Posted on 05/08/2003 11:32:18 AM PDT by TBP
"Be happy! Dont worry! We have a true conservative in the White House!" At least that is the message that I keep hearing from many who have duct taped a "conservative" label on themselves these days. The proof, they contend, is in the $674 billion dollar "tax cut/economic stimulus" plan the president is proposing. For that, they think he should immediately be stamped with the "Good Conservative Seal of Approval" for exhibiting sound conservative credentials. But should we really have no concerns?
Now dont get me wrong, I think the tax cuts are great. But in this case, they dont go nearly far enough for I desire to see the American people liberated from the chains of the income tax entirely. But this proposal, which the White House probably does not think will be adopted in total, does at least take a small step in the right direction. So, they want to cut taxes? I say, "Sounds great! Do it!"
But before we pass out the confetti and the party whistles, we had better make sure that there is cause for celebration. Has the tremendous burden of the cost of government truly been lessened by the Bush Administration? You might think so if all you listened to was the rhetoric coming from the White House press office. Unfortunately, the big picture is cause for genuine concern. While the distracting bone of a "tax cut/economic stimulus" is being thrown for us to fetch, the torrential flood of federal spending that is gushing out the back door of the Bush Administration White House is rapidly increasing in volume. And somebody's going to have to pay for it...and we all know who that "somebody" usually is - the American people.
We all deal with these economic realities in our personal lives. If we buy things or services, we will have to pay for them, if not immediately, eventually. In like manner, every citizen can readily understand that each dollar spent by the government equals a dollar that will have to be taxed on someone, somewhere in some form. If the money is borrowed, it is creating an obligation that the American people will someday have to pay, along with the interest that goes along with the debt. Even if government "creates" some of the "money" to pay its bills by printing it, it represents a tax upon us through inflation, since such action devalues our currency and is reflected in the higher cost of goods and services.
There is no way around it, the debt piper will be paid - and he will be paid on the backs of the American people.
So here we are faced with a contradiction of evidence. On the one hand, we have a President that is promoting himself as a fiscal conservative by pitching a modest tax cut package to us. On the other hand, we have that same President, proposing the biggest expansion of government since President Johnsons "Great Society" adventure into the dangerous land of socialism. And that is not to even consider the White House's troubling efforts to gut the Constitution's protection of our civil liberties through an unprecedented amassing of federal police power.
Of course, if the President sought to fulfill his oath of office which requires him to support and defend the Constitution, this would not be happening.
If the spending side were kept within Constitutional boundaries, the taxing side would not be a problem. And if the functions of the federal government were kept within Constitutional boundaries, our liberties would not be so threatened by the prospect of the possible use of already unconstitutionally obtained federal police power by future Presidents and government officials with personal leanings towards tyranny.
Unfortunately, President Bush is typical of the "New Republican" that throws even the pretense of frugality and limited government out of the window. He defies the principles of sound government and seeks to have his cake and eat it too. He keeps the Liberals "happy" by pouring billions into the expansion of the welfare state and seeks to appease the conservatives by proposing modest tax cuts, while not mentioning the massive increases on the spending side.
Who cares what budgetary problems it may create down the road? We are living in the here and now! Let's all join in the chanting of the new neo-conservative maxim: "Deficits-do-not-matter...deficits-do-not-matter...deficits-do-not-matter!" Now lets close our eyes and forget all about what the Bush Administration is doing. You don't have to pay attention, he's a compassionate conservative and has your very best interests in mind while he grows the federal government bigger and bigger. So let's forget about all that. Instead, imagine in your minds going to your "happy place", wherever that might be. See... isn't that better? No economic problems, no impending war, no growing federal police state, no concerns about how you will be able to provide for your family once the consequences of the present government policy come home to roost. Happy Days are here again!
Be happy! Don't Worry!
But in case you are not really comfortable with remaining in a state of artificially induced ignorant bliss, you might want to instead consider the words of one of our nation's founding fathers, John Adams:
"...[T]he jaws of power are always opened to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing. And if the public interest, liberty, and happiness have been in danger from the ambition or avarice of any great man, whatever may be his politeness, address, learning, ingenuity, and, in other respects, integrity and humanity, you have done yourselves honor and your country service by publishing and pointing out that avarice and ambition...be not intimidated...nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberty by any pretenses of politeness, delicacy, or decency...
...Be it remembered, however, that liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood. And liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a...divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers. Rulers are no more than attorneys, agents, and trustees for the people; and if the cause, the interest and trust, is insidiously betrayed, or wantonly trifled away, the people have a right to revoke the authority that they themselves have deputed, and to constitute abler and better agents, attorneys, and trustees."
Sound government includes true fiscal restraint and accountability on both the spending and taxation sides of the ledger, a respect for the God-given rights of the people, a dedication to justice and a commitment to remaining within the power limiting boundaries that the Constitution places upon government. It is within these confines that all efforts to honorably fulfill the proper duties of government should be undertaken. But, unfortunately this is not often seen today, which is why the Constitution Party exists...because there is a real need for a real change.
The Constitution Party is not satisfied in remaining in, or publicly promoting an artificially induced state of ignorant political bliss. Nor are we interested in chanting the mantras of faux "compassionate conservatism" which is in truth neither compassionate, nor conservative. Instead we are determined to be the vanguards of the God-given liberties and rights of the American people. It is for this reason that we are dedicated to and focused upon the promoting of, as John Adams put it, "abler and better...attorneys, agents, and trustees for the people" in the halls of civil government.
If you are concerned about the future of our nation and desire to see the present march towards corruption abated, I urge you to join and support our efforts to restore integrity to American government.
His lack of "perfection" for idealogues is not a concern for me. I've been on the other side of the aisle as a Jesse Jackson Democrat. I know the Dark Side. G.W. is the antithesis of the Welfare State Liberal, believe me.
He'll get my financial support and my vote.
I'm glad to be a
Recovering_Democrat.
That is one way of partially stating their goal which, I think, is to lower taxes and spend on certain programs, thus forcing other government programs to hopefully go bankrupt. The resulting high deficit would then be used as the rationale for shrinking government to eliminate that deficit rather than raising taxes to do so and keeping a big government. This is possible if the GOP remains in power long enough. And maybe not. Just an idea.
Perhaps not today, but if we don't work to get them elected, they never will be electable. We need to start building that structure now, and the Constitution Party is one way of doing that. Besides, if Republicans lose because of conservatives, eventually even The Stupid Party has to get the message that they should stop trying to get elected by going left.
Ah, yes. The old "let's teach them a lesson and then they'll coming running to us" plan.
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