Yes, the man, the era, and any hopes that another politician will be his identical twin are dead. The ideas that made the man, shaped the era and elude today’s professional politicians are alive. Reagan’s Conservative ideas are as alive as they were in 1980, or 1776. Yet, Reagan’s Conservative thought needs to be updated as Lincoln wisely advised, “As our times are new, so we must think anew.” My thoughts about the future form a Conservative vision for the future – a Munificent Destiny.
Conservative ideas can triumph. America contains and contests radical Islamists abroad. America prospers, growing the economy and freedom together. American families gain more support and security. The march of progress for individual Americans is marked with dignity, justice and hope. And, it’s all updating the Conservative ideas of the Founding Fathers and Reagan for a new time.
What has changed for the Fiscal, Social and Defense Conservatives.
It’s the stupid economy, Genius. Another 20 years of transformation from the Industrial Age to the Information Age permeated every aspect of societies around the world. It means a new economic reality where the middle class is like a tube of toothpaste squeezed in the middle. There are more wealthy folks and more people who are getting by with few prospects for getting much better – as long as they just settle for where they are. The transformation of the economy means the average American family has less money at the end of the month than they did 30 years ago. But, the thief isn’t a silly notion of corporations or the Haves taking from the Have Nots. The impoverishment of Americans is caused by the growth of governments and the destruction of families.
Government taxes are the defining difference for the average wage earners. In Virginia, based on the growth of Virginia’s taxes alone, the 30 year difference for the average family of four making $51k is about $157 a month. The average family can use the $157 a month far better than Virginia’s governments. Also, that $157 a month will create more capital. More capital creates more jobs.
The global economy means energy costs are going to go up and not come down. It’s supply and demand. Demand from China and India will drive oil prices up. The U.S. must increase the supply of all energy. Failure to act means we continue to transfer trillions of dollars to the despots who rule the barbarian Islamic countries.
Competition across the ‘flat earth’ of a global economy means whole industries will come and go in short order. The answer is to protect the production of capital. Capital will move to where it can make more capital. Capital produces jobs, not protectionism.
Any family can come up from poverty in one generation. Look at our immigrants. Impoverishment comes from illegitimacy, divorce, alcohol abuse and drug use. Government programs can’t fix these social pathologies. Every social cancer has a sin carcinogen. Only families can fix themselves. Only God can transform human hearts. Only the Biblical Jesus has the truth that will set you free. Keeping Government from being hostile to Christians is all that is needed for the separation of church and state to work wonderfully.
Back to the Constitution for Social Issues. A strong majority of Conservatives will close the border to illegal immigrants. Conservatives will open the door to a large, legal immigration of people who want to be American - speak English and assimilate.
A gutsy majority of Conservatives can do their Constitutional duty to restrict the power of the judiciary. And get the Federal government out of the states’ business. Allow the diversity of sovereign states diffuse the U.S. Culture War.
Shift the Ponzi scheme of Social Security to self-controlled individual accounts. Create Health Savings Accounts now.
Fight the Long, Long War. The Conservative vision of defense keeps America as the sole Super Power. It means we have Imperial responsibilities without Imperial ambitions to promote security and stability – not nation-building. America’s place in the world is to lead the West through the World War Against Islamists. Islam started wars of conquest in the 7th Century. This phase of the Muslim-breed war with everyone will go well beyond this century. The U.S. must contain Islam until Muslims reform their religion and modernize their culture. As Reagan called the Communists “evil”, so we must properly pronounce the Islamic Civilization as “barbarian.” We need a bigger Army.
America, we have a Munificent Destiny. Let’s go there.
James Atticus Bowden is a military 'futurist.' His novel, Rosetta 6.2, should be published in mid-2006. A retired United States Army Infantry Officer, he is a 1972 graduate of the United States Military Academy. He earned graduate degrees from Harvard University and Columbia University. He holds three elected Republican Party offices in Virginia.
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