Andrew Breitbart (1969-2012): Conservative Movement Says Good-bye to a Fearless and Tireless Warrior

Image via Wikipedia

Media personality Andrew Breitbart gives a speech in Pasadena,
California in a political rally against Proposition 1A on May Day,
photographed by Shal Farley.

I never met Andrew Breitbart. I began to notice his work after the famous ACORN sting that showed the moral bankruptcy of some of that organization. From all accounts, he was a tireless and fearless warrior who went full-blast constantly. He is said to have had a history of heart issues, but his sudden death was unexpected. At age 43, he was just entering his prime.

He worked for The Huffington Post and later for the Drudge Report. Growing up among leftist liberals, he began to question the self-contradictory and false premises of liberalism and came to a kind of intellectual breakthrough that led him to conservatism. He, it is said, was very respectful and courteous, even to his political opponents, but his effectiveness gained him some enemies among the liberals.

At his websites, Breitbart.com and others, his brief obituary states that he died of natural causes, shortly after midnight March 1 in Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife and four young children. It is truly a tragic loss for his family, for the conservative movement, and for America.

Some liberals have rejoiced over his death, expressing their contemptible communications via Twitter and other social media. These people have only shown their true colors. The conservative world mourns the loss of a true hero.

His website quotes a new conclusion he recently wrote for his book Righteous Indignation:

I love my job. I love fighting for what I believe in. I love having fun while doing it. I love reporting stories that the Complex refuses to report. I love fighting back, I love finding allies, and—famously—I enjoy making enemies.

Three years ago, I was mostly a behind-the-scenes guy who linked to stuff on a very popular website. I always wondered what it would be like to enter the public realm to fight for what I believe in. I’ve lost friends, perhaps dozens. But I’ve gained hundreds, thousands—who knows?—of allies. At the end of the day, I can look at myself in the mirror, and I sleep very well at night.

Some of the responses to news of his death may be seen at Breitbart.com. Here is his speech at CPAC 2012.

Rest in peace, Mr. Brietbart. God comfort and bless his family. May others carry on his work.

Eddie’s Simple But Reliable Voting Guide

The primaries are over, and the general elections draweth nigh. It has been predicted that Republicans will make major gains in the November elections, but the Democrats are still in charge for one more session of Congress, a lame-duck affair, in which they may try to vote in some of their least-liked policies.

I am suggesting a highly simplified, yet very effective voting guide that will help our country avoid a good many problems, and solve some of the aggravating troubles we currently have. With President Barack Obama still in office and ready to wield the veto pen, the GOP can at least (1) propose better policies, and (2) slow down the Obama agenda. With the people supporting conservatism, the GOP can be surprisingly successful.

The voting guide I am recommending is simply this: Avoid voting for any candidates of the Democratic Party. For every Democratic congressional candidate defeated, Obama loses a vote in Congress. Even the “conservative” Democrats vote with the president most of the time, and in fact are not very conservative.

People who live in states where the budget is in a large deficit can generally see how this is most often attributable to liberal Democratic state officials who love to spend.

It’s true that there are some RINOs left. Not all the best conservatives won their primaries, but that should have been taken care of in the primary campaigns. Many good conservatives did win. None had a “D” by their name. It is important that Democrats be defeated if we are to stop Obama’s fascist-socialist-Marxist plans from coming to further fruition. It is to be hoped that Obamacare can be stopped by defunding, and later by repeal. That likely won’t happen unless there is a Republican majority in the House, but the Republicans, even if they fail to gain control of either house, should at least be able to deny the Democrats the 60-vote supermajority they would need in the Senate to pass controversial bills.

Some people are saying they’ll vote against all incumbents, but that is not a reliable way to change the direction of Washington. Voting against an incumbent Republican will only facilitate the election of some Democrat, who in all likelihood will be ten times worse than the Republican, even if the Republican leaves a lot to be desired.

The Tea Party is not essentially anti-incumbent, but pro-conservative. They know that with liberals in charge, we will face economic disaster through uncontrolled spending and higher taxes. Their policies will ensure perpetual high unemployment and an eventual currency collapse.

Continuing Democrat majorities will also ensure more anti-life policies, more anti-Christian and pro-Islamic attitudes, and less freedom for individuals. For those who want to vote for the “person, not the party,” when you vote Democratic, no matter how good the candidate seems, you are voting for the party of Chicago-style operations, forced unionism, food taxes, carbon taxes, and increasingly centralized government and endless Keynesian spending. Any thought of a balanced budget is a low priority with these people, no matter what is said.

This voting guide is simple, but will be found to be effective if it is used.

If Republicans win, strong effort must be made to hold them to their promises. They have disappointed us before. But this can be done, and is greatly preferable to giving the socialists more time in office.

(Not authorized by any candidate, party or campaign. Personal opinion only.)

Illustration: Dreamstime.com

The Tea Party Movement Is a Force To Be Reckoned With

In spite of all the elitists’ dismissing of the Tea Party Movement, the liberals are going to awake to find that this movement has changed the political landscape of America. America is not Europe. Americans don’t accept European-style socialism, which is visibly failing, and they do not accept would-be dictators. President Barack Obama is likely to find his next three years fraught with political difficulty.

So far, the president has resisted public protests against his policies, which consist largely of liberty-destroying programs, massive spending, and vague talk of future deficit cutting, while planning even more big spending. The unemployment, deficit, or inflation figures will not stay this administration from their micro-managing, tax-and-spend, socialist-fascist agenda.

Congressional Democrats are beginning to get the message that Obama wants them to support all this despite their likely loss of reelection in many instances. He thinks they should sacrifice their political careers and the representation of their constituents in favor of his radical “change” projects. Some are retiring (Bayh, Dorgan, Kennedy and Dodd), and others will soon have decisions to make. Republicans are seeing a great opportunity to expand their numbers in Congress, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to govern accordingly if they win more seats.

That’s where the Tea Party Movement becomes critical. Their strategy should involve moving the Republican Party closer to their constitutional and libertarian principles and away from big-government, big-spending, and high-tax policies. They need to strongly oppose further government takeovers in the private sector and more government supervision of Americans’ daily lives and major decisions. Republicans who won’t support conservatism should expect to be replaced by some who will. The Tea Party movement finds problems in both major parties, but a third party is not the answer.

The New York Times reports that Obama is preparing to use more executive power to get around frustrating difficulties with Congress. The newspaper reports, for example, “Mr. Obama has already decided to create a bipartisan budget commission under his own authority after Congress refused to do so.…” Also, the Administration seeks to affect gays-in-the-military cases without waiting for Congress to act. “And the Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with possible regulations on heat-trapping gases blamed for climate change, while a bill to cap such emissions languishes in the Senate.” [1]

If Obama can’t get his way on “health care reform,” what executive actions is he prepared to take? On this and other items, he is seeking to override not only Congress, but the American people. His “summit” on health care with Republicans participating shows he has not given up trying to enact a plan that is opposed by the American people. It’s a cornerstone of his “change” agenda. Unconstitutional, too.

Tea Partiers in various states will probably encourage lawmakers to pass “nullification” laws over Federal legislation and executive orders they view as unconstitutional. This may bring on a constitutional crisis, but maybe it’s time to have this fight. Government officials who try to overpower states on this type of law can probably forget ever getting many votes in these states. The people hold the ultimate power under our system, and they can’t be continuously ignored.

The Democratic leadership has unveiled their radicalism and conspicuously failed to deal with the economic woes of the unemployed to the extent that their policies are very unpopular. Their policies are heading over the cliff. The next “bailouts” we see will likely be more Democrats bailing out on Obama’s ill-advised program. They can cite “gridlock” and “ideology” as their objections, but gridlock is greatly preferable to the Obama agenda, and ideology is what guides Obama. The “pragmatism” he practices is to find what will work to get his radical ideological program installed, not what will work best for the economy, etc.

My caution to the Tea Party Movement is three-fold: (1) Forget a third party; transform the GOP; (2) Emphasize the positive aspects of conservatism (freedom, prosperity, strong defense, limited government, low taxes), well articulated. Anger may temporarily unite, but it doesn’t inspire; and (3) Don’t associate with any groups that sanction any kind of violence or anything that smacks of racism. The Tea Party Movement is about policy. It is already strongly influencing American politics. It is a mainstream movement, not a fringe effort. Its weapons are true and persuasive arguments and the ballot.

[1] Peter Baker, “Obama Making Plans to Use Executive Power,” 02/12/2010, The New York Times.

Further reading: David Barstow, “Tea Party Lights Fuse for Rebellion on Right,” 02/15/2010, The New York Times. I’m surprised to be referring to NYT this much.

Photo: Dreamstime.com

If We Build It, They Will Come

Do the views of Colin Powell represent the Republican Party’s best way to future success? Is the party too narrow and exclusive?

Colin Powell is by any measure a distinguished American who, I think, has earned the right to be heard and his opinions considered. But his political prescriptions for the GOP are not the way to victory over the Democrats, especially if we follow his example and campaign for and vote for their Presidential candidate. Powell’s Republican credentials are subject to serious doubt as a result of his support for Obama, despite his claims to the contrary. The party is said to be too narrow in its outreach to various groups, but the GOP should base its appeal on what is best for America, not simply what best serves some group.

The future of the GOP, I believe, will be decided not by what interest groups or demographics the party tries to appeal to, but by the party’s ability to effectively support candidates who articulate conservative beliefs and then advance the cause after they are elected. Conservatives have a different view of the functions of government and public officials from that of liberals.

The liberal tendency is to rule over us to the point of oppression, for our own good, of course, controlling as many aspects of our lives as possible, from auto mileage to toilet tank size, and so on. Conservatives have several basic principles, none of which include micro-managing people’s daily activities or private companies, let alone nationalizing them. Conservatives would be more likely to privatize some things the government already tries to run. This is a distinction that is too often lost or overlooked, simply because we’ve been conditioned over a number of years to accept a far bigger role for the federal government than the Constitution permits or practical benefit warrants.

What the GOP needs is not so much a house-cleaning as some effective conservative leadership. “Moderate” Republicans might be happier as Democrats, but they’re not likely to leave the party in significant numbers. Meanwhile, conservatives must develop a stronger presence somehow, and figure out how to voice strong opposition to the truly destructive policies of the current administration.

If Republicans can’t strongly criticize the philosophy, policies, and actions of the President and the opposing party in Congress and elsewhere, what good are they serving? Despite the pronouncements of some “experts,” people will respond to clear, principled arguments of conservatism because conservatism reflects the beliefs of most of the American people (especially those outside of Washington, D.C.) to a substantial degree. Some Democrats will listen. Issues are plentiful and votes in great numbers are out there to be earned by politicians whose efforts are guided by principles instead of and polls and focus groups.

Where Is the GOP Headed?

It seems that each day we read more about how the Republican Party is in disarray, it’s leaderless, or else the leader is Rush Limbaugh or Dick Cheney. Also the Republicans are advised to embrace a “big tent” approach, appeal more to this or that ethnic group, interest group or other demographic. And how conservatism is holding the party back.

Mostly this analysis and advice comes from the Party’s bitter enemies the Democrats and the mainstream media. Apparently the party should disavow Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh, and find a spokesman like John McCain only more in line with Obama’s policies. Like Colin Powell, who I understand still claims to be a Republican? Puh-leeze! If the Republican Party follows this kind of advice, it will fade into history sooner than later.

Some Republicans, we are told, are privately concerned about Dick Cheney’s boldness in speaking out to defend Bush Administration anti-terror policies and question Obama’s approaches. But Cheney is, in my opinion correct in his statements and also wise and courageous. If Republicans are embarrassed by conservatism, and opposition to Obama, let them follow Specter and become Democrats. The “moderate” (liberal) Republicans do the party more harm than good and the GOP would be better off without them. Then the party could more effectively articulate a conservative message and many voters, who will soon be very tired of Obama, will be convinced. If the Republican Party will affirm conservatism and a pro-life position, they will have an excellent chance of success.

Only a conservative and articulate Republican Party (not a third party) has any real chance of saving this country from socialism and preventing the Obama Administration from becoming a full-fledged fascist dictatorship, for that is the process that is in place, slowed only by whatever opposition can be mustered.

I believe the Tea Parties were the start of something significant. God bless Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Mark Steyn, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Dick Cheney, and all the real conservatives. Some just need to find their voice.

Hello!

I have decided to make this a conservative political blog, because I think that conservatism is greatly needed to oppose the current radical-liberal policies of our Federal government, and other levels of government as well. When I studied history and civics in high school, I really never thought it was as vital to understand as I find it to be today. I’m not sure exactly what is being taught at those levels today, but there needs to be a strong emphasis on our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, particularly the enumerated powers and Bill of Rights. I don’t think the American people will long tolerate our founding principles being trodden underfoot of an out-of-control government without taking appropriate political action.

To introduce myself, I am an ordained minister and a retired accountant. I have been a conservative for most of my adult life, at least since I began thinking seriously about politics. I am 65 years old, married, and live in Texas. My education is in accounting and theology, I have studied economics, history and philosophy, etc. in my degree programs. I am not so much an expert as a concerned citizen.

A few basic observations:

1. The reign of Barack Obama is becoming more of a dictatorship each day. I believe Obama’s main goals involve having the government taking over as many parts of the private sector as possible, and to dictate as much as possible the details of the daily life of the American people, and this, notwithstanding Obama’s statement that he doesn’t want to keep the government in the auto industry, for example. The U.S. hasn’t seen such a blatant and comprehensive power grab at least since FDR, and possibly since Woodrow Wilson.

2. If the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress are actually trying to help the economy, they are demonstrating extreme incompetence. Their economic prescriptions cannot work because of the laws of economics. They are arguably irrational in terms of economics, and definitely mainly paybacks to liberal constituencies. But they apparently are the way to political “success” if the goals are as stated in #1 above. If we see a decent economic recovery, it will be because these policies have been largely thwarted by opposition and it will demonstrate the underlying strength and resilience of a less-manipulated market.

3. We are in something of a race between Obama’s fast-paced socialization process and the fading of Obama’s personality-cult popularity when more people begin to see the reality of the damage being done.

4. The Tea Parties drew enough scorn that we can be assured that they had an effect. Obama expressed his contempt for them (and Fox News) at his town hall meeting. There is a significant amount of resistance, impatience, and anger among the people. Many disapprove of Obama’s policies and see disaster looming if nothing is done to stop this insane spending. I don’t think the American people will stand for this destructive path for long. They will find ways around it and ways to reverse it to some degree.

5. Obama demonstrates ignorance of, or, more likely, disdain for, the U.S. Constitution. He has in the past said in effect that it imposes too many limitations on government, and is a document of “negative liberties.” The end result of unchecked Obamaism would be the destruction of much of what we know as the American free-market economy and the culture we have been living in. We would end up with European-style socialism with the nation in constant decline, or worse, a Soviet-style society with dissidents labeled mentally ill or a menace to the public. Hints of this are contained in Obama’s recent DHS report, implying that anyone who strongly supports some kind of conservative cause might be a terror threat.

6. At present, Obama controls or has the support of enough of the government (all branches) that he can push his agenda along over the opposition and with very little in the way of checks and balances to deal with. Since many of his policies are very unpopular with a great many people, conservatives need to organize effectively, articulate a conservative message, and find some more effective leadership very soon. The 2010 elections are fast approaching.

In future posts, I plan to develop the statements above, and other aspects of political conservative opinion in the context of our current situation. I am grateful for the privilege of having a blog and the freedom, as we all have, to express opinions. I hope this page will encourage people to reflect on things they perhaps haven’t thought about lately, and maybe think of ways to improve things. Thanks for reading.