Finally, a True Conservative Who Will Fight for the Constitution

 David Alan Black

With the election of George W. Bush and the tragedy of September 11, 2001, a new vision of America arose. America would now use its unequaled military power to reshape world politics by crushing tyrannical regimes and establishing “democracies” in their place. On the domestic front, no longer would there be any question of reducing the size of the federal government. The only question now was whether government growth would be merely big or gigantic.

When traditional conservatives like myself voted for Bush in 2000, we had no idea that this policy agenda would be in effect just two years into the Bush administration. Many of us who had lived abroad had a growing concern about the anti-American feeling around the world. It was therefore with delight that we heard candidate Bush speak of a “humbler” foreign policy and of reducing U.S. forces overseas. We also anticipated that the new administration would embrace conservative objectives such as tax cuts, smaller government, fiscal responsibility, a balanced budget, protection of individual rights, and support for state and local governments.

None of this has happened. Instead, a constitutional coup d’etat has occurred. Today the fundamental beliefs of our Founding Fathers are being subverted as never before and our precious God-given freedoms are being stripped away in the name of an all-powerful state. Our political, media, and educational establishments are now controlled by people who pay as much attention to the Constitution as you and I do to our junk mail. Statism on the right has become indistinguishable from statism on the left. And perhaps most disturbing of all is the fact that few Americans seem concerned about losing their freedoms. After all, we can trust government, can’t we?

There are times in life when anyone with a shred of principle should be profoundly angry. I believe this is such a time in our nation’s history. It is a lie and a deception to pretend that George W. Bush’s religious convictions justify his unconstitutional vision of government. Bush came into office an advocate of leaner government and then enlarged it by creating a gigantic new cabinet department. He’s increased federal spending on a per capita basis more than any other modern president. In my opinion, the pseudo-conservative government in Washington is now the most dangerous power in this country. It is a perfect example of what George Washington described when he said: “The essence of government is power, and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” Indeed, Thomas Jefferson might have been referring to the current administration when he said: “The greatest calamity which could befall us would be submission to a government of unlimited power.”

Tragically, many pastors have cultivated a careful silence on the real issues facing America today. For all intents and purposes, God has become an adjunct of man, a help in the work of the church and in procuring victory in our man-made wars. The Power that humbled Job no longer finds an echo in the American mentality. Acceptance of the status quo has replaced principle. Ours has become a religion without deeds. Where, I ask, are the Christian men and women who will stand up and fight in the political arena without compromise? They are scarcely to be found.

Friends, the way out of the dilemma is simple. Just reverse the equation. If neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are willing to throw off the shackles of the socialist welfare state, then a third party must do the job, one that will promote constitutional tenets based on certain foundational beliefs about government:

• the belief that our Founding Fathers designed our system of government in the form of a constitutionally limited republic under God with maximum freedom intended for the people and minimum government control or interference into our personal lives and business affairs.
• the belief that the pre-born child is a human being created in God’s image, and that it is the duty of all civil governments to secure and to safeguard the lives of the innocent.
• the belief that government at all levels was originally intended to be controlled by the people, that the Constitution explicitly restricts the power of the federal government, and that the Bill of Rights guarantees that the government may not infringe on our God-given unalienable rights.
• the belief that power belongs to the states, to local governments, and especially in the hands of “We the People.”
• the belief that it’s time to end all unconstitutional federal involvement in states issues such as crime, health, education, welfare, and the environment, including social programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
• the belief that all treaties and international agreements not in agreement with the federal government’s constitutionally mandated task of protecting the rights of the people should be repealed.
• the belief that the United States should disassociate itself from the United Nations and that the federal government should refrain from meddling in the business and squabbles of foreign nations unless there is an imminent threat to the people of the United States.

Michael Parenti spoke the truth when he said, “The worst forms of tyranny, or certainly the most successful ones, are not those we rail against but those that so insinuate themselves into the imagery of our consciousness, and the fabric of our lives, as not to be perceived as tyranny.” When the thirteen colonies came together in 1787 they created the federal government as their agent—not the other way around. It’s going to take some brave Americans to send that message to Congress—and some unconventional methods, like saying no to the federal Leviathan that is fed by both major parties.

On February 21, 2004, Mr. Michael Peroutka announced his candidacy for President of the United States. My wife and I had the privilege of hearing his announcement speech in Baltimore. It was a clarion call for Americans to return to the personal values and beliefs that have sustained our great nation throughout its history.

Please take a moment and read Michael’s speech, then ask yourself this question: Should I waste another vote on a party that stands for more spending, more government intrusion into our lives, more job losses, more illegal aliens, and less freedom?

My wife and I can attest to the strong Christian character of Michael and his wife Diane. We have worshipped with them at their church. We have eaten together in their home. We have prayed with them. Their devotion to Christ and dedication to the Constitution is genuine and deep.

Dear friend, if you want to see a positive change in our country, may I ask you to prayerfully consider the candidacy of Mr. Michael Peroutka? I know you’ll be glad you did.

February 23, 2004

David Alan Black is the editor of www.daveblackonline.com. His latest book, Why I Stopped Listening to Rush: Confessions of a Recovering Neocon, will be released this year.

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