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Ryan's Address: 'Our Rights Come from Nature and God, Not Government'
The Weekly Standard ^ | 8/11/2012 | Paul Ryan

Posted on 08/11/2012 8:48:02 AM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion

Thank you Governor Romney, Ann. I am deeply honored and excited to join you as your running mate.

Mitt Romney is a leader with the skills, the background and the character that our country needs at a crucial time in its history. Following four years of failed leadership, the hopes of our country, which have inspired the world, are growing dim; and they need someone to revive them. Governor Romney is the man for this moment; and he and I share one commitment: we will restore the dreams and greatness of this country.

I want you to meet my family. My wife Janna, our daughter Liza, and our sons, Charlie and Sam.

I am surrounded by the people I love, and I have been asked by Governor Romney to serve the country I love.

Janesville, Wisconsin is where I was born and raised, and I never really left it. It’s our home now.

For the last 14 years, I have proudly represented Wisconsin in Congress. There, I have focused on solving the problems that confront our country, and turning ideas into action; and action into solutions.

I am committed, in heart and mind, to putting that experience to work in a Romney Administration. This is a crucial moment in the life of our nation; and it is absolutely vital that we select the right man to lead America back to prosperity and greatness.

That man is standing next to me. His name is Mitt Romney. And he will be the next president of the United States

My dad died when I was young. He was a good and decent man. I still remember a couple of things he would say that have really stuck with me. "Son you are either part of the problem or part of the solution."

Regrettably, President Obama has become part of the problem,...and Mitt Romney is the solution.

The other thing my dad would say is that every generation of Americans leaves their children better off. That's the American legacy.

Sadly, for the first time in our history, we are on a path which will undo that legacy. That is why we need new leadership to become part of the solution – new leadership to restore prosperity, economic growth, and jobs.

It is our duty to save the American Dream for our children, and theirs.

And I believe there is no person in America who is better prepared – because of his experience; because of the principles he holds; and because of his achievements and excellence in so many different arenas – to lead America at this point in its history.

Let me say a word about the man Mitt Romney will replace. No one disputes President Obama inherited a difficult situation. And, in his first 2 years, with his party in complete control of Washington, he passed nearly every item on his agenda. But that didn’t make things better.

In fact, we find ourselves in a nation facing debt, doubt and despair.

Whatever the explanations, whatever the excuses, this is a record of failure.

President Obama, and too many like him in Washington, have refused to make difficult decisions because they are more worried about their next election than they are about the next generation. We might have been able to get away with that before, but not now. We’re in a different, and dangerous, moment. We're running out of time -- and we can't afford 4 more years of this.

Politicians from both parties have made empty promises which will soon become broken promises--with painful consequences--if we fail to act now.

I represent a part of America that includes inner cities, rural areas, suburbs and factory towns. Over the years I have seen and heard from a lot from families, from those running small businesses, and from people who are in need. But what I have heard lately troubles me the most. There is something different in their voice and in their words. What I hear from them are diminished dreams, lowered expectations, uncertain futures.

I hear some people say that this is just "the new normal." High unemployment, declining incomes and crushing debt is not a new normal. It's the result of misguided policies. And next January, our economy will begin a comeback with the Romney Plan for a Stronger Middle Class that will lead to more jobs and more take home pay for working Americans.

America is on the wrong track; but Mitt Romney and I will take the right steps, in the right time, to get us back on the right track!

I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney’s executive and private sector success outside Washington. I have worked closely with Republicans as well as Democrats to advance an agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation.

I’m proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in our economy, someone who knows from experience, that if you have a small business—you did build that.

At Bain Capital, he launched new businesses and he turned around failing ones – companies like Staples, Bright Horizons and Sports Authority, just to name a few. Mitt Romney created jobs and showed he knows how a free economy works.

At the Olympics, he took a failing enterprise and made it the pride of our entire nation.

As governor of Massachusetts, he worked with Democrats and Republicans to balance budgets with no tax increases, lower unemployment, increase income and improve people’s lives.

In all of these things, Mitt Romney has shown himself to be a man of achievement, excellence and integrity.

Janna and I tell Liza, Charlie and Sam that America is a place where, if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get ahead.

We Americans look at one another's success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted.

But America is more than just a place...it's an idea. It's the only country founded on an idea. Our rights come from nature and God, not government. We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes.

This idea is founded on the principles of liberty, freedom, free enterprise, self-determination and government by consent of the governed.

This idea is under assault. So, we have a critical decision to make as a nation.

We are on an unsustainable path that is robbing America of our freedom and security. It doesn't have to be this way.

The commitment Mitt Romney and I make to you is this:

We won't duck the tough issues...we will lead!

We won't blame others...we will take responsibility!

We won't replace our founding principles...we will reapply them!

We will honor you, our fellow citizens, by giving you the right and opportunity to make the choice:

  1. What kind of country do we want to have?

  2. What kind of people do we want to be? We can turn this thing around. Real solutions can be delivered. But, it will take leadership. And the courage to tell you the truth.

    Mitt Romney is this kind of leader. I'm excited for what lies ahead and I'm thrilled to be a part of America's Comeback Team. And together, we will unite America and get this done.

    Thank you.



TOPICS: Breaking News
KEYWORDS: 2012veep; naturalborncitizen; naturallaw; norfolk; rights; ryan; transcript; va2012
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To: sf4dubya

I have a problem with Islam.


61 posted on 08/11/2012 11:54:14 AM PDT by rurgan (Sunset all laws at 4 years.China is destroying U.S. ability to manufacture,makes everything)
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To: sf4dubya

I have a problem with Islam.

http://www.faithfreedom.org/

Islam is a threat to freedom


62 posted on 08/11/2012 11:55:30 AM PDT by rurgan (Sunset all laws at 4 years.China is destroying U.S. ability to manufacture,makes everything)
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To: Servant of the Cross
I fully agree with your post #51. I consider this choice real encouragement to my own proposed approach to Gov. Romney, as it proves that he is continuing to listen to strong Conservatives on the real issues:

Romney & American Conservatives.

I could not in conscience vote for the Republican Presidential Ticket in 2004 or 2008, but this year, I intend to do all that I can to get the ticket elected.

William Flax

63 posted on 08/11/2012 12:00:31 PM PDT by Ohioan
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

It will be nice to have adults in charge again.


64 posted on 08/11/2012 12:15:03 PM PDT by unixfox (Abolish Slavery, Repeal The 16th Amendment!)
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To: SeekAndFind

I wouldn’t be bragging about the Patriot Act. It needs to be repealed or seriously overhauled.


65 posted on 08/11/2012 12:17:36 PM PDT by semaj
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion
'Our Rights Come from Nature and God, Not Government'

If only their political and policy actions lined up with their rhetoric.

And by the way, it's "nature and Nature's God."

66 posted on 08/11/2012 12:18:08 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (The saving of America starts the day conservatives stop supporting what they say they hate.)
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To: driftless2

A web site I have never been too nor want to visit. I don’t worry myself with a bunch of idiots who think communism is what they want until they get dragged off to the gulag. Then, they will be screaming about their civil rights being violated. But, way too late.


67 posted on 08/11/2012 12:18:56 PM PDT by RetiredArmy (If you cannot read the sign of the times, I suggest you read the Scriptures. They are CLEAR!)
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

I don’s see why Romney staff saw a need to screw up this great announcement by distancing him from the Ryan budget and then dissing Cuccinelli, who I think is terrific. I hope they get their act together soon.


68 posted on 08/11/2012 12:32:12 PM PDT by IslandLad
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Comment #69 Removed by Moderator

To: conservatism_IS_compassion

Paul Ryan is going to help Romney.. great choice. (Waiting for the Biden/Ryan debate...Ryan would be like the USA basketball team against Namibia. He’ll beat Biden like a mule, which Biden is!!)


70 posted on 08/11/2012 1:00:12 PM PDT by ExCTCitizen (Yes, Obama, I had help with my business. MY CUSTOMERS!)
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

Give the willard his due, paul Ryan is a very good choice. Probably the best we could realistically hope for. And this is a very good and inspiring speech.

That said, I will not vote for willard. I have the opportunity to vote for an actual conservative for President. I intend to do so. I think that the best willard could hope for is that his actions over the next 80+ days will render his conservative critics more quiet. The ball is in his court.


71 posted on 08/11/2012 1:19:10 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat (Romney/Pelosi 2012- the Spirit of Bipartisanship!)
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To: Servant of the Cross

I’d like to agree with you, but I’m guessing more than a few here will say they don’t believe the actions of Romney Ryan will match the words. ButI think some others have been convinced that Ryan gives them something to vote for, not just against Bombo.


72 posted on 08/11/2012 1:30:55 PM PDT by xkaydet65
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To: WilliamRobert

Interesting that you bring this up, but I’ve always found willards faith to be one of his few endearing characteristics. I grew up in an LDS area and although I disagree with the church on religious issues, my personal experience was that they were good people who walked the talk.

Part of the reason why I don’t like and don’t condone Mormon bashing on FR.


73 posted on 08/11/2012 1:41:25 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat (Romney/Pelosi 2012- the Spirit of Bipartisanship!)
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

Couldn’t finish the whole speech. How many times can he repeat focus-group-approved catch phrases? If this is the resident firebrand, I miss Sara more acutely than ever.


74 posted on 08/11/2012 1:56:53 PM PDT by Eleutheria5 (End the occupation. Annex today.)
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

I wish he had run for President.


75 posted on 08/11/2012 1:58:16 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (Conservatism is not a matter of convenience.)
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To: NEW YORKCITYGOPMAN

>>Doubt the Founders even gave homosexuality a thought!

Incorrect.

Interesting collection here:

http://www.usachristianministries.com/2011/11/26/founding-fathers-quotes-about-homosexual-sin/

Thomas Jefferson thought they should be castrated.


76 posted on 08/11/2012 3:01:42 PM PDT by OldEarlGray (The POTUS is FUBAR until the White Hut is sanitized with American Tea)
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To: Leep
>>Ryan slipped under the Rino radar

Hmmm.



“Gay Republican Groups Praise Anti-Gay Paul Ryan As Romney VP Choice

by David Badash on August 11, 2012

in Civil Rights,Discrimination,News,Politics

Both national gay GOP organizations, the Log Cabin Republicans and GOProud this morning praised Mitt Romney‘s choice of the very anti-gay Paul Ryan as the Republican vice presidential nominee. READ: Romney: Paul Ryan Will Be My VP (Or, Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid To Ask) “The selection of Paul Ryan is a bold and inspired pick. Paul Ryan has been the architect of policies that would benefit all Americans, especially gay Americans,” Jimmy LaSalvia, GOProud Executive Director announced in a statement that called Ryan “a bold and inspired pick.”

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/gay-republican-groups-praise-anti-gay-paul-ryan-as-romney-vp-choice/politics/2012/08/11/46162

We'll see.    Did they bring him aboard in a big wooden Rabbit?

77 posted on 08/11/2012 3:08:41 PM PDT by OldEarlGray (The POTUS is FUBAR until the White Hut is sanitized with American Tea)
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To: OldEarlGray

I’m tired but does that even make sense? Gay pubs are please with anti-gay Ryan?
Ryan voted yea on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman.
He voted yea on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage.
He voted yea on banning gay adoptions in DC.


78 posted on 08/11/2012 3:21:14 PM PDT by Leep (I'm a Chic-Fil--A-merican)
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To: Leep

>>I’m tired but does that even make sense?
>> Gay pubs are please with anti-gay Ryan?

No, it doesn’t make sense. Something there stinks.


79 posted on 08/11/2012 3:34:51 PM PDT by OldEarlGray (The POTUS is FUBAR until the White Hut is sanitized with American Tea)
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

Romney made a great choice here. The dems wouldn't feel so anxious to blast him were it not for a fear they know he's right.

80 posted on 08/11/2012 3:49:57 PM PDT by ScottinVA (If Obama is reelected, America will deserve every mockery that follows.)
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