WhatFinger


Birth of a grass roots conservative populism, an aggressive, fearless, public energy against big government

Doug Hoffmann is Tapping Into the Populist Revolt



Things seem to be looking up for conservatives. Important books like Mark R. Levin’s “Liberty and Tyranny” and Michelle Malkin’s “Culture of Corruption”, are also wildly popular. Glenn Beck and his colleagues at Fox are mopping up the competition. Sarah Palin has had a monstrous, unprecedented reception for her unpublished memoirs. And even usually tone-deaf, main stream Republicans seem able to say “no” occasionally to the liberal governing machine.

Support Canada Free Press


But most uplifting is the birth of a grass roots conservative populism, an aggressive, fearless, public energy against big government unlike anything any of us on the right has ever seen. As I listen to my fearful and passionate fellow citizens, I am reminded of that most American of directors, Frank Capra, but not because of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Rather, for the spirit Capra captured in his revolutionary World War II documentary series, “Why We Fight”. That America could slip through our hands before our children inherit it, is the reason we conservatives fight. Indeed we fight for and against many things, concretely for a new 2010 Congress. Doug Hoffmann running as a conservative in New York’s 23rd is an ideal warrior. We must continue to insist that the men and women who lead us, express ideas that assure the millions at tea parties and town halls that something will be done to save the country we love. And then we must support them. Doug Hoffmann embodies many of the positions of a seven-point template addressing health care, Afghanistan, jobs, deficits, energy, governance and trust reflecting some of the mob’s concerns. For the job of advancing these principles, liberal Democrats and mainstream Republicans need not apply. 1. We do not want a national government takeover of our health care. The bills proposed by this congress and this administration are too big, too ambiguous, and utterly incomprehensible. And a vast majority of Americans are happy with their own health care plans, as they exist. There shall be no single payer system, no public option, no rationing. Any reform must stand clear of the relationship with our doctors and target costs, incentives and choice. Things only free markets can address. 2. We have the most remarkable young Americans-airmen, marines, sailors and soldiers- in the Afghan-Iraqi theater. While many of our teenagers are in the mall, their bravest classmates risk life and limb to preserve our liberties. They may email, text, browse, surf, blog, tweet and manage complicated weapons, often in network-centric operations. But they are one with those brave souls who fought for us in Khe Sanh, Peleliu, Belleau Wood, Manassas, and Valley Forge. The generals who command them will be spared no resource necessary to ensure victory, if victory is within reach. These talented commanders are engaged in wars in some of the most complex battlefields in our history. We owe them our unflinching support. Their names join the pantheon of men-Ridgway, MacArthur, Patton and Pershing- who protected us all in wars past, in places far away. 3. It is unacceptable that tens of million of Americans can be unemployed, underemployed or so despairing of finding work that they have simply given up. How in so short a time is it possible, that our unemployment numbers exceed those of the sclerotic, nearly socialist economies of Europe? People can make mistakes, but only government can screw things up this colossally. Would anyone start a business today, a business that would grow and hire only to see profits confiscated by an unmerciful government apparatus? After health care penalties, cap and trade fees and higher income and estate taxes what incentive is left for the creative dynamism of small business to be unleashed? All of these taxes along with corporate and capital gains taxes must be reduced or eliminated. 4.The financial deficits we face must be addressed or they might cripple us even before they definitely cripple our children. Using logic only someone trapped in the federal bubble could defend, our leaders have proposed the following rescue formula: more debt, and more sending to solve a problem caused by too much debt and too much spending. Unwinding this debt, both at the government and individual level will cause great pain. But like drug addicts we must come to terms with our affliction. Only by increasing incentives to save, which always precedes productive, export-led growth, can a healthy balance in our economy reemerge. 5. No peace or prosperity is possible for America without developing our own domestic resources, and we must do so at a redoubled pace. Alternative sources might be in our grandchildren’s future. But their future will be a Neolithic one if we don’t keep our traditional energy sources –oil, gas, coal and nuclear- viable today. 6. Simplicity and transparency are the soul of good governance. Czars must be eliminated and anyone with policy responsibility shall be vetted by the congress. 7. We shall reestablish a government that is trusted by its citizens. We need now only more leaders like Doug Hoffmann who share our passions and our principles. Claude can be reached at csandroff@gmail.com


View Comments

Claude Sandroff -- Bio and Archives

Claude writes regularly on politics, energy and science.  He is a former research scientist currently working with high tech companies in Silicon Valley.


Sponsored