A note of...optimism?

I've been thinking a lot since Tuesday about what the future is for Conservatism and Constitutionalism. I did not, and would not in retrospect, vote for McCain, so I'm not going to make a judgment on what a McCain administration would mean. I'll try to control my "And McCain/Bush stood for the very same thing/are worse!" comments throughout. That's irrelevant. We must, as always, go with what we've been given.

Barack Obama's nomination is representative of a very monumental time in American history for a number of reasons; some good, but most bad. We have elected one of the most Socialistic Presidents in American history. We have elected someone who is extremely pro-abortion. Someone who is a complete and total globalist. Someone who will undoubtedly rival our last President in spending. I have no doubt that Obama will at some time take advantage of the executive orders*[see note] and laws that Bush has passed through on us and everything will not be the euphoric false hope that was presented. But, believe it or not, I do see a few points of optimism with the nomination.

First; nothing was going to "change" with McCain. I don't mean that in the way that Obama means. Conservatism, I think, died with George W. Bush. McCain was going to bury it. In the past eight - especially four - years, Conservatism has been redefined and anyone who stands for war is considered relatively Conservative. All other points of contention; from abortion to spending, are in comparison irrelevant. That's not good! Even if you support the Iraq war - and I don't - you cannot help but admit that it's essential that a Republican president stand strongly for something other than the Iraq war! Of course, McCain moderated a few of his positions and did his best to seem anti-abortion, anti big spending, etc., but the truth remains: he was not, is not, and will never be, a true Conservative. I honestly believe that had McCain been elected, it would've meant the death of everything most of us stand for.

With a President Obama, we now have the opportunity to take the idea of modern Conservatism back to its roots in Reagan Republicanism and Jeffersonian Conservatism. Pseudo-Conservatism and a Democratic Congress with McCain and Palin is not something that would've inspired people to elect Conservatives in 2010. Now, we can retake the House and the Senate in two years, and retake the Presidency in four much easier.

With Obama in office, we now also have the possibility of increased vigilance, especially from the churches, but also from Republican lawmakers seeking to retain their jobs. Had Barack Obama tried to pass half of the executive orders, the Patriot Act, the suspension of Habeas Corpus - there would've been outrage! And rightly so. The so-called "Patriot" Act - under a different name, of course - was introduced to a Republican Congress under Clinton and they rejected it! But when it was introduced under Bush, post 9-11, the hundred-page law passed literally the day after it was introduced. Ron Paul stood alone in the House (with only a few Democrats) and only a few Senators joined him (interestingly enough, Larry Craig was one of them...)

But I'm getting on a Ron Paul rant here. My point is that this newly elected Democratic President represents a chance for us to be more vigilant, more aware. Where Conservatives might have been hesitant to criticize a Republican, they readily condemn a Democrat. We need to retake the Republican party for true Conservatism and we need to redefine what that means. With Barack Obama in office, it will be a whole lot easier than it would've been with John McCain.

I have to get to class now, but I'll probably be back later to edit my crazy ramblings a bit! In the meantime, let me know what you guys think!

*For instance: one executive order passed by Bush would allow him to declare a state of emergency - institute national martial law - for six months without Congressional oversight at all. Those of you who like the idea of Bush being able to do that - what about Obama? The executive orders apply to all Presidents unless they are overturned.

Ron Paul says it better than I can

"Dear friends,

Our journey together has been truly historic. As the final votes are tabulated and the curtain closes on this election, we must take time to reflect on our successes even as we turn our attention to the task before us.

Our campaign has stirred the sleeping giant by showing millions that freedom, peace and prosperity are achievable. We know that these things can only come about through sound money, limited government and a respect for the inherent rights of every individual. We have awakened the political class to the popularity and viability of Liberty. And, most of all, we have awoken within ourselves a spirit of freedom and independence that cannot be suppressed by any ruler, army, or philosophy of subservience and fear.

Yet we must not reflect long. We must press our efforts and lay the groundwork for the future of our movement and our country. The 2010 election cycle is just around the corner. We must redouble our efforts to educate our fellow citizens, recruit and support liberty candidates, and marshal our resources for the battle ahead.

Ours is the most solemn charge of all: to defend Liberty in this bleak hour lest the very notion that man might best govern himself be scoured from this land and from the conscience of mankind.

In our campaign for liberty, we're just getting started.
Let the Revolution begin."

-Ron Paul

McCain panders to the California crowd.

WASHINGTON -- After spending several weeks staking out positions on taxes, Iraq and judges designed to appeal to conservatives, John McCain is shifting his attention to independents and Democrats, with proposals on climate change.

Sen. McCain's support of regulating global-warming gases like carbon dioxide -- the biggest environmental issue before Congress -- more closely resembles the stance of his Democratic rivals, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

John McCain vs. John McCain

McCain's VP?

So, there's a lot of talk lately about who McCain should pick as his running mate if and presumably when he earns the nomination. I highly doubt he'd choose a socially-moderate-to-liberal like Romney, but more likely candidates have been brought up, including my Governor, Charlie Crist (not a big fan of his, myself) and others. Rest assured, even if McSame picked Ron Paul himself, you'd have a hard time convincing me to vote for him, but I'm just curious - who do you think he should choose?

Cartoons of the week

Aren't you glad...?

From The Modesto Bee.

"It is wonderful to see that the Republican Party has chosen John McCain as its probable nominee. We won't have to listen to Ron Paul talking about freedom and restoring the Constitution and a sound monetary system anymore.

We can now move on as a nation with open borders, higher taxes, runaway inflation, more manufacturing jobs moving out of America, higher gas prices, a national ID card where our government can keep track of us 24 hours a day, a private banking system called the Federal Reserve system that can cause boom or bust at any time, a 100-year war with Iraq, our troops in every nation.

We won't have to listen to Paul wanting to restore the republic that our forefathers set up. What a waste of time to think we can become a nation of freedoms again. We need to continue paying our income taxes so that we can pay the interest on our national debt. It's great to see that the Republican Party wants to remain status quo and not interrupt any of our systems all in the name of democracy..."

Aren't you glad that silly man is gone?

"Super Tuesday II"

Clinton wins Ohio, Texas; McCain effectively gets GOP nomination.

Well, I'm not surprised with the results...

As for my candidate -- Ron Paul is still hanging on 'til the Convention, and with the situation with delegates there is a slight, tiny, little speck of hope, but Huckabee dropping out doesn't help. Honestly, I think it's sad that Ron Paul has been blacked out my the media and his party because he didn't take the pro-Iraq stance, but the fight for Constitutionalism is far from over - and a lot of it starts at the local level.

But as for the media's darlings - no, Clinton's not going anywhere, she's going to hang on by her bootstraps as long as she possibly can. She's been planning this run for many years, she's not going to go away. I believe firmly she and Obama both are horrible choices, for a variety of reasons which won't be discussed here, as most of you are Republicans and wouldn't vote for either anyway.

As for McCain, I agree with him on the right to life, gun control and find his current, moderated views on taxing slightly better than the Democrats. I disagree with him on just about everything else. And, as most of you know, I'm absolutely not going to vote for the lesser of two evils. I haven't liked McCain for a long time - didn't like him in 2000, didn't like him in 2004 (especially when he condemned the Swift Boat Vets,) and I don't like him now.

Right now, the best thing that McCain has going for him in the National race is the presense of Cynthia McKinney, Ralph Nader and (presumably sometime soon) Mike Gravel as liberal third-party candidates. Aside from that, I think his chances are slim to none.

Well, my dear readers, I have a statistics test in about 45 minutes (*groan*) so I leave you with a Youtube video yet again. ;) The sentiments expressed at :54 match mine...

Mitt Romney out.

Another one bites the dust...

“If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention...I’d forestall the launch of a national campaign and I’d be making it easier for Sen. Clinton or Obama to win. rankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.”

*Gag*

I really can't comment on his comments, I might be forced to use language unbecoming to a lady.
Ok, the positive. This is good, this is really good! We're down to three very different candidates and, perhaps, the media will be forced to mention all three. The ridiculous McCain coronation is getting a bit sickening, but this really is good for Constitution fans :)

Well, I have quite a bit of homework to finish, so I must go.


Go to RonPaul2008.com/Issues, and Meetup.RonPaul.com.
It's not too late. Inform youselves, get involved, and STOP letting the media choose our candidate!