Americans can ask no more from their federal government than what they find in the constitution. This is the crux of the differences in our society today. The Marxists demand government control everything. Conservatives say no, that is not America’s system of government.
The federal government exists to preserve life, liberty, and property. That’s what it says in our Declaration of Independence. It is in place to protect the rights of individuals according to natural law. Among these rights are the sanctity of life; the freedom of speech, religion, the press, and assembly; the right to bear arms; the right of individuals to equal and just treatment under the law; and to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor.
The federal government’s powers are only those the framers spell out in the Constitution. Those powers find use only to protect the rights of its citizens. Thomas Jefferson said, “The government closest to the people serves the people best.” Powers belong to the people. The federal government can exercise those the people have given to it.
The remaining powers still reside with the states or to the people. Why have we forgotten our founding principles? They are written down; memorialized for all to see, to read, to refer to, and debate. Our constitution is amendable. We have a process for that.
Judges, families, debt and free enterprise
Judges should interpret and apply our laws and the Constitution based on their original meaning. They have no authority to decide based on upon judges’ personal and political predispositions. Doing otherwise is making laws from the bench. Judges should remain faithful to their duty to the law and the nation as articulated in the constitution.
Individuals and families, not the government, make the best decisions regarding their and their children’s health, education, jobs, and welfare. That should be self-evident to all. The family is the essential foundation of civil society. Traditional marriage serves as the cornerstone of the family. All laws and regulations contrary to this are anathema to American values and principles.
The federal deficit and debt must not place unreasonable financial burdens on future generations. We must always pay as we go for governmental expenditures. Tax policies should raise only the minimum revenue necessary to fund constitutionally appropriate functions of government.
America’s economy and the prosperity of individual citizens are best served by a system of free enterprise. We have allowed ourselves to drift away from this principle. We must place special emphasis on economic freedom, private property rights, and the rule of law. Policies promoting free trade best sustain this system. We must support deregulation. We must oppose government interventions in the economy that distort markets or impair innovation.
Regulation, bureaucracy, due process, sovereignty
Regulations must not breach constitutional principles of limited government. Neither should they violate the separation of powers. We must end the unelected and unaccountable federal bureaucracy. America must be a welcoming nation. Americans are people who promote patriotic assimilation.
America is governed by laws that are fair, humane, and with equal enforcement to protect its citizens. Justice requires an efficient, fair, and effective criminal justice system. Such a system gives defendants adequate due process. It requires an appropriate degree of criminal intent to merit punishment.
International agreements and international organizations should not infringe on American’s constitutional rights. They should in no way diminish American sovereignty. America is strongest when our policies protect our national interests. We should work to preserve our alliances of free peoples.
Vigorously countering threats to our security is integral to protecting our citizens. We advance prosperity through economic freedom at home and abroad. The best way to ensure peace is through a strong national defense. These are the proper aspirations under the constitution.