where people lose their liberties and in worst case scenarios, their very lives.  We MUST understand that our battle is not to make sure a certain party obtains power, rather, we must properly identify and stay focused on the real enemy…the large, bloated, all-powerful centralized government seated in Washington, DC.  In 1776, we threw off tyranny from England.  In 2010, we must throw off tyranny located in Washington DC using the very tools the Founders left us…the 10th Amendment.

Finally, resist party politics.  Only support candidates that will commit publicly to force the federal government back into the box of Article 1. Section 8 of the Constitution.  Above all, don’t support candidates that one day after their election stammer out of the gate with; “I…I think…I think that, first off all, just so we’re past campaign mode, I think it’s important for everyone to get some form of healthcare, so to offer a basic plan for everybody is important.”  

My conclusion…Scott Brown is not the next political savior who will make all things right…rather, it’s up to us, working within our states to win this battle.

Health Care, Misc, Must Read, Political Parties, TEA Party

 

Over at the American Thinker this morning, I ran across an article by Kyle-Anne Shriver titled Tea Parties: Misunderstood and Vastly Underrated.  This is one of the first articles written about the burgeoning movement that generally does a good job of explaining some of its evolving themes.

The Movement is beginning to take shape as more and more average citizens get involved and begin to translate their sign waving and hand clapping into what that really want.  For what it’s worth, as a Tea Party Organizer myself, here are the general themes I see emerging from this group:

First, it’s not about a political party.  Sure, sure, the groups are undeniably largely populated by disenfranchised republicans, conservatives and libertarians…this is unarguable.  But there are democrats and moderates who are uneasy about where the country is heading and are attending these meetings as well.  With that stated, very few that I speak with, and I speak to hundreds of people, are looking to a political party to solve the problems were in.  In fact, the phrase I hear over and over and over again is this; “I’m a republican but I’m thinking of leaving the party and changing to independent.”  When I ask why, it’s clear the average citizen sees both parties as essentially one in the same and both will lead to further infringement on liberty.

Second, most in the Tea Party Movement see their fundamental liberties under assault by an ever expanding BIG GOVERNMENT.  They may not be able to quote the legislative act that encumbered a particular freedom, but something visceral, way down in their gut tells them that something is very wrong.  This translates into action for them as they fear for their children and grand-children’s future.

Third, they’re willing, unlike the average politician, to take responsibility for the mess we’re in.  While the average politician is always looking to the next election and how to capture a particular demographic, they rarely look back at how they contributed to the mess (click here if you want the pants scared off you).  On the other hand, the average citizen attending a Tea Party is perfectly willing to accept the fact that they were asleep at the wheel, didn’t pay attention, voted based on party loyalty and generally only cared if something was happening in DC that affected them directly.  Now that they’re no longer asleep (a posture by the way that politicians love the average citizen to be in), they’re beginning to study (typically Madison, Jefferson), read their pocket Constitution, and get acquainted with the Declaration of Independence.  Somehow, these charter documents feel like a safe harbor, a place where a free people were born and they long for a reappearance of Thomas Jefferson to guide them out of the mess we’re in just as he did when British tyranny existed.

Fourth, now that they’re willing to accept their responsibility for the mess we’re in, members of the Tea Party Movement are willing to get to work AND sacrifice to fix it.  As I’ve personally told the group I’m involved in, we’re at a “pick you pain” moment in history and most people in the audience noddingly approve the statement.  We all “get it” that any solution at this point will involve pain and we largely ignore the political class that tries to tell us that “everything will be ok.”  We know they’re not telling us the truth.

We’re all coming around to the idea that it’s really not Obama we’re angry with; people are beginning to see that BIG GOVERNMENT is the play-ground of BOTH parties.  Thus, you’re seeing fewer and fewer anti-Obama signs and more and more Declaration of Independence and Constitution signs at rallies…this should tell us something about the views of the Movement.  Recently, as a talk-show host on 930 WFMD, I went to the rally in DC regarding healthcare reform.  Sure there we’re many anti-Obama folks there, but the majority of the folks that I interviewed from across the country were troubled by the extra-Constitutional healthcare legislation…that’s right, EXTRA-Constitutional.  Not a person I spoke to, and I spoke to dozens and interviewed many, were there because they were republicans, rather they felt the Constitution was somehow under attack.  Admittedly, only one person could clearly articulate which provision in the Constitution they believed was being violated, but that misses the point of this movement’s evolution; these folks, just average citizens, were able to clearly identify that Congress was about to way overstep its authority with this vote and they wanted to make sure their voices were heard.

Fifth, and perhaps most importantly, the real antagonist in this drama is slowly being revealed and coming into focus…BIG GOVERNMENT.  People, hard working average citizens who carry the burden of paying for Washington are plain ole’ fed up with it and know that the only real solution is to somehow radically reduce its influence.  Most are content to look to the State’s Rights movement and the 10th Amendment for their solutions right now and are hopeful that personalities like Judge Napolitano and websites like the Tenth Amendment Center can provide direction.  But the people I spoke with aren’t content with simply writing letters or making phone calls or even just attending rally’s.  They’re willing to hold their powder dry for now, but they’re beginning to see that the solutions to America’s problems lays in their hands; not the elite political class only thinking through the myopic lens of the next election and how to get their turn at the helm of BIG GOVERNMENT (see the recurring theme in the article?). 

Finally, for now, the Tea Party Movement is organic and independent; which is a really good thing.  It has not allowed itself to be co-opted by a political party, at least at this point, and resists any attempt to promote a particular candidate.  In fact, recently, the tea partiers in Florida took the step of actually forming a new party in their state as a way to ensure the parties, especially the republican party doesn’t co-opt it.  I have no idea whether or not a majority of the tea party members in Florida support this or not.  But clearly, this demonstrates the independent nature of this movement; it want’s to be heard and not identified with the very system that has created the mess.

Will it succeed?  Will the Tea Party movement see its promised land of flourishing freedom, keeping one’s own property and hard earned income, the ability to wildly succeed or just as spectacularly fail in a venture, the freedom to chose who to give charity to rather than being forced to though BIG GOVERNMENT mandated entitlement programs?  I’m not sure.  One thing I am sure of though, I’m hearing more and more clarion calls from history in the people I talk to and it goes something like this:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”

Immediatly followed by:

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

The real question is, will another Thomas Jefferson emerge and make the government “fear the people again?”

Must Read, Political Parties, Real Change, Restore America

 

Is retaking the GOP the real goal of the Tea Party Movement?

November 9, 2009

By Mark Kreslins

 

I read an October 28, 2009 article by JB Williams over at Canada Free Press titled “Tangible Tea Party Tactics” in which Williams argues that a primary tactic should be to take over the GOP.  Williams frames these tactics as tangible and at first glance, he would seem to be correct and perhaps even plausible.  But, is that really the point of the Tea Party Movement?  Is it really a movement that seeks to simply replace the current crop of liberal democrats in the Congress with a conservative group of republicans?

 

While I laud the idea and the passion behind it, I’m afraid this will fall well short of the wholesale change that is really needed in Washington DC and by change, I mean real change.   

 

In President Clinton’s first campaign, James Carville coined a famous phrase that defined the Clinton Campaign…it’s the economy stupid!  For the Tea Party Movement, our opposition to republican or democrat candidates should be summed up in another simple phrase…it’s the big federal government and two party system stupid!  In my view, the battle between Dede Scozzafava and newcomer Doug Hoffman in NY-23 was really a proxy war between the conservative/Tea Party movement and status quo big federal government two party system.  With Scozzafava knocked out the NRCC desperately tried to associate itself with Hoffman only to kick him to the curb when he lost…now that’s the kind of principle I can rally around. 

 

The two-party system has failed miserably as sadly, both parties support the status quo…BIG GOVERNMENT and therein lies the problem. 

 

The fundamental question is whether this is what the Founders desired?

 

If we believe the Founders wanted a HUGE bloated ever-encroaching federal bureaucracy, the current two-party system fits the bill.  However, there’s one problem with this scenario, we have to assume the Founders failed to realize that one-half of the country would perpetually be angry at the other.  They must have also failed to realize that this anger would at times be expressed in rather violent terms such as the one I heard yesterday as I attended the “Republican Rally” in Washington DC.  One fella, standing about 15 feet away from me wasn’t content with the “kill the bill” chant.  No, he had to modify it to “kill the traitors” chant of his own.  Fortunately, not many people around him joined in the chant, but I wonder about his friends back home.

 

So, is the problem really that the GOP isn’t populated with enough “conservative republicans” (whatever that means) and that the republicans aren’t in control?  My experience tells me that’s not the problem.

 

Think of it this way; let your mind wander to a time where the federal government isn’t allowed, by a binding constitution, to grow to its current size.  What would life be like if the federal government was forced to reduce its spending (and thus our taxes) back to pre-New Deal days of say around 5% of GDP?  That would take the current budget from $3.8 TRILLION down to a more manageable $700 Billion.

 

Now, with only $700 Billion to spend, perhaps the job of Congressman wouldn’t be as coveted as it is now.  Perhaps the special interests wouldn’t be so tempted to gerrymander elections with less than noble intentions and the Congress would be left largely to focus on their Constitutional responsibilities listed in Article 1. Section 8. of the Constitution.

 

Hmmm, whatever would they do with their time!

 

Sadly, this can only be seen if we let our minds wander; for the reality is, the two-party system will never allow this dream to become a reality unless We the People make them.  They love their ruling seats in the Congress.  How do I know this?  I saw it first hand as a Legislative Assistant back in the 1980’s.  Lord Acton was indeed correct, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

 

So, the average Congressperson has no problem whispering into the constituent’s ear, “pssst, don’t worry, I’ll take care of you” all the while reaching behind you, taking out your wallet and slipping out a few more dollars along with our liberties and we reply, “ahhh, they really care for us.”

 

Nonsense!  Until We the People conclude that the problem is the two-party system and its marriage to a HUGE bloated federal government, Congress will continue its drunken sailor spending even though I suspect most of us emphatically don’t want a $3.8 Trillion dollar government or a $105 Trillion dollar debt created by a VERY unpopular Congress.  Do we really think the republicans will reduce this…really?

 

It’s been said that a parent will fight to the death to stop a threat their children.  It’s my belief that most Tea Party Movement members feel their children are being threatened by the HUGE bloated centralized federal government.  The question is, are they really ready to fight?

 

Most recently, the symbol of an all powerful all knowing federal government has taken the form of healthcare reform.  Specifically, one party (democrats) ignores the recent pollingwhile another (republican) ignores the extra-constitutional realities of healthcare reform on Capitol Hill paying mere lip service to its unconstitutionality.  Nancy Pelosi was quoted as saying “are you serious” when asked for the specific Constitutional Authority to pass healthcare legislation.  The tenor of her response was clearly, “how dare you ask me that question; don’t you know who I am?  I’m Nancy Pelosi and I’m the Speaker of the House and the Congress can do anything it wants and there’s not a darn thing you paean’s can do to stop us.”

 

Oh Yeah!

 

So, what should the Tea Party Movement really commit to and what should we do to obtain these goals?

 

The Tea Party Movement Should:

 

First, stop focusing on the two-party system.  Simply taking over the GOP, as if that could ever really happen, is an extremely time-consuming proposition at best.  And even if the Tea Party Movement was successful, when will this “New GOP” start addressing the real problem…BIG GOVERNMENT?  We don’t have a lot of times folks, the clock is running.

 

Second, perhaps we should spend our time coalescing around a few “real change” ideas listed below and strategize on how we get the country back to the Founders original intent.  This would necessitate really hard decisions and really hard work, but aren’t our children and grandchildren worth it.  Or are we content shifting the chairs around on the Titanic with the current two-party system. 

 

Thus, I present the following list of Really Tough Decisions (RTD’S)!

 

RTD #1 – Agree that the federal government must be shrunk in accordance with the original meaning of the United States Constitution.  To do this, we must demand that some congressperson, any congressperson, introduce legislation to dismantle all entitlement, corporate welfare, and subsidy programs by 2020.  This includes, but is not limited to: Social Security, Medicare, SCHIP, Medicaid, Farm Subsidies, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.  I suspect we’re all aware that that this will be an incredibly difficult and painful task.  But, as we all know, these programs are unsustainable and will eventually engulf the entire federal budget and take more and more from the working public.  We’re in a pick your pain moment, I’d prefer to pick the pain that will give us back our liberty.

 

RTD #2 - Repeal the Tax Payment Act of 1943 and end employer withholding of taxes.  This simple act will raise the level of awareness and accountability as each taxpayer is required to pay their taxes on an annual basis via a tax return.  When people actually have to write a check to the newly formed Tax Collection Agency (see RTD #3), there will be a much greater interest in how the federal government spends our money.  Never forget, the money they spend is ours, not theirs.

 

RTD #3 - Introduce legislation to change the name of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to the Tax Collection Agency (TCA).

 

RTD #4 - Introduce a Constitutional Amendment to repeal the 16^th Amendment which gives the power of the federal government to tax property (income).

 

RTD #5 - Introduce a Constitutional Amendment to repeal the 17^th Amendment and return to the original design for the State legislatures to appoint Federal Senators, thus giving the States the intended check on Federal legislation.

 

RTD #6 - Introduce Constitutional Amendments to define the so-called General Welfare, Commerce and Necessary and Proper Clauses in Article 1. Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution in accordance with the original meaning of the words as debated during the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

 

RTD #7 - Introduce a Constitutional Amendment requiring Congress to not exceed the Enumerated Powers in Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.  This Amendment will prevent future Congresses from ever putting the country in jeopardy again as they have now with promises totaling $105 TRILLION dollars…a debt we can never pay.

 

RTD #8 - Introduce a Constitutional Amendment to require a balanced federal budget with the following exceptions: (a) A properly declared war by the Congress in accordance with the Constitution at which time the increased spending can only occur during the period of the war and shall end within 2 years of the cessation of military activities; (b) Incidences of national security events to which the budget increase may only be appropriated to military expenditures to protect the nation; (c) The balanced budget must be no larger than 5% of GDP.

 

RTD #9 -Introduce legislation to modify SEC. 5. (b) of the War Powers Act to read: Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 4(a)(1), whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress (1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces, (2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or (2) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces within the additional thirty day period.

 

RTD #10- Support 10th Amendment legislation at the State level ensuring that the people of a particular state have at its disposal the greatest tool of liberty…self determination.

 

What should the Tea Party be willing to do achieve these goals?

 

1.       Only vote for politicians that will embrace these goals.

2.       Encourage and support candidates willing to restore a vision of limited government to our country.

3.       Participate in acts of civil disobedience to raise awareness of the tyrannical behavior of the federal government.

4.       Urge state legislatures to compel the federal government to stay within the Enumerated Powers of Article 1 Section 8 in compliance with the original meaning of the Founding Fathers using 10^th Amendment legislation and other Constitutional Amendment means.

5.       Educate, educate, educate on the Founders vision of a very limited federal government.

 

It’s my belief that the media and two-party system entirely miss the point of the Tea Party Movement.  As the Movement coalesces, both should be aware that average Tea Party members:

 

-          Are not content writing letters to our Congressman only to be ignored by them.

-          Are not content writing letters to the Editor only to debate the same issue over and over and over again.

-          Are not content simply meeting and complaining. 

-          Will no longer accept political double speak.

-          Will no longer allow the federal government to force us to pay for programs that are beyond the Enumerated Powers in Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution.

-          Will not allow the irresponsible federal government to bankrupt our children’s future.

-          Will only be satisfied when the federal government is radically shrunk and its influence over the average American and American business has been severely contained in keeping with the Founding Fathers principle of limited government. 

 

In the end, I believe that if the Really Tough Decisions listed above are adopted by the Tea Party Movement, only then will liberty, true liberty, be restored.  And should we reach this point of unity it will be with great enthusiasm that the Tea Party Movement will put the the federal government notice; they must prepare for the Sovereign States and We the People to assert our Constitutional rights.  This will likely come come in the form of nullification legislation from the states against federal legislation that is not in keeping with their states priorities via the 10^th Amendment or proposed Constitutional Amendments. 

 

Failing to understand this misses the entire point of the Tea Party Movement…at everyone’s peril.

 

 

(Mark is the co-host of The Forgotten Men radio show Saturdays at 12noon on 930 WFMD and the co-founder of We Surround Them Frederick)

 

Health Care, Must Read, Real Change

 

Well, it looks like the 535 kings on Capitol Hill will try to ram health care reform down our throats soon, especially after Obama’s speech tonight.  They will capitalize on his charisma and lie to the public; the rhetoric will be over the top the next few days.  There will be a full-court by the statist media and unless we, the average citizen, push back with equal force, our liberties will be in great peril.

What liberties are at risk?

1. The natural RIGHT you have to choose who, when and where you decide to obtain health insurance.  Max Bacus is purported to have a $3,800 fine for not obtaining health insurance.  Can you believe it, the federal government fining you for not having health insurance.  So, chalk up one liberty lost…choose our way or you’re going to pay.  Where’s that in Article 1 Section 8???
2. Don’t think for a moment that this will not lead to a single payer system; this is their overall goal.  If they can control health care, they can control you.  You will soon lose your right to choose a doctor, choose the treatment you want, or choose a lifestyle of your choosing.  You will be mocked and ridiculed by the federal government for stopping at McDonald’s, not exercising, or for the beer you might want to have.  You will loose your ability to choose.
3. You will loose your right to your property, in this case, the money you earn.  You will be required to participate in a government approved program and you will be required to pay for it whether or not you want to (see Social Security and Medicare) or not.  You will not have a choice, the federal government will take it from you.
4. You will lose your ability to decide your future, the federal government will promulgate rules for you to live by and you won’t be able to change it.  YOU LOSE - THEY WIN.

 

Understand readers, we’re in a fight and it’s liberty verse the soft tyranny of an out-of-control government.  They want to restrict the liberties granted to us not by the rulers in Washington DC, but by our Creator.  They’ve declared war on the liberties that were fought for by patriots beginning in 1776…will we dishonor their sacrifice by sitting on our hands?  Will we call Washington DC what is really is, a reservoir of little kings that are usurping our rights just as King George did?

Folks, a 21st Century O.K. Corral is coming; the 1st step is the March on DC 9/12/09…you MUST be there!  You must keep up the pressure in your local communities.  Join groups, attend tea parties, organize take back America rallies…CONNECT CONNECT CONNECT!!  This is a critical juncture in out nations history, lines are being drawn, sides are being formed. 

Liberty is in peril, will you come to it’s aid?

Health Care, Must Read, Real Change, Restore America

 

Here’s the real problem, a real frog-in-the-kettle dilemma; most people embrace a belief that the government is good (benevolent) or at worst, innocuous.  How far from the truth they are.

• Benevolent: benevolence - an inclination to do kind or charitable acts
• Innocuous: Harmless; producing no ill effect; innocent; Inoffensive; unprovocative; not exceptional.

 

Are these the terms we should use when describing the federal government?  Certainly our Founding Fathers would not have thought of a centralized government in those terms, but how things change in a short 200+ years.  We’ve now almost completely lost any apprehension or healthy fear of the federal government and boy are we suffering from it.  In fact, most of us look to Washington DC for direction or help in time of need.  Call me Pollyannaish, call me gloom and doom, but I cannot ignore the facts that are in front of me.  Perhaps others want to bury their heads in the sand and hope everything gets better, but not me.  I don’t like getting cold-cocked or sucker punched!  No, we’ve got a mess on our hands and it’s tenuous at best to think we can turn it around.  And believe me, the worst is yet to come; we’re just in the very early stages of this.  Why?

Well, to begin with, we’ve grown complacent and comfortable with the idea of federal government involvement in every facet of our lives.  How often in the past 2 months have you heard the phrase “it will take a while for Obama to turn the economy around?”?  Just this morning I heard Professor Larry Sabato state that very thing as he talked about tamping down expectations for the Obama administration.  Did you catch the problem with that phrase; whether you’re a conservative, liberal or “moderate”?

Since when is it the responsibility of Obama or for that matter any politician to “turn the economy around”?  Do you see how far we’ve fallen?  Even as conservatives, we use the same terminology as the liberals and all our terminology points in the wrong direction…Washington DC.  Washington is, has been, and always will be the problem and until that changes, we’ll just stay frogs in the kettle.

So, step one for everyone reading this blog…stop thinking of the federal government as “benevolent” or even “innocuous” no matter whom is in charge.  Let me repeat; NO MATTER WHOM IS IN CHARGE.  

A new paradigm is needed by all of us who call ourselves conservative.  The federal government is neither benevolent nor innocuous, it’s predatory and harmful.  Because its gravitational trajectory is always towards expansion, interference, and control, it is a direct assault and affront to all things free.  Sadly, since the 1930’s, the government has encroached so much and so often that we’re hardly even aware of it anymore and we have become the generation of big government.  Instead of a healthy fear of Washington DC and a Constitutional corralling of its powers, we’ve grown to fear it. 

• Business owners - ever fear a tax audit, or an EEOC or OSHA audit?
• Home owners - Ever get a letter from the IRS, or want to add an addition to your home or build a pool near a wetland, feel uncomfortable telling the federal government how many guns you own?
• Employees - Are you afraid of talking about your religion at work, passed over for a promotion because of your race or gender?
• Dads and moms - Worried about the Department of Education interfering with your desire to home school, or odd looks from your pediatrician about guns in your home?

 

Now, before I’m accused of being an anarchist, let me put your minds at ease, I’m not.  If fact, I see a real need for government in our lives.  Simply hoping for the good will of our fellow man is both naive and dangerous.  That said, I’m much more inclined to support our Founders concept of government rather than what we have right now.  So, if I could wave my magic wand and change everything, I’d viciously slash the size of the federal government, perhaps by 75% and transfer the power and responsibilities to a very robust state government.  I would only allow the federal government the power to operate within the enumerated powers given to it by the United States Constitution and take everything else away.  This is in keeping with James Madison, the Father of our Constitution, in the Federalist Papers #45:

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected.”

Thus, in my world, the federal government has the following responsibilities:

• 1. Develop and manage treaties.
• 2. Provide for the security of the states.
• 3. Put down armed insurrections.
• 4. Provide for interstate commerce.
• 5. Create a national currency.
• 6. That’s about it.

 

Everything else falls under Madison’s numerous and indefinite.  Now, understandably, this doesn’t sound too appealing to anyone running for national office, but isn’t that the point.  Didn’t the Founders want the source of power over people to be close to them, in the towns, communities, cities and states, not halfway across the country?  Didn’t the Founders understand that the one-size fits all approach to national legislation would just eventually lead to factions?  In their common sense approach to governance, the Founders realized that having power reside to close to you, perhaps in you neighborhood, would give you the ability to influence in ways you cannot today.  Ever try to speak to your Representative or Senator?  Never mind the President or Supreme Court Justice, not gonna happen.  You’re just an “underling” to them; a tool to remain in power.

Little secret, when you get a letter signed by your Member of Congress, guess what, he/she didn’t write it, I did as a legislative assistant.  In fact, he/she probably never even saw your letter unless you were a big contributor to their campaign or were a big player in their congressional district or state.  Another little secret, most have no idea how to vote when legislation comes to the floor and end up asking their staff how to vote.  And forget about voting in their committee, most of the time they give their proxy to the Chairman or the Ranking Member which means they’re not even there to vote.  It’s laughable what the average American thinks really happens up there by these “statesmen”.  Most spend their day with lobbyists or special interest leaders.  Some meet with their constituents occasionally throughout the day, most are rarely in their offices.  Someday, I’ll write an entire post about how legislation really happens in DC, but suffice it to say, that wasn’t the Founders intent.

In the end, we’ve made rock stars out of these politicians on Capitol Hill and we give them, through our lack of civic knowledge, all the tools they need to rule the citizenry.  How sad; what was once a great idea, self governance, has turned back into another monarchy, just this time there’s a bunch of little “kings.”

Must Read, Unbelievable

“Hey Mac, go heavy on the mayo, mustard and ketchup but hold the pickles” we tell the local NY hot dog vendor.  So are we treated to a modern version of this from our talking heads and think-tank experts “hey Mac, go heavy on the tinkering, pontificating and ranting…but hold the solutions.”

We’re a full month and a half into President-Elect Obama’s reign and to no surprise, its a pretty ugly picture; as Mark Steyn puts it: “We’re in the fast lane to Bailoutistan.”  As usual, Steyn’s use of sarcasm is dead-on; but, so is Rush, Glenn, the guys at National Review and every other self proclaimed conservative General.  But let’s be real guys, the problem isn’t that hard to see.  We’re all aware that we’ve got a DEFCON 1 threat of full-blown HUGE Centralized Government at our doorstep and just recounting how terrible things are going to get, absent solutions is, well, frankly just discouraging. 

Sadly, our generals seem to be content with incessant analysis and what if scenarios, couching it in optimism endemic to conservatives.  Yet, is there really reason to be optimistic about our future as General Beck recently assured us on his Wednesday broadcast?  Or, should we adopt General Gingrich’s strategy and not try to link Obama with the sludge that continues to drip out of Chicago politics; “The RNC should pull the ad down immediately.”  Or how about General Limbaugh’s constant reminder that elections have consequences.  No offense Rush, all 57 million of us are painfully aware of that.

Where are the solutions we conservatives ask?  It’s a bit like being told your son has an incurable disease (which, by the way, my son does), and replying “yes, yes, I understand, thanks for the information”  then getting up and driving to McDonald’s for a cheeseburger!  It’s time for our conservative leaders to stop tinkering, pontificating and ranting and then heading to the Golden Arches for a cheeseburger.  How about some solutions guys; pragmatic, practical and real solutions?

Yes, elections have consequences, but so does leadership.  Our Generals have thrust themselves into the spotlight, whether through elected office, clever radio programs, print, or websites; they asked for this mantle, now it’s time for them to play the part.  And please, stop the rhetoric about “how great America is”, or “our best days are in front of us” pabulum, none of us ground troops are buying it.  Don’t forget, we’re on the front lines here and we’re getting shot at in our homes and workplaces through taxation, regulations and government intrusion and quite honestly guys, the future doesn’t look too bright to us.  On a personal note, I’m going to lose my business if Obama implements one particular plank of his “Change” platform.  This is real to us Rush, Newt, Glenn, et al., not some high-stakes rhetorical gambit akin to moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic.

The only guy I’ve seen with the guts to pose a rational solution with any national stature is Dr. Walter Williams in his article “It’s Time To Part Company.”  At least he’s positing a solution, perhaps not too plausible, but it’s sure as heck a lot more inspiring than the incessant battle cry “our best days are in front of us” we’re treated too from our talking heads and think-tank experts.

In the end, I’m probably just a throwback trying to swim upstream, one who is too idealistic and pollyanish.  Yet, deep in me, I still want to believe there is a place for morality based free-markets and a time where a mans word was his bond.  I want to believe there can be a time where the downtrodden and people down on there luck can find help in the local churches, synagogues and temples…not the government.

Amity Shlaes in her book “The Forgotten Man” describes how the term “forgotten man” came about.   William Graham Sumner wrote about the real forgotten man in an essay in the early part of the 20th century and is a must read because it’s happening again.

Welcome to the 21st century and welcome to your new status as a forgotten man as it appears our Generals are more interested in tinkering, pontificating and ranting than offering solutions.  Enough already!

Must Read, Restore America, Unbelievable

 

So, how did the federal government become such an albatross that hangs around our neck?  This certainly wasn’t the intent of our Founders; they envisioned a small federal government and a more robust state government.

 

Answer: In 1943, the Congress in all their wisdom and in cahoots with FDR passed the Tax Payment Act of 1943.  Take a guess what this wonderful piece of legislation did?  This beauty provided the federal government with the power of law to sneak its fingers into your back pocket, lift out your wallet and slip out a few bucks…anytime it wants to.

 

You see, the Tax Payment Act of 1943 gave the government the power to withhold taxes from your paycheck,

all as a service to you so you wouldn’t have to bother with writing those big checks on March 15^th (that’s when taxes we due back in 1943).  Geeez, thanks for all the help.

 

Now why is this important?  Well, the sinister government (don’t for a minute think its benevolent) realized that if they could make paying taxes appear to be easy through removing a little bit each check, the average American would grow used to this method and not object to coming increases.  A typical Frog in the Kettle moment in history.

 

You can imagine what happened after they pulled this one off; the well was wide open and they (legislators) could drink from it til their hearts content.  Want to see this in practice?

 

Dateline November 11, 2008.  Against a overwhelming tide of opposition from the American public, legislators in both the House and the Senate today passed the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP); a $700 BILLION Taxpayer Bailout of the financial sector.

 

Taxpayer…hmmm, who’s that.  Oh that’s right it’s us.  So, because of the wonders of legislative sausage making in 1943, they continue to slip their fingers into our pockets and take out a few bucks whenever they need it.  And there’s NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT!  Or is there?

 

Sure there is.  First, quit talking/complaining and do something:

 

1. Stop thinking the Congress is a bunch of bums but your congressman is peachy.  Write your congressman and senator and ask them what they think about the Tax Payment Act of 1943.  Hint: they won’t have any idea what you’re talking about and some poor legislative assistant will have to spend an hour researching it.  You will then receive a form letter informing you that your congressman is very interested in your thoughts on this most important issue and then say or commit to nothing.  Send me a copy of any letter you get.
2. If you’re sick of this mess, run for office or help someone run who shares your values on this issue.
3. Help a coalition or organization that opposes this method of legalized theft.

 

In the end, do something.  Too often, we just sit around and whine about how bad things are…and they are bad.  But unless we do something about it, we deserve what we’ve received.  Imagine what the world would be like if African American’s just sat around and complained about their lack of civil rights?  Rather than sit back and just whine, they actually did something thank heavens.  They had the courage of their convictions and a willingness to act; something I see lacking in the conservative movement.

 

Are you willing to march on Washington DC?  How about a work stoppage to make sure the government understands their power to do anything rests in the majority of workers actually working?  How about opening your wallet for candidates that have the guts and courage of their convictions but don’t want to play the republican game?

 

Talk is cheap as they say and actions speak volumes.  Sick of those government fingers in your back pocket yet?

Must Read, The Economy, Unbelievable