The Collegiate Forum at the Nixon Library – Is political correctness on college campuses an enemy of free speech?

US Vigilance in conjunction with the Nixon Foundation is looking to rekindle political debate; to have a forum where we can once again embrace disagreement.

Political discourse was what founded the nation and created the Constitution.  That which was so pertinent to the birth and early years of our nation has ceased to exist today – at least in the same capacity.  The American public has become so divided by political parties and the media that dialogue has been stifled and is in danger of being completely silenced.

On the Right, the dialogue is brought to a halt before it has even begun because of the assumed disagreement.  The Left is no different other than in the means in which they defeat debate; they label you as a sexist, bigot, racist, etc. – you must conform or be silenced.

Let’s not allow honest debate to die with us.  The first Collegiate Forum, held on April 14th at 7pm PT at the Nixon Library is a step in encouraging open debate.  The Forum brings together five outstanding college students from five top colleges across California to discuss political correctness on college campuses and how this affects free speech.

The event is moderated by Elisha Krauss, co-host with Ben Shapiro, on the nationally syndicated radio show “The Morning Answer”.  Come join us and the students from Stanford, Chapman University, Pomona College, Occidental College, and UC Berkley.  Just click the link below to learn more and register for this free event.

Collegiate Forum: Is politicalcorrectness an enemy of free speech?

The Revolution Has Begun – Viva La Revolution

Voters are far more than angry . . . they are oppressed!  They are in revolt!  And the manifestation is Mr. Trump.  The oppression is the iron boot of political correctness that is on their throats, and the revolt is against the “Compassionate Slavery” of the welfare state that confiscates too much of the tax payers’ earnings.

Too many don’t want Obamacare.  Too many don’t believe in the politics of global warming.  Too many see government as a punisher, not a protector.  Too many have witnessed failed policies with no repercussion to those that have failed us.  Too many don’t trust the government.  And too many see the media as biased brokers of the politicians they serve.

Unfortunately, in this election cycle, more so than any other in modern time, too many people are disgusted with the choices of either party – with liars, loons and loud mouths.  I asked a man who he would vote for if he had to choose between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump.  He lamented that it was a choice between a liar and a bigot, but he would vote for the liar because he said he could not bring himself to vote for a bigot.

As we write in Vigilance The Price of Liberty, “Government has become too large to sustain, and too opaque to be accountable, which diminishes its ability to do the public good.” This is the state we find ourselves in, and the only way to make government responsive and well managed is for us to get involved and demand better.

Recipe for Prosperity

Free men, free markets, with a dash of government produces prosperity.  This recipe has been proven throughout history.  We have written about this very subject in our book, Vigilance The Price of Liberty, by analyzing the presidencies of Reagan, Clinton, Bush and Obama to compare the state of the union, their policies and the economic outcome of each.  When government has a light hand then free people can and will do amazing things to advance our nation and the world.

In light of Mrs. Reagan’s passing this past week, it seems fitting to remind ourselves of the words of her husband delivered at his first Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1981:

We are a nation that has a government—not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth. Our government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of government, which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed. 

It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the States or to the people. All of us need to be reminded that the Federal Government did not create the States; the States created the Federal Government. 

Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it’s not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work—work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it. 

If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price. 

It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of government [emphasis added]. It is time for us to realize that we’re too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We’re not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope.

The State of the Union and Presidential Race

Parts of Warren Buffet’s annual letter to shareholders, published in the March 7, 2016 edition of Barron’s, speaks to his rosy outlook that the next generation of Americans will do better than the previous.  He says “The babies being born in America today are the luckiest crop in history.”  For proof he offers projected growth in GDP, life expectancy and concludes that “America’s golden goose of commerce and innovation will continue to lay more and larger eggs.  America’s kids will live far better than their parents did.”  However Mr. Buffet ignores the state of the national government. 

The Constitution has been shredded over the past 80 years and the debt and liabilities of the government are over $120 trillion and growing at over a half trillion dollars annually – and this does not include the debt of the States.  If Greece is a financial basket-case with debt at some $40,000 per capita then what does that make America with debt at over $54,000 per capita.  Entitlements are unsustainable with no political will to rein them in.  Regulations cost the economy over $1.8 trillion annually, which is chocking investment and growing larger every year.  Taxes must double to even start to approach what the true cost of government is. 

For a man who knows well the danger of debt, taxes and over regulation, Mr. Buffet’s optimism seems out of place, as financial reality will crush the golden goose that Mr. Buffet relies on.

The question for America is not whether the next generation will do better than the prior, but will the American dream even be available for the next generation.  This brings us to the state of the presidential race – abysmal! 

The Democrats have fielded candidates that are almost dead and red.  Hillary Clinton at 68 and Bernie Sanders at 73 were born in the 1940s.  Their far left policies date back to the failed central control communism that brought the collapse of the Soviet Union and are seen in the mass misery in Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea.  Free stuff for all is not free.  Someone pays and eventually those that pay get tired of paying for those that do not pay. 

Then there is the Republican field.  The presidential debates that have turned into the old Saturday Night Live skit of Point-Counter-Point where Dan Aykroyd’s first response to Jane Curtin is “Jane you ignorant slut”.  Political discourse has been reduced to making comments of Trump’s hands or Rubio’s height.  Each of the front runners call the other a liar.  Policy is not even a serious discussion as the media goads the other candidates to attack Trump about this or that.

After, what would be 16 years of arguably the worst back-to-back presidencies in history, of Bush and Obama, the state of the union is in doubt.  Together these presidents have quadrupled the debt to $19 trillion, recklessly expanded entitlements, gave private companies bailouts, spent nearly a trillion dollars on a failed stimulus, produced an economy of anemic growth of barely 2%, stabbed job creation to leave real unemployment (U-6) still at 9.8%, encouraged welfare rather than employment so that there is the lowest workforce participation since the 1980s, and took us into two wars, enabled the rise of Islamic terrorists, set the Middle East in turmoil, put Europe at threat from Russian aggression, rewarded Iran’s disregard to U.N. resolutions with permission to continue nuclear and ballistic missile programs, allowed China to build a military base in international waters, and saw North Korea develop long range ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.

A clear-eyed, non-partisan analysis of the country is that it is in a serious state.  Few give a hoot about the Constitution and limited government by the people.  Government is promoted as the source of solutions but the problems it creates are ignored.  Most think government decides what rights people have instead of the other way around.  Waste, fraud and abuse easily claims a half trillion dollars annually but remains only a campaign slogan and not a serious policy issue.

We need to rise and demand better, for if there is truly a responsible citizenry then it does not matter who we elect.  Join the dialogue, get informed with facts – not media blather, and reason a judgement toward your vote.  Our nation and the light of liberty are in the balance this very important election cycle.

Voting with Responsibility

Emotion before reason and action before fact.  Ready, fire and no need to aim.  Too many people truly do not understand what is required to be a responsible citizen and have relegated the critical action of voting to an emotionally dysfunctional task.  I am reminded of a man who once told me that he voted for Bill Clinton because he identified with Clinton saying “He’s my age, chases women, and smoked marijuana.  I can see myself having a beer with him”.

In that vein, let’s begin elevating how we elect a President in this election cycle.  Here is a plan of action for your consideration:

1.  First and foremost, what does the job of president entail?

In essence the Constitution in Article II provides the President the powers to “be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy  . . . and of the Militia of the several States, . . . have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons . . . and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, and . . . shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, . . . He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.”

Only Congress is granted the power to make laws, whereas the President must faithfully execute the laws.  The President does have the power to veto legislation to prevent it from becoming a law, but such veto can be overridden by Congress.  So when presidential candidates say they will give free college education or rebuild the military they are merely saying what their policy preference is.  As president they have no granted power to do any such thing unless it is passed by both houses of Congress and withstands any court challenge.

2.  Make a list as to why do you support a specific candidate?

Choosing a candidate should be a somber and reasoned decision.  Make a list of what policies you like and dislike.  A candidate’s policies are critical and should be compared and limited to Article 1 Section VIII of the Constitution.  These 18 paragraphs define the limited powers of the national government and all else is left to the States and people.

You may like Donald Trump but what are his policies beside his tag line to make America great again?  Yes, many are angry at government and media, but anger should be channeled into reasoned research not emotional reaction.

You may like Hillary Clinton for her many years in politics but she has a proven record of deceit and in all her time in Congress and as Secretary of State, what has she accomplished?  Which brings us to the critical point, that for all the talk of a candidate, do they have a reasonable avenue to achieve what they propose?

For example, Chris Mathews grilled Bernie Sanders on how he was going to get 60 votes in the Senate for any of his policies.  Sanders only response was that Mathews did not understand that Sanders was starting a revolution and young people would come into the streets to demand change.  This, by itself, indicates Sanders has no support for his policies and he has a daunting task to get his legislation by a revolution.

 

3.  Examine your list

Is your list reasonable or simply talking points by the candidate and media?  Does the list pertain to the powers of the President and is it reasonably achievable.  A good candidate is someone who you agree with 50% of the time.

4.  Come to a verdict on each candidate

Question each candidate.  This is a job application and do not limit yourself to one candidate or one party.  If all this results in questioning your prior conception of your support of the candidate – good.  

Being a responsible citizen and voting responsibly is no different than your professional life.  Whether you study or are employed in engineering to the performing arts, you learn a discipline through the practice of it.  Politics is no different.  It requires study and constant practice.  Do not be drawn into a chaotic and emotional disastrous selection – this is what politicians and media want.  It plays us for fools and reduces our choices to identity politics or drama for ratings.  Gather facts, reason judgments and make your decision.

Who Should the Next Supreme Court Justice Be?

It is a matter of record that liberal justices on the Supreme Court vote in a block – there is essentially no dissent.  They see the Constitution for them to rule, as they will without restraint.  They ignore the extensive writings of the Federalists and Anti-federalists, the notes of the Constitutional Convention, and the great political philosophers whose ideas are incorporated in the Constitution - all of which explain and restrain the federal government.  For these justices, the Constitution is subject to their notions of decency and morality.

Regardless of your opinion on abortion, homosexual marriage and the Affordable Care Act, these are all unaddressed by the Constitution.  So when the Court reads “rights” into the Constitution, it steals the democratic process reserved to the people which is to be persevered by the Constitution.  This is the judicial corruption of the Constitution and the subversion of the people’s right to self-governance.

The choice for the American public is to decide if they really do want self-governance or merely five justices to decide what freedoms the other 320 million people do or do not have.  If the former, then people must demand justices from their elected politicians that read, not interpret, the Constitution.  If the latter, then demand justices that will interpret the Constitution.  But remember, going down this latter road it is a path of no return, as freedom once lost has historically only been regained through bloodshed.

Take to heart that tyranny does not start with gulags and concentration camps.  It starts with calls of compassion.  It is disguised as “giving” you rights.  But there is no instance in history when the consolidation of power does not lead to political corruption and eventually enslavement.  It is the undeniable nature of man that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

#bevigilantbefree

A Pillar of Liberty Lost

Last night, America lost a great guardian to the light of liberty as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died at age 79.  He stood to protect and defend the Constitution that he swore an oath to preserve.  We quote Scalia extensively in our book, Vigilance The Price of Liberty.

In an interview with Piers Morgan in 2012, referring to the question of torture as punishment, Scalia perfectly highlights the importance of the role of the judicial branch of the government and what he stood for to demonstrate his resolute conviction:

MORGAN: Isn’t it down to the Supreme Court to effectively give a more modern interpretation of the spirit of what that means, to adapt it to modern times [emphasis added]? 

SCALIA: Well, that’s lovely. (LAUGHTER) 

MORGAN: Well, I know you don’t think it is. But why don’t you think it is? 

SCALIA: Well, I don’t think it is, because, look, the background principle of all of this is democracy. [emphasis added] A self-governing people who decide the laws that will be applied to them.  There are exceptions to that.  Those exceptions are contained in the Constitution, mostly in the Bill of Rights.  And you cannot read those exceptions as broadly as the current courts desires to read them, thereby depriving Americans of legitimate choices that the American people have never decided to take away from them [emphasis added].
(Vigilance The Price of Liberty, pg.82)

Justice Scalia understood his role as a Supreme Court Justice.  He was extremely knowledgeable of history, the law and our founding document, but he also had the ability to articulate these abstract thoughts into intelligible explanations.

But what happens next?  In essence the President makes a nomination to the Senate Judiciary Committee, currently composed of 11 Republicans and 9 Democrats.  They interview the candidate then typically recommend the candidate go to the Senate for a vote.  However, a vote may be stalled if a 60-vote threshold filibuster in the Senate is not overcome.

The prior attempt to fill a Supreme Court vacancy in a presidential election year was in 1968.  Then President Johnson tried to move Justice Abe Fortas to Chief Justice, but the Senate blocked Fortas and the other nomination (to fill Fortas’s spot as associate justice).  Johnson later withdrew the nomination.

Most people do not remember the excellent TV series, Ethics in America, that aired in the late 80s - and fewer realize that Scalia appeared twice on this show.  It is with the fondest of memories we provide this link to one of the episodes.  Ethics in America, and its examination of contemporary ethical conflicts, was made for Scalia and his ability to take these tough issues and produce logical resolutions.

"To Defend a Killer" episode 2, Ethics in America, Annenberg Learner