We live in the longest running Constitutional Republic that the world has ever known, our home, these United States of America.
For those of us who call Texas home, we have this additional source of pride: the Lone Star State began as the Republic of Texas. Texas stands today as the only state in our Union that fought, solely, for its own independence, declared on March 2, 1836. On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th State in the Union.
The key aspect of living in a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy, is that we are governed by a rule of law. Individual rights, freedoms, liberty, and sovereignty are vital. It all comes down to principles, values, and policies…a philosophy of governance.
Today, in America, we are generally grouped into two major political parties: Republicans and Democrats. Yes, I do recognize the Libertarian and Green parties also exist, and, of course, there are those who are UNA, non-party affiliated.
Early, in the development of America, it was our very first president who, in his farewell address, in September of 1796, warned us of the negative impact “factions” could have on the functioning of, and obstruction to, our laws, and enumerated powers granted to our respective branches of government, ya know, legislative, executive, and judicial.
Sadly, we no longer really teach civics in our schools, history and civics have been replaced by something called social studies. When we get to a point in our nation where our fundamental principles, documents, and philosophy are not taught, we become the victims of message propaganda. The result? Folly, such as those who promote that America was established in 1619, not July 4, 1776, when our Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 courageous men. So what if they were all white?
When one reads the Declaration of Independence, the entire document, you will see a long list of grievances that address the usurpation of individual rights, liberty, and freedom by an onerous, invasive, and totalitarian government, England. And, if one is very astute in reading the Declaration of Independence, you will recognize some very glaring similarities to today.
Here is what we must do now as Americans, Texans: examine ourselves not based upon what political party we belong. No, that is what the game of the simple-minded. We must do a deep self-analysis as to what our philosophy of governance is.
Let me explain. America was established by the Declaration of Independence forming a unique concept, the individual is supreme, sovereign, over the institution of government. The unalienable rights of the individual in America are endowed by the sovereign Judeo-Christian God, the Creator. That is the expansion of Natural Rights theory, first proposed by the father of classical liberalism, English political philosopher, John Locke. Locke set forth the notion that the individual rights granted by the Creator, naturally, are life, liberty, and property…Jefferson wrote of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In America today, we have two competing philosophies of governance — constitutional conservatism (today’s classical liberalism) and progressive socialism…aka statism, Marxism. One of the political parties in America has decided to embrace progressive socialism, that is the Democrat Party. The other political party struggles with definitively regarding itself as constitutionally conservative, the Republican party.
Why do we say “progressives?” Because that is the moniker communists adopted to introduce their ideological system into Western democratic nations. As a matter of fact, it was Vladmir Lenin who coined the phrase “useful idiots” referring to those in Western nations who would adopt the socialist philosophy. Lenin also stated that, “the goal of socialism is communism.” Socialism is an economic philosophy, construct, that leads to a societal restructuring called communism. What are the principles of progressive socialism?
Wealth redistribution: Karl Marx first introduced a progressive tax system Nationalization of economic production under government control Expansion of a welfare state: Economic dependency Social Egalitarianism: The belief that everyone can be made equal, equality of outcomes Secular humanism: Faith in government, undermining of religious belief
Now, I could create an entire week of missives expanding upon each of these points. You can, as an independent thinker, expound upon these at your leisure. I did in my academic studies.
Progressive socialism is rooted in massive government control, over the individual. Constitutional conservatism is rooted in individual rights and liberty.
My personal ideological mentor is Booker T. Washington, who advanced the ideals of education, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance. Conservatism, true classical liberalism, seeks to elevate the individual over the institution of government. It is the philosophy of governance of Ronald Reagan.
What are the principles of constitutional conservatism?
Judeo-Christian Faith heritage: Our first liberty is freedom of religion Strength of the traditional nuclear family Individual Rights and Liberty Quality Education: It opens the doors to equality of opportunity Free market/free enterprise economic system: Small business entrepreneurship Strong national security…in order to protect a nation internally and externally
When a government adheres to those principles, the result is fiscal responsibility and a reduced size and scope.
The success that we, the Republican Party of Texas, experienced in the 2020 election cycle was grounded in articulating those principles, and that philosophy. We have translated those principles into a governing philosophy as reflected in our 2021 87th Texas Legislative session priorities:
Election Integrity Religious Freedom Monument Protection: History, good or bad, exists for us to learn from Abolishing the Practice of Child Gender Modification Constitutional Carry Ending the Murder of Unborn Children: Right-to-Life School Choice Ending Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
Based upon some of the issues from this 2020 COVID-19 year, we also believe we must curb executive overreach.
Yes, I am an American, born and raised in Georgia, educated in Tennessee, and now a Texan. But, I am a Christian constitutional conservative and a registered Republican, the Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. I am guided by my philosophy of governance, principles, and values. Those, in turn, shape my ideological, policy, agenda. Ask yourselves: what principles guide you? Those of progressive socialists — such as we have seen in Cuba, Venezuela, China, Soviet Union, North Korea? Or the principles of our Founding principles, enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution?
The Democrat political party has made its choice…what shall Republicans choose?
Revelation 3:16 (New International Version) states, “So because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
America, Texas, needs men and women who are passionate — hot — to restore and preserve our Constitutional Republic.
Steadfast and Loyal,
LTC Allen B. West (Ret.) Chairman Republican Party of Texas
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
When he was in our neck of the woods last week, I was glad to hear Chairman West agree that "Executive Overreach" was also a legislative priority in this session!!
“We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent people.” ― George Orwell
Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:30 am (Last edited: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:31 am)
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