A Conservatarian Manifesto

The Coherent Ramblings
of a Disillusioned Former Republican

“If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn’t thinking.
General George S. Patton, Jr.

As I reflect on my short life, I often have the chance to ponder on where my belief system began.  It has been an interesting journey from an uninformed teenager to a semi-apathetic college student, to today. I am now an informed adult quickly hurtling toward middle-age, although I refuse to act it.

The Early Journey

Most of my ideas, thoughts, and belief system (political, religious and otherwise), started with my parents. I am a Christian and an Eagle Scout. I feel that these experiences have molded and shaped my work ethic and way of thinking. One of my greatest heroes is my dad, who has had a profound influence on my life.  We often talk of political issues and agree most of the time.  Even though I am a little more radical in my way of thinking, we do agree most of the time.

Going through life I feel I have made the right choices, most of the time, in regards to life and education. I went through my undergraduate work in five years gaining two bachelor’s degrees. I later attended graduate school achieving a master’s degree. It was at this time that I discovered that the “real” education begins outside of the classroom!

I give this basic information only as a background on my life experiences and as a basis for my belief system.

The Political Journey

In 1988 I voted in my first Presidential election, or any election for that matter. My vote went to George H.W. Bush. I don’t remember the reason I voted for him, but it seemed like a better choice than his competitor, Michael Dukakis.  Not much thinking on my part.

Throughout the next four years I concentrated on my collegiate work and having a good time (friends, parties, etc.). I was by no means a lush – I just liked enjoying myself and the college life. I did not follow many domestic or world affairs during these years.

In 1992 I was a little older and hopefully a little wiser. I was working on a second degree at my university and becoming more informed on domestic and world affairs.

It was that summer I started to listen to (and watch) Rush Limbaugh. He said all kinds of things that I agreed with, and I felt like I had found a kindred spirit in the media. He had many of the same thoughts and desires that I had.  At that time he was the lone voice of conservative political issues.  Finally, someone was speaking my language on the national stage! I was by no means some kind of mind-numbed robot that agreed with every word Rush spoke, but he merely expounded on my thoughts and values already in place.

Throughout the 90’s, my life changed drastically. I got married, started my first job, and continued to move up the proverbial corporate ladder. In 1996 I voted for Bob Dole. He was the Republican and was, in my mind, a better choice than another four years of Bill Clinton. I soon realized that he was given this opportunity, not necessarily to win the Presidency, but as political payback for years of service to the GOP.  I knew, (and suspected that many others did too), that he would never have beaten the popular Bill Clinton…so begins my education in the political realm.

The new Millennium ushered the end of the Clinton era and the beginning of the George W. Bush era. I actually loved the idea of the younger Bush carrying the conservative banner. I saw him as a much more conservative candidate than his father and hoped for big things.

“I started to listen to Rush Limbaugh.  He said all
kinds of things that I agreed with, and I felt like
I had found a kindred spirit in the media.”

I truly believe that George W. Bush started off very well after all the election snafus in Florida. He seemed to be settling into office and dealing with a downturn in the economy after the “dot-com bubble” burst. Then 9-11 hit. I couldn’t have imagined Al Gore dealing with this situation with as much poise and honor.

As the 2004 election came around, I was still in the Bush camp and enthusiastically voted for him a second time. As the election ended and reality set in, Mr. Bush started to play the center, and some times left, in his positions. I watched him cave into the left on issues like prescription drugs and illegal immigration. It seemed like he had lost his way and just wanted to secure some type of legacy beyond the Iraq War and 9-11.  I learned what compassionate conservatism really meant: the abandonment of conservative values.

“The Republicans have failed the country by being lukewarm
on important issues, like spending restraint and domestic
security.  The Democrats have failed us due to their
proclivity to push the country to the left, and develop
a more collective (socialistic) society.”

When the election season of 2007-2008 came around, I was totally disillusioned with the whole political process.  I certainly didn’t identify myself with the Republicans and had nothing in common with the Democrats. To put it quite frankly, I was a man without a party. I started to look elsewhere for a candidate that would make a difference. Sadly, the only candidates I really liked didn’t make it out of the primaries.

In the beginning of 2008, shortly after the birth of my second child, I started a little blog site called Rob’s Rant.  This seemed an appropriate title for my writings and I was not concerned if anyone actually read them. They were meant for my own therapy. I started this forum out of my frustration with the caliber of politicians and the Bush administration. I felt that my voice was not being heard. I had a couple of readers that consisted of some friends from high school and college. Of course, they mostly agreed with my positions on issues. I posted when I was interested.

We witnessed the highly contentious election of 2008 between John McCain and Barack Obama. Being from Illinois I knew that Mr. Obama was not the right person for the job. The more I read about John McCain the less I really liked his outlook for America. I didn’t see much difference between the two presidential candidates.  I reluctantly voted for the lesser of two evils, John McCain.  It was the first time in my life I voted for an individual I had no confidence in to turn the country around. I liked the prospect of an Obama presidency even less.

To be honest, Senator McCain only received my vote because I didn’t want Barack Obama in the oval office.  I also liked that he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate.  I cared very little about her political inexperience and problems with the media. Mr. Obama had less experience running anything, and he now calls the White House home. Fortunately for her, she is distancing herself from the GOP and really attempting to chart her own course.  We’ll see where that leads.

“I am tired of the two party system
with their inherent dishonesty
and disingenuousness.”

Before the 2008 election, I was starting to lean Libertarian in my views, but I didn’t really identify with their whole belief structure. I still consider myself a Conservative but with marked Libertarian tendencies. I don’t believe I am alone in my views and think there are many people who fall into this group.

The Realization

After the election of Barack Obama to the highest office in the land, I decided to see what was happening with the local GOP group.  I was looking for some glimmer of hope for the Republicans. I had been invited by an acquaintance to get involved with the local group so I decided to give them a shot.  I attended my first, and only, meeting in December 2008. I soon realized that although they called themselves the “NEW” Republican Party, the same old people were involved in the same old way doing the same old things. It was the longest two hours of my life and I couldn’t wait to leave.  I know I only gave them one meeting but I just couldn’t torture myself like that again.

The Republicans have failed the country by being lukewarm on important issues such as spending restraint and domestic security issues. The Democrats have failed us for their proclivity to push the country to the left and develop a more collective (socialistic) society. I am tired of the two party system with their inherent dishonesty and disingenuousness.  Do I believe that all Republicans and Democrats are evil? Of course not. I do believe there must be a better way to run the country.

“I consider myself an Glenn Beck conservative.
He is a lot like me.  He rants and raves passionately
about issues that interest him.  Sometimes he swerves
off the rails into perceived lunacy.  I’ll admit it, I like that.”

Since the beginning of 2009, we have witnessed seemingly average citizens, like myself, take time out of their lives to attend loosely organized, as well as extremely coordinated events, protesting hot button issues like taxes and health care. We, as citizens, have been misaligned as radicals and out of touch with society. I believe it is just the opposite.  Having attended a couple of these events, I felt very comfortable in the presence of these groups. I think this is the start of a real awakening of common sense conservatives in America.

As of today, I consider myself a Glenn Beck conservative.  He is the current whipping boy of the left-leaning (and some right-leaning) commentators and main stream media types.  I really don’t care. He is a lot like me.  He rants and raves passionately about issues that interest him, is usually correct on the facts, but like a typical human does make mistakes from time to time and sometimes swerves off the rails into perceived lunacy. I’ll admit it, I like that. If that makes me an unhinged loon, then so be it.

The Future

I have no idea how I will vote in the 2012 election.  I will not whore myself out any longer for a party that seemingly has no interest in preserving conservative values. We need a TRUE conservative to right the ship and reduce the massive amounts of people on the public dole. Other tasks should include a plan to distribute the tax burden more evenly among all of the income levels. Stop punishing the ‘”rich” for their success! Also, stop spending like a drunken sailor on shore leave (sorry, Navy guys, I liked the analogy.)

“When we complain about some group receiving
several million dollars, we are told,
‘That’s just a drop in the bucket to the government.’
Well, in my estimation, that is part of the problem.”

Why are these concepts so hard for the average politician to swallow? I think many, not all, of our politicians have lost touch with their constituents and forgotten they are spending the people’s money. When we complain about some group receiving several million dollars, we are told,

“That’s just a drop in the bucket to the government.” Well, in my estimation, that is part of the problem. When you start adding up all those “drops,” you start to fill up the bucket and then overflow this proverbial bucket. True reform starts with that one drop. Real change comes when we fill up the bucket. Revolutionary change comes when we throw out the collected drops and start over.

Do I think it is too late for the Republican Party to rebound and become a truly conservative party? Unfortunately, I do.  I believe that too many wishy-washy Republicans have infiltrated the GOP ranks for true reform to happen. I hope I am wrong. Until then, I will vote my conscience and not a party.

I will continue to rant and complain about issues I am interested in and hope to strike a chord with someone. I’m not always factually correct and tend to fly off the handle on some issues, but I do have an opinion that I can express for all to hear. Until I’m carted away by a goon squad or silenced by the fairness doctrine or some form of localism, I’ll continue to express my heartfelt thoughts.

Download a pdf copy of this article here.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

 

Conservatarian Values: Common Sense for America

As we are a country of many views and thoughts, not many people fall simply within Republican or Democrat camps.  A small portion of the electorate adhere to a hybrid version that I and others dub as conservatarian.  This is a combination of conservative and libertarian viewpoints.

Abortion – Abortion is the taking of a life.  Human rights should apply to everyone, even the unborn. 

Crime and Justice – Protect citizens through effective law enforcement.  Penalize those individuals who do not follow the rule of law with common sense sentencing and limited parole.

Self-Defense – The ability to defend yourself, your property, and your family.

Environmental Issues – The environment should be protected and preserved but not at the expense of basic human liberties. 

Taxes – Replace the federal income and payroll taxes with a fair tax.  Stop the over taxation of the producers and under taxation of non-producers.

Energy and Resources – The United States should explore its own natural resources free from over reaching environmental agencies and left-wing environmental groups.

Financial Markets – The government should get out of the way of the financial markets and allow them to function properly.  Oversight should be utilized but without a full-on intrusion from the Fed.

Compulsory Retirement System – The forced bankrupt governmental retirement system (Social Security) should be abolished in favor of a voluntary method of individual contributions.

Health Care – Health care should not be run by the government in any realm.   

National Defense – The military should be available to first protect citizens against domestic threats and then against international threats.

Domestic Security – The United States should first protect her citizens and then the rest of the world.  Threats to domestic security should be handled swiftly and with minimal bureaucracy.

Illegal Immigration – Illegal immigrants should be deported out of the United States.  Businesses that employ illegal immigrants should suffer steep and progressive fines.

Legal Immigration – Individuals should have the opportunity to continue to become citizens of the United States without exorbitant red tape and expense.

Discrimination Issues – Discrimination in any form is anti-American.  Everyone should be equally protected regardless of sex, wealth, race, color, creed, age, national origin, or sexual orientation, but no individual group should have more protection than another.

Many of these ideals have come through years of thoughtful study with assistance from various groups and organizations.

Download a pdf file of this post here.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Jack Webb Schools Obama on Health Care

This is just for fun. 

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Town Hall Protesters Carrying Swastikas?

Evidently I have been watching the wrong coverage of all the Town Hall meetings occurring around the country over the past couple of weeks.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says that these protesters are “carrying swastikas and symbols like that…”  Really Ms. Pelosi?  Show me the signs! 

I’m sure this is just like the mantra those on the left are saying about the motivations of the protesters.   They just couldn’t be average citizens, there has to be some type of organization.  Maybe there are organizations that would like to organize the unheard masses that oppose government run  , but so what?  I’ve been to several protests around my area and I’ve never been approached to attend any event – even with this right leaning website I run.  Don’t you think I might be someone that would be used to rally support – if that was really the case?  It is my opinion that the only paid protest people are the Acorn folks.

What are these guys so afraid of? They have a majority in both houses of Congress – a super majority in the Senate and the White House.  They don’t need the Republicans (in theory) to pass anything they want.  Obama, Pelosi and Reid can ram through all they want until they are voted out of their positions. 

These events show the elitism of those that are complaining and a disregard for the electorate.  What do those common folks about the intricacies of health care anyway? 

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Government Control at Cars.gov

I ran across this video from the Glenn Beck show and originally thought it was just an interesting talk about the “Cash for Clunkers” program and how well it was working.  The discussion took a different twist when Glenn and his guest, Kimberly Guilfoyle, started talking about a privacy statement that appears when a dealer logs into the Cars.gov system.  Here is the statement:

This application provides access to the DoT CARS system. When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a Federal computer system and is the property of the U.S. Government. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized CARS, DoT, and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign.

How scary is that?  What’s next, a Vulcan Mind Meld when you go to register that same car?

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

The Waiter and the Homeless Man

I received this email from the Don’t Tread on Me! group on Facebook. Good story – thought I would share. 

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read “Vote Obama, I need the money.” I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on an “Obama ’08” tie, again I laughed–just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy the money and told him to thank the server inside as I decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

Question: How can you make your fellow man (or woman) prosperous?
Answer: There are many ways, but one way NOT to is by living off that fellow man/woman.

 

Direct link to the group: Don’t Tread on Me! (Since 1776)

I have no idea if this is a fictional story, but I liked it.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

The Stimulus Bill is a Big Hit with the Unemployed!

Many of us shook our heads as Congress and the President signed the “Stimulus” bill into law.  It was obvious to myself and many other true Conservatives that this was a gateway to further economic problems.  Unfortunately, Washington politicians see the loss of votes or bad press instead of what is really good for the country. 

I shamlessly stole this video from a post on The Great Illuminator – one of the best sites out there in my opinion.

A penny for your thoughts?

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

Insight from a Socialist Author?

Every night as I get ready for bed – brush my teeth, wash my face, etc., I turn on the radio in my bathroom (yes, I have my own bathroom!).   Usually that time of night I will hear a snippet of Michael Savage.  Can’t say I’m a fan of Mr. Savage – in fact I try to avoid his program.  He’s a little off the goofy crap-o-meter for me, but like a broken clock he is right at least twice a day.

During his discussion in the second hour last night he started reading from a prophetic novel from a socialist author named Sinclair Lewis.  I had never heard of Mr. Lewis, but his words were very timely in a novel he published called “It Can’t Happen Here”.  A pertinent excerpt is below:

 

 

During the very first week of his campaign, Senator Windrip clarified his philosophy by issuing his distinguished proclamation: “The Fifteen Points of Victory for the Forgotten Men.” The fifteen planks, in his own words (or maybe in Lee Sarason’s words, or Dewey Haik’s words), were these:

(1) All finance in the country, including banking, insurance, stocks and bonds and mortgages, shall be under the absolute control of a Federal Central Bank, owned by the government and conducted by a Board appointed by the President, which Board shall, without need of recourse to Congress for legislative authorization, be empowered to make all regulations governing finance. Thereafter, as soon as may be practicable, this said Board shall consider the nationalization and government-ownership, for the Profit of the Whole People, of all mines, oilfields, water power, public utilities, transportation, and communication.

(2) The President shall appoint a commission, equally divided between manual workers, employers, and representatives of the Public, to determine which Labor Unions are qualified to represent the Workers; and report to the Executive, for legal action, all pretended labor organizations, whether “Company Unions,” or “Red Unions,” controlled by Communists and the so-called “Third International.” The duly recognized Unions shall be constituted Bureaus of the Government, with power of decision in all labor disputes. Later, the same investigation and official recognition shall be extended to farm organizations. In this elevation of the position of the Worker, it shall be emphasized that the League of Forgotten Men is the chief bulwark against the menace of destructive and un-American Radicalism.

(3) In contradistinction to the doctrines of Red Radicals, with their felonious expropriation of the arduously acquired possessions which insure to aged persons their security, this League and Party will guarantee Private Initiative and the Right to Private Property for all time.

(4) Believing that only under God Almighty, to Whom we render all homage, do we Americans hold our vast Power, we shall guarantee to all persons absolute freedom of religious worship, provided, however, that no atheist, agnostic, believer in Black Magic, nor any Jew who shall refuse to swear allegiance to the New Testament, nor any person of any faith who refuses to take the Pledge to the Flag, shall be permitted to hold any public office or to practice as a teacher, professor, lawyer, judge, or as a physician, except in the category of Obstetrics.

(5) Annual net income per person shall be limited to $500,000. No accumulated fortune may at any one time exceed $3,000,000 per person. No one person shall, during his entire lifetime, be permitted to retain an inheritance or various inheritances in total exceeding $2,000,000. All incomes or estates in excess of the sums named shall be seized by the Federal Government for use in Relief and in Administrative expenses.

(6) Profit shall be taken out of War by seizing all dividends over and above 6 per cent that shall be received from the manufacture, distribution, or sale, during Wartime, of all arms, munitions, aircraft, ships, tanks, and all other things directly applicable to warfare, as well as from food, textiles, and all other supplies furnished to the American or to any allied army.

(7) Our armaments and the size of our military and naval establishments shall be consistently enlarged until they shall equal, but–since this country has no desire for foreign conquest of any kind–not surpass, in every branch of the forces of defense, the martial strength of any other single country or empire in the world. Upon inauguration, this League and Party shall make this its first obligation, together with the issuance of a firm proclamation to all nations of the world that our armed forces are to be maintained solely for the purpose of insuring world peace and amity.

(8) Congress shall have the sole right to issue money and immediately upon our inauguration it shall at least double the present supply of money, in order to facilitate the fluidity of credit.

(9) We cannot too strongly condemn the un-Christian attitude of certain otherwise progressive nations in their discriminations against the Jews, who have been among the strongest supporters of the League, and who will continue to prosper and to be recognized as fully Americanized, though only so long as they continue to support our ideals.

(10) All Negroes shall be prohibited from voting, holding public office, practicing law, medicine, or teaching in any class above the grade of grammar school, and they shall be taxed 100 per cent of all sums in excess of $10,000 per family per year which they may earn or in any other manner receive. In order, however, to give the most sympathetic aid possible to all Negroes who comprehend their proper and valuable place in society, all such colored persons, male or female, as can prove that they have devoted not less than forty-five years to such suitable tasks as domestic service, agricultural labor, and common labor in industries, shall at the age of sixty-five be permitted to appear before a special Board, composed entirely of white persons, and upon proof that while employed they have never been idle except through sickness, they shall be recommended for pensions not to exceed the sum of $500.00 per person per year, nor to exceed $700.00 per family. Negroes shall, by definition, be persons with at least one sixteenth colored blood.

(11) Far from opposing such high-minded and economically sound methods of the relief of poverty, unemployment, and old age as the EPIC plan of the Hon. Upton Sinclair, the “Share the Wealth” and “Every Man a King” proposals of the late Hon. Huey Long to assure every family $5000 a year, the Townsend plan, the Utopian plan, Technocracy, and all competent schemes of unemployment insurance, a Commission shall immediately be appointed by the New Administration to study, reconcile, and recommend for immediate adoption the best features in these several plans for Social Security, and the Hon. Messrs. Sinclair, Townsend, Eugene Reed, and Howard Scott are herewith invited to in every way advise and collaborate with that Commission.

(12) All women now employed shall, as rapidly as possible, except in such peculiarly feminine spheres of activity as nursing and beauty parlors, be assisted to return to their incomparably sacred duties as home-makers and as mothers of strong, honorable future Citizens of the Commonwealth.

(13) Any person advocating Communism, Socialism, or Anarchism, advocating refusal to enlist in case of war, or advocating alliance with Russia in any war whatsoever, shall be subject to trial for high treason, with a minimum penalty of twenty years at hard labor in prison, and a maximum of death on the gallows, or other form of execution which the judges may find convenient.

(14) All bonuses promised to former soldiers of any war in which America has ever engaged shall be immediately paid in full, in cash, and in all cases of veterans with incomes of less than $5,000.00 a year, the formerly promised sums shall be doubled.

(15) Congress shall, immediately upon our inauguration, initiate amendments to the Constitution providing (a), that the President shall have the authority to institute and execute all necessary measures for the conduct of the government during this critical epoch; (b), that Congress shall serve only in an advisory capacity, calling to the attention of the President and his aides and Cabinet any needed legislation, but not acting upon same until authorized by the President so to act; and (c), that the Supreme Court shall immediately have removed from its jurisdiction the power to negate, by ruling them to be unconstitutional or by any other judicial action, any or all acts of the President, his duly appointed aides, or Congress.

Addendum:It shall be strictly understood that, as the League of Forgotten Men and the Democratic Party, as now constituted, have no purpose nor desire to carry out any measure that shall not unqualifiedly meet with the desire of the majority of voters in these United States, the League and Party regard none of the above fifteen points as obligatory and unmodifiable except No. 15, and upon the others they will act or refrain from acting in accordance with the general desire of the Public, who shall under the new régime be again granted an individual freedom of which they have been deprived by the harsh and restrictive economic measures of former administrations, both Republican and Democratic.

 

Sound interesting?  Sound familiar?  Sound like the Obama Presidency?  Funny how things eventually come to fruition because this novel was written in 1935!  Mr. Sinclair thought that the US would be controlled by a Right Wing government when all of this would come to a head.  Probably one of the only points you got wrong (except #10 on the list).

America – this is not a Sinclair Lewis novel – this is real life!  We are quickly heading toward the abyss and there is not much stopping the freight train.   Citizen revolt and protest is the only way to reverse our dwindling fortune.

Of course, that’s just my opinion

Rob’s Rant

Source of Quote – It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis.  Quote copied from Insightanalytical blog.

Don’t Take My TV!!!

Have we really sunk to the place where TV is a “Right” and not a “Choice”?

I have been watching the commercials about the digital transition that the government is completing next month. The commercials alerting the huddled masses of this fact offer a coupon for a converter box to anyone who needs one. My wife and I keep asking ourselves, “Is this really a needed program”?

Some Americans have been trained to automatically ask for a handout instead of a hand-up. If we had less TV and replaced it with other activities – family and friend time, conversing with others and gasp…reading, we wouldn’t need to subsidize TV viewing. To me, this is un-American to expect the government to make sure you don’t miss American Idol. Don’t get me wrong, I watch TV from time to time, but I’m not asking for the government to pay for a converter box.

Don’t fear though, the Messiah is talking about possibly extending the deadline until this summer. I suppose that two years is not enough time for the unwashed (and I mean unwashed) of us to plan ahead. I suppose that this would entail prying the backside off of the couch to go and get the converter box…way too much to ask. Might miss something on TV.

Of course, that is just my opinion.

Rob’s Rant

http://www.dtv.gov/