We the people...

I would like to talk to you about some of the things that are on my mind lately. It's going to be politics, so if you would rather keep your head in the sand and let your Hamiltonian overlords continue to dictate to you what you can and cannot do in these United States, then you should probably look away now.

Here are the things that you need to understand about me before we begin this conversation:

1. Until the last few years, I considered myself a “Liberal” but that was before I started paying attention and realized that Liberal means something completely different in the General Government of the United States than it does anywhere else. Now, I consider myself a republican. Not a Republican, but an actual republican.

2. I believe that The Union of the States of America, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers was the greatest form of Government put forth by man in all of history.
3. I believe in the power and strength of the individual.
4. I believe that each man (or woman) is solely responsible for their own welfare and the duties and responsibilities they have placed upon themselves, either voluntarily, or as a consequence of their actions.
5. I believe in charity and kindness to our fellow man, where possible.
6. I believe that all men are created equal, and endowed with certain inalienable rights by their Creator; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
7. I believe in equal opportunity, equal pay, equal rights, and equal responsibilities, but not necessarily equalization of results.
8. I believe in free markets, sound money, and secure borders.
9. I do not believe in multiculturalism; it is a policy that has failed every country that has ever instituted it.
10. I believe that collectivism is anathema to innovation and advancement. Collectivism removes individual incentive. Without great incentive there will be no great effort.

There are many more things I could enumerate, but I think this is a good place for us to start. I intend to write an article for each of these points, and I would love to foster discussion, especially with those who disagree with me, about my beliefs, the nature of our political system and possible solutions to the problems that our country finds itself in.

The main thing I am tired of in our system is the lack of honest discussion. Lets limit the emotional involvement, swallow our pride and listen to points of view that we don't immediately agree with. Zealotry for a cause without reason and balance has ever been the road to extremism and intolerance. Those two things are anathema to liberty, freedom, and any form of open society.

I'll be back in a day or two with my first article. Feel free to hate on me... that means I've struck a nerve and we're on our way to a solid, if somewhat heated, discussion.