Commentaries

More Government Is Not the Answer

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

From Virginia Citizen (February 1992)

As Virginians, we face a challenge equal to any challenge in our history: How can we solve severe and persistent social and economic problems, such as crime, homelessness, school dropouts, poverty, family disintegration, teen suicides and pregnancies, and recession, without more government?

Conservatives have been good at identifying the problems with government. Our criticisms of smothering regulation, stifling bureaucracy, growth-killing tax increases, self-perpetuating government programs, and laws and policies that discourage private initiative, erode individual responsibility and undermine community, have been on the money. (more…)

Reviving States’ Rights

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Source: Center for  Just Society

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

—The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America

When Republican governors like Bobby Jindal, Haley Barbour, and Sarah Palin voiced reservations about their states’ participation in the federal stimulus package this spring, they were accused of placing political ideology over the best interests of their constituents.  A prominent attack ad currently running against Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell cites his opposition to stimulus funding for Virginia as evidence of his lack of concern for hardworking families.  For many people, the idea that a governor would turn down “free” money from Uncle Sam in order to protect the economic solvency and political independence of their state is completely foreign, if not downright laughable.  As the central government continues to grow and amass power, however, perhaps now is the time to begin a thoughtful public discussion about the proper constitutional role of state governments in a federalist system. (more…)

Restoring Conservatism

Friday, October 17th, 2008

Source: Center for Just Society

If the election were held today, Barack Obama would be the new President of the United States of America. The latest Real Clear Politics average of national polls shows Obama ahead of McCain by nearly seven percentage points. It looks like the Democrats are going to have control of both the White House and Congress for the next four years.

And, mark it down, if there is a Democrat sweep, conservative Republicans will get the blame. (more…)