Posted on 11/01/2010 9:11:45 AM PDT by loveliberty2
If America is to regain its leadership role in the world, then "We, the People" must select the kind of leaders who possess and are dedicated to a deep understanding of those ideas essential to liberty.
Some one or two of these Republican candidates who win election, or some other person out there needs to emerge who truly understands the ideas of liberty our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were founded upon.
Further, those persons must have the courage and tenacity to stand upon those principles in the face of Progressivism.
That has happened before.
President Reagan's real strength and authenticity lay in his deep and abiding understanding of the principles and ideas of America's Founders. This meant that somewhere along the line he had studied the writings and underlying documents by which liberty was obtained.
His easily-delivered cautions about limited government were not mere "talking points" or platform-based recitations. Those cautions came out of a mind and heart that were in sync with Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and the other geniuses who structured the limited government of the U. S. Constitution to protect liberty, and to bar tyrants from oppressing the people.
Reagan's eloquent speeches about a "shining city" were not mere high-sounding rhetoric, they were about deeply-held beliefs, founded in understanding of and devotion to ideas.
While it is admirable for current Republican leaders to quote Reagan, or to claim his philosophy as their own, second-hand embracing of the positions he took is not enough to qualify any candidate to lead America back to "peace, liberty, and safety" (Jefferson's First Inaugural cautions).
No, that candidate must demonstrate his/her own study and understanding of the principles underlying the United States Constitution, and that only can be acquired by study, reflection, and a deep commitment. The threats are so great, they are presented in such subtle ways, and the enemies of freedom are so intent on imposing their own deeply-held counterfeit ideas that a surface belief in what is referred to as "limited government," "tax cuts," "reductions in spending," and "getting government out of our lives," while they may be attention-getting and handy for speeches, will not be sufficient to hold the line in defense of liberty.
Something more is needed. Reagan had it, and any person who wishes to emulate his leadership cannot do it without submitting himself/herself to the same depth of study as Reagan.
When that person emerges who can demonstrate the discipline and dedication to ideas which Reagan did, then the counterfeit ideas of opponents will not be able to prevail in public debate, and America may once again be able to be that "shining city" or "beacon of liberty" for the world. Other nations will again look to America for leadership, not compromise and appeasement.
Has Reagan's Young Americans for Freeedom produced such a candidate somewhere? Has any conservative think tank exposed the Founders' ideas to someone who can now articulate them and demonstrate leadership?
There are reasons why the rest of the world looked to America for over 200 years. There are reasons why millions and millions fled other nations whose form of government was "government over people." They came to America, because its Declaration of Independence and Constitution were founded on "another" idea which declared that each individual citizen had unalienable "Creator" endowed rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that the government they would set up was under their control.
In other words, in America, the old idea was turned upside down, placing the Creator as the source of life, rights and liberty, "We, the People" as the "only KEEPERS" (see Justice Story's Commentaries) of our Constitution of government, and those we elected to serve us under the provisions of that Constitution in last place.
So-called "Progressives" wish to change that order back to "government over people," the same counterfeit idea as has existed throughout the sordid history of oppression throughout the world, and even today.
The U.S. began to cease beaing a beacon of liberty for the world when it abandoned the vision of the founders, who regarded us a small-government, decentralized Republic, and became a world-policing empire.
“Will America’s Leadership Role in the World be Restored?”
ABSOLUTELY!!
Just as soon (and every time)as there’s a natural disaster and massive relief is needed, and IMMEDIATELY!!!! to save thousands from starvation/disease/exposure/the wanton wrath of their ‘neighbors’, etc..... or whatever!
If after all these centuries, and all the billions in relief assistance... you are still a poor, backward, violent, underdeveloped, politically irresolute and diplomatically belligerent nation whose ‘citizens’ repeatedly choose or cave to greedy demagogues... time for the US to cut you for bait. SORRY!
Answer: No.
Comment: The West is dying. America is part of the West. There is no longer any morale among Western Man and the Third World is pouring in for the kill! We are Dis-Integrated. One unique fact being the West will be the only civilization in history to be totally defeated by words alone.
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