The Path to National Redemption | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Tonight, let us dedicate ourselves to renewing the American compact. I ask you not simply to "Trust me," but to trust your values--our values--and to hold me responsible for living up to them. I ask you to trust that American spirit which knows no ethnic, religious, social, political, regional, or economic boundaries; the spirit that burned with zeal in the hearts of millions of immigrants from every corner of the Earth who came here in search of freedom.

    Some say that spirit no longer exists. But I have seen it -- I have felt it -- all across the land; in the big cities, the small towns and in rural America. The American spirit is still there. The time is now, my fellow Americans, to recapture our destiny, to take it into our own hands. But, to do this will take many of us, working together. I ask you tonight to volunteer your help in this cause so we can carry our message throughout the land."

    And then he ended with these words: "I'll confess that I've been a little afraid to suggest what I'm going to suggest -- I'm more afraid not to -- that we begin our crusade joined together in a moment of silent prayer. God bless America."

    Isn't this the same message we want to hear again, in 2012? As conservatives? As independents? As disillusioned and demoralized Democrats? As Tea Partiers? As Americans? Isn't this the message we need to hear?

    With the economy in shambles as it is and with our national debt mounting as quickly as it is, and with the only response Obama offers is more blame, division, and class warfare, don't we need bold solutions like Reagan offered? We already know that Paul Ryan's budget plan includes a tax restructuring reform like the Gipper implemented. And we know his plan puts us on a path that will rescue the debt from our children and will relieve us from the need to increase taxes. Our social programs will be safe.

    The lesson of 1980 is this: Out of severe inflation, economic depression, joblessness, and high taxes came an era of extreme prosperity. It was possible simply by the exchange of policies - the former centered around government and the latter centered around the individual.

    Romney and Ryan must make Americans truly see that they are not better off today than they were 4 years ago. And then they must follow it up with a bold free-enterprise plan for economic recovery. Ryan has to explain his Path to Prosperity plan in a way that Americans can understand it. They must boost American morale, and continue to speak forcibly about Obama's failed socialist regime.

    They must touch the patriotic core in all of us and ask if we truly want to transform this great land of ours, as Obama is committed in doing, or restore it to its intended glory. They must remind Americans what Obama told a crowd at Georgetown University in April 2009 when he talked about his new 'foundation' and the task he faced of re-building this country, according to the policies that his administration designed. He used such words as "reform" and "transform." He talked about needing "new legal authority" to make the changes necessary. He said that the Reagan model (that is, of limited government) was not a sustainable model for long-term prosperity" and needed to be abandoned.

    Romney needs to condemn this idea that a President needs "new constitutional powers." to do so.

    Thomas Jefferson is always a good Founder to quote. He's my favorite. I hope Romney finds wisdom in all that he's written. For example, in 1816, Jefferson wrote to a friend: "To preserve the independence of the people, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude."

    The election has to be about liberty. It can't be about temporary solutions. It has to be about reapplying our founding principles and restoring a culture of liberty.

    Paul Ryan ended his rally speech on Wednesday, August 22 in Raleigh NC with these words: "Vote as if liberty still matters."

    With a message like that, I have optimism that the Romney-Ryan ticket will deliver a message as important and bold as the message Ronald Reagan delivered in 1980. The Republican National Convention just might be exciting after all... and perhaps historic as well.


    References:

    Real Clear Politics (accessed on August 27, 2012). http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/nc/north_carolina_romney_vs_obama-1784.html

    Mark Levin, "Obama Mortgaging Our Children's Future," Daily Caller, August 16, 2012. Referenced at:
http://dailycaller.com/2012/08/16/levin-obama-the-greatest-political-child-abuser-in-modern-american-history/

    "CBO Report: Danger Ahead Unless America Charts New Course," June 5, 2012. Referenced at: http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=298284
    [Chairman Ryan makes case for prosperity; President's policies ensure European-style austerity

    "Bipartisan Congressional Bill Would Authorize the Use of Propaganda On Americans Living Inside America," Washington Blog, May 18, 2012. Referenced at: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/05/18/house-oks-642-billion-defense-bill-eds/#ixzz24mw4u47J

    Paul Ryan, "The GOP Path to Prosperity," Wall Street Journal, June 5, 2011. Referenced at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576242612172357504.html

    Ronald Reagan's GOP Acceptance Speech (July 17, 1980) - http://www.nationalcenter.org/ReaganConvention1

     Publisher's note: Diane Rufino has her own blog For Love of God and Country. Come and visit her. She'd love your company.

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