Why Be Conservative?

If you ask 100 people what Conservatism means, you'll probably get 100 different answers. If, however, you ask a Conservative why they are Conservative, then the answers will tend to have similar themes.

So, why am I a conservative? I'll tell you.

#1) Conservatives Believe in Limited Federal Government Power

I'm a Conservative because I truly believe what George Washington said over 200 years ago, "Government is a necessary evil."

What George Washington meant is that the government must perform various duties and have the proper authority to exercise these tasks, however, these powers must be clearly defined, restricted and dispersed to prevent the citizens' inalienable rights and freedoms from being abrogated by the government.

If the government's power and duties are too limited, you get anarchy and if too broad, you'll eventually get tyranny.

America's first effort to accomplish this goal was a form of government established under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation made a valiant effort to severely restrict the power of the central government and it was so successful at this that it actually lead to anarchy.

Under the Articles of Confederation, State powers were too strong and Federal powers were much too weak. Each State just had one vote in Congress, regardless of their respective populations, which wasn't fair, moreover, the Central government couldn't really collect taxes.

The Congress could only request funds from the various States (not demand) and the States, being real pikers at the time, always kept Congress destitute... Hey, wait a minute... Perhaps they were actually on to something here....

It was a unicameral legislature, meaning there was only one government branch (the Congress), so there was no balance of power and most importantly no Executive branch.... Hey, wait a minute... Nahhh... Perhaps we do actually need a President, although at times, I seriously wonder. We definitely DON'T need Executive Orders.

By the way, could someone please show in the Constitution where the President has Legislative powers... I've read the Constitution many times and must have missed that one somewhere.

It took 9 States out of the 13 States to pass any legislation.... Hey, maybe these guys were on to something here, too... It beats the heck out just needing 50 Senate votes to pass major legislation under the new nifty reconciliation procedures.

I must say, however, that it's a good thing our forefathers erred on the side anarchy rather than tyranny or we could have been permanently stuck with a government that looks more like the defunct U.S.S.R. or, even worse, like France--sacre' bleu!!

Anyway, being great Americans, our forefathers decided not to "make-minor-adjustments-to-make-it-not-stink-so-bad", but rather determined to learn from their mistakes, throw the old Articles of Confederation in the trash can and come up with something to truly make a "more perfect Union."

Reflecting on the miracle of the U.S. Constitution, Alexander Hamilton said, "Finally government was going to be established by reflection and choice rather than force and fraud." My, my couldn't our Congress learn something if they took Hamilton's words to heart.

It's obvious that few Democrat Senators and Congressmen even read the 3,000 page Obamacare bill. Accordingly, there was little reflection and absolutely no choice, especially for Republicans, when this Omamacare bill with forced through the Senate and House in a fraudulent manner.

Anyway, I digress. The Constitutional Convention was comprised of 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 States (Rhode Island sat it out--they wanted to stick with the old broken Articles of Confederation) and convened for a year of "reflection and choice" to create the world's most unique and inspired form of Government.

The U.S. Constitution is a document of grace and beauty. It limits the scope, size and power of the three Federal branches of government enumerating specific duties and obligations granted to each branch, while also creating an intricate network of checks and balances to further restrict the powers of each branch of government. If one branch does manage to do something stupid, the powers granted to other branches provide the opportunity to nullify bad decisions made by the other branches-- in a word brilliant.

The Constitution is very specific on what each branch has the power and authority to do:

They are as follows:

The ONLY Legislative Powers are:

1) Collect taxes, duties and excises.
2) Conduct a census every 10 years.
3) Impeach the President.
4) Punish Congressmen for disorderly behavior. (This keeps them real busy!)
5) Pass legislation and regulations ONLY under Federal jurisdiction and native Indian territories . (They're doing way too much of this).
6) Pay the Federal debt (They certainly aren't doing this.)
7) Borrow money (They're doing waaaaaaaaay to much of this.)
8) Regulate international and interstate trade (They're doing way too much of this, too.).
9) Coin money, prosecute counterfeiters and set standards for weights and measures.
10) Establish a post office system.
11) Build postal and interstate roads (Not local pork roads and local pork bridges to nowhere.)
12) Establish rules for naturalization. (I just can't wait for President Obama's upcoming naturalization bill)
13) Set up a Patent office.
14) Set up tribunals. (i.e. trials for Terrorist--not the normal courts, thank you very much).
15) Define penalties and punish pirates. (Does this include Congressmen?)
16) Declare war, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal and make rules concerning captures on land and water (i.e. terrorist)
17) Raise and support an Army and Navy.
18) Control over the Militia.
19) Build forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards and other useful buildings to be used by the military and Federal government Departments and agencies.
20) Regulate and Rule over Territories and land belonging to the U.S. government.
21) Amend the Constitution through 2/3 majority vote on proposed Amendment.

These are the only 21 matters the Constitution allows Congress to have power and control over. That it. PERIOD.

Any other areas of authority and power not in this list are supposed to be handled by each individual State as the States see fit. PERIOD.

What about Federal Health Care? Answer-States have jurisdiction.
What about Federal Environmental standards? States have jurisdiction.
Surely Federally controlled Education, right? No. States have jurisdiction.
Federal Welfare? Not mentioned. It's the States responsibility.
Regulate Labor Relations? Nope. The States must handle this, too.

What is really frustrating on how the Executive and Legislative branches justify the theft of the State's Constitutional powers is that they point to the phrase "promote the general welfare" found in the PREAMBLE of the Constitution and say that this gives them the authority to pretty much do anything.

First, during the 1700's, preambles were often used in contracts to explain the general intent and benefits of a given point of law or mandate. The preamble was then followed by the specific rights and limitations actually granted to accomplish the general intent and benefits of the law.

In other words, preambles grant absolutely no rights. The specific rights and the specific limitations are always clearly defined following a general preamble's intent. Any rights or limitations not specifically granted after the preamble of a contract cannot be implied or inferred to exist. If they are not specifically mentioned in the body of the law, the right simply has not been granted.

The Constitution is very specific about this issue. In the 10th Amendment of the Constitution, it clearly states, "all powers not delegated to the Federal government and not prohibited under the Constitution shall be reserved to the States or to the people."

It is obvious that the founders used the word "general" to refer to the State. If they had meant citizens welfare, the would have said citizens welfare. Just to remove any doubt about this, the second time "general welfare" was used (Article I, Section 8) it stated, "...provide for the common Defense and general welfare of the United States;".

Second, at the time of the writing of the Constitution, what did the word "welfare" actually mean? In the 1828 edition of the Noah Webster dictionary, welfare si defined as:

WEL´FARE, n. [well and fare, a good going; G. wohlfahrt; D. welvaard; Sw. valfart; Dan. velfærd.]
1. Exemption from misfortune, sickness, calamity or evil; the enjoyment of health and the common blessings of life; prosperity; happiness; applied to persons.
2. Exemption from any unusual evil or calamity; the enjoyment of peace and prosperity, or the ordinary blessings of society and civil government; applies to states.

Since the "general welfare" clause in the preamble and in Article I. Section 8 clearly refers to the States, it is obvious that the second definition applies.

Here are the Constitutional powers granted to the President:

1) Commander and Chief of the Armed forces.
2) Grant Pardons and reprieves.
3) Make treaties (subject to 67 Senators approving it.)
4) Appoint Ambassadors, Federal Department heads and consuls (subject to Congressional approval)
5) Appoint Supreme Court Justices and Inferior Court judges. (subject to Congressional approval.)
6) Give a State of the Union Address recommending measures for consideration.
7) Can from time to time convene both or either Houses for special addresses.
8) Can meet with foreign Heads of State.
9) Can make sure laws are faithfully executed and can Veto bills.
10) Shall commission all military officers.


These 10 things are the ONLY powers the President has. That's it. Nothing more and nothing less.

Where is the power for Executive Orders? There isn't one. Executive Orders are clearly un-Constitutional. Period! The President can not make legislation. That is the purview of the Legislative branch.

The Judicial Powers are:

1) All judicial power over the laws and cases of the land are vested in the Supreme Court and other inferior courts established by the Congress.

Though formidable, that's all the power they have. The courts have absolutely no power through court rulings to establish legislation, although legislation by Judicial fiat has always been a concern.

#2) Conservatives Believe in Strict Constitution Interpretation

Our forefathers were brilliant. During the one year of Constitutional debate, through "reflection and choice", they severely restricted Federal power to avoid tyranny.

Another important reason our forefathers left so much power to the States is that they knew each State was unique and would execute their powers in different ways to address the special needs of their citizens. It was a way to incorporate healthy competition, where citizens that were not satisfied with how one State was executing their power, had the option of moving to another State that best met their needs.

Other States also had the opportunity to see the results of various experiments conducted in other States and either adopting their methods or improving them further. Competition in business and government always increases efficiency and innovation. When competition is removed or stifled from the process, inefficiency and tyranny are imminent.

Once the Federal government exceeded its Constitutional authority by establishing: Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Labor, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Federal minimum wage regulations , Federal Health Insurance, Federal speed limits, Federal finance rules forcing banks to make sub-prime loans (CRA), excessive Federal bank and finance regulations, ad infinitum, our Republic started moving closer and closer to tyranny, while limiting the choices of its citizens, corporations and States. As a special bonus of un-Constitutional powers, America's debt and budget mushroomed to unsustainable levels depriving its citizens and corporations from much needed funds required for economic growth and prosperity.

Citizens have also lost the advantage of voting with their feet because all the ridiculous Federal regulations are made universal to all States. Corporations, on the other hand, are voting with their feet and are moving their operations to Mexico, China, India, Indonesia, Korea and other countries where such absurd regulations that kill competitiveness and profits don't exist.

Why has America created a nightmare to replace the American Dream? What is the allure of tyranny? Why must we sacrifice our freedoms for a Nanny State?

Could it possibly be that the 47% of the U.S. population that doesn't pay any Federal income taxes are more than willing to elect politicians that promise to give them even more benefits at absolutely no additional expense to them?

Wow, I'll have to get back to you on that one.... You don't have to be Albert Einstein to figure out the answer to that question.

Conservatives believe in strict adherence to the Constitution. Progressives like President Obama feel that it is an imperfect and flawed document written in Colonial times inferring that it is no longer relevant. The standard philosophy taught at Haaaaavard and Yale and most other Ivy League colleges and Universities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPYo6bTUpjA&feature=related

Conservatives believe in the strict interpretation of the Constitution. Progressives believe the Constitution is an archaic instrument written by slave owners and is no longer relevant so it can mean anything you want it to as long as it doesn't limit Federal power or interfere in the establishment of a Nanny State.

The Progressive Constitutional Interpretation philosophy can only lead to increased Federal power, which will ultimately lead our great country to tyranny and financial ruin.

#3) Conservatives Believe in Fiscal Responsibility

The total U.S. Federal deficit and total unsecured financial liabilities (Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Federal and State and Local Pensions, etc.) are completely out of control at around $122 trillion and growing. To put this in perspective, that's equivalent to stack of $100 bills almost 100,000 miles high... That's not only unfathomable, that's criminal.

Notice that I call myself a Conservative and not a Republican. Unfortunately, over the past 100 years, there have only been two truly fiscal Conservative Presidents: Calvin Coolidge and Ronald Reagan. Republicans have also been guilty of terrible fiscal irresponsibility. Democrats have an excuse, tax and spend is their battle cry, but for Republicans to be guilty of such reckless spending is shameful and must be stopped.

Although America has already passed the tipping point to bankruptcy (Social Security just went bankrupt in March, 2010) it's still may be possible to prevent total insolvency if we take drastic measures in the near future.

What drastic measures would be required? Personally, I think we need to cut our Federal budget by roughly 50% to equate to 10% of U.S. GDP or around $1.4 trillion/year. Such drastic cuts would have to include massive adjustments to Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare and draconian cuts in the size of the Federal government. Whole Departments (Department of Energy, EPA, DOE would be a good start), thousands Federal, State and Local of Agency offices will need to merged and/or totally eliminated and over 1 million Federal employees will need to be fired or retired. What about Obamacare? fogedaboudit. When the Republicans get simple majorities in both the Senate and House from November of this year, they can immediately starve this monster of funds and kill the beast entirely in 2014 when we get a Conservative in the White House.

To save trillions in future pension liabilities it is also essential that in 2014 when Republicans take over the White House on Congress that we make it illegal for government employees to join unions. Only about 7% of the private sector is now unionized and this will continue to drop (down from about 35% in the 50's). Now about 35% of government employees are unionized and this abomination must be stopped.

It is also important that Congress pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution limiting the total Federal Budget to 10% of GDP and not allowing any future deficit spending unless in emergencies with 2/3 approval of the Congress.

#4) Conservatives Believe in Free Enterprise

I'm a Conservative because until recently, America had the most dynamic free-market economy in the world. We still lead the world in patent applications, Nobel Prize laureates, top Fortune 500 companies, new technologies, R&D research expenditures, space exploration, computer technology, software, the service industry, car production (well now #2), the largest and most profitable financial institutions, the largest entertainment industry, the largest hotel chains, the largest pharmaceutical companies; you name the industry and we were or are, with few exceptions, the best and biggest at it.

We still have the world's largest economy but after the gutting of the free-market system that is currently being orchestrated by President Obama's administration, our free-market system of capitalism is on the verge of making it on EPA's endangered species list.

Just as an example, the new Financial Regulation Act, which will be voted on this summer is a devastating dismantling of America's financial sector, which will have many far reaching repercussions . It will grant the power to the Treasury to arbitrarily nationalize any U.S. financial institution that is deemed (at the sole discretion of the Treasury without Congressional or Executive oversight ) to have the potential of becoming insolvent sometime in the future. Well, Mr. Geithner, by definition, doesn't any company in the world have the potential to go bankrupt in the future?

What kind of insanity is this?

President's Obama administration has demonized business, characterizing them as exploiters of the masses completely blinded by greed and totally oblivious to risk. This demonization is needed to polarize the middle and lower classes to justify hiking corporate and upper class taxes. Need I remind you that the top 20% of earners in this country pay 67% of all Federal taxes? Taxes kill growth. The Laffer curve works both ways.

Americans cannot believe what is happening to our great country and are finally starting realize that the very existence of our free-market capitalism is on the brink of being destroyed.

This will not and shall not stand.

#5) Strong National Defense

I'm a Conservative because I believe America must defend and protect our great Nation by having the strongest and best equipped military in the world. I was shocked to hear President Obama explaining our new nuclear policy, which totally negates the long-term premise that if attacked by WMD, we will retaliate with a nuclear response. Such a policy has kept us safe for decades and to see this proven policy replaced by a naive one, where America disarms itself first with the understanding that all are enemies agree to follow suit is, well, crazy!

It's like pointing a gun to your own head and screaming at a mugger, stop or I'll shoot! After our enemies stop laughing at the absurdity of it, they'll most certainly reply, "Sure, go ahead, make my day."

President Reagan and many other great leaders have always negotiated with our enemies from a position of strength because our enemies knew for a fact that we will surely fulfill our threats. Our enemies feared the U.S. and we were respected by our true allies. Now our enemies think America is weak and our allies feel abandon.

Yes, we all want to see a nuclear-free world for ourselves and our children, but this can only be safely realized through strength and resolve not weakness and naivete.

Personally, I thank President Obama for waking up the American people. For decades now, we've been asleep in the back of the bus as our government slowly drove us in the direction of tyranny. President Obama has recklessly slammed on the gas pedal and drove our great nation into a tree, which has shocked us awake. Although severely injured from the wreck, we are finally calling 911 for emergency medical assistance. I just hope that after Obamacare, there are still enough qualified doctors around to heal our wounds and lead us to a road of recovery.

America will have to be in intensive care for a long time as we recover from our injuries, but America is still strong and we haven't yet forgotten the medicine that will bring us back to health and prosperity--The U.S. Constitution.