Posted on 10/02/2007 8:04:06 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Though America got where it is today by following a pattern of freedom and prosperity followed, Americans at a present political crossroads may be in danger of choosing instead a path that leads to inevitable demise, said Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson Monday in Marshalltown.
Thompson, however, advocated adhering to the country’s foundational principles and doing what is right.
“How often, when you do the right thing, it turns out to be good politics too?” he said to a full room at the Tremont on Main.
At the core of his campaign, Thompson said he stands behind a federalism based on the Declaration of Independence’s assertion that individual rights come from God, not government, and the Constitution’s separation of powers.
“I always ask myself, ‘Does government have any business doing something,’” he said.
Thompson also delved into the hot topics of the day, including illegal immigration, taxes and war.
He noted that the United States now allows twice as many immigrants as it did in the early 1990s but emphasized the need for secure borders.
“We all know the wonderful contributions we’ve received from us being a country with open borders. ... From a legal standpoint, we’re still an open and generous nation,” he said. “... But a nation that cannot or will not secure its borders will not remain a sovereign nation. ... Is it going to make it better to become more and more dependant on illegal immigration?”
On taxes, Thompson said the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 worked and that Congress should continue to offer cuts in the future. What is not working, he said, is the unfair estate tax and unrestrained government spending.
“We’re spending the money of our children and grandchildren who are not even born yet and don’t have a seat at the table,” he said.
He advocated too opening up the health care system to more freedom, choice, personal responsibility and competition rather than plans too heavily relying on employers. The result would be the same quality care at lower costs, he said.
And on the war in Iraq, he said the nation’s greatest need is not to get out as soon as possible but to show the world that America is not weak and fundamentally not divided.
“We need to send the message that we’re willing and able to do what’s necessary on any front,” he said. “... The cause was just, we were just not prepared for what we found there.”
Thompson has made unity, along with security and prosperity, a priority in his campaign for the White House.
“We have a heritage, a history of honorably sacrificing for the greater good,” he said. “We’ve shed more blood for other peoples than any other nation, and we’re proud of that.”
But being the world’s greatest nation comes with responsibility, he also said.
What you said.
Fred’s got principles and sticks to them. The rest have just a political hat dance.
Wish he would have asked this when he was a Senator.
“Fred’s got principles and sticks to them. The rest have just a political hat dance.”
That is one thing that he shares with a couple of the bottom tier candidates, except that Fred appears to have real ideals plus mainstream poll numbers.
They will eventually but right now they are having too much fun bashing Fred and posting laughable polls out of the twilight zone.
“Wish he would have asked this when he was a Senator.”
He did when no one else would. That’s why he was on the end of some 99-1 votes.
The more I hear him, the better I like him. First question he asks is; “Does the government have any business doing this?”
When would you ever expect to hear that from Romney or Rudy? They have a government plan for everything. Fred’s approach sounds a lot like one I heard several decades back: “Government is not the solution to a problem: Government is the Problem.” - Ronald Reagan
Bush 41 was the first to say government wasn’t so bad, that we should have a kinder and gentler America, as if Reagan had been cruel. Well, Fred is reclaiming the party for the Reaganites who have been in the wilderness for the last 20 years. After 4 years of Jimmy Carter, we got Ronald Reagan. 20 years of Bush-Clinton have set the stage for Fred Thompson. The times have finally met the man. I wish we hadn’t had to wait so long, but I think it will be worth it.
Here is a video of Romney in an interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0rcAByKUFM&mode=related&search=
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Fred strikes me as someone that seeks the Presidency, however, it is not his life’s goal.
Elect me or don’t.
Similar to George Washington …didn’t want to be president, however, If elected I will do my best.
My kind of President.
“I always ask myself, ‘Does government have any business doing something,’”
Wish he would have asked this when he was a Senator”
He did. He was on the losing end of several 99-1 votes because he disapproved of congressional actions that were contrary to his federalist principles.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, but what has he said about the attack on Rush?
Ah, but the devil is in the details of how he defines our roots. Apparently he doesn’t define it as “Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech...” And in the interest of homosexual marriage he would amend the constitution to make sure states could alter the God-given definition of family.
Oh brother!
I'd appreciate it if you would explain how he would amend the constitution to do that? I could have mis-read some of the things he said. Thanks.
No, now...Doc has it right on Fred.
The most telling thing told about Fred is that "he doesn't seem to have that fire in his belly that everyone else does."
Edwards has it, Rudy has it, McQeeg has it, and Hillary certainly has "the fire" (now and in her afterlife!)
So that may not be the best indicator. I think Fred will be just as happy if he doesn't win.
That's who we need.
Like a soldier that cringes on Omaha beach. Has no interest in being there, but will inexplicably crawl into the fire if called upon.
He just might have a winning theme here. After all the turmoil of the past few years, brought on by the Demonrats and the MSM, the country might be very much in the mood to “get back to their roots.”
I agree. Country music needs to be more traditional like the good old days.
Unity with what?
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