Posted on 02/10/2007 7:54:35 PM PST by seanmerc
“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
Please look up the elected offices that prior presidents have occupied before serving as president. Actually, here, I'll do it for you: Bush, governor of Texas; Clinton, governor of Arkansas; Bush, vice-president under Reagan and extensive employment history in the executive branch; Reagan, governor of California; Carter, governor of Georgia; Nixon, vice-president under Eisenhower.
The lone exception over the last 40 years is Gerald Ford. Note that Gerald Ford was not elected into the vice-presidential office, nor did he win his own presidential election against the former governor of Georgia. Ford was a former Representative.
The idea that the public prefers voting into executive office those who've held similar positions is a generally accepted idea of political science. What those candidates believe is important, but it's extremely difficult to discount this electoral trend.
I don't know of many people who are 100% anything. Especially a politician. What do you consider a good candidate for gun control? Letting felons have guns too? Or is that specific gun control ok? What's 'YOUR' line? Everyone seems to be different and have their own lines because many issues just aren't that black or white. I think that every illegal should be sent to jail.....they broke our law. Every one of them. Is that logical? What are all your lines on the issues? Absolutely no excuses or do you allow for some special circumstances?
Can you please paste a quote from Duncan Hunter where he says he is against any abortion for any reason whatsoever? Life of mother, incestuous rape of 14 yr old....etc? I don't want to hear he 'will push the prolife agenda'. I want to see where he says absolutey never ever for any reason whatsoever. Thanks...
You're right. Most of us by now are acting as though his non-candidacy is foregone conclusion. We do not know that.
> I am specifically thinking of {former} two term Montana Governor Marc Racicot. <
A good man, who unfortunately was born in Canada. He's constitutionally ineligible. End of story.
Yes, panthermom, what was the point of Rudy getting done up in drag... and I mean make-up, fake boobs, glitter and all... so many times if he did not ENJOY it....?
Just wondering. Of course, that doesn't detract from him being a great mayor when we needed him to be, post September 11.
Just because traditionally it goes to governors that is not going to make me change my mind about Duncan Hunter. He represents the way I feel on ALL issues, which is nice for a change.
I never said it would. I'm just saying you should factor it in to your evaluations.
Is that the same Roger Milliken who has funded Ralph Nader ?
Isn't it great we live in a country where we can vote for who we want. I see no reason to compromise my values when there is someone out there who represents them. The President doesn't sit at his desk and make all the decisions, he has advisors, advisors that are on board with his agenda. Duncan Hunter can find a group of experienced people to help him out. Personally, I'd love to see John Bolton as Secretary of State.
My pointing out an electoral trend constitutes an attempt at forcing you to vote for someone who you don't like?
FR really has flipped out.
No, but I am getting tired of people constantly harping on the fact that he is a congressman. It's a losing vote. To me that is ridiculous.
Great graph about Rudy's liberal positions. Keep for later reference.
There seem to be several scenarios in which Hunter gains media attention. That's a good one.
1) (My favorite) Jim Robinson and most of FR endorse him.
2) President Bush asks Dick Cheney to resign due to health reasons and nominates Duncan. Even if he doesn't get ratified, he gets the media name recognition.
3) Newt endorses him
4) Duncan lines up some endorsements from Right-to-life groups, NRA, Focus on the Family. This is actually a better scenario for these groups than they realize because there is always so much jostling to try to figure out who is the front runner and then groups line up for endorsements. But if Hunter's candidacy proves to be a flameout, these groups would be able to pick another candidate later on to endorse, all the while generating the leverage for their causes.
5) Youtube, Macaca moments. That's probably what's going to determine this election cycle.
6) He starts winning more straw polls like the one in McCain's home state.
I think this thing has started to snowball.
Well, some of that reasoning sounds good to me. Since there's never been a Mayor who made the jump, that would knock out Rudy. Then we just need to deal with McCain and Romney.
I'll take that wager. He has 2 years to get his name known. If Jimmuh Carter could do it pre-internet, then Duncan could do it overnight on Youtube.
Very true. I just can't see how someone could be better than Hunter.
I didn't. Those two personalities seem like they're miles apart, it's hard to see them being the same on the political spectrum. But Buchanan left the Republican party, (where does loyalty show up on that scale of yours?)so we don't even need to consider the case all that much. It's kinda like saying Hitler and Stalin both agreed politically on the top 10 issues of the day, but there was enough difference between the two that they expended millions of lives in trying to wipe out the other's side.
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