A VOICE FOR FAMILIES
March 04, 2010
The Arizona Republic has a story today on the influence of The Center for Arizona Policy.
Having been there at the birth of CAP, it's amusing and gratifying to me to watch liberals complaining about CAP's budget and influence today. We began with very little -- a few committed board members, an association with Focus on the Family, and little else -- no donors, no network, no influence other than the force and integrity of our arguments.
And ironically, we began because a Republican-controlled legislature was routinely ignoring or giving the back of its hand to social conservatives. We formed CAP so that families and children and people of faith could be heard at the Capitol and in the broader culture.
One thing we did have was faith that tens of thousands of Arizonans would get behind an organization committed to promoting family values with excellence, integrity, and moral principle.
Now the results have been so great that liberals whine about its influence, as if CAP is doing anything other than giving voice to the sensible, common sense pro-family, pro-faith grassroots majority.
I am very proud and grateful for the continued work of The Center for Arizona Policy, and the excellent leadership of its board of directors, and the tireless Cathi Herrod and her entire team.
CONSERVATIVE CHANGE IN 2010
March 03, 2010
Over the past year what many of us predicted has become obvious – President Obama, despite his moderate, bi-partisan rhetoric – is using his huge Democratic majorities in Congress to take America in a radical, big-government direction.
My interest in public policy is rooted in my sincere belief that conservative principles – limited, constitutional government, the free market, low taxes, a strong national defense, border security, and strong families – will provide the greatest peace and prosperity to our nation.
That is why I chose to pursue a seemingly impossible task -- taking on a hugely popular Governor in 2006 during economic boom-times – to provide principled conservative opposition. I was gratified to receive the nomination of the Republican Party. Sadly, many of my predictions about the effect of then-Gov. Napolitano’s constant push for more and more spending have come true, and Arizona lives with the resulting economic nightmare today.
In recent days I have become increasingly concerned about whether Republicans in Congress are willing to stand unflinchingly and uncompromisingly for limited, constitutional government, national and border security, and an end to corporate bailouts and governmental takeovers of private companies and industries.
I have great respect for Sen. John McCain -- not only for his war record but for the sacrifices he has made to represent Arizona in Congress and the United States for the past three decades.
I was grateful to have Sen. McCain’s support as someone he indicated would be “a Governor we can trust” in 2006, and I was pleased to endorse him for President in 2008.
At the same time, as Sen. McCain would acknowledge, no citizen is entitled to public office indefinitely. To appreciate Sen. McCain’s service to our nation and to Arizona does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that he is entitled to a fourth decade in Washington.
These are extraordinary times, and the threats to our nation’s security and prosperity are real. We cannot effectively oppose the Obama-Pelosi-Reid big-government takeover with politics as usual.
While I continue to have great respect for Sen. McCain, I also believe Arizona desperately needs conservative change in the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Believing that J.D. Hayworth will provide a consistent, reliable conservative vote and voice in Washington, D.C., I am supporting J.D. Hayworth for the United States Senate in 2010.
JD is on the right side of issues important to conservatives – opposing illegal immigration, ending bailouts, fighting against Cap & Trade and stopping unconstitutional restraints on political speech. He is consistent in his support for the sanctity of life and the institution of marriage. And JD will be an articulate spokesman for conservative principles.
WHY WE THE PEOPLE ARE ANGRY
February 23, 2010
Richard Lowry and Ramesh Ponnuru of National Review have hit the nail on the head in describing why so many of us are frustrated, angry and concerned about the direction of "change" under the current administration.
They argue that It is the sense that the election of President Obama represents the culmination of multi-generational efforts among elites to attack the foundation of our national greatness -- the very notion of American exceptionalism. Lowry and Ponnuru explain what it means to be a conservative in America today:
What do we, as American conservatives, want to conserve? The answer is simple: the pillars of American exceptionalism. Our country has always been exceptional. It is freer, more individualistic, more democratic, and more open and dynamic than any other nation on earth. These qualities are the bequest of our Founding and of our cultural heritage. They have always marked America as special, with a unique role and mission in the world: as a model of ordered liberty and self-government and as an exemplar of freedom and a vindicator of it, through persuasion when possible and force of arms when absolutely necessary.
The survival of American exceptionalism as we have known it is at the heart of the debate over Obama’s program. It is why that debate is so charged. In his first year, Obama tried to avoid the cultural hot buttons that tripped up Bill Clinton and created the “gays, guns, and God” backlash of 1994. But he has stoked a different type of cultural reaction. The level of spending, the bailouts, and the extent of the intervention in the economy contemplated in health-care and cap-and-trade legislation have created the fear that something elemental is changing in the country. At stake isn’t just a grab bag of fiscal issues, but the meaning of America and the character of its people: the ultimate cultural issue.
The most obvious assaults on American exceptionalism proposed by the Obama Administration have not been attacks on our religious and cultural heritage, although those have occurred -- they have been on our understanding of the role of government in our economic lives. Government spending and regulation threatens our freedom to choose what we do and how we do it, and our very ability to earn money, while creating larger blocs of people who are entirely dependent on government for their food, shelter, clothing and health care.
Whether America continues to be exceptional hangs in the balance. Everyone should read this article, as we re-dedicate ourselves to fighting the political battles necessary to maintain the greatness of America for our children and their children.
MARK STEYN: "JANET INCOMPETANO"
January 04, 2010
I pointed out in 2006 that Janet Napolitano's reputation for competence was undeserved.
At the time, Arizona had the highest crime rate in the nation following her four years as attorney general and four as governor. Our borders remained completely unsecure, she had failed to improve our poor educational outcomes as promised, our transportation system was still in gridlock and we were an economic downturn away from fiscal disaster due to her constant overspending.
In a Bush fatigue year that turned into a national Democratic landslide, with Clean Elections funding restrictions preventing us from communicating with most Arizona voters, and with the opposition of most of the mainstream media, there was no way for a non-incumbent to make that message be heard in 2006.
When the economy started to turn, and the fiscal crisis she created came home to roost, she abandoned Arizona. Unfortunately, her failures here were not exposed by Republicans who were happy to have her out of Arizona, and she was easily confirmed for a job she is proving to be unqualified for.
After a series of gaffes, she is now demonstrating her cluelessness on the national stage. Even Andrew Sullivan has turned on her. Greg Patterson at Espresso Pundit is wondering about her future. And Mark Steyn, filling in today on the Rush Limbaugh show, had the most brutal two-word description: "Janet Incompetano."
As the pressure increases, it is only a matter of time until we see the famous Napolitano temper. Meanwhile, who can we trust to keep our nation secure?
RENDEZVOUS AT SEA
January 03, 2010
A week-long Mexican riviera cruise in honor of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary gave me a chance to re-connect not only with my extended family but also with two of my favorite political leaders -- Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan -- as I was able to read Paul Johnson's short new biography "Churchill" and Craig Shirley's much longer account of the 1980 presidential election: "Rendezvous with Destiny: Ronald Reagan and the Campaign That Changed America."
Paul Johnson is an outstanding historian and has done an excellent job sketching Churchill's life in a readable presentation that is especially instructive for young adults. His summary of lessons that can be drawn from Churchill's life is tremendous. Here is my summary of his summary: -- (1) aim high, (2) work hard, (3) don't be discouraged by adversity or failure or mistakes, (4) don't get caught up in petty pursuits like blame-shifting or revenge, and (5) laugh a lot and have fun along the way.
Having lived through the Age of Reagan and read many Reagan biographies -- (a high school senior, the 1980 campaign is the first campaign I followed closely) -- I still learned a bunch, and was reminded again of how politics don't change much and that history often repeats itself.
While Reagan clearly believed it was his destiny to occupy the Oval Office and come to America's rescue, the blow-by-blow account of the ups and downs of the 1980 campaign makes it clear that the outcome of that election was not pre-ordained. Although it turned into a blowout, President Carter still led in most polls until the final week of the campaign.
The parallels between our current Republican wilderness period and the late 1970s wilderness are hard to miss. Having taken disappointment with Republican failures as a liberal mandate, Democrats are overreaching in the same way they did in the late 1970s. Once again, they are reminding the American people that big government not only can't solve our problems, it often IS the problem. The cost of that big government is once again devastating our economy and running up huge deficits. At the same time, the Obama impotence in responding to belligerence from Al Qaeda, North Korea, Russia and Iran is eerily reminiscent of Jimmy Carter's pathetic response to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and Iran's taking of American hostages.
Once again, the American people are being reminded of their skepticism about big government and their optimism about their own ability to work hard, create jobs and grow the economy.
At the same time, the American people are remembering that peace comes through military strength and a willingness to confront the enemies of liberty and the bullies and tyrants of the world.
The way is being prepared for a return to leadership for those who unapologetically advance common sense conservative principles.
ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR YEAR-END GIVING!
December 25, 2009
We have reached that time of year – when there are many opportunities to give and many worthy causes, especially in a brutal economy that has taken its toll on so many.
Arizona provides some unique opportunities to give in a way that actually costs you nothing – by allowing you to re-direct some of your existing tax liability to charities that are important to you.
PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
You are allowed to take a full credit up to $1,000 per couple or $500 per individual to organizations that provide scholarships to children who attend private schools. I serve as Advisory Board Chairman for Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, one of the largest such organizations in the state, and an organization with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
You can also give up to $400 per couple and $200 per individual to public schools for extracurricular programs. We have appreciated the tremendous educational opportunities provided by public charter schools, including Scottsdale Preparatory Academy and BASIS Scottsdale, which was recently featured on CNN. But you can easily give to your kids’ school or the public school in your neighborhood through their website.
CHARITIES THAT HELP THE POOR
You can give up to $400 per couple and $200 per individual to organizations that work with the poor. Four tremendous organizations I am familiar with that qualify for this credit are Neighborhood Ministries, Crisis Pregnancy Centers of Greater Phoenix, Women's Pregnancy Centers (Tucson), and the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
CORPORATE GIVING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POOR FAMILIES
If you own a “C” corporation, you can re-direct your Arizona tax liability to scholarships for poor children to attend private schools, through an organization called School Choice Arizona. Like the individual scholarship tax credit, this donation costs a corporation nothing.
OTHER WORTHY ORGANIZATIONS
I teach and serve on the Board of Trustees for Southwestern College, a non-denominational Christian college with full accreditation that is growing and gaining influence rapidly: Advance the cause of cultural conservatism through The Center for Arizona Policy and limited government through The Goldwater Institute. Advance the cause of life by ordering a Choose Life license plate or donating to the Arizona Life Coalition.
Finally, we would welcome your support for a new non-profit dedicated to preserving the values of Western Civilization and to equipping leaders to engage and climb the 7 Mountains of cultural influence by making a tax deductible donation in support of The Institute for Cultural Influence.
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