IN DEFENSE OF BEDROCK PRINCIPLES

by Clint Smith

Recently, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) held its annual meeting in Atlanta.  The non-partisan organization brings together state legislators from across the nation to share ideas and work together for conservative public policy.  Specifically, the organization was founded upon the bedrock principles of limited government, free markets, federalism, and individual liberty.  In other words, everything the Obama administration is working to undermine.

A topic of great discussion at the annual meeting was the Obama stimulus bill – its wasteful disregard for the taxpayer, burden on small business, and neglectful approach to the federal budget deficit – a deficit that will be handed down to future generations.

ALEC continues to support a 72-hour review rule for all major spending bills.  The bill would be a reasonable provision that could contribute to the demise of spending boondoggles such as Alaska’s ‘Bridge to No Where’.  Taxpayers would have time to educate themselves on the spending outrages and communicate with their representatives, rally in public settings, or do whatever else necessary to thwart the outrageous waste.   .

The 787 billion dollar boondoggle stimulus bill breaks down to 65% spending and only 35% in the general category of tax cuts.  The end result to the wallets of Americans will be far less than what Obama campaigned on:  annual tax credits of $500 for individuals and $1000 per couple.

When House GOP Leader John Boehner physically dropped the 1,000-plus page bill to the House floor, the dramatic thud caused a tidal wave of reaction.

ALEC understands the importance of small business to America’s future.  The organization supports immediate tax relief for working families and tax deductions for small businesses.

In celebration of our bedrock principles, the Dawson County Republican Party sponsored a booth at the Independence Day Family Festival at Rock Creek Park.  Over 10,000 people attended the event.  I talked to scores of citizens.  Most of them have never been politically active but recognize the precarious state of our nation and the frightening agenda that the Obama Administration has embraced.

Recently, Rush Limbaugh was criticized for stating that he wanted Obama to fail.  Any objective citizen with a love for our nation had better want him to fail because if his policies take root, our form of government might never recover. 

Last month, I attended a rally in Gwinnett County to promote the inception of a new organization entitled, The Faith and Freedom Coalition.  The non-partisan group’s purpose is to motivate and engage citizens of faith and lovers of freedom through out Georgia and the rest of the nation to organize at the grassroots level to turn the tide of the federal government away from its socialist leaning, runaway spending agenda.  Citizens heard from Sean Hannity, Ralph Reed, Colonel Oliver North, and actor Jon Voight.  The gathering served as a springboard for the attendees to return to their neighborhoods and encourage others to join the effort to take back our government.

The Faith and Freedom Coalition will ride the wave of momentum that began with the regional Tea Parties in the spring.  The non-partisan grassroots Tea Parties have produced hundreds of thousands of Americans dedicated to protesting massive government spending that is burdening our country with overwhelming debt and future tax increases.  People came out of their homes and stood shoulder to shoulder with other Americans and declared:  “Enough!”