Posted on 02/10/2007 10:41:01 AM PST by LSUfan
“Peace Through Strength” are three words that, when uttered with conviction by a man of principle and great leadership, and backed up by decisive action, had the power to free hundreds of millions of people from the oppression of communism and saved this country from the specter of “mutually assured destruction.”
It was in a speech entitled, “A Time for Choosing”, that Ronald Reagan ignited the conservative movement in America and began the death knell of communism. “Peace Through Strength” became our charge. I firmly believe that it will take continued, unwavering dedication to that same calling to achieve victory against the evil terrorist threat we now confront.
I was swept into office by that Reagan revolution, arriving in Congress the same year Reagan arrived in Washington. He ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity by cutting taxes, limiting government and winning the Cold War.
It is a time for choosing again. Do we as a people choose appeasement in the name of tolerance and political correctness? If so, then we are saying to the world that what we are really willing to tolerate is evil in the World. Or, instead, do we stand firm in our resolve that this nation shall remain a beacon of freedom to people of goodwill everywhere?
Do we as a people choose dependence on a bigger, and ever-more-intrusive government? Or do we choose self-reliance, recognizing that we know better than government how to spend our money, raise our children, provide for our families.
I am confident you agree with me that we Americans have the self-reliance and the character to remain free. We choose for this nation to remain free by remaining strong; through military strength, economic strength and, in addition, through strength of character.
How?
A Strong Military and Secure Borders
Support our U.S. Military Men and Women
As Chairman of the Armed Services Committee in the U.S House of Representatives I have dedicated the resources necessary to rebuild our military into the strongest and most effective fighting force in the world, after years of the Clinton Administration slashing our Armed Forces through budget cuts and troop reductions,
Our best national security asset is the U.S. soldier.
Through their patriotism, dedication and sacrifice, America is more secure. We must continue to ensure their access to superior training and resources so they can meet the challenges ahead.
Field a National Missile Defense
With Iran and North Korea blatantly ignoring international pressure to stop their efforts to build and field nuclear weapons, we must aggressively pursue a missile defense system that will protect our communities and families from the whims of rogue nations.
Target Terrorists
Our national intelligence and defense communities must be given the tools necessary to identify, track, stop and prosecute terrorists before they have a chance to strike.
Provide for Border Enforcement
Homeland security begins at our nation’s borders. Knowing who and what are entering our country is critical to our efforts to secure our communities and protect our families. Building fences in strategic locations along our international borders is a proven method of keeping America safe.
We must have a Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement corps with sufficient strength to secure our borders and provide for interior enforcement throughout the country.
We must field the manpower and technology at our national ports of entry to allow all cargo coming into the United States to be screened and inspected in a thorough and efficient manner.
We proved the double border fence works in my home district of San Diego. I wrote the Border Fence Provision, signed into law by President Bush, which mandates the construction of the fence across 700 miles of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. There will be attempts made to undo the funding for it. You have my commitment that I will do everything in my power to maintain that funding and build that fence.
Economic Strength
Keep American Industry and Jobs in the U.S.
American workers are the most productive and innovative labor force in the world. Unfortunately, they are asked to compete in an unfair environment against other workers who make only a fraction of a living wage and are employed by companies that face few, if any, responsibilities to the environment or to the long-term prospects of their employees. In addition, our domestic manufacturers are forced to compete against foreign companies that benefit from their country’s currency and/or regulatory regimes. International trade has the ability to lead to global prosperity, but it cannot come at the expense of the American worker and their families.
Reduce the Tax Burden
Our small businesses and families face a significant tax burden that hinders their ability to plan, prepare and invest in their future. Reducing that burden will spur economic activity and enable families to have a secure future.
Strength of Character:
Honoring the Sanctity of Human Life
The life of the unborn child deserves the same rights and protections as any citizen of the United States. I have sponsored many pieces of pro-life legislation and have a clear and consistent record of fighting for the rights of our most vulnerable Americans.
Protecting Children from Predators
Our children must be protected from those who would seek to do them harm. We need to implement stronger protections against: inappropriate on-line contacts with minors; pornographic materials that target children; and predators who avoid jail and strike again.
Defending the Institution of Marriage
Marriage is the foundational building block of our society. It is under threat by activist judges throughout the country. It must be clearly defined as the unity of one man with one woman.
Preserving Our Religious Heritage
Groups like the ACLU have waged a relentless battle to remove any mention of God from public life in America. This strikes at our very foundations. That is why I took action to save the Mt. Soledad Memorial in San Diego, CA, when it was threatened. That is why on the Armed Services Committee, we successfully defended our military chaplains and preserved their right to pray without fear of censorship by military commanders.
Religious symbols like the words “Under God” in our pledge, “In God We Trust” on our currency and countless examples on monuments across our nation’s capitol are historically significant and honor those who came before us. They must be protected for future generations. They are an important part of our history and targeting their removal dishonors us all.
Protecting Our Second Amendment Liberties
It seems every election year, some liberal politician dons an NRA cap and grabs a shotgun for a hunting photo-op, as if that means they support our right as Americans to keep and bear arms. I, myself, thoroughly enjoy hunting, having just recently spent a great weekend hunting elk in Arizona. But, the second amendment is not about hunting. It is about the right of you and me to be secure in our homes. We must vigorously defend against all attempts to chip away at the Second Amendment. You know as well as I do that there is one thing criminals prefer over any other: unarmed victims.
Standing Firm with our Allies and Freedom Loving People Everywhere
The whole world looks to United States of America as that “shining city on a hill” that Ronald Reagan called upon us to be. Enemies of freedom will find no more powerful foe than a strong America. Friends of liberty will find no greater ally.
_________
These are issues of pressing concern. Thank you for allowing me to share them with you. I thank you for what you do within our Republican party to uphold our conservative ideals. It is indeed a time for choosing – for choosing what kind of America we will pass on to our children and grandchildren.
My life’s work and the work of our party is to pass on to our posterity a secure America, strong and free.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter
You'd be a weak opposition party that has no power in the White House, Senate, House or Judiciary.
If that makes you feel proud and secure, there's nothing I can say. It's just not my idea of a 'good time'.
I'd be fine with Hunter as our candidate. I love his service and beliefs. However, he's not moved himself into the position as a recognized national candidate after 27 years... not even a recognized name. I hate to say it, but that does say something about his ability to get things done.
I'm not saying anything against him, but I'm waiting for the ground swell.
Instead sign up and support Duncan Hunter. If someone else better comes along there is no dishonor in changing later.
Please go to www.GoHunter08.com and volunteer and/or donate.
Also, Duncan has a strong following here on Free Republic, so join in by voting for him in the Free Republic straw poll: http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/poll?poll=170
Until Conservatives pull together as a unified force, we will continue believing that voting for liberal GOP candidates is better than a Dem in the White House. That is exactly where the LEFT wants us - corss cultivating our own brand of Liberal Republicrat sell-outs in order to compete with Socialism. No thanks.
BFLR = Bump for later reading
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
Of course. Hannity can't have conservatives look elsewhere to threaten his dear Rudy. Hannity just makes me sick and lost me as a fan.
Go, Hunter! We don't need any more RINOs like McCain and Guliani.
What does Hannity know? He's probably letting his bias for Rudy Giuliani cloud his thinking that there are other candidates.
&&
Maybe we should bombard Hannity with requests to have Hunter on.
However, he's not moved himself into the position as a recognized national candidate after 27 years... not even a recognized name. I hate to say it, but that does say something about his ability to get things done.
**
Maybe it says that he has been concentrating on doing his job instead of throwing himself in front of every camera and every microphone available, as so many of them do. I honestly do not know enough about the man yet to know if that is true, but it is certainly a possibility. Perhaps now is his time. I am waiting to learn more about him, but so far I really like what I see.
Thanks for the flag.
I think all who want to learn more about Duncan Hunter should contact Hannity and ask him to have Hunter on.
http://www.hannity.com
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