War of 2010 Update ~ 01.19.10

In the first battle in the War of 2010, America has come out on top. Scott Brown’s blowout victory in Massachusetts is a win for America and a win for all her citizens – whether some know it or not. The momentum from the elections last November has carried over into today’s historic vote, and the conservative revolution carries on.

Tonight is one great step towards displacing a government that has become similar to one about which Thomas Paine wrote in 1776. This government has become one in its worst form – one that has become “an intolerable evil.” Tonight the American people have spoken against this government.

Like a coach who wins a big divisional playoff game, let’s also remember another thing – this is not the World Series or the Super Bowl. Our work is far from over. We cannot become like the Hessian soldiers who were overwhelmed by Washington’s forces during a celebration on Christmas night in 1776; we need to continue our vigilance and our hard work in this cause. Today’s election was a major battle and a major victory, but the enemy is still strong and still dangerous.

In the War of 2010, we have more interim battles – over the next few months, various states across the country will hold Republican primaries to select candidates to run in November. We must be a force behind the best candidates in those struggles; we now must set our sites on doing homework for each of those battles. For example, in Texas, we have a very important battle for Governor in March, with early voting starting in February – the next battles are right around the corner.

In the War of 2010, we will continue to have interim battles on policy as well. The Democrats are not done with health care, they are not done with cap and trade, they are not done with tax policy, and they are not done spending uncontrollably. We must fight them every step of the way.

In the War of 2010, however, we must not lose sight of the ultimate battle – the election on November 2, 2010. We must continue to articulate our arguments against this intolerable evil, while vigorously supporting the cause of freedom and liberty.

Tonight, just one year after Obama’s inauguration and approximately one week before Obama’s State of the Union address, the people of Massachusetts have trumped his message. The citizens of Massachusetts have made clear that the State of Our Union is 180 degrees out of tune with the state of the ruling Democrat Party. The state of our union against unconstitutional overreach and against corrupt politics is strong, and the state of our union on the side of freedom and on the side of liberty is stronger still.

Glory, glory hallelujah! The truth is marching on!

Christmas Update ~ 12.24.09

The disgust shared by so many about the course of events over the last 10 months culminated this morning with the filthy, gut-wrenching Senate vote on the health-care reform legislation. Yet, it seems Christmas Eve could not have been a more fitting day for this to take place; a vote of this nature on Christmas Eve may have happened for a reason. People the world over tonight are pausing in anticipation of the symbolism of tomorrow; we pause to remember the significance of Christ’s birth during such a troubled time.

The majority of the American population has spent the last year walking along in pessimism, defeat, and darkness, as our country moves backward along our current path. The global recession has been met by inverted policy decisions in nearly every corner of the world, most notably here at home. The pain of job loss, bankruptcies, pay cuts, lifestyle changes, and geographic dislocations are enough for most people, but to pile the current political situation on top of all of that is nearly unbearable. Those who have lost their jobs or are working harder for less have had to sit and watch future opportunity destroyed by their own government, as it disincentivizes work, increases regulation, stifles freedom, expands in exponential proportions, and wastes billions of dollars in pursuit of these wretched goals daily.

Yet, Christmas Day is the anthesis of this very darkness and defeat. For as the prophet Isaiah wrote,

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

This optimistic reminder is ours today. The glory of this Christmas is the knowledge that His kingdom is not of this world; his government is not of this world. While we strive for perfection in our own government and in our lives, we take comfort knowing that we will never attain perfection on this Earth. Knowing that this Earth is not the end of the story, we can maintain our optimism about the future, even if the American Left attempts to destroy it here on Earth. We are met today with fierce challenges and opposition to our institutions and our way of life, yet we need not let that affect who we are. We should not let the actions of a few prevent us from striving to be our best and toward creating the best in and for others.

Imagine a world in which this country, this government, this society was the end of the line. Imagine being an atheist libertarian whose freedom and way of life was being assaulted on a daily basis by this rotgut administration. Imagine thinking that this Earth was your only chance at freedom and only chance to succeed. Imagine what your reaction would be to the legislation being passed, the money being wasted, and the freedom being eradicated. One of this mindset would have to be nearly unhinged and in a constant state of mental and physical illness about the current course our country is taking.

Thankfully, we have “seen a great light.” We go forward on this Christmas to take solace knowing that no matter how bad they make it here He has paved a way to a government, to a kingdom where the freedom and liberty are everlasting; our condition here is only temporary.

On this Christmas, may we take away a great energy and joy from the most optimistic proposition to ever be presented to mankind. We will need this energy and strength to meet the dark dawns ahead with our light so that one day in the not too distant future we can arise to bright dawns here in America and anticipate brighter dawns in His kingdom to come.

Merry Christmas and Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Federalism Update ~ 12.22.09

On July 15, 1971, William F. Buckley, Jr. hosted an episode of his television show Firing Line on which California Governor Ronald Reagan appeared as the guest. The show’s topic for discussion – “Is it possible to be a good governor?” – focused on the effects of the Federal government’s recent usurpations of responsibilities that had formerly been left to the states via the Constitution. Many of the sub-topics dealt with Federal mandates (both funded and unfunded) and the overwhelming Federal tax burden that restricts states’ abilities to levy their own taxes and to raise their own revenue. The concept of Federalism was really the topic for discussion that night, and following the conversation, one could only conclude that the Federal and State governments were no longer sharing powers in the way our Founders intended.

The concept of Federalism is simply a form of governance where powers are shared between local, state, and federal governments. This theory of government is born out of the knowledge and experiential truth that the best and most efficient form of government is that which is closest and most accountable to the people. It follows then that people are best served by a small federal government that adheres to and governs issues left to it by the states and further small state governments that are small enough to allow local municipalities to control those things granted to it directly by the people of that city or district. The principle of federalism is simply common sense, as it is easier to discuss issues and impact decisions with one’s elected neighbor than it is to locate one’s Federal representative who spends 300+ days in Washington and represents a large territory.

As in 1971, the concept of federalism has nearly been abandoned in the US today, and this disaster of a health-care bill is only the latest nail in the coffin. While state and local governments still exist, their jurisdiction is simply whatever the elected national politicians and unelected bureaucrats decide it is on a given day. The government we have in Washington is no longer one beholden to the states, the states that formed it and granted to it certain enumerated powers. The government we have in Washington is no longer one established for, by and of the people. It is no longer a factual statement to call the government we have in Washington a “federal” government. The government we have in Washington is a national government operated by an expansive, uncontrolled, ruling bureaucracy and a disjointed band of controlling elitists who were formerly known as representatives.

Conservatives have complained for decades about the lack of responsiveness and true representation from its elected members of government, regardless of party. The ineffectiveness of these complaints has been a result of misdirection, not solely the representatives themselves; the core problem is with the government’s structure and by derivative the elected representatives. The government’s unchecked expansion and the permitted structural changes over the last century have created a situation where representatives look first for a government solution to solve problems when they should look first to see if a perceived problem is even one for the Federal government to address, as outlined in the Constitution.

Under our initial Constitution, the Senate was comprised of officials who were direct representatives of state governments – it was left to the individual state governments to devise a way to select these representatives, but the intent was for the Senate to be a voice for the state governments in Washington. The Senate was designed as a check on Federal power as a way to ensure sharing of power between the State and Federal governments. The precedent for this sort of body was set in the way the Constitutional Convention was constructed. However, in 1907, Oregon became the first state to allow for direct election of its Senatorial representatives, and the process cascaded from there to the ratification of the 17^th Amendment to the Constitution in 1913 (where all Senators were directly elected). Though the old process had its own issues from time to time, the lost linkage between the various levels of government is one of the most significant changes to our governing document (though now formerly-governing).

Under duress during the Great Depression, our Federal government began its unchecked march towards its standing as the national government. The fear generated by the Depression and the iron fist of Roosevelt (e.g. threatening to pack the Supreme Court) ushered in a wave of radical policies that stepped beyond its Constitutional bounds. From that point forward, we have dealt with Administrations and Congresses that have together sought the expansion of the national government; we have not experienced a time where together those two branches of government have sought to reduce itself in size. For too long, citizens and representatives alike have followed false prophets of collectivism and government control. We have been subjected to representatives who either go to Washington advocating for greater state control or those who once they arrive are dazed by the power and control that has been laid at their feet. The latter types are those about whom Conservatives have been most flummoxed; it is the latter type who has been given over to the falsities by structural problems – the abandonment of Federalism and the resulting size of the national government.

We are a people too great and a nation too strong to allow our exceptionalism to be undone from within. To avoid this, we must return to the Federal model, not solely because of past success but because of the eternal truth that the greatest societal outcomes are created from individual responsibility and freedom. Therefore, we must be a people, a party, and a nation united in the cause of freedom. In our quest to restore federalism and freedom, there will be near-term and long-term goals. Thanks to those who seek to undo our greatness with the promise of change, our near-term goals are now quite clear.

First, assuming this health-care bomb gets passed, we must be prepared to work daily to elect people who will repeal this program before it takes root in the so-called American fabric. The first round of such elections is now upon us.

Second, these very same elected representatives must begin to dismantle the bailout and TARP programs that were enacted during last fall’s panic. These programs cannot be allowed to become permanent programs. The longer they last, the more likely they are to become permanent.

Third, we must work to gut the remaining dollars from the wasteful, pet-project infused, liberal, spending bill that was enacted in early 2009 (defined in the liberal dictionary as “The Stimulus Bill”).

Fourth, we have to begin to change the way that we debate and the way that we govern. We must begin to question the premise of programs and the very thought that the Federal government ought to be involved in a particular issue. We need to remind people that the Constitution does exist and subsequently redefine the public’s understanding of the Federal government’s role in society by its Constitutional bounds.

Fifth, as we put into words the new parameters for debate and reengage the Constitution, we must concretely demonstrate this concept in action by reducing Federal spending in all departments not specifically granted to Federal jurisdiction. These include the New Deal and Great Society programs. This fifth action item is both a near- and long-term goal that will require generations in order to disband or convert these programs into market-based operations that can be ended, delegated back to the individual states, or sold as stand-alone, private businesses.

Sixth, (perhaps the most long-term goal) we need to hold a Constitutional convention where amendments are reviewed in the light of the genius of the Founders and consider their original intent. Many checks and balances have been eradicated in practice of today’s government – we need to ensure proper measures are implemented so that in the context of future crisis and panic, we aren’t led astray by leaders seeking individual gain or foundational destruction.

Our mission is not new; it is the same mission that our movement has advocated since the 1960s in response to the failures and usurpations of the Great Society. In 1964, Barry Goldwater, our candidate for President made the following statement in accepting our party’s nomination:

“Because of this administration we are tonight a world divided – we are a Nation becalmed. We have lost the brisk pace of diversity and the genius of individual creativity. We are plodding at a pace set by centralized planning, red tape, rules without responsibility, and regimentation without recourse.

Rather than useful jobs in our country, people have been offered bureaucratic “make work,” rather than moral leadership, they have been given bread and circuses, spectacles, and, yes, they have even been given scandals. Tonight there is violence in our streets, corruption in our highest offices, aimlessness among our youth, anxiety among our elders and there is a virtual despair among the many who look beyond material success for the inner meaning of their lives.”

Tonight, his statement remains true and ever applicable to this Administration. Nothing has changed since 1964, and that IS the problem. While we have sought real reform and systemic changes, our representatives have moderated in their pursuits after becoming pacified and awestruck by the failures of the current system that grants them powers never intended by the Founding Fathers.

It is time for freedom to prevail; time for individual responsibility to be the law of the land; and time for unbridled success in all levels of our society. When individuals are emboldened to take charge of their own affairs, when government is pushed aside, and when people are shown the path to prosperity, the stagnation wrought by this Administration and our bastardized system of government will be tossed on the ash heap of history like the false promises and failures of past attempts at centralized planning.

While our goals may seem overwhelming, lofty, and ambitious, they all start with our passionate support of the right candidates in 2010. In just nine days, we will be a few months from the initial round of primary battles and we will be 10 months from those fateful November general elections; therefore, we have a matter of months to advance our cause. The passion and energy underlying this movement is there, and we can all feel it. No matter how bleak the picture looks or how “blue” one’s district has historically voted, there is an opportunity to build on the movement. We must take optimism and energy from knowing that we are the stewards of this mission and the advocates for freedom, and that history has never been impartial in its determination of the winners in protracted struggles for freedom.

Our own nation was born out of a centuries-long struggle for Freedom that culminated first in the war for independency, and make no mistake, the Spirit of 1776 is as alive today as it was then. Today we do not fight with muskets and cannons, but we fight in the arena of ideas where we must be able to win the hearts and minds of those yet not convinced that the American Dream still exists – those who have given over their liberties to a national government in exchange for promises of handouts and entitlements. It is this latter faction of citizens who must be convinced of what they have abandoned and what they have given up. Government control and centralized planning ruins lives; it does not save them.

We ultimately want a society built upon a citizenry energized about the possibilities of the future, excited about one’s own opportunities, and humbled by the successes of others, as that humility fosters a respect for the inventions and successes of others, while advancing an attitude that exclaims, “I can do more with my talents.” A free society benefits from the blooming talents of all of its citizens, and in such a society, prosperity, greatness, and happiness will reign.

Our nation was founded on the premise that no government can provide for a citizen like one can for himself by leveraging his own God-given freedom and liberty. That premise is eternally true and the yearning to preserve and foster this ideal is what will help us accomplish our first goal and carry our cause to victory in 2010.

Freedom Update ~ 11.09.09

The 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall could not have come at a more strange time in history. Today, we mark the anniversary of the triumph of freedom over evil, over control, over tyranny, and over human misery. Neither the Wall nor the great plague of communism could withstand the natural, God-given right to one’s pursuit of happiness.

The fall of the wall bears witness to the transformative power of freedom, even in the face of the man’s darkest challenges. However, it is at this juncture in history that we face a domestic challenge and a divergence from this kind of liberation and freedom at home. The healthcare (more accurately health insurance or health rationing or life control) debate rages forward in the midst numerous other instances where this administration has moved to usurp freedom and liberty. It is astonishing to think that on one day we can celebrate the success of freedom on one hand and yet watch it taken away on the other.

Like so many other days throughout the year, we mark the advances and triumphs of freedom knowing that, while powerful when released, the defense and preservation of freedom is a daily struggle – both at home and abroad. We go forward from days like today mindful that our struggle for freedom is one worth fighting and one we must fight.

Near the end of Reagan’s address before the Brandenburg Gate in 1987, he left Berliners with a word of confidence and optimism rooted in freedom.

Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall, for it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.

It is this confidence on which we must rely in order to energize us in our fight against this Administration and liberalism throughout our society. For we must know that the lies and deceit of liberalism, like the foundation of the Berlin Wall, cannot withstand freedom.

American Attitude Update ~ 10.29.09

Over the last 12 months, it has become a daily occurrence to wake up to a headline, blog entry, or government announcement that has made me shake my head; made me wonder what is next; and angered me to contemplate another heretofore-unimaginable loss. So much has been destroyed:  our system of government through a careful balance of separated powers has been eradicated; personal fortunes have been decimated; nationalized industries have been radically changed; and millions of jobs have been cut. We know empirically that economic cycles are healthy, but cycles that are exacerbated and exploited by politicians are anything but healthy.

Michigan’s nine-year, one-state recession continues apace undaunted because the state government has for decades advanced policies of socialist destruction, which have been enhanced by the follow-on actions of the federal government. There is no better modern example of what happens to formerly free markets that “operate” under the crushing pressure of bad public policy. As we look out at our national landscape, we see much the same happening. As our nation continues to feel the crippling weight of this sustained recession, we have watched as Washington continues on its path of destruction.

We have witnessed our “elected representatives” in Washington do nothing but to destroy the last remaining threads of fabric that bound them to principle of law. To form the right mental perspective of this, a recap of the just last NINE months is necessary.

In late January, President Obama was inaugurated and immediately began to capitulate to the “international community” and initiate his “American Apology Tour” by issuing an executive order declaring that he will close Guantanamo Bay within one year.

During January and February, many of Obama’s top nominations for cabinet positions were forced to withdraw their nominations due to criminal (though not prosecuted) histories that included tax evasion and bribes/kick-backs, while others were deemed “too critical” and were confirmed by the Senate regardless of their crimes.

On February 4, the day after Tom Daschle (HHS Secretary) and Kathy Killefer (Chief Performance Officer) were forced to withdraw their nominations, Obama capped executive compensation of those who worked at companies that received TARP funds.

In late February, the yet-unread “stimulus” bill was passed by Congress and signed by Obama. Since then, we have been forced to grimace as the printing presses churn out greenbacks to fund the colossal waste of pet project spending that was contained in that bill.

In early March, while on her first international trip, Secretary of State Clinton announced that the US would pledge nearly $1 billion dollars to assist a terrorist organization, Hamas, with its so-called “humanitarian and development” projects in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

In mid-March, the Administration issued a new legal standard for the murderers being held at Guantanamo Bay; they dropped the concept of “enemy combatant” in favor of INTERNATIONAL LAW.

In late March, the Administration’s supposed genius of a Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, unveiled an absolutely embarrassing, incoherent bomb of a plan to have the government purchase “troubled” assets from bank’s balance sheets.

On March 29, Obama fired General Motors CEO Rick Wagner; on March 29, the President of the United States of America fired the CEO of a “private” company.

In early April, Obama demonstrated his utter contempt for America’s importance in the world and her steadfast grip on the right side of history. He attended the G-20 conference in the UK and the NATO summit in France, where he proceeded to issue apologies to the world community in an attempt to “repair America’s image.”

In mid-April, the Administration initiated its assault on the CIA and began to undermine America’s best weapon in the War on Terror by issuing memos on the so-called enhanced interrogation techniques.

In mid-April, Obama further advanced his disastrous foreign policy by posing, embracing, and conversing with Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez on terms one might reserve for a best friend. The resulting pictures were worth 1,000 words to our former allies throughout the Americas.

In mid-April, the Department of Homeland Security (headed by Secretary Janet Napolitano) released a memo warning Americans of the domestic terrorist threat posed by returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.

On April 30, the Administration held a photo-op with Air Force One and a pair of F-16s in New York Harbor over the Statue of Liberty. Instead of informing people in advance, the White House decided to do whatever they wanted and terrify everyone in Lower Manhattan on that day.

On May 1, Chrysler was nationalized in a bankruptcy filing that not only ignored bankruptcy law and rejected contract law, but also smashed the separation of powers and expanded the executive branch’s reach further beyond its Constitutional bounds.

In mid-May, Obama announced plans to arbitrarily increase American automotive fuel economy standards to 35.5 mpg in an effort to curb carbon emissions and to slow down the out-and-out lie that is global warming. All of this under the guise of a regulation that further harms the struggling auto companies – the very companies that he claimed to be seeking to help. (Remember the talk of Michigan’s one-state recession; see MPG federal standards as one more regulation that tanked Detroit.)

In late May, Obama signed the “Helping Families Save their Homes Act of 2009,” which further tore up contract law by granting the government the power to restructure people’s mortgages versus allowing banks to act upon their contractual recourse to the underlying assets.

Two days after the mortgage act, Obama signed the Credit CARD Act of 2009, which further regulated a formerly private industry by controlling the prices (i.e. fees) that a credit card lender could charge for lending and providing services to its cardholders.

Four days later, Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the open Supreme Court seat. Sotomayor’s record of re-writing Constitutional law based on her own standards of empathy and personal wisdom speaks for itself.

On June 1, GM became the second auto company to be nationalized; an action taken just over two months after the Administration replaced its CEO.

In early June, Obama took a trip to the Middle East to “introduce himself to the Arab world” where he continued his apology tour in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, but who could forget one highlight of his trip – his bow to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia?

On June 23, Obama held a press conference where he discussed the protests surrounding the Iranian election. In an effort to reach out to the “Iranian government,” Obama failed to verbally support the protesters; instead, he said he was prepared to meet with and negotiate with the Ahmadinejad “administration,” as if it were legitimate.

On June 26, Obama signed the bill authorizing “cash for clunkers.” It was billed as a way to both stimulate Detroit and improve fuel efficiency; it instead destroyed economic value and increased Toyota’s sales (we learned today that we spent $24,000 per clunker).

On June 29, the Honduran people staged a coup to overthrow President Zelaya, a Castro/Chavez ally who was seeking to implement himself in a dictatorial role. Instead of supporting freedom and democracy, Obama sided with Chavez in calling the coup illegal and called for Zelaya’s reinstatement.

On July 22, Obama held a press conference to discuss the public’s outcry over his healthcare proposals. At the end of the night, he was asked about the arrest of a Harvard professor; instead of withholding comment until all of the facts were known, Obama called the police officers “stupid” – a “stupid” comment that resulted in a Rose Garden beer-festival eight days later.

On August 29, Obama delivered the eulogy at the funeral service of Senator Ted Kennedy, where he called Kennedy “the greatest US Senator of our time.” While the competition for this distinction would make for a slow race, it is not that slow.

On September 6, Van Jones, Obama’s ‘green jobs’ czar resigned after his background as a 9-11 conspiracy theorist and as a leader of Marxist organizations came to light. The Administration claimed that it had not “properly vetted” Mr. Jones. Was Google broken that week?

On September 8, Obama delivered an address to America’s elementary schoolchildren where he also mandated a curriculum for the address and orchestrated a classroom response to it. Mao had his Little Red Book and Hitler formed the Hitler Youth, but Obama just hasn’t come up with a title for his yet, but there is still time for Rham and Axelrod to come up with something.

One day later, Obama spoke before a joint session of Congress to “lie” about his healthcare proposal (thanks to Congressman Joe Wilson for the wording).

On September 21, Obama made his second late night TV appearance on David Letterman’s show WHILE HOLDING THE OFFICE OF POTUS. The President on late-night TV …

On September 22, Obama addressed the Climate Change Summit at the UN; a day later, he addressed the General Assembly; on the 24^th, he addressed the Security Council. In all instances, he did his best to hand American sovereignty to the UN.

On October 2, Obama flew to Copenhagen to promote Chicago’s bid to host the Olympics in 2016. The bid summarily failed that day, as Chicago was the first city eliminated.

On October 9, it was announced that Obama would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for having brought hope and change to the world during the campaign. Never mind that he has brought destruction to the American way of life, but I guess that is the chief requirement for actually winning the prize in the first place – just ask Gore and Carter.

On October 15, Obama flew to New Orleans to visit areas “still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.” IT HAS BEEN FOUR YEARS. Can we stop it with the government aid and sob stories? People living on a coastal area below sea level ought to be able to prepare and recover from such an incident.  This is AMERICA, not some island nation, but I can’t make that comparison because the island nations have already rebuilt. I guess it has been all of that Federal aid and the fifth-wheel trailers that helped New Orleans recover so quickly.

Throughout October, the military has looked to the Administration to provide a course for action in Afghanistan; the Administration has, however, balked at making a difficult strategic decision.

On October 27, Democrat ‘leaders’ in both houses of Congress revealed that they were once again going to pursue the addition of a “public option” to their un-American healthcare legislation.

And that has occurred over just nine months … nine months of oppressive, pessimistic, shameful, and unconstitutional actions. These nine months have created quite a reason for people to be pessimistic about the future and about the direction of our country. I have on several occasions been tempted to be pessimistic and to write the whole thing off as a lost cause, but the greatness and power of our cause always pulls me back from the brink. One such incident recently has me jazzed up, and it is the momentum of that incident coupled with next week’s elections that have cemented my optimism.

The incident that I referenced above took place about three weeks ago in Denver International Airport. I arrived at the airport about four hours before my scheduled flight because my meetings during the day had ended early, and I was trying to get on an earlier flight home. When it was clear that an earlier flight was not going to be available, I took my seat in the lobby and began to read an edition of National Review, as I made my way through the recap of the last week at the beginning of the issue, my frustration was growing with each paragraph. Further, I was forced to listen to the commentary of some quarter-wit CNN anchor, who was being broadcast on the TVs throughout the terminal. The pessimism of the news, the Administration’s actions in response, and the corresponding destruction was about more than I could take. I was nearing the edge of thinking that recovering from and undoing this was going to be impossible.

It was one of those moments where one’s faith in our fellow citizens was shaken; we know in our hearts that there are so many good individuals committed to the American cause out there, but it is overwhelming to think of those who do not even know of the cause; those who do not understand why and how we got to where we are today. Those are the same people who were willing to throw it all away at the promise of ‘hope and change.’ Such defeatist lines of thought can really be overwhelming, if we allow them to be so; however, there is another alternative.

As I sat and shook my head at what I was reading and hearing that afternoon in Denver, I was reminded of this alternative in a powerful way. From where I was sitting, I was facing the walkway in the center of the terminal, and I just so happened to look up from my magazine long enough to catch a glimpse of camouflage – there was a group of 10 soldiers approaching the area where I was sitting. As they got closer, they stopped, huddled up to talk, and put their bags down about 15 feet from me. I could not help but to keep staring at them; I was struck with a great sense of admiration and respect. In similar cases, I often pass by and wave with a word of thanks, but that afternoon in Denver was different. I remained in my seat and my gaze continued steadfast. Scanning the group, I estimated that the average age of the group was about 19 or 20; they were beaming with camaraderie and were certainly enjoying each others’ company. But there was something more present – on their faces, I saw the look of resolve, of victory, of faith, of hope, of freedom, of optimism, and of the American spirit. It is through their sacrifice and through their commitment and the commitment of the thousands like them that we are going to rebuild this country.

On that afternoon in Denver, I realized that the American dream and the American ideal is far from dead. The green shoots of the revitalization of our Nation were right there in front of me. To be sure, their faces bore the pain of sacrifice and hard work, and there is no doubt that the revitalization is going to take much of both from many, but those soldiers through their inspiring commitment should serve as witness that there are plenty of citizens still committed to the cause of 1776.

This hard work, sacrifice, and commitment will again be on display this week across many states, especially in the East were elections are being held. Bob McDonnell is going to be the next governor in Virginia. Chris Christie is within the margin of error in his race against Jon Corzine for governor of New Jersey – in one of the bluest states in the country, the Republican is close to victory (and may very well be winning in a blow-out without the hindrance of a third-party candidate). In New York’s 23rd Congressional district, Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman is within the margin of error against the Democrat, and would certainly be winning if it were not for the Republican Party’s nomination and support for a liberal candidate. Across three states, conservatives are on the march. They are united against government over-reach, against out-of-control spending, and against the policies of this Administration. The fight between conservatives and the liberal, Republican establishment in NY’s 23rd district is truly inspiring ahead of the 2010 elections.

As we have outlined, the revitalization of America has to start at home with a conservative revitalization of the Republican Party, and it is happening right in front of us. Our goal is to elect representatives who are actually committed to the cause of the Constitution; those who will uphold their oath of office, and it appears that Doug Hoffman has stepped forward to be the first in a new wave of just that sort of candidate. While it is important for us to find these candidates and support them to victory in the traditional Republican primary process in 2010, the absence of such a process in NY-23 has created an opportunity for truly inspiring action in the democratic process.

As has been widely reported across many news outlets, a new Gallup poll shows that conservatives are now the largest ideological group in the country with a 40% share; moderates are second at 35%. We conservatives make up 40% of the population, and yet we have far less than 40% of the representation at the federal level. Even if the Republican Party has 40% of the seats in the Senate, conservatives occupy just a handful of those. A conservative revitalization is being launched right now; we are sitting at the edge of fundamentally changing things. Most of the 2012 front-runners for the Republican Presidential nomination have come out to endorse Doug Hoffman – when was the last time that the Republican front-runners were coming out to embrace conservatives? That is fundamental change.

The negativity that results from thinking about the last nine months and the current legislative agenda is no doubt striking, but we have to remember that we are about one year away from the next Congressional election. The healthcare reform that is being contemplated today does not really go into effect until 2013 and the spending/programs that have been passed have impacts that can be stunted and reversed by the branch of congress that controls the purse strings (the House). With a renewed and energized conservative effort in 2010, we can make bring plenty of paper shredders, garbage cans, and scissors to Washington. Our effort must be first trained on cutting, reversing, and deregulating so that we can set free the engine of ingenuity – the men and women of the United States of America.

Those soldiers in Denver reminded me that if the American spirit survived a four-year war for independence, a constitutional convention, a civil war, and southern reconstruction, it could certainly survive a nine-month or even four-year assault from the Obama Administration, especially when we are going to win important battles along the way towards winning the war for the preservation of American freedom.