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Newt Gingrich: Five threats to American way of life
Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | February 7, 2005 | Newt Gingrich

Posted on 02/07/2005 2:01:21 PM PST by RWR8189

Newt Gingrich

is former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

Ten years ago last month, the 104th Congress was sworn in. I was honored to be elected by my colleagues to serve as their speaker. A key to our success, the Contract with America, was not only a remarkable political tool, but it served as a blueprint for governmental change. The House Republicans bound ourselves to do something, not simply to be for something.

Since leaving the speakership in January 1999, I have been intensely studying the major policy issues that affect our nation and, indeed, its survival. What I have learned should challenge all of us. The American way of life is vulnerable to five major threats as difficult as any America has faced.

The first threat is the potential for Islamic terrorists and rogue dictatorships to acquire and use nuclear or biological weapons. The second is the effort to drive God out of American public life. The third is the possibility that America will lose the patriotic sense of itself as a singular civilization. The fourth is that America's economic supremacy will eventually yield to China and India because of failing schools and weakening scientific and technological leadership. The fifth is that an aging America's demands on Social Security, Medicare, and related government programs will collapse the current system.

Each threat can be overcome, but standing in our way is an entrenched political system and news media that refuse to confront these threats seriously. Just as previous American generations have met the challenges of their times, however, so can we.

To succeed, we need a 21st-Century Contract with America to "win the future." The new contract would be not a political tool but rather an agenda that can be embraced by any American concerned with securing America's future. It is designed to build a grassroots movement large enough to implement the large-scale, transformational changes necessary not only to ensure America's survival as the freest, most prosperous nation on the planet, but also to create a stable governing majority of elected officials - both Republicans and Democrats - who embrace those values.

Over the last four decades, America has divided into two camps. Most Americans believe that 9/11 was evidence enough that we have real enemies who hate us and who would kill millions of us given the chance - yet our national security bureaucracies continue to operate within a peacetime framework. Most Americans support a strong military capability to keep America safe - but our liberal national security elites advocate gaining the approval of an ineffective United Nations and a skeptical Europe before defending ourselves. Most Americans believe that America was founded as a nation in which people are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights and that we rightly pledge allegiance to one nation under God - but an arrogant judiciary continues to drive God from the public square.

America is a good and decent country created by heroes worth studying - yet schools teaching young Americans and American immigrants have replaced their stories with politically correct, multicultural drivel that fails to teach American history. Worse, they ridicule what little they are required to teach.

Most Americans believe that hard work will keep America's economy second to none. But our efforts are hampered by trial lawyers who seek their own enrichment and not justice. Labor unions get away with special deals and protection from competition by bureaucracies that value process over achievement.

For this generation to pass on our nation's blessings, we need a grassroots movement that demands profound change to defeat fundamental threats to our way of life. This movement must be focused on values, solutions, and on telling the truth even when it is controversial.

The first Contract with America proved that it was possible to bring together people from all across America to forge a strong majority that would implement the promised program. If we have the same persistence and courage, we can win again.


Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, author of "Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America," will speak to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia on Thursday.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: contractwithamerica; gingrich; islamists; newt; newtgingrich; terrorism; terrorists
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1 posted on 02/07/2005 2:01:23 PM PST by RWR8189
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To: RWR8189

I just finished his new book and it is a solid read. He is always on top of new, creative ideas in politics.

And there is no doubt, his new thesis is one that would ensure America's prosperity for the next century.


2 posted on 02/07/2005 2:11:34 PM PST by cainin04 (It is not a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled; it is a calamity to not have any dreams.)
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To: RWR8189

We need Newt as POTUS. Run Newt in '08...


3 posted on 02/07/2005 2:12:36 PM PST by Edgerunner (Smoke 'em if ya got 'em...)
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To: Edgerunner

While I think Newt would be an awful presidential candidate, I do believe he's a very astute political figure with a keen mind. He'll be of tremendous value behind the scenes in the future, but not as a major candidate like that.


4 posted on 02/07/2005 2:15:02 PM PST by Alberta's Child (I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert.)
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To: Edgerunner

I'm not sure I see Newt as POTUS, but I see him as a strong presidential advisor, but not sure he'd want that kind of a job.


5 posted on 02/07/2005 2:16:15 PM PST by marvlus (t)
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To: RWR8189

Newt in 2008


6 posted on 02/07/2005 2:22:35 PM PST by 26lemoncharlie (Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum,Ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum! per ómnia saecula saeculórum)
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To: RWR8189
Five threats to the American way of life;
1) Hillary
2) Hillary
3) Hillary
4) Hillary
5) Hillary
7 posted on 02/07/2005 2:24:01 PM PST by Roccus (Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati)
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To: RWR8189

Dnc #6


8 posted on 02/07/2005 2:31:00 PM PST by satchmodog9 (Murder and weather are our only news)
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To: RWR8189

BUMP


9 posted on 02/07/2005 2:33:04 PM PST by kitkat (Our Founding Fathers are proud of Pres. George Walker Bush)
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To: Edgerunner
I too would love to have Newt as POTUS.

The Dems have Demonized him to beat the band over the past years. They would go even crazier if Newt were to run. Couldn't you picture Howard Dean's rants, and Teddy "the swimmer" and Sen Byrd's rants. And on and on. Oh my!

It would just be sooooo delicious. If only the Country could survive....

10 posted on 02/07/2005 2:36:04 PM PST by I'mAllRightJack
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To: satchmodog9
Here's a 21 contract with America. Some the same with the last one.

1. Term Limits. Government should not be a full time career. When republicans took control of congress, some republicans like Dick Armey said because the Republicans now controls the congress we don't need term limits.

2. Stop and cut spending. The reasons are clear on why. I say about 25%

3. Cut taxes. Not a little 1% tax cut but a major one. Give the people back their money.

4. You can't lobby after at least 5 years or more after leaving public office. People use their old contacts in Washington to get what they want passed.

5. Repeal the 16th amendment and eliminate the IRS. Form a new tax system.

I could think of more but I'm tired. Anyone else like to make theirs?
11 posted on 02/07/2005 2:49:25 PM PST by libertarianben (Looking for sanity and his hard to find cousin common sense)
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To: libertarianben
I would include no lobbying ties to anyone while you are in office. No friends, relatives, nada. Death penalty.

Cut the state governments off and make them run their own budget affairs within their means.

Revamp the state department and the department of education to include an America first policy. Make all of these federal jobs a ten year deal.

Start selling some of the federal land to private citizens to generate income and promote growth and industry. Have some of the land used for growing trees and other things that are renewable with the usual tax breaks as incentive.


Cut congressional staff and perks to the bone. Make it a job instead of a lordship.

Make the CBO a job that gives bonus' for finding errors and corruption.

Make laws stating that no member of congress may hold office if ever convicted of a crime or even indicted.
12 posted on 02/07/2005 3:08:52 PM PST by satchmodog9 (Murder and weather are our only news)
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To: Alberta's Child

"While I think Newt would be an awful presidential candidate, I do believe he's a very astute political figure with a keen mind."

Yes. He's a great educator but in the art of politics he just doesn't seem to do well. Not that that's a bad thing. He may just be too honest for some. LOL


13 posted on 02/07/2005 3:38:04 PM PST by Smartaleck (CD "Never argue with an idiot, he'll bring you down to his level - then beat you with experience")
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To: RWR8189
Gingrich reminds me in some ways of Winston Churchill (adultery excluded). A fire brand. An outcast. Prolific writer. Willing to stand up against the crowd.
14 posted on 02/07/2005 3:38:49 PM PST by Mulch
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To: RWR8189

Newt was avant-garde in '94. He is not cutting edge now.


15 posted on 02/07/2005 3:40:25 PM PST by RightWhale (Please correct if cosmic balance requires.)
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To: RWR8189

Again, Newt proves he is one of the smartest and most honest politicans out there. Without Senate term limits we are living in a dictatorship.


16 posted on 02/07/2005 3:45:24 PM PST by John Lenin (Would you rather they push you out the window little girl ?)
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To: Roccus
Your 100% corrrrrect!


17 posted on 02/07/2005 3:55:32 PM PST by JOE6PAK (...diagonally parked in a parallel universe.)
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To: Edgerunner

He is certainly my man! His ideas are so refreshing that I would love to see him in the race just for the audience that would be exposed to him and his thinking. It would be so great to see him in a debate with Hillary! I am pulling for him to run just for the breath of fresh air it would bring to the next round of political hyjnx! Go Newt! Tell it like it is and let the chips fall where they will. I am so thankful to be in the last years of my life and not the first. I would not want to grow up in today's world. I know the younger generation gets tired of hearing about "the good ol' days", but life was definitely different 50 years ago. Gone but not forgotten! What a great ticket Rice and Newt would make, in either order!


18 posted on 02/07/2005 5:04:52 PM PST by jwpjr
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To: cainin04
And there is no doubt, his new thesis is one that would ensure America's prosperity for the next century

I just hope this wife doesn't get cancer.

19 posted on 02/07/2005 9:32:52 PM PST by Lester Moore (Islam is begging to be destroyed by a Christian Crusade! Forthcoming!)
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To: cainin04
You think it reads like the possible platform for an '08 run?
20 posted on 02/07/2005 9:34:26 PM PST by radicalamericannationalist (The Senate is our new goal: 60 in '06.)
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