Newt Gingrich: Five threats to American way of life

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | February 7, 2005 | Newt Gingrich

[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.

[cainin04]

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.

[Edgerunner]

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

[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. He'll be of tremendous value behind the scenes in the future, but not as a major candidate like that.

[marvlus]

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.

[26lemoncharlie]

Newt in 2008

[Roccus]

Five threats to the American way of life;
1) Hillary
2) Hillary
3) Hillary
4) Hillary
5) Hillary

[satchmodog9]

Dnc #6

[kitkat]

BUMP

[I'mAllRightJack]

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....

[libertarianben]

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?

[satchmodog9]

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.

[Smartaleck]

"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

[Mulch]

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.

[RightWhale]

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

[John Lenin]

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.

[JOE6PAK]

Your 100% corrrrrect!

[jwpjr]

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!

[Lester Moore]

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.

[radicalamericannationalist]

You think it reads like the possible platform for an '08 run?