Who are the real extremists?

The Aspen Times (CO) ^ | July 3, 2014 | Melanie Sturm

[Aspenhuskerette]

Imagine a Fourth of July tradition like Hollywood’s where each year the Oscars pay homage to fallen stars. Liberty-loving Americans would fete public servants who’ve honored Thomas Jefferson’s rule to “leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.”

Might celebrating trustworthy stewards inspire Americans to Think Again about our Founders’ insights, ingraining a culture that prizes democratic accountability and lawful government, the one that transformed our risky political experiment into history’s freest and most prosperous society?

We’d be celebrating two recently passed stalwarts who put country and constitutional order before party: Sen. Howard Baker, the Senate Watergate Committee’s ranking Republican, who famously asked, “What did the President know and when did he know it?” and Johnnie Walters, President Nixon’s IRS commissioner, who refused to target Nixon’s “enemies list.”

Like our founders, Baker and Walters understood that where equality under the law goes, so goes freedom. Therefore, the greatest threat to civil society and human potential is a powerful, deceitful and unaccountable government where the few rule the many.

That’s why the founders designed a liberty-preserving system that fragmented and checked government power among equal, competing branches, conferring ultimate authority upon the people — not our representatives.

Respectful of Jefferson’s rule, unlike many in today’s “ruling elite,” it’s doubtful Baker or Walters would stomach the IRS targeting Americans for their political beliefs or the evaporation of email evidence critical to Congress’ investigation — called “a conspiracy theory” by the White House.

Journalistic sleuths Woodward and Bernstein

[Aspenhuskerette]

From the column:

But who are the extremists? Those who advocate free markets, equality under the law, fiscal responsibility, constitutional adherence, in God we trust and peace through strength — the campaign platform of David Brat, Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s vanquisher — or the ruling elite who subvert these guiding principles?

[Shery]

Went to the site to read the whole article, but it was redacted after the very first paragraph!

[Gunpowder green]

Good catch!

[VerySadAmerican]

I wouldn’t put Woodward and Bernstein on the list anymore. And I don’t think they ever put country first. It was fame and fortune.

[GOPJ]

Consider last month’s Mississippi Senate runoff that spoilsman Thad Cochran narrowly won, thanks to crony donations and promises to keep the gravy train running, unlike his “extremist” opponent.

But who are the extremists? Those who advocate free markets, equality under the law, fiscal responsibility, constitutional adherence, in God we trust and peace through strength — the campaign platform of David Brat, Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s vanquisher — or the ruling elite who subvert these guiding principles?

Best of the year so far... Happy 4th of July...

[ClearCase_guy]

There is a nearby thread in which Obama says that the Republicans will need to move to the center if they ever hope to win the White House again.

Because the extremist GOP-e (think: Thad Cochran) is waaaaay out of step with the sensible, mainstream middle-of-the-road American views of: free abortion, open borders, government controlled healthcare, tax audits for political opponents, homosexual marriage, and promotion of Islam as a state religion -- you know: the Motherhood and Apple Pie stuff that made this country great.

[ConservingFreedom]

Went to the site to read the whole article, but it was redacted after the very first paragraph!

To read it, you must "pay" by responding to the survey. I "paid" and thought I got value.