“It’s not Time to Retreat, but to Reload”

So, what were you doing this morning? Sleeping in? Jogging? Eating a big breakfast? Tilling your garden space for Spring planting? Well, when I started out this morning at my wife’s encouragement, I could think of several other places to be going. Staying with the in-laws in Henderson, NV, we stepped out of their home, hopped into the XTerra, and headed to Searchlight.

What in the heck were we doing going to Searchlight? Well, it wasn’t to shake hands with each of the 773 people who live there. On this particular weekend, there was an organized event. In fact, it was a Tea Party, purposely scheduled in Harry Reid’s hometown. Why? It was a “Dump Harry Reid” party, and Sarah Palin showed up to give it some creds.

About 4 miles outside of Searchlight we ran into stop and go traffic. It was a little surprising since they were only expecting about 4,000 people to show up. We slowly made our way another 2 ½ miles and noticed people pulling of I-95 and parking. We hurried and did the same.

There we were, walking with whites, blacks, Latinos and Hispanics. They were of all ages, from kids to grandpas… all of them happy to be together and shooting pictures of posters and signs. It was also an interesting mix of people from all walks of life. You had your bikers with long hair and earrings to grandmas with umbrellas. One guy had his leg in a brace and a cane… slowly making his way to the event. These folks were quite a contrast to the Reid supporters who drove by yelling obscenities from car windows or who threw eggs at the Tea Party Express bus. In fact, I’m sure the Nevada Highway Patrol had to be surprised by the pleasant thank you’s extended to them as they crossed the street.

When we finally finished our 1 ½ walk, we were surprised to find a crowd of people in a dusty desert bowl surrounding a makeshift stage. High above the stage was a large speaker hanging from a cranes extension. We heard a variety of different speakers whipping the crowd into a frenzy. There were a number of motor homes parked around the bowl marking the perimeter. We made our way to a rise on the opposite side of the bowl and sat on a rocky mound.

My wife asked if these people were in Cougar stadium how many people would I say were there. It was a good way to look at the crowd. My best guess was that there were 30,000 to 40,000 people crowded in that dusty bowl. Flags colored the crowd: an American flag here; a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag there. A variety of signs and tee shirts carefully moved through the mass of people. One young woman featured a sign that said: “I’m in your DEBT, Obama.” High in the skies above, five planes painted word art messages. “God bless the US.” “Tea Party-ers Vote Reid Out.” And then Sarah Palin took the stage….

She is a crowd favorite. A helicopter from a local station hovered above us; they must have been informed about the time Palin was to speak. It was so noisy it competed with Palin’s talk. The cold wind didn’t help either. It didn’t matter to the crowd, they were glad to be there and to heartily thank Palin for some one-liners that they did catch. What was one of her most popular one-liners? “It’s not time to retreat… but to reload.”

Well, that is the point, isn’t it. The Democrats cram through legislation that Americans didn’t want. They did so in ways that sicken most red-blooded Americans. They’ve abused some principles of representative government. Finally, Mr. Obama signed it into law. With so much going against us… including our own elected representatives… the tendency would be to throw in the towel. “Why try… no one’s listening anyway?”

Well, from what I saw today, no one is throwing in the towel. In fact, they’re writing “Don’t Tread on Me” on their towels and waving them for the world to see. Palin’s got it right… one battle may be over, but the war goes on. Don’t retreat, just reload. Well, this is one Basicguy who will do just that. I’m not finished… I’m thinking we replace those who refuse to represent the people in both 2010 and 2012. We literally reload Congress and the White House and then repeal bad law. In time the bad taste in my mouth will be gone and I’ll once again be enjoying the sweet flavor of liberty and hope.

Well, our first Tea Party experience is now over. How heartening it is to know that good and basic people are rallying to this cause. Little Searchlight, Nevada, drew people from Texas, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Pennsylvania and, of course, Nevada. This is a nationwide movement. It is a grassroots movement. It is a movement for limited government, free enterprise, and sanity in the political arena. Basic people mad about Mr. Obama’s change, like a sleeping giant, are awake and rising up to wrench America back from the hands of those who hate it and intend to reinvent it in their own sorry image.
Well, America is speaking out… since too few are speaking for them in Washington. Reload America… lock and load… load with the right ammunition—the principles of freedom found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Now, I’m just a Basicguy, but if America rode into existence on the shoulders of such weighty principles, we can ride them again to reclaim our nation.

A New Dawn for America?

The morning the New Year dawned I woke up feeling positive about the future. That hadn’t happened in some time. For much of the previous two years a depressing pall hung over my life. I noticed that a similar pall hung over the country. But 2010 opened with a glimmer of hope… a lighter feeling… a bit of excitement. I related these feelings to some friends and when they asked why I thought I felt differently, I really couldn’t explain it.

Who would have known that any news out of Massachusetts would have provided a glimpse into my glimmer of hope… a tentative glimmer to be sure… but there is no doubting the hopeful feeling inside. Scott Brown… Chevy truck… healthcare reform is dead… Democrats getting frantic… Kennedy’s seat… wake-up call… Is it Martha or Marcia Coakley? Each of these words and phrases fueled the hope within until I heard the news… Brown Wins! Then in his acceptance, Brown declared: “This isn’t Kennedy’s seat, or my seat, but your seat!”

That is like music to my ears. I detest the growing political aristocracy in America. Political offices are a right of passage to some. To others the seat is bought off. And still to others, once they get the office, it becomes their job… their profession. Brown has the right idea… the seat belongs to the people and those that the people put in the seat serves them. Where has this idea gone?

Well, I’m happy for Scott Brown and the Republican Party. I’m happy that there is a chance to turn the tide of big fat government controlling every aspect of our country. There is a chance that the free enterprise system can be saved from government take-over. Maybe some sanity will set in and we’ll learn to live within our means, strengthen the dollar, and re-establish the hope of America.

However, I have a warning for Scott Brown and other Republicans like him. First, don’t get caught up in the thought that the Massachusetts shocker is a repudiation of the Democratic Party and a mandate for the Republicans. It has little to do with party, but everything to do with ideals… conservative ideals.

I’m a registered Republican, but I’m a conservative American first. I believe in a lean central government that fulfills the mandate written in the Constitution. I think the Founding Father’s stand head and shoulders above their peers and see hardly anyone today who can even be considered their peer. I believe in America’s Christian heritage that opens the door to other religions and non-religions to exist in a free society. I believe in our imperfect but free enterprise system that fuels the greatest nation on earth. When these things are tempered in the hands of a moral people… a people who accept personal responsibility… then truly there is such a thing as an American dream.

So, is it a New Dawn for traditional American ideals? I truly hope so. As for now, my hope index is up… may yours be too.

A Season of Firsts

This political season has been filled with firsts. Firsts are often considered striking events... things never to be forgotten. The capturing of the presidency by the first African-American (well, sort of... his mother was white) was one of those events that made history. Mr. Obama's seizure of the American state was just the beginning. Soon thereafter, he seized elements of Wall Street and GM too. The government taking ownership of private business, if not technically a first, is certainly extremely rare and unusual. It's something you'd expect in Venezuela, but the United State of America.

If that were all, it would be enough... at least for me. When was the last time the Democrat's ignored the polls? During the presidential campaign they followed the polls religiously. But what do we find now? Congressional and presidential approval ratings are the lowest in decades. American's have clearly spoken and the direction the country is heading is not what is wanted. And yet, the once religious poll watching Democrats act as if there are no polls. A political poll? What's that?

Just today, the Senate voted (just barely) to impose floor debate on a very unpopular Health Care bill. Most Americans have expressed a desire for health care reform, but not a public or government run option. Well, the Congress ignored the polls and voted in a public option health care bill and sent it on to the Senate. And now the Senate has chosen the same path. Both houses of congress are dominated by Democrats. Personally I oppose both of these measures. I hope that, when given the chance, their constituency stomps loudly as they give these hard of hearing Democrats the boot.

I'm a Republican, but I'm a conservative American first. I believe in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I believe in free enterprise... that it is the engine that allows this country to run and provide an opportunity for the American dream. I believe in a strong central government... but a lean one. I believe that government must live within its means like every entity in this country. Government should have a balanced budget and should stay out of way of states and the private sector. So everything that I'm seeing now is very troubling. The Democrats seem hell-bent on pushing this country into a very large government that controls every sector of the economy.

If the Democratic agenda is forced upon this country, regardless of the loud voices from every state in this nation, then I'll hope for yet another "first." What would that be? Throughout our political history there have been some weak moments when Democrats have succeeded in ramming a government option through the system. One example is the Social Security administration. Once these "government options" get their foot in the door, they never leave. They become government entitlement programs that become a serious drain on the American people... who pay for these entitlements whether they work effectively or not. Well, if insanity succeeds and we see a national health care plan rammed through the system against the will of the majority, then I hope for the first time, that it becomes the first entitlement to get the axe.

A season of firsts? I hope so.