Mark Levin’s Ten Conservative Principles
Mark Levin is undeniably a patriot. Period. Everyday, he puts it all on the line to advance the cause of conservatism. Through his radio show, he educates his listeners on points of Constitutional law, as well as government abuses. His book, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto, will light the way for conservative activism, and effectively end the liberal dominance in government. It has now reached over a million readers, and threatens the abuse of power of America’s Marxist controlled U.S. Congress.
Levin doesn’t do this because he seeks fame and fortune. Rather, he writes the book and does his daily radio show, because he has principles. These principles are laid out in his new book. He has more than ten, but these ten stand out above all others:
America is guided by morality, having an origin in God. America was born of the Judeo-Christian ethic, and our laws are governed by a morality, having an origin in God. It was the faith of the Founding Fathers, and so evident within the Declaration of Independence, that it is part of the tradition handed down by the Founding Fathers. In his book, on page 26, Levin writes about that faith of the Founding Fathers: “They were men of varying denominations but united and emphatic in the belief that the Creator was the origin of their existence and the source of their reason.”[1]
The U.S. Constitution is not a “living and breathing document.” Americans are guided by contracts, and the biggest of these contracts is the U.S. Constitution. It is the defining document which enables our rights, and delegates the powers to each branch of the U.S. Government, as well as to the states of the Union. It prevents societal experimentation, and was the mortar on which the bricks were laid in founding the country. Mark wrote on the U.S. Constitution saying, “The Constitution is the bedrock on which a living, evolving nation was built. It is—and must be—a timeless yet durable foundation that individuals can count on in a changing world. It is not perfect but the Framers made it more perfectible through the amendment process.”[2]
The Free Market fosters creativity and inventiveness. American conservatives know that businesses operating in a free market system are far more productive than any other businesses in the world. For they understand that to do away with this system will create high unemployment and expand poverty never before seen on American soil. Mark Levin agrees, writing, “The Free Market is the most transformative of economic systems. It fosters creativity and inventiveness. It produces new industries, products, and services, as it improves upon existing ones. With millions of individuals freely engaged in an infinite number and variety of transactions each day, it is impossible to even conceive all the changes and plans for changes occurring in our economy at any given time. The free market creates more wealth and opportunities for more people than any other economic model.”[3]
The Welfare State must be dissolved. Americans understand that to keep their traditions, the welfare state must be dissolved. It is through this state that generation after generation is chained in vicious cycles, stealing from one another to give to the next. This was not a principle handed down by our Founding Fathers, rather, it is a concept that has its roots based in the New Deal and Social Security. “If the Statist were to declare to devise a scheme whereby a grandparent would be stealing future earnings from his own grandchild, would the grandparent consent to such immoral behavior? Yet entitlement programs tend to be intergenerational swindles that threaten the well-being of future generations with massive financial obligation incurred from benefits received by today’s generation. The Holy Grail of such programs is Social Security, followed closely by Medicare and Medicaid.”[4]
Illegal immigration is against the law, and threatens our security, morality and traditions as a nation. America is a nation of immigrants, but then, according to Mark so is every nation in the world. We are made up of different cultures, but to indiscriminately allow illegal immigration is a threat to our security, culture, language, morals, traditions and customs. “No society can withstand the unconditional mass migration of aliens from every corner of the earth. The preservation of the nation’s territorial sovereignty, and the culture, language, mores, traditions, and customs that make possible harmonious community of citizens, dictate that citizenship be granted only by the consent of the governed—not by the unilateral actions or demands of the alien—and then only to aliens who will throw off their allegiance to their former nation and society and pledge their allegiance to America.”[5]
Enviro-statism is a threat to freedom and its citizens. Americans embrace science, and yet it is the conservative that is said to have abandoned science. Nevertheless, it is the Statist that has abandoned science. In the name of the environment, he seeks power, and has forsaken America and the truth. “With the assistance of a pliant or sympathetic media, the Statist uses junk science, misrepresentations, and fear-mongering to promote public health and environmental scares, because he realizes that in a true, widespread health emergency, the public expects the government to act aggressively to address the crisis, despite traditional limitations on governmental authority.”[6]
The Tenth Amendment should never be forgotten, keeping Federalism alive and well. The conservative knows all too well the intention of government is to grow. He understands that an overbearing and meddling federal government can reach with its long arm into the state in which he resides, spreading tyranny and limiting freedom. But the Tenth Amendment is not to be ignored; rather, it is that amendment which was to keep the intent of the Declaration of Independence. “Along with limiting federal power and separating that power among three competing branches, the federal system would help ensure that the Revolution’s principles, as set forth in the Declaration of Independence, and the civil society itself would be safeguarded. States are more likely to better reflect the interests of their citizens than the federal government. Localities are even more likely to better reflect these interests because the decision makers come from the communities they govern—they are directly affected by their own decisions.”[7]
Self Preservation is the reason for public policy. Conservatives understand that the reason for public policy is for the preservation and improvement of American society. It cannot be made in an experimental attempt to rush us into a Utopian society. It must be the same for American foreign policy. “The Founders recognized that America had to be strong politically, economically, culturally, and militarily to survive and thrive in a complex, ever-changing global environment not only in their time but for all time. History bears this out. After the Revolutionary War, the Founders realized that the Confederation was inadequate to conduct foreign affairs, since each state was free to act on its own. The authority of the national government to raise and maintain a standing army and use military power within the framework of a republican system was among the first matters addressed by the Framers when they presented the finished Constitution to the states for ratification. The Framers understood the complementary purpose of domestic and foreign policy.”[8]
Conservative activism must be maintained at all times to keep Americans educated. Conservatives know that we must continue to educate the masses of individuals that would rather watch American Idol than to even notice the amount of taxes taken from their paycheck. It is in this principle that we can never, under any circumstances, allow ourselves to fall into a malaise when in power. We must continue to be active in our educational opportunities. “The conservative must become more engaged in public matters. It is in his nature to live and let live, to attend to his family, to volunteer time with his church and synagogue, and to quietly assist a friend, a neighbor, or even a stranger. These are certainly admirable qualities that contribute to the overall health of a society. But it is no longer enough.”[9] We must be organized, resolved and aggressive in defeating the left, and keeping them down so that they never dare think of entering public life again.
Americans have the right to keep the fruit of his own labors. The conservative understands that in order to have more, he must be allowed to keep the fruits of his own labor. Taxes must be kept low, and government spending must be kept under control so that prosperity may ring throughout America. But it is the left that wishes for a powerful, federal government, spending us into debt for generations to come. The new Democrat controlled Congress has shown us that it will only continue to prolong recessionary trends. Therefore, taxes must be reduced to give people and business more disposable incomes. And all conservatives would agree that the progressive income tax must go. Mark thinks that the progressive income tax should be replaced with a flat or national sales tax: “Eliminate the progressive income tax—replace it with a flat income tax or a national sales tax—for its purpose is to redistribute wealth, not fund the constitutionally legitimate functions of the federal government. All residents must be required to pay the tax so they have a stake in limiting its abuse.”[10]
Conservative Americans know that this nation is headed towards socialism. They must be active, they must organize, and they must fight the “Statist” with every breath. They must not be complacent, or they will lose everything that has been achieved in 233 years. We must rid ourselves of the “Statists” in power, and the less than conservative members currently in office.
We must yell with a resounding NO, telling them that their final days have come. We will return this great country to its citizens, by limiting government spending and reducing taxes. It will become prosperous once again; insuring an America that’s debt is controlled for future generations.
In order to accomplish these goals, reading Mark Levin’s Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto should be the first on the list. This will give conservatives the education to battle the “Statist” and his agenda. It will help us to spread conservatism as though it were a California wildfire, burning and destroying the left and their future attempts at political office.
Armed with Mark Levin’s Ten Conservative Principles, we can begin to cut taxes, government spending, control and enforce illegal immigration, reform Social Security and Medicare, have a strong and appropriate foreign policy, keep organizations of faith strong in America and abide by the U.S. Constitution. Most of all we can “insure blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,” as stated in the Preamble to the Constitution, and we can provide them an opportunity at “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as stated in the Declaration of Independence. We can therefore crush the left and the tyranny they spread.
With Mark Levin’s Ten Conservative Principles, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. America can become that “shining city on a hill,” just as Reagan said. But we must begin now. Or in Mark Levin’s words, “We Conservatives need to get busy.”[11]
[1] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 26
[2] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 38
[3] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 61
[4] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 95
[5] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 149
[6] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 114
[7] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 50
[8] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) pp. 175-176
[9] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 195
[10] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 199
[11] Mark Levin, Liberty And Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto (New York: Threshold Editions, 2009) p. 205
I miss seeing Mark appear regularly on TV
personal trainer austin tx
April 27, 2009 at 4:27 am
You can download his daily show from his website.
IowaFalcon
June 29, 2009 at 1:43 am
I do too. His persistence and genius are incredible inspirations to conservatives.
susan tenofsky
September 30, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Thanks for doing this Chris. Levin is one of the sanest, brightest minds we have.
And I agree- we need to see and hear more of Mark on TV!
SE Mom
June 9, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Levin is a complete tool, sharing a drawer with Sarah Palin and Zombie Reagan.
Michael
June 9, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hey Michael, with your lefty, uneducated, idiotic, unfounded, and just all-around stupid response, you proved SE Mom’s point! Levin is one of the most sane, brightest minds around.
Levin tribute: Get off the reply list, you big dope!
RJ
June 10, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Another Liberal stalking Mark Levin. Hey lib, get off the forum, you big dope!
Lover of Freedom
June 13, 2009 at 8:09 pm
And You Michael are a FOOL DRONE…Be HAPPY!
LoveFreedom/Bellanieve
June 19, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I love you!
BOBOO23
June 26, 2009 at 10:55 pm
America, though the greatest nation on earth, though founded in judeo-christian values, is to be a randian vision. The public pays to keep the government in place, and as payers, are entitled to have a freedom afforded by a blank slate. There should not be ten comandments in front of every courthouse, there should not be religion taught outside of theology classes, there should be freedom in the blank slate that we, as paying citizens, maintain.
wa
June 9, 2009 at 3:26 pm
WOW. What a tremendous American patriot is Mark Levin. If only the powers that be realized what great and erudite conservative men are speaking out and reaching millions … they would be trembling in their boots. There is a groundswell afoot to take America back and I’m proud that the likes of Mark Levin are leading the charge!
Jenny
June 10, 2009 at 7:38 pm
“LIBERTY and TYRANNY is the BEST BOOK I have ever read!! And since Mark Levin is the Author, I expected nothing short of Brilliance and Accuracy inside. I read it the first time NON-STOP!! Mark Levin LOVES HIS COUNTRY, and HIS FELLOW COUNTRYMAN. This book should be required reading by every person that considers themself to be an AMERICAN!! Don’t buy just one, by many for your friends. Give some to your enemies, and they too shall become your friends after reading this MASTERPIECE!! Thank you Mark Levin, you are a Great Asset to YOUR COUNTRY, The United States of America!!”
FRANK COLLATT
June 13, 2009 at 9:46 am
Fabulous List of 10…expect nothing less from THE GREAT ONE! Emailed this to many friends and suggested they share this article with their friends for good, solid ammunition for those in need of “what can we do” questions. I even have a concerned friends in Australia listening to Mark and lovin every minute. They’re starting to slide just like our Country unfortunately!
Mary Newton
June 25, 2009 at 8:34 am
Thank you, Mary. I appreciate it.
electivedecisions
June 26, 2009 at 10:07 am
mark levin a TRUE PATRIOT!
jimbo
June 27, 2009 at 4:58 pm
A true patriot indeed, jimbo.
electivedecisions
June 27, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Liberty and Tyranny is the most important book since The Road to Serfdom. If you have not read it, read it. If you have read it, make sure that those around you read it.
Though his style on-air is somewhat abrasive, Levin has established himself as the greatest conservative mind that has a national voice right now. If Tom Ridge is kicking Rush out of the party, he must have something truly wicked planned for Mark.
IowaFalcon
June 29, 2009 at 1:52 am
Mark,
Absolutely fabulous book – I have read it and my wife is reading it. We are forming a Liberty Group and our first meeting is Wednesday. My intent is to paraphrase the above article to remind the participants on what this nation is about, and to motivate them to take action.
Your Tyranny vs. Liberty spectrum is probably the easiest model to explain what we are about – thank you for your book.
Mike Uecker
July 12, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Thanks for posting this. I was going to do the same thing but now I can just direct people here. Levin is one of the best Americans of all time!
Reagan Fan Mike
July 15, 2009 at 8:49 am
#1: The United States of America is demonstrably NOT founded on Judeo-Christian principles, nor does it incorporate the idea of a god into its foundation. The USA is founded on a pluralistic value set that attempts to incorporate the perspectives of all of its citizens, not just the majority. Also, morality has no origin in god, and is found to be greater in non-believers.
#2: The Constitution, like everything else in existence, is subject to change. When the conditions that face a nation change, its governance must also change in response, or else that nation will find itself unable to deal with the world as it is and will ultimately fail.
#3: The “free market” is absolutely mythical. Regulation exists to ensure fair power distribution in matters of business. If government regulation of business was at zero, then the power held by corporations would take over the market. How is that “free”? There is no such thing as a power vacuum. If government let go of its power over business, corporations would simply take that power and use it to their own ends. Read Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” to imagine what this would look like.
#4: Social programs exist to distribute support to those unable to support themselves. It is unfortunate that these programs can at times be inefficient, but what would you suggest that the millions who rely on social security, medicare and medicaid do if those programs are dissolved? Get a job? Get out of that wheelchair, Grandpa and go wait tables. No room for slackers in this family.
#5 “Illegal immigration is against the law” is a tautological statement. Everything illegal is against the law. The fact is that it happens anyway. Additionally, Immigration is hardly a threat in any way, and is supported by the US’s pluralistic foundations. If people choose to come here, we need a way to integrate them for mutual benefit, not kick them out.
#6: Utter nonsense. It is as plain as day in any available statistical analysis that conservatism correlates much more highly with rejection or misunderstanding of science than liberalism. Additionally, ecological concerns are very real and dire, an issue recognized by liberals and scoffed at by conservatives, who prefer to dismiss anything they don’t grasp as ‘junk science’.
#7: Power must be asserted in both directions for a healthy functioning state, and it already is. Most of the decisions that affect your life are already local or state level, which does assert itself upwards, weighing in on federal power.
#8: Fair enough, except for your view that self preservation is of the greatest importance. Surely, internal and external function are both important in public policy
#9: You have your wires crossed again. Conservatives oppose education. Liberals are responsible for absolutely every advancement in education that is enjoyed by all citizens of the world from preschool to postgraduate study. Free public school is a liberal value. The responsibility of government to be candid toward its citizens is a liberal value. Preventing the collection of power in the hands of the few is a liberal value. Propaganda, yellow journalism, and vertical power are all conservative phenomena.
#10: You already do keep the fruits of your own labors. If you drive on roads, drink clean water, never fear for your safety from invasion, drive a car built to a rigorous government standard, or any other activity built on top of taxation-based government programs, you are enjoying the fruits of your labor in ways that you could never have created for yourself. You need to stop seeing taxes as money that is taken away from you and start seeing them as money being spent on a quality of life you could never provide for yourself.
I am so glad that conservatism is dying. It will certainly be almost powerless when this generation ages and passes, leaving today’s enlightened youth in the driver’s seat.
Justin Quirici
October 9, 2009 at 3:05 pm
“The responsibility of government to be candid toward its citizens is a liberal value.”
So why don’t those kindhearted, compassionate liberals in Congress make their national health care takeover bill public before a vote? Mmm, mmm, mm…
You’re entire post is a puffed-up, pompous joke…
Jeff
October 10, 2009 at 6:45 pm
It’s hard to argue with people who state made-up nonsense as fact. All of the health-care reform bills pending before Congress have been published, and are publicly available now.
Far from being a puffed up, pompous joke, Justin Quirici’s post shows how counter-historical, shallow, and nonsensical Mark Levin’s foolish ten points really are.
Mike
October 10, 2009 at 10:09 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!! Justin Quirici!! You have just be nominated “MORON OF THE YEAR!! By your writings I can see you are well versed in OBAMANISM, as well as indoctrinated by ALINSKY Himself. Didn’t you know that Liberalism is a Mental Disorder? You case is so severe, it is probably fatal. My suggestion to you would be to move to France, and seek professional socialistic treatment in the nearest monastery!! Have a nice day. You are definitely a proven waste of the lubrication, energy and effort to consummate a marriage and bring forth life!! It would have been better if Dad, in your case, would have withdrawn and spewed you on a wall or in the toilet. Have a nice day and a continuous wasted life…..
FRANK COLLATT
October 10, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Frankie, don’t worry. You’re still the front-runner for “Moron of the Decade”.
Frank Collatt is a Moron
October 10, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Frank Collatt’s comment proves that he know nothing about argumentation, evidence, psychology, or persuasion. Empty name-calling and insult are the real marks of true conservatism, because conservatism can’t compete in the market of ideas.
Mike
October 10, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Justin Quirici you are a self-absorbed narcissistic moron. I agree with Frank. Between you and Mike I am at a complete loss as to either of your points of view. You writings and reasons make no sense, yet you dare to argue with the Great One, MARK LEVIN. Perhaps people like Saul Alinsky, Nancy Pelosi, and BArney Frank are more you style and peer. Both of you have no clue as to what conservatism is about. Stay in your place, and keep your mouth shuts, and stop blogging, cause no one is paying attention. Stay on the porch, punks.
Don Smithfield
October 12, 2009 at 8:25 am
Justin Quirici writes, “#1: The United States of America is demonstrably NOT founded on Judeo-Christian principles, nor does it incorporate the idea of a god into its foundation.”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — The Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States.
Justin Quirici writes, “Also, morality has no origin in god, and is found to be greater in non-believers.”
That’s why Hollywood and academia as well as officially atheist states and the French Revolution are and were such exemplars of morality, right? The death toll from official atheist Communist governments in the 20th Century,l alone, is between 100 million and 170 million people. What’s your evidence in support of this claim?
Justin Quirici writes, “#2: The Constitution, like everything else in existence, is subject to change.”
Yes, and the Constitution provides a means for change in the amendment process. Changing the Constitution by judicial fiat is not the way it was designed to be changed. Even then, several of the changes have been disastrous, including Prohibition (repealed) and the 17th Amendment. In fact, it’s not terribly surprising that Prohibition was passed around the same time as the 17th Amendment (Senate elections) and 16th Amendment (income taxes) along with other reforms because the same “progressives” passed them believing that the knew how governments should work better than the Founders did. The problem with a great deal of the change is that the people making those changes are full of hubris that they know what’s best yet lack the understanding of government that the Founders had.
Justin Quirici writes, “#3: The “free market” is absolutely mythical. Regulation exists to ensure fair power distribution in matters of business.”
On this I agree with your basic point, but the goal should be to ensure a level playing field and to prevent monopolies. That said, there is a difference between the government preventing abuses and the government controlling businesses, punishing success, and making business unsustainable. It’s no mistake that the standard of living in formerly communist countries is so low, that the unemployment rates in more socialist Europe are so high, and that government run projects are generally so shoddy and dangerous. Only the most radical libertarian recommends no government regulation with regard to business practices and safety. The argument is over matters of degree.
Justin Quirici writes, “#4: Social programs exist to distribute support to those unable to support themselves.”
They also create dependency and are readily abused. The reason why we can’t abolish Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is that people have become dependent on them and no longer save for their own retirement nor do they have families of sufficient size to take care of them. When my maternal grandfather lost his legs to diabetes and my maternal grandmother had a stroke that made her unable to take care of herself in the 1950s and 1960s before Medicare and Medicaid (and before I was born), their *family* took care of them. In other words, they didn’t say, “Get out of that wheelchair, Grandpa and go wait tables. No room for slackers in this family.” They said, “Here, let’s take care of you, Grandpa, instead of tossing you into a government funded nursing home.” You might try visiting a nursing home some day. Yeah, they’re a great improvement over families taking care of their own relatives.
Fraternal organizations such as the Lions, Elks, as well as the Masons, who are all having trouble maintaining their membership in many areas, also served as charitable collectives to help people in need of help, as have churches. A sizable number of hospitals are still run by the Catholic Church and other religions in the United States. Taxing people heavily to provide those services at a government level has undermined those services while moving control of the help to bureaucrats who do a far worse job of determining need and preventing abuse.
Justin Quirici writes, “#5 ‘Illegal immigration is against the law’ is a tautological statement.”
Yes, but it’s a point lost on those who insist on using misleading euphemisms like, “undocumented immigrant”.
Justin Quirici writes, “If people choose to come here, we need a way to integrate them for mutual benefit, not kick them out.”
No other country has uncontrolled borders. In fact, Mexico treats “undocumented immigrants” from other Latin American countries rather harshly. Why do you think that is?
Justin Quirici writes, “#6: Utter nonsense. It is as plain as day in any available statistical analysis that conservatism correlates much more highly with rejection or misunderstanding of science than liberalism. Additionally, ecological concerns are very real and dire, an issue recognized by liberals and scoffed at by conservatives, who prefer to dismiss anything they don’t grasp as ‘junk science’.”
It is very difficult to reconcile the idea that anyone who believes in the idea of “settled science” really understands science. I think it’s more accurate to say that liberals are more willing to blindly trust what scientists say, which also shows that the don’t grasp the Appeal to Authority fallacy. Read Carl Sagan’s Baloney Detection Kit from A Demon Haunted World and apply it to environmental science. The results are hilarious.
Justin Quirici writes, “#7: Power must be asserted in both directions for a healthy functioning state, and it already is. Most of the decisions that affect your life are already local or state level, which does assert itself upwards, weighing in on federal power.”
The power of the states was undermined by the 17th Amendment, which is why we not only have laws extorting the states to enact Federal policies (e.g., to enact a national 55 mph speed limit or 21 year-old drinking age, the Congress simply said it would withhold highway money from the states if they didn’t comply because it lacked the authority to enact the laws directly — thus government by extortion). It’s also why the states are crying about unfunded mandates. Things are currently out of balance and getting worse.
Justin Quirici writes, “#8: Fair enough, except for your view that self preservation is of the greatest importance. Surely, internal and external function are both important in public policy”
Without self-preservation, all other ideals are irrelevant.
Justin Quirici writes, “#9: You have your wires crossed again. Conservatives oppose education. Liberals are responsible for absolutely every advancement in education that is enjoyed by all citizens of the world from preschool to postgraduate study.”
What makes you think that education has “advanced”? Perhaps you’ve missed America’s ranking internationally in terms of education or have never talked to a person educated before the 1960s.
Justin Quirici writes, “The responsibility of government to be candid toward its citizens is a liberal value.”
Really? So that’s why Democrats are fighting allowing the public to examine legislation for 72 hours before it’s voted on?
Justin Quirici writes, “Preventing the collection of power in the hands of the few is a liberal value.”
What makes you think that’s not a conservative value?
Justin Quirici writes, “Propaganda, yellow journalism, and vertical power are all conservative phenomena.”
Yet it took the Obama administration to try to politicize the NEA and use them for propaganda.
Justin Quirici writes, “#10: You already do keep the fruits of your own labors. If you drive on roads, drink clean water, never fear for your safety from invasion, drive a car built to a rigorous government standard, or any other activity built on top of taxation-based government programs, you are enjoying the fruits of your labor in ways that you could never have created for yourself.”
Let me make the point a professor made very effectively for me in a college philosophy class.
You hire a child to cut your lawn and offer him $20 for his labor.
Would it be better if that child spent the $20 on candy or gave the $20 to a charity that helps feed starving children?
Suppose you decide that it would be better if the child spent the money on the charity yet you knew the child would spend the money on candy, instead, does that give you the right to not give the money to the child but, instead, send the $20 to the charity in their name?
Once you start with the belief that government knows how to spend money better than the people who earn it, the logical conclusion is that government should take all of their money and spend it for them and that’s exactly where ever increasing taxes will eventually lead.
As for police protection, even libertarians believe that public safety like police are a legitimate purpose of government. I don’t know of any conservative or even libertarian who believes in the abolishment of all taxation and government so you are creating a straw man here. As for driving on roads, drivers pay motor fuel taxes that people who use the fuel for off road purposes can get a refund for. Conservatives don’t have a problem with usage fees.
Justin Quirici writes, “I am so glad that conservatism is dying. It will certainly be almost powerless when this generation ages and passes, leaving today’s enlightened youth in the driver’s seat.”
And I’m so glad that when young people grow up, they get a clue and tend to become conservative. Experience with the real world rather than the sheltered realm of academia and living with one’s parents tend to be excellent teachers of how the world really works.
John
October 10, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Well, john, at least you’re able to think for yourself and use the techniques of rational argument. But you include in your ideology a number of fallacious conservative assumptions which lead you to false conclusions. And you really should understand that your superiority complex isn’t appealing to anyone who isn’t you.
Conservatism is on its way out as an ideology, because it isn’t rational, and is based on the outmoded model of social organization known as paternalistic hierarchy. There may be, somewhere, some conservatives who don’t subscribe to this model, though I doubt it, but if you stripped away the many, many conservatives who do, the remainder would be an insufficient number to get an issue on a ballot anywhere, or even to qualify to place candidates on a ballot. Conservatism as a psychological attitude, unfortunately, will probably always be with us, but actually contributes nothing to the welfare or success of our nation.
By the way, your grasp of social history is minimal.
Mike
October 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Oh this is rich. Paternalistic Rank Hierarchy versus Maternalistic Relativist Hierarchy.
The left and right b*slapping each other is why this country is tanking.
Anti Vigilante
October 14, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Mike,you applaud John’s use of rational argument then retreat to the liberal tactic of personal insult. Instead of refuting the “fallacious” argument you just say it’s fallacious.Then discredit and belittle the opposition opinion by saying it is irrational. Show HOW it is irrational. Debate is point making through use of facts not insult making. I disagree with Justin but he followed most of the rules of debate. The accuracy of facts can be sorted out, insults are just insults…………
vesey
October 23, 2009 at 2:41 am
Justin Quirici
Date of Birth: April 2, 1984′
Location: South Windsor, CT USA
(Hometown: South Windsor)
Political Affiliation: Liberal
Experience: None
Orientation: Gay
Education: Justin Quirici’s Experience
Freelance Writer
Reminder News
(Newspapers industry)
February 2007 — Present (2 years 9 months)
- Research, interviewing, traveling, note taking, photography and recording to collect materials for stories.
- Article writing, revision, editing to specifications and submission on a deadline
Writer
Bridge Communication
(Privately Held; Marketing and Advertising industry)
July 2008 — October 2008 (4 months)
- Wrote advertisement copy in mass-mailer card format.
- Acted as liaison between clients and company president.
- Constructed constituent poll for each candidate and interpreted results for other writers.
- Advised clients regarding content, focus, and wording.
- Performed misc. office work.
——————————————————————————–
Justin Quirici’s Education
The University of Connecticut
BA , Communication Science, Political Science , 2003 — 2006
Activities and Societies: Communications Club
Justin Quirici’s Summary
- Work in multiple formats with creating appealing content. Focus on audience reception, persuading a target audience, and persuasive rhetoric central to several positions.
- Work with creating appealing language in multiple formats, mostly advertisements, secondarily news articles.
- Goal of persuading mass audiences, especially in the area of political action, political movement, or progress.
Justin Quirici’s Specialties:
Rhetoric and language, persuasion, graphic design, critical thinking, systematization.
Interests: “I’m interested in meditation, but I can’t find a reliable source of instruction for effective practice. I find many sources hokey and false, and I’m hoping to learn technique that will deliver results if my fellow members will teach me.” I am moldable, and willing to be shaped as you see fit. My mind is an ‘open bucket’.
Employment: Reminder News http://www.remindernews.com/
Davis Alvere
October 12, 2009 at 9:40 am
Morality has nothing to do with God, and government should have nothing to do with God either.
Willy
October 26, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Justin Quirici you are simply a hypocrit, spouting your jargon wherever you are allow to post. Stupid is as stupid does, and you done done the stupid!! I bel;ieve your momma raised you better, but you been associating with them liberal punks, getting your mind all screwed up. Quirici you ain’t got what it takes to critisize MArk Levin, or anyone that likes him. Frank said it all when he called you out as a morn. You should go back to Kanya with Obama, and suck his toes Justin Quirici…….
Elroy Eltipit
November 1, 2009 at 9:57 pm