Now more than ever, the conservative movement must be rebuilt from the grassroots up upon the enduring principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and the rule of constitutional law.
An unequivocal recommitment to those principles is vitally necessary in an age that has seen the single greatest resurgence of Big Government in American history. This will require coordination, perseverance, and the willingness on the part of elected officials to take a stand that has heretofore been sorely needed, but sadly lacking. And when conservative leaders in government do take a stand, the movement needs to be there voicing their support and providing back-up.
There is much at stake, and the battles on the horizon are myriad. Just in the next year conservatives will face a number of key challenges:
1. The censors want to silence conservative talk radio with the (un)fairness doctrine.
2. The unions want their card check mandates in order to do away with the secret ballot at the workplace.
3. The central planners will try to persuade the American people that it is the Federal Treasury—and not individual initiative—that creates wealth.
4. The socialists want to nationalize to one extent or another virtually every industry in the country and redistribute wealth.
5. The judicial activists want to bend the meaning of the Constitution to suit their radical agenda.
In addition, the Bush tax cuts are set to expire. Congress is likely to attempt to ban off-shore drilling and oil shale exploration again. It is also likely to attempt to institute carbon emissions restrictions and otherwise attempt to make the coal industry go bankrupt.
These challenges can be met. Americans for Limited Government will be front and center promoting the principles of liberty and limited government to members of Congress, but our efforts will mean little or nothing without the support of millions of grassroots Americans.
Over the coming months, ALG will be issuing calls to action to take steps on the above issues and more. We will be working to help conservatives wage filibusters in the Senate, and to create coalitions in the House against Congress’ Big Government agenda.
As, together, we face these battles, to quote Winston Churchill: “We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down… [W]e will finish the job!”
Robert Romano is the Editor of ALG News Bureau.
