Franklin’s historic reply: “A republic, if you can keep it!”
The Constitution is a remarkable document. It is the document that establishes America’s supremacy among the gaggle of all other political systems, past and present, on Earth.
The combination of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution launched “The great American experiment,” which has become the world’s template for individual rights and freedom.
The public must be protected from the excesses of government, is the message of both documents.
Today, the Declaration and Constitution are facing arguably the most onerous threat against their survival since 1861. That threat comes not from a Hitler, Stalin or foreign royalty. More insidiously, it comes from within.
While historically there has always been friction between supporters of more government and less government, which have stayed within the boundaries of the Constitution, the past two years have seen acts by our government that challenge, if not violate, the core of American political principles.
The blame for the current state of political friction lies with those who promote the notion that America, if not the planet, needs more government to solve problems.
Those who embrace this notion call themselves “liberals” or “progressives” — both euphemisms for “socialists.”
Collectively, liberals are not fun to be around. Liberals don’t like to see other people enjoying themselves. So they do all they can to spread misery around.
Liberals are convinced that they are smarter than the rest of us and are driven to making rules to govern our behavior. Need I mention lightbulbs, gasoline blends, fireplaces, “paper or plastic,” press 1 for English, Happy Meals, Big Gulp drinks, etc?
Liberals are also totally devoid of the principles of economics. How else can one explain the notion of raising taxes to escape a recession?
Some liberal-inspired outcomes are merely irritants, with no permanent damage to the American system. However, the bailouts, deficit-debt action, student loan system takeover and health care takeover do note bode well for the preservation of liberty for the American people.
Further, the questionable action of the chief justice on compulsory insurance is undermining confidence in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decision regarding the Affordable Care Act has given the executive and legislative branches a power not enumerated in the Constitution. That is extremely dangerous to our freedom.
Personally, I am obliged to honor my oath “to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And I accept this responsibility willingly, without reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me, God.”
Millions of men and women have served in the armed forces of the United States, from the war for independence to today. More than 1 million have given their lives fighting for the American Way. I do not recall any who have fought to preserve socialism.
• Charles Norton is a Tracy resident and a retired U.S. Marine Corps member.
My guess is Obama will win by about 4 percentage points unless the Romney campaign can make him more appealing to vote for him, and not just to vote against the President. Of course keep in mind I’ve been playing the same lotto numbers for 24 years (which I’m sure will finally come up the week I die) so when it comes to predicting the future, what the hell do I know.
The Japanese had a very good and very disciplined military and when the element of desperation set in which was already happening, it would have been horrendous for both sides. Take the fierocity of the fighting on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the Kamikazi attacks, then multiply by maybe 100 and you get the idea.
Ornley, I agree about not liking war and I'd like to think most people feel the same, however it is because of human nature a neccessary thing at times. That being said I don't like that we have moved away from going in to win. Vietnam changed everything. I know you are aware of the reasons so there's no need to say anything more than the US population and the politicians lost that war, not our troops.
cont..
The day we as a nation start conducting war based on public opinion and politicians desires to please the people in order to get re-elected, is the day we should just stay on the sidelines.
Here's a good what if, what if we would have cut our military loose and gone all the way to Baghdad in 91? Hmmmm
The day we as a nation start conducting war based on public opinion and politicians desires to please the people in order to get re-elected, is the day we should just stay on the sidelines.
Here's a good what if, what if we would have cut our military loose and gone all the way to Baghdad in 91? Hmmmm
I also agree with Ornley with not liking war, but then does anyone? While unfortunately it’s necessary as a last resort I feel uncomfortable acting as a cheerleader while I’m sitting on my fat butt, and not in harm’s way. We can disagree with the politician’s reasons but I do feel we should never question those who are fighting and give them whatever support we can give.
When you changed you name to Back In Black, I knew right away what it meant. I never thought the day would come when AC/DC or Led Zeppelin would be considered for the rocking chair crowd. Does this mean we’re getting old? Can’t be. Good taste never gets old.
If Truman had of let MacArthur drive up ta th North Korean border, instead of firein him because he an his party (Th Democrats) were worryin that MacArthur was gonna run fer president, if history would have tarned out differently?
North Korea, Vietnam, Iraq ect.
Don't like war, never did but sometimes ya just gotta take out th trash before th trash overwhelms ya an ends up takin ya out.
Is that conservative or liberal or just good common sense?
Truman agonized over his decision ta use th bomb on Japan. But it did save million's of lives by bringin th war ta an abrupt end. Yep, a horrific thang but which would have been worse, two ta three more years of world war, killin millions, or th slaughter of some 200,000 souls livin in Japan at
Truman was a man, not a saint an he had his own share of mistakes as well as successes in his administration.
The difference between him an politicians taday is that he cherished freedom an human rights where as taday's politicians are more consarned with garnerin personal wealth an political power an will do an say virtually anythang ta get it.
I respect Truman as a president but certainly he was no savior an no saint.
Then continue, livin in Japan at th time?
Had Truman an his fellow Democrats been less consarned with MacArthur's impendin run fer th presidency, as people in our nation loved MacArthur at th time because of his deeds in WWII an in Korea, th world taday just might be a better place.
Harry had a statement, "Th buck stops here." His successes an mistakes then stop with him. He wasn't all that bad as a president but then again he wasn't all that good either. Point in fact, he didn't want ta be president at all because he was well aware of his shortcomings.
As a General under the command of the commander-in-chief, MacArthur disobeyed a DIRECT order of the commander-in-chief. You don't think Truman didn't know and understand how very popular MacArthur was? He sure wasn't stupid in that regard! He knew exactly how unpopular he would become at firing him, but he didn't care. He was acting as the commander-in-chief and one of his subordinates just committed insubordination.
Without any consultation Truman boarded the plane with his Secret Service detail and ordered the pilot to head to South Korea. Unbeknownst to anyone except his secret service when he arrived to MacArthur's camp he stayed in the car and ordered a SS agent to get MacArthur and to bring him by force if necessary. After a 20 minute private meeting with just the 2 of them, Truman ordered MacArthur out of the car and flew back to Washington. While getting back on the plane he looked at the lead SS agent and stated, "I just fired the son of a bitch!" ..... more
Captain Harry Truman was a bonafide war hero in WWI, He was so loved and respected as a military leader because he would NEVER give a command to his men that he would not due himself.
Granted, Truman knew he was not perfect but all decisions made by him during his Presidency were always for the good of the country, never for the political.
Historical documents tell a different story regardin th political consarn regardin MacArthur's possible presidential ambitions. Suggest ya read em.
As far as "the good of the country" had Korea been properly terminated th outcome of th world today would look much differently. But that's 20/20 hindsight.
Was he right in firin MacArthur fer not followin orders? Yes, he was, he had that authority. But perhaps he should have listened ta his military commander an his military advisers on th subject of continuin th push th Chinese out of North Korea an properly endin th conflict.
It's a matter of opinion as ta whether or not Truman's decision was based on politics because it cartanly wern't a good military one and is one reason why th DMZ between North an South Korea is a tender box an North Korean citizens suffer th oppressions they suffer taday at th hands of a self appointed, or rather father appointed god.
Had MacArthur been allowed by Truman ta finish th job thangs would be much different taday.
I would suggest you reconsider your username as it tarnishes the honorable reputation of the man whose name you use as your own.
I have personally restored many of his Presidential and Senatorial letters and custom framed them myself. I own 500 plus authentic original newspaper photos of Truman a number of rare items from Truman and in the Oval office during his Presidency,
You are correct about his honesty and integrity. It was second to none. He is our only President to leave office poorer than when he entered. He was a failed farmer on the family farm for 9 years. He understood independence and freedom along with liberty.
You are very wrong on a couple of points however.He was a very successful businessman after WWI with his business partner, Mr. Jacobs. I have authentic photos of Truman and Jacobs together in their beautiful haberdashery. There Truman made quite a bit of money but ended up with very little of it because he literally gave it all away to his Army buddies who fell on hard times during the depression......more
To say Truman did not categorize others is a complete insult to Harry and his memory. That is what made Truman so great and so loved. He was the most biased politician Washungton DC had ever seen! You obviously never heard the battle cry of his day, "Give 'em Hell, Harry!"
His complete disgust with the Republican Party of that day was truly invigorating for his supporters. In fact, the Press could not print what he really said because you couldn't print or use those words in movies back then. His adjectives were very blunt and even obscene.
You always new where Harry stood on every issue because he let you know in very BLUNT language, You also couldn't buy Harry because he was way too honest for Washington.
He became very popular as a Senator because as member of the Senate Committee overseeing defense contracts during WWII, he of his own accord personally drove around the country visiting many of the companies with the contracts. He personally documented all the inefficiencies he saw and saved the taxpayers over $300,000. In todays world, it would equal $300 billion. It was an astounding amount back then with the national debt at only 3 or 4 billion dollars.
I know that Harry is presently continuously rolling over and over in his grave with what the Democrats are doing today. The Democrat Party of today is an absolute insult to the memory of the GREAT Harry Truman.
You really need to study up on Truman to know what he was really like.
Therefore, the name HarryTrumanConservative and proud of it.
He believed in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay and in doing the right thing even when no one is looking. In fact, his honor was such that he refused a Presidential retirement when offered.
President Truman was a man of the people and he made his bones as a struggling businessman before he ever considered politics. His business ventures were unsuccessful but he did try it on his own which is commendable.
Harry S. Truman was noted for the following sayings"
"No government is perfect. One of the chief virtues of a democracy is that its defects are always visible and under democratic process can be pointed out and corrected." March 12, 1947.
"As Americans we believe that every man should be free to live his life as he wishes. He should be limited only by his responsibility to his fellow countrymen." June 29, 1947.
What he meant was that no form of government, or political system, is perfect and that men should be honorable and unlimited in their pursuits, unless they fail to serve their fellow man.
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Example: As a Conservative I don't want taxpayer dollars (only 49% of Americans pay income taxes) to pay for a women's abortion. That is flat out unconstitutional. Nowhere in the Constitution does it call for that.
However, if a woman wants to get an abortion and pay for it on their own with their money, that is an issue that will come ONLY between God and the woman. I have no part in that and because of her freedom given to her by the ruling of the Supreme Court, it is legal for her to do that.
It should also be illegal for taxpayer money to be spent on that as that is an issue NOT specified in the Constitution. The "general welfare" clause in the Constitution has been so abused and misused and misrepresented by liberals who want somebody else to pay for their free abortion.
I refer you to James Madison's writings in The Federalist Papers and Thomas Jefferson's letters regarding the general welfare clause to make my point.
Americans are sorely under educated on what the founders intended and liberals have bastardized what the founders actually intended with the "general welfare clause".
I am NOT name calling. I am merely calling the reality of what the political agenda of this President really is.
Great line Doors17. Calling Obama a Socialist is NOT name calling if that is the political philosophy they promote. Hellooooo! Now where did I say I was a Republican? How do you know how I vote?
I am a Conservative in the true sense of the word, on social and economic issues. Few Republicans in Washington are true Conservatives . That's why they call them a RINO. RINO, Conservative, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist is NOT name calling when they promote that political philosophy as part of their personal agenda. Where do you get off calling that name calling.
The FACTS are this: Socialism FAILS every time its tried. Hello Greece, France and most all European countries. Marxism has failed every time it has been tried.
Margaret Thatcher ACED it when she said "you will eventually run out of money when you've spent all the money the other person has." This is what happens in wealth redistribution which is precisely what Obama is promoting. .....more
Here's the way it works in the real world; America is despised by most all nations because of our freedom and independence created by very hard working people who loved liberty more than the countries of Europe, particularly England. Because this nation was founded by very hard working independent thinkers who came to call themselves capitalists, we have the Constitution as our founding document. We have declared ourselves independent.
We are despised by most countries because their freeloader socialist countries are ticked that the RICH Americans won't support their freeloader lifestyle.
It is called right vs. wrong, good vs. bad. It is also called LIBERTY which BHB obviously despises based on his actions. Wake up!!!!!
With Moderates most don't stand in line and support the parties platform 100% of the time with the party they're registered to. This is not gutless, just different than you.
What planet are you folks on? Have you no clue what is going on in America under the leadership of BHB? I suggest you study the word "Socialism" and get an idea of what it means. This is exactly what agenda BHB is pushing.
To make the ridiculous statement you folks make you must be liberals or "liberals in denial". You folks appear to be totally clueless.
Mr. Norton very succinctly states what is happening in our country. Are you folks inferring that BHB is NOT the greatest divider of Americans in our Presidential history. He has divided rich, middle class and poor like no one ever has? He divides blacks, whites, and Latinos like never before.
BHB is the president of the welfare state and could care less about hard working Americans who pay for the welfare state that BHB is growing hat unprecedented levels. HELLOOOOOOO!!!!!
Why is ObamaCare called "socialized medicine"? Here's a newsflash for you folks: "Socialized" happens to be "Socialism" in its' purist form!
It folks like you that make America what it is today, 20% liberal, 40% conservative and 40% have absolutely NO CLUE. The NO CLUE!
Going off on people who share their opinions here is childish. Like I said in my post, go ahead and disagree but try to give reasons why. We are all adults here so let's try to behave like one.
Without examples it just sounds like you are unhappy and have to lash out at something.
Blaming one side of the political aisle, or one group of people, is short sighted and sad.
"Collectively, liberals are not fun to be around. Liberals don’t like to see other people enjoying themselves. So they do all they can to spread misery around" What a depressing thing to say. How can you possibly know every liberal in this country to make an educated comment?
I know people that are strong liberals and strong conservatives. I don't agree with everything they believe in but I certainly don't consider them not fun to be around or not seeing people enjoying themselves.
If you disagree with someone stat your reasons and leave it at that. Demonizing an entire group of people, because you don't agree with them, does nothing more than discrediting your comments.
At least for one day, I hope the left and right can put their differences aside and come together as a nation and show support to the community of Aurora, Colorado, the innocent victims and their families.
My thoughts and prayers to all of you.