Posted on 01/14/2007 4:41:07 PM PST by freedomdefender
On Dec. 2, Alan Keyes spoke at a conference of the Constitution Party in Concord, New Hampshire.
In his address, Dr. Keyes discussed the impending demise of the Republican Party and the need for the Constitution Party to be "ready" to create a "new possiblity . . . for America." He also focused on the "decisive crisis [in America] for the future of our republic."
Said Keyes,
"The republic is not in danger of collapse, but has already begun to collapse. And what we shall decide in the course of the next couple of years is whether or not that collapse shall move along to an irretrievable conclusion. I believe that this is going to result in a great crisis of our nation and of our political institutions."
Part of that crisis, Keyes said, involves our country's willingness to adopt a false notion of separation of religion and state. He reminded his audience that "if you assail the right of the people to honor God, then you assail the first principle of their self-government," and he said,
No God, no republic. No God, no representation. No God, no due process. No God, no sanctity of individual rights, liberty, and life.
The denial of God is an assault not only upon the people's conscience, but upon their claim to have from God the right to govern themselves through representative institutions.
The triumph of this false doctrine of separation, therefore, portends not only the persecution of our faith, but the destruction of our liberty.
Noting the failure of former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts to uphold their constitutional duties in times of crisis, Keyes commented,
The founders themselves told us quite clearly that the Constitution can only work if the individuals who man the posts under the Constitution have the necessary character, vision, understanding, and moral courage to make it work.
What does this mean? It means that if you destroy moral courage, the moral character of the people and its leadership, then you effectively destroy the Constitution.
And this is not an academic point! What is it that kept Jeb Bush from doing what his oath required? What is it that kept Mitt Romney from doing what his oath required? What is it that keeps our legislatures in the Congress and in Massachusetts and elsewhere from doing what is required to stand up to abusive judges who make themselves into our dictators? It is a lack of moral courage.
He added, "In truth the survival of our republic is an issue that transcends every label, transcends every party, that ought to challenge the heart and conscience, allegiance, and virtue of every decent American."
The hour-long speech is available in both streaming audio and transcript form.
Somebody still gets it. I am encouraged.
I am glad these guys exist. Someone needs to be saying it.
Listening to Alan Keyes talk is an energizing experience. He has a clarity of vision, a consistency of logic, and a talent for expression reminiscent of history's most famed orators. I pride myself on my ability to articulate a point of view, but I stand humbled by a true master.
..if the CP sheds its paleo-con isolationist leanings in foreign policy, maybe I'll take a look at them...
Obama 70%
Keyes 27%
Yes. Great contributor to conservatism. /sarc
BINGO!!
With Keyes, it's ALL about $$$$.
I voted for him in the primary in 2000 and then again in the Illinois senate race, I just wish he were more electable.
Unless the Constitution Party has changed their foreign policy planks, they are very isolationist.
They have a good domestic policy. But in the modern world with the US maintaining some 22% of the entire world GDP, and with the War on Terrorism, isolationism just isn't a viable plank. If they maintain their isolationist position, they are a party out of touch with reality.
"Oh yes, we definitely need a third party spoiler."
It wouldn't be a third party if we got rid of the second one...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I can see from the staggering number of posts to this thread that Keyes speech was a real barn burner. I don't believe I have ever encountered anyone from the "Constitution Party" either. Rumors of the imminent demise of the GOP are amusing.
Mr.Keyes, while now predicting the collapse of the GOP was not shy about taking GOP money during his abortive Senate run.
It's a pity. I tend to agree with him on the collapse having already begun. But I wish he'd confine himself to lecturing Republicans, not encouraging third parties on the right.
That has to happen from the grass roots, babygene. Not from the top with one individual running for president.
Not an imminent demise, but moreso a melding of the two major parties.
40% of the GOP caucus in the House voted for the Minimum Wage Bill. Tell me how can a party that claims to be conservative have 40% of its members vote for a socialist bill?
Mr. Keyes is a supporter of any party who has a negotiable check. His current speaking fee is now 7,500 dollars down from a peak of 20K during his presidential run.
It astonishes me that anyone takes Keyes seriously.
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