Civil Disobedience, One American At A Time

The resistance against Barack Obama's radical agenda has begun. Seeds of discontent have been planted by Americans of a variety of political stripes, backgrounds, religions, ethnic groups, etc.

Its the 1960s all over again. Well, not exactly. There won’t be flower children frolicking through the meadows and cannabis won’t help people to turn on and tune out – at least for the fair minded among us.

Instead, I believe we have the makings of an American revolution of sorts on our hands, one that will seek to repudiate the policies of the Obama administration and our free wheeling, deal-a-day Congress. Policies that are bringing unbridled government spending our way, stem cell research involving aborted babies, reset button diplomacy, you name it.

And it won’t be something embraced entirely by conservatives – the seeds of disobedience will be sown by Americans of varying political stripes, except those from the far left fringe.

Two articles I read within the past few weeks have convinced me that change is on its way, but not the change that candidate Barack Obama espoused. Instead, this sort of occurrence is one that ordinary Americans will be bringing about one citizen at a time, perhaps over a lengthy period of time at that.

But change is coming.

Robert L. Dilenschneider shared some poignant thoughts about power in his article titled, “How to Be More Powerful Without Putting People Off,” which appeared in a February 2008 issue of Bottom Line / Personal. What stood out for me was this statement: “True power is not the same as running roughshod over other people or getting ahead at any cost. This form of power is temporary. People see through it and look for ways to undermine it.”

Ah, yes! Dictatorial power is always destined to fail, because as soon as it rears its head up the resistance begins. In our nation’s early days, before independence was declared, weary taxpayers rebelled against the British system by staging a tea party in Boston Harbor to protest taxation without representation.

It was a long struggle for colonialists who had nothing to lose, but everything to gain including their freedom. Britain wanted to exert its authority over a faraway land while Obama today wants to roll out his radical agenda on a sleeping American populace.

Unfortunately for the president, people are beginning to wake up from their slumber.

Michelle Malkin published the other piece which got my attention: “Going Galt”: America’s Wealth Producers vs. Wealth Redistributors. Malkin cited the character John Galt in Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” novel where Galt led the entrepreneurial class to to cease productive activities in order to starve the government of revenue. That sort of thing is happening right now as small business owners — who are the target of Obama’s pending tax increase on the “wealthy” — have decided enough is enough.

The Obama tax increase will hit businesses who pull in at least $250,000 annually, even if the owners take out just a fraction of the funds for themselves. Plundering the “haves” to aid the “have nots” sounds like a Robin Hood scheme, but that is what happens in a fairy tale — America is not some sort of social experiment playground.

I cannot say for sure how everything will come down, but I know it’ll be an individual movement first followed by a grassroots campaign that will openly challenge Obama. Small business owners, concerned citizens, young families, middle aged managers, retirees and the aged will be among those pushing back, people who understand that the radical transformation unfolding for America is something that they do not want nor can the nation afford if it is to survive as the land of the free.

Photo Credit: David Jouppi

My Endorsements For This Election Day

One of the Most Significant Elections of Our Lifetime

Early voting has been going on for some time here in North Carolina and I haven’t gotten to the polls yet. Whether I vote before November 4th or wait until polls open on Election Day, you can bet I’ll be there at some point to make sure that my voice is heard. I hope that you are planning to do the same.

The following are my choices for several contests directly impacting me and the reasons why my vote is going to a particular candidate:

President/Vice-President of the United States of America — The only conservative candidate running this year is Sarah Palin, therefore my endorsement of the McCain/Palin ticket is a lock. John McCain has certainly lived up to his maverick label for many years, going against standard Republican policy particularly in the area of immigration reform. Though I disagree with McCain on several decisions he has made (even vehemently), this man offers a clear alternative to Obama/Biden with his choice of Governor Palin being a stroke of genius.

Barack Obama is untested, unknown, and a controversial figure. He also has a magnetism to him that I do not like, has been a strident supporter of abortion, and has strong socialist tendencies that I cannot support. Purporting to support the average American, his tactics to destroy “Joe the Plumber” while having antipathy for those who cling to guns and their religion prove that this man is an elitist who shouldn’t hold the highest seat in our land.

United States Senator, State of North Carolina — Elizabeth (Libby) Dole has served admirably in the U.S. Senate during her first term and should be sent back to Washington, DC. Working with the McCain administration, I believe that Libby would be an effective voice for good immigration reform, defend American interests abroad, and see to it that America’s reliance on foreign fuel sources is reduced.

Kay Hagan is relatively unknown to me, but I know that she serves in the North Carolina Assembly, via the 27th district, a position she has held since 1999.  Top national Democrats have targeted this election, concluding that Dole is vulnerable and have poured millions into Hagan’s campaign. Hagan’s actions have been given a lot of scrutiny from Republicans who contend that she has raised debt levels in the Tarheel State, enough of a reason for me to fear what she would do in D.C.

United States House of Representatives, State of North Carolina (District 4) — I learned about Republican candidate William (B.J.) Lawson through online sources and quickly realized that he wants to unseat incumbent David Price in my district. Lawson has a strong libertarian streak and has been making a compelling case that Price’s campaign is being funded by corporate interests. Lawson’s appeal to Libertarians and Constitutionalists is evident, good reasons for me to support his candidacy.

Governor of North Carolina — I’ve been a resident of North Carolina for four years and have had plenty of time to understand how politics works here. Most residents are conservative and tend to vote for Democrats on the state level, while regularly sending Republican U.S. senators to D.C. Almost always, the state opts for the Republican presidential candidate.

State politics, however, reminds me of the good ‘ole boy network where backroom deals and other favors are routinely dispensed.  Our state has seen enough scandals over the past several years, many of which have taken place under the leadership of our outgoing governor, Mike Easley. Pat McCrory’s stance on illegal immigration, education, government reform, and economic development resonates with me and that is why he is getting my vote. Bev Perdue, on the other hand, seems to represent the type of network I would like to see disappear in this state.

There are a lot of other contests being waged which impact me that I haven’t mentioned here. Still, when it comes time to go to the polls, I’ll carefully study what each candidate is proposing and vote accordingly. There are no bond issues or referendums on the ballot this year.

This election cycle seems to have gone on and on and I’ll be glad when it is over. However, I’m very grateful for the right to vote and hope that you are too.