Here's my interview about the Constitutional Tender Act on the Al Gainey radio show, broadcast on 12/2. For more info: http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/
Here's my interview about the Constitutional Tender Act on the Jody Hice radio show, being broadcast today in six states. For more info: http://www.ConstitutionalTender.com/
I've always appreciated your writings, and your friendship. But as a friend, I have to say, I didn't "appreciate" this column nearly as much.
While there were parts here and there that were amusing, the bulk of it -- where you have defined what you believe is a "real" conservative -- were simply incorrect.
What you have described, Don, is for the most part, not "conservative" in the traditional sense (that is, the "old right" a la Robert Taft); it's "conservative" in the new sense (that is, "neo" conservative). And that "new" sense is nothing more than a blatant co-opting of the word "conservative" by those who have no right to it, and no right to change its meaning.
I'm especially surprised at your basing your definitions of what a conservative is, on Russell Kirk. Neoconservativism is no conservatism at all. Russell Kirk and his fellow traditional conservatives would never defend the neocon's interventionist foreign policy. Actually, in the "Politics of Prudence," Kirk directly spoke against the idea of spreading democracy all over the globe -- specifically addressing the blowback problem. At any rate, neoconservatives managed to hijack the right-wing movement and became the major intellectual force behind President George W. Bush, whose government would certainly not be approved by old traditional conservatives.
Neoconservatism's idea of world democracy is not a conservative idea; it is, in fact, a Woodrow Wilson idea; that is, a liberal and a Democratic idea. Neoconservatives, therefore, distorted true conservatism by inserting alien ideas inside it.
Ron Paul is not some "melanin-deficient Jeremiah Wright" (though that's a funny quip). He happens to be one of the most original old-style conservatives in politics. First of all, he is no flip-flopper: the man has principles and actually sticks to them -- not a common feature nowadays. Second, he is truly committed to cut back government; we can trust by his record that he'll never flip-flop on this. The man really believes in small government.
Third, Ron Paul is a true fiscal conservative when fiscal conservatism is most needed. The whole world is flooded with fiat money and national debts keep going up and up like there is no limit. That's a point very important for conservatives -- and no one on that CPAC ballot was more reliable on this than Ron Paul.
Fourth, he was one of the only people on that straw poll who both understands and follows the Constitution. They don't call him the "Champion of the Constitution" for nothing. Again, the Constitution is very important for conservatives. Actually, the Constitution is even more praised by conservatives than by libertarians -- who sometimes view it as already too much centralization. Anyhow, even for those who feel that way, they can all agree that getting back to the Constitution is a huge advance toward small government -- an advancement that Ron Paul would bring.
Fifth, Ron Paul's opposition to the war is very different than the regular liberal opposition to the war. Some liberals are against the war because, deep down, they just don’t like America that much -- and this is what drives conservatives crazy. Ron Paul, however, is no liberal; actually, he is a true American Patriot, and his opposition to the war is driven by nothing less than concern for his own country.
Therefore, Ron Paul has given Americans a new alternative: a pro-peace true-conservative patriot. He doesn't oppose the war because he doesn't love America; he opposes the war because he doesn't think it is in America's best interests. He also opposes the war based in the Old Right tradition, a Republican and a conservative tradition.
It is also worth noting, that Russell Kirk, one of your favorite conservative writers, was against an interventionist foreign policy. He actually called for a "prudential foreign policy," which is definitely closer to Paul's position then any other candidate.
The list of things that Ron Paul's position overlaps with traditional conservatives could go on for much longer. Ron Paul is, after all, a pro-gun, pro-life candidate -- and a faithful Christian as well. How much more conservative could he get?
Think about: a true pro-life, small-government, pro-gun, pro-market president? How does it sound? This is the true conservative message. Ron Paul is a leader in this grassroots uprising to restore the true conservative movement -- not the false neocon variety.
Thanks for your time, my friend. God bless.
Bill Greene
P.S. I've attached an interesting speech that Dr. Paul delivered on the floor of the House nearly 7 years ago. It still stands as a true testament to the differences between true conservatism - the "Old Right" - and neoconservatism. May true conservatism triumph again in America.
Posted by Bill Greene on 12/09/09 Last updated 12/09/09
To the Members of Georgia's Ninth Congressional District:
We have an GREAT opportunity here.
As you probably know, Glenn Richardson has had to step down as the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. Richardson, among his many other "foibles," had made it clear that he would not allow our bill HB 430, the Constitutional Tender Act (along with other liberty-oriented bills), to receive a vote in the House.
Up until late Monday, it was assumed that Speaker pro tem Mark Burkhalter would be elected the new Speaker to replace Richardson. Burkhalter is another establishment Republican, who would likely not be friendly to bills like HB 430 either.
That changed Monday night. The press is now reporting that Burkhalter will be calling for an election for Speaker when the House convenes in January, and he won't be running.
Here's where our opportunity arises. One of the Representatives being mentioned as a candidate is Barry Loudermilk of Cassville.
So... we now have a chance to see strong liberty-focused bills like HB 430 pushed forward... by the Speaker of the House.
There are obviously powerful special interests in the state who want to see their own candidates win that spot. WE NEED A STRONG VOICE OF SUPPORT FOR BARRY LOUDERMILK -- which is where YOU come in.
Tom Graves, who is running for U.S. Congress in the 9th District, is being mentioned as a candidate to "draft" for Georgia Speaker. He says he's not interested -- so we need to encourage him to demonstrate REAL LEADERSHIP by publicly endorsing Barry Loudermilk for Speaker of the House!
Here's what I'm asking YOU to do today:
(1) Contact Tom Graves in every way you can, and say something like this: "With all of the corruption at the State Capitol being exposed to the light of day, it's time for the GOP to select a legislator with INTEGRITY as their leader. As a voter here in Georgia's Ninth Congressional District, I'm asking you to please demonstrate REAL LEADERSHIP by publicly endorsing BARRY LOUDERMILK for GA Speaker of the House. It will mean a lot to me -- especially when I vote for Congress in 2010. Thank you."
If you can't do anything else, please AT LEAST send him an email!
(3) If your State Representative IS a Republican: contact him or her in every way possible that's listed there - office phone, home phone, faxes, email address, staff member's email address... EVERYTHING. Tell him or her something along these lines: "With all of the recent revelations of corruption in the Republican Party leadership in the State House, I believe we need a new Speaker of the House who is above reproach - someone with well-recognized high moral character, who is not only a proven leader, but one who can lead by example. As your constituent, I'm asking you to PLEASE, support Rep. Barry Loudermilk for Speaker of the House when the legislature convenes in January. This is VERY important, and will mean a lot to me in next year's elections. Thank you."
(4) If your State Representative is NOT a Republican: you STILL need to contact him or her in every way possible that's listed on their website. Tell him or her something along these lines: "With all of the recent revelations of corruption in the State House, I believe we need a new Speaker of the House who is above reproach. Since the Republicans have the majority, I believe it is crucial that Democrats such as yourself support a Republican with well-recognized high moral character, who is not only a proven leader, but one who can lead by example. Therefore, as your constituent, I'm asking you to PLEASE, support Rep. Barry Loudermilk for Speaker of the House when the legislature convenes in January. To win, Rep. Loudermilk is going to need bipartisan support -- and that includes YOU. This is VERY important, and will mean a lot to me in next year's elections. Thank you."
(5) Forward this message to EVERY SINGLE LIBERTY-LOVING RESIDENT OF GEORGIA that you know, and ask EVERY ONE OF THEM to follow these instructions as well.
These people are NOT used to getting calls, emails and faxes from their constituents asking them to vote for someone for Speaker. When this happens, they WILL sit up and take notice.
We have some work to do to move HB 430, and other constitutionalist limited-government liberty-oriented legislation, forward this coming year. Having an ethical and like-minded Speaker of the House would be a HUGE help.
Please take action right away on this -- TODAY -- and repeat it at least once or twice a week through the beginning of January. We CAN win this! :-)
Posted by Bill Greene on 12/08/09 Last updated 12/08/09
Folks, we have an interesting opportunity here.
As you probably know, Glenn Richardson has had to step down as the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. Richardson, among his many other "foibles," had made it clear that he would not allow HB 430, the Constitutional Tender Act, to receive a vote in the House.
Up until late yesterday, it was assumed that Speaker pro tem Mark Burkhalter would be elected the new Speaker to replace Richardson. Burkhalter is another establishment Republican, who would likely not be friendly to HB 430 either.
Here's where our opportunity arises. The following Representatives have been mentioned as candidates: David Ralston of Blue Ridge, Barry Loudermilk of Cassville, Rich Golick of Smyrna, and Larry O’Neal of Warner Robins.
(2) If your State Representative IS a Republican: contact him or her in every way possible that's listed there - office phone, home phone, faxes, email address, staff member's email address... EVERYTHING. Tell him or her something along these lines: "With all of the recent revelations of corruption in the Republican Party leadership in the State House, I believe we need a new Speaker of the House who is above reproach - someone with well-recognized high moral character, who is not only a proven leader, but one who can lead by example. As your constituent, I'm asking you to PLEASE, support Rep. Barry Laudermilk for Speaker of the House when the legislature convenes in January. This is VERY important, and will mean a lot to me in next year's elections. Thank you."
(3) If your State Representative is NOT a Republican: you STILL need to contact him or her in every way possible that's listed on their website. Tell him or her something along these lines: "With all of the recent revelations of corruption in the State House, I believe we need a new Speaker of the House who is above reproach. Since the Republicans have the majority, I believe it is crucial that Democrats such as yourself support a Republican with well-recognized high moral character, who is not only a proven leader, but one who can lead by example. Therefore, as your constituent, I'm asking you to PLEASE, support Rep. Barry Laudermilk for Speaker of the House when the legislature convenes in January. To win, Rep. Laudermilk is going to need bipartisan support -- and that includes YOU. This is VERY important, and will mean a lot to me in next year's elections. Thank you."
(4) Forward this message to EVERY SINGLE LIBERTY-LOVING RESIDENT OF GEORGIA that you know, and ask EVERY ONE OF THEM to follow these instructions as well.
These people are NOT used to getting calls, emails and faxes from their constituents asking them to vote for someone for Speaker. When this happens, they WILL sit up and take notice.
We have some work to do to move HB 430, and other constitutionalist limited-government liberty-oriented legislation, forward this coming year. Having an ethical and like-minded Speaker of the House would be a HUGE help.
Please take action right away on this -- TODAY -- and repeat it at least once or twice a week through the beginning of January. We CAN win this! :-)
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