Showing 63 comments for
The First Statement of Conservative Principles

"While I applaud the entire Heritage team for their First Principles endeavor, I note that some of the principal signatories of the Mount Vernon Statement, though "conservative" by label, do not meet The Patriot standard of reliance upon the plain language of our Constitution, nor are many of those signatories representative of the "grassroots" movement they seek to unify around this statement."Bravo! I fear many signatories of the Mount Vernon statement still "do not get it".

As I do each time I read any Patriot Post publication, I applaud each and every person responsible for its publication! In my office, Patriot Post is mandatory reading!

I love the little booklet you sent to me with our precious documents and their histories. I wish I had the money to provide one to every school child in America. Thank you!

The document states, "The conservatism of the Declaration asserts self-evident truths based on the laws of nature and nature's God. It defends life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It traces authority to the consent of the governed. It recognizes man's self-interest but also his capacity for virtue." In the 18th Century this was a clearly understood statement, which met with little equivocation, even by unbelievers. In this contemporary, pluralistic society such terms need defining.While I agree with the intent of those who formulated the statement, it appears to not be so notable a statement as to create even angst amongst those who are the enemies of traditional constitutional government. Not one of these signers need fear the loss of position, property, or prestige over the signing of such an innocuous statement.I wrote a brief blog about this last week at http://mrponderings.blogspot.com/2010/02/mount-vernon-statement.html

A lot of debate in Washington going on right now concerning Health Care. Cost is the big factor. Why has none suggested discontinuing coverage for the illegal. I would think that that would be a huge cost saving.

As you are doubtless aware, there is another group which has started collecting names of people who have already taken and reaffirmed their oath to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and (especially now) domestic. This group is the OathKeepers, http://www.oathkeepers.org - they are specifically focused on ensuring that unconstitutional orders not be followed that would take from citizens rights guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. I suspect this group would be anxious to support the Essential Liberty project as well.

Read the Preamble. Read the two Founding Documents. There has never been and never will be a clearer statement of Conservative Principles because those are PRINCIPIUM IMPRIMIS "...[T]hat is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." -- John KeatsLet's stop parsing health "care" proposals, back and forth. The Constitution DOES NOT ALLOW the federal government to be involved -- even a little -- in health "care" or retirement or education or mortgages or agriculture subsidies or student loans or "the environment" or any of the thousands of "duties" which they've assumed since FDR. Read Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution: the SEVENTEEN ENUMERATED DUTIES of the federal government. If it's not there, the duty falls to the States, further defined and confirmed by Amendments 10 and 14. If the federal government goes beyond, outside, around, over, those seventeen DUTIES, what they're doing is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Could that be "high crimes and misdemeanors"?

I love your material! I work for a state legislative body and every day send the quotes and Founder's Quote Dailey to all the members. Thank you for doing this.

Editor,If the message here written between the lines is that the Tea Party should link up with the Republican GOP, then count me out. I am about to switch from being a registered Republican to that of an Independent. The GOP keeps throwing rocks at the Obama liberals, as they should, but they need to clean their own house as well. We need lap dog Republican incumbents who are to comfortable with going along to get re-elected out of office as well.The Tea Party movement has polarized the people on issues that are important to the nation, not just for special interests and political IOUs. The GOP should embrace the issues on what is important to the people, not the other way around. Either the GOP will recognize this, or they will be sadly disappointed come the Nov 2010 elections. The had better start coming up with some solid positions on critical issues or plan to kiss the Nov opportunity of the decade good by.

Thank-you, Mr. Rifleman. AMEN, AMEN, AMENREVERSE AND REPEAL, They can fix it. All the years of transgressions - REVERSE & REPEALI do want to thank the Post for this booklet, "Essential Liberty".No doubt, you all took this title from Benjamin Franklin's profound quote: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."It is the first quote in the booklet. Thanks so much.For God & CountryRuth Ann Wilson

AMEN, Rifleman! One of my extreme privileges toward the end of my military career was the education of junior officers in a course called "Combines Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3), called 'CAS-cubed.'" One of my sub-classes was an all-together too brief study and discussion of the Constitution. Since every officer--male and female--in the course had taken the oath to "support and defend" that document, I felt we might wish to explore some of the duties inherent in that oath.I was astonished at how many had NOT even read our defining document, nor had any idea how truly beautiful it is. Each officer received a copy of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to study. Half the class received a copy of the Federalist Papers, and the other half got a copy of the Anti-Federalist Papers, and lively discussion ensued.This course was not mandated, but I included it because I wanted to impress upon them the severity of what they had sworn to give their lives for, if necessary.What our Representatives and Senators have lost sight of is the provision in Article VI, "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in the Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."That's pretty plain to me. If it ain't in the Constitution, it's just a matter of opinion, not an entitlement. In the more than 200 years of "The Grand Experiment," there have been more than 10,000 proposals to amend that document. So far, only 27 have been made.

I am taking a break from the "Healthcare Summit". One thing that bothers me, is those of us who have to take medication that is non-generic. Next year I will have to go on Medicare and we are talking about another entitlement now. The medications I have to take are to help me breathe. I have COPD. I paid the hospital bill myself (the part my insurance would not pay). I negotiated with the hospital, doctor, everyone but the labs. Why doesn't Professor Obama answer Sen. Alexander's question on starting over? He is very rude and uninformed and I am getting very tired of hearing peopld say what a good orator/speaker he is. Linda

Mark, you and your team are modern day Paul Revere's and Patrick Henry's!So through the night researching, they persevered;And in the morn went their cry of alarmTo every Middlesex village, farm, (and beyond---)A cry of defiance, and not of fear,A voice on the web like a knock at the door,And a word that shall echo for evermore!For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,Through all our history, to the last,In the hour of darkness and peril and need,The people will awaken and read freedom's boastwith clarity the direction for liberty to heed,And the powerful message of the Patriot Post. (apologies to Longfellow: http://poetry.eserver.org/paul-revere.htmlsee also:http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/henry.htmAs Khrushchev predicted: Our enemy is not only within, but is now in leadership and will replace what's left of our freedom with servitude unless Truth, Light and vigilance persevere. Thanks for being that beacon of Truth and valiant defender of freedom and faith!A footsoldier for liberty,Bruce Felder

It doesn't hurt to reread the Preamble from time to time either. ex: "Form a more perfect union", "Establish Justice", "Ensure domestic tranquility, "Provide for the common defense", "Promote the general welfare" "Insure the blessings of liberty to ourselves AND our posterity." That's pretty close & right off the top of my head!!

Where were your affirmations of the Rule of Law and not men during the Bush administration and why are you not now strongly advocating the prosecution of those in the Bush administration, including Dick Cheney, who broke constitutional law during their tenure? Those of us who push for the Rule of Law are embarrassed by those who claim to support the Rule of Law yet are partisan in their calls for the imposition of the Rule of Law.

This essay 'The First Statement of Conservative Principles" provides a clear message for the focus on the important principles. The missing link, as I have stated to other entities who share the concerns of the "Patriot Post" is this: Where is the polarizing point for like minded people to rally around and produce electable candidates that share our mission statement? We seem to nix the GOP for many faults they deserve over recent years. The Tea Party has no organization. The Libertarians want to remain uncompromising to their agenda and the many issues that prevent them from being a potent force on the national scene. So where do we go??

Maybe you could add to your prayer list at the end of each Patriot Post: those Patriots in the CIA, Intelligence gathering services, undercover operations, etc., (who we will probably never hear about), who have or may lose their lives in defending our freedoms. God knows them... let's pray for them, as well.Thank you, and may God continue to bless you for your endeavors.

Though I have only been a 'Patriot Post' subscriber for a few years, I have used its' general commentary and thorough understanding of the Constitution in discussion with many of my liberal family and friends. The "Post" has kept me centered on the time- honored principals of God and Country first, and has allowed me to refute the 'change mentality' so prevelant in politial thought from the Left. Keep on 'truckin', Mark!!

To Fritz: Get over it! If you have a wife or children and one of them were, say, kidnapped, you wouldn't hesitate for a second to use force to find out where they were! Now put yourself in Mr. Cheney's boots and he does this for a Nation, not just one family. That takes guts that you and your kind find revolting.

Mr. Detwiler,You are obviously a new reader -- welcome -- but the Patriot Post has always fought for the Rule of Law, even during the Bush Administration. Where spending and regulation were not enumerated within the Constitution, the Patriot Post was one of the lone voices to call out such departures.As to prosecuting previous unconstitutional acts, we must now necessarily be more concerned about restoring constitutional Rule of Law in the current halls of government. It is only after we succeed with this monumental endeavor, securing Liberty for our posterity, that we may begin to correct the foibles of the past.

Bravo, Mark Alexander, and Amen, Brother Rifleman. I have resisted joining a political party for lo, these many years and remained Independent. I was on the brink of joining the Indiana GOP this year for the express purpose of working for the defeat of Sen. Evan Bayh until last week as he saved me the time and effort. He is not a moderate, but he plays one on TV. I had a chance to hear a few minutes of the "healthcare summit", but I doubt that anyone in that room has stated their opposition to Government-run healthcare on the basis of lack of Constitutional authority viz. enumerated powers. When people ask me my political view, I state that I am a neo-Federalist, much to the consternation of most. Admittedly, it is a small party of one (as far as I know), but we have the advantage of a brilliant pedigree. I, too, hope and pray that the Tea Party movement is not co-opted by the GOP. However, I have not seen much mention of how I envision the Tea Party involvement - to provide candidates to BOTH political parties that honor and revere the Constitution of the United States with the express purpose of restoring a Constitutional Republic from the morass that we presently experience. I argue that Tea Party candidates need to present themselves in the Democratic primaries as an alternative to the statist/leftist/Marxist candidates that have asserted control over that party. The goal should be to move BOTH parties away from the extremes, and back to the Founding Documents, the Founders' Principles, and "the restoration of constitutional integrity and the Rule of Law." as Mr. Alexander so eloquently stated. "When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. --PJ O'Rourke" The Senate/Obama HC reform plan proposes government panels to control health insurance premiums through a favorite tool of the statist, price controls. Price controls, in the words of George Will, have "a record, running from Roman times to the present, that is unblemished by success." No doubt, the GOP will put up a counter-argument that they are opposed to price controls in principle, but might go along with the Democrats in "the spirit of bipartisanship" if the regulation is not overly onerous. And people still ask me why I'm not a Republican.... I can only hope and pray that there are enough people who are fed up with the hypocrisy, the greed, and the pure selfish ambition that animates both parties and put patriotism, honor, integrity, and respect for the Constitution first to vote for the First Principles candidates in this election cycle, in the primaries and the general election. If we start to see First Principles candidates in the Democratic Primaries, then I know we will be on the ascendancy. Thank you, PatriotPost, for what you have done and continue to do to advance those First Principles.**********Marcy Dupre, how many of your students and even PatriotPost readers are aware that the Bill of Rights has a preamble. Here is the 2nd paragraph of the 4: THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution. Full document linked at http://patriotpost.us/historic/documents/40/The precedent is again restating that the Republic was formed by the consent of the Several States, and that the Federal Government is constrained, rather than empowered, by the Constitution.

Mark, is this an inference that you're willing to carry this torch? I would second that motion, since you're in Chattanooga and not Washington.

Jeremiah Wright was right; America’s chickens have come home to roost. Sometimes the truth is offensive, but if it is indeed the truth, we should be able to face it with courage. In my opinion, Wright was right, in the sense that we are getting what we so richly deserve. How long has it been since American voters, the thinking ones, have felt represented in their government? I think it’s possible that the recently elected Scott Brown proves up the words of Mr. Wright, but I would love to be wrong about that. Two years ago, when the coronation took place, to say openly that ‘we the people’ were not represented in Washington D.C. sounded like a mild rant from the lunatic fringe, but now I hear it broadcasted frequently on radio and television. So, is that the truth or have we all become lunatics in the last two years? We all know there is usually a gap between how something should work and how it actually does work, but even a quick peak at the Constitution is enough to expose the growing gap, no – chasm, that divides the Constitutional principles we thought were in place from the idiocy we see in our government (employees), on all levels. In practice, politics must be fairly easy – make any kind of promises before the election, then join the ruling elite for the rest of your life. The only sacrifices I can see are little ones, like personal integrity, basic decency and truthfulness. Of course, it helps to not place too much emphasis on meaningful relationships and personal responsibility towards God and man. You know, that’s pretty philosophical stuff, and eating pie today is better than pie in the sky tomorrow…..isn’t it? In my opinion we are indeed experiencing what we deserve. In theory, our government serves us, and is given authority to do so – again, by us. So why is it that that concept hasn’t been in play for decades? Whose fault is that? It is easy to blame politicians for not living up to a higher standard, but if they are given their authority by us, shouldn’t ‘we the people’ be held accountable? The real problem is us. We have been chronically slovenly and lazy in demanding our government govern according to our Constitution, and it has been that way for generations. Isn’t it true that we would rather trust our future to the “experts” than take the reins, and the responsibility, for ourselves? How is it that we can pass legislation about school lunches yet cannot manage to pass legislation for term limits? That item alone has destroyed one of our two Achilles tendons, and the resultant limp has pretty well destroyed the other. And now those “radicals” in the tea parties are up in arms about the deficiencies – like they just happened last week! It would do no good to ‘throw the bums out’ because that would only usher in another bunch of them. The real fix would entail throwing them all out and replacing them inside a system that would preclude “career politicians.” When are we going to demand, not request, that we be represented? Failure to do so only prolongs the inevitable. It’s OK to delegate authority – we can't all go to Washington, but not at the expense of abdication. If the system itself doesn’t change fundamentally, we will continue to get the same lousy, incompetent, results from our government. After all, the government is composed of humans just like you and me, and if they are not legislatively held to the higher standards we require, they will continue to rule at our request. And we will continue to get what we deserve. We will become….America’s chickens.

There is not the slightest bit of religiosity, no superstition, supernaturalism, mysticism or other contamination of my oath to support the Constitution. I am an Oath Keeper. I have no problem with my fellow oath keepers of one kind or another who are superstitious. They are my great good friends, and they understand the rigor of my moral center and respect it. It should always be acknowledged that religion is certainly no proof of morality, and often quite the contrary is to be found. I would point to the large number of religious fiends in your particular local area who are the most despicable of hypocrites and basest of human beings who are admired for their christianism.

Sir....Suggest that you support the "Oath Keepers" as one of the true defenders of the Constitution,as we have truely taken an oath..."to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies,foreign and domestic." The organization,less than a year old,is for those who have actually taken this oath...military,police,law enforcement,firefighters and such. Civilians can also become associate members. I took this oath (7) times and being retired does not absolve me of implementing the means to keep it. Stay safe...Len Grummell, USAF(ret),former police officer,Oath Keepers #2432

There is a movement out there called GOOOH (get out of our house) with the intent of replacing all the members of the House of Representatives. It seems an impossible task but maybe with some help from the Patriot Post it could happen.

Great, John. Like Pogo said, we have met the enemy, and he is us.

Please share these videos with your readers if you feel it is appropriate.I enjoy the Patriot Post. It is a voice of reason in a country filled with deceptive commentary by the party in power.Thanks.C E PembertonRonald Reagan on Socialismhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAsReagan message to Obamahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS4yf723kmY&NR=1Reagan answers to Obama cutting our forceshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgTgenwl2aA&NR=1Reagan answers Sam Donaldsonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRUbwnkEPqc&NR=1

I noted in the Washington Examiner that in Nevada, the Tea Party may offer a candidate to run against Harry Reid for the Senate. Also the registered chairman of the "Tea Party" is a registered Democrat. This needs to be watched and publicized to prevent the Democratic Party of Nevada from coopting the Tea Party name and running a stalking horse candidate to throw the election for Reid.Thanks JDH

Mark: Thanks for the clarity in your words and the challenge to be "first principles" people. The idea of reaffirming the oath is something I commonly do when attending a commissioning ceremony or the like. I also accomplish the reaffirming concept when attending a wedding. Our advocacy for individual liberty and the restoration of constitutional integrity can only be successful as the citizenry moves away from the pleasures of the world and seeks the more true satisfaction of pleasing Our Father. The reaffirming concept stirs the initial pangs of fear and joy of the responsibility and the benefits of being a child of God!Thanks again, and keep up the fight!

GOD bless you Mark Alexander, for always getting to the fine point... and your courage to stand and do so.I am a Patriot, and do take the Oath in my volunteer position with Emergency Operations. As I again signed the Oath to "re-up", after 5 years of service, I was proud to reaffirm that position of Preserving, Protecting and Defending the Constitutions of Country and State that my training and Certification have allowed as a worker and, just as importantly, as a citizen of these great States united. I pray for the LORD's protection upon you in leadership and for GOD's continued blessings upon these United States of America.

After reading your post today,I must share with youone fact. On my five cross-country trips in my car2007-08, 43 states, 35,000 miles, I had the honor tomeet some of the most wonderful Americans one couldever encounter. Hard-working, God-fearing and aboveall, patriotic; they urged me in my campaigning as athird party candidate for President, that if I gotanywhere near the White House to please revisit theConstitution and restore our country's honor andsovereignty as a great nation.

Fritz Detwiler:While the Bush/Cheney years were far from 'perfect' as far as what goes for 'perfect in our political world, I shudder to think what might have happened had we NOT had Bush and Cheney in office. The focus on the prior administration is a tired and wearisome argument. The 'terrible things" the Bush administration did were nothing compared to what was done during WWII as far as curtailing our liberties and freedom. Times of war call for many actions that some may not apporove of. That does not change the facts that these were necessary actions for the time. Our world changed after 9/11and no matter how the current administration wants to pretty it up, we are war with global terroists that want to tear this country and West down.Myself and many others are much more concerned with what the PRESENT administration is doing to circumvent our Constitution to put into place a Nanny state of government that will forever change our great country into what is, at the present state, the failing continent of Europe after years of socialist/progressive government.I have been a reader and follower of the Patriot Post for quite a few years and I can never recall where they were not right there to criticize anyadministration when they strayed from the Constitution and how should be governing our country. The Patriot Post is one of the few sites that has not been contaminated by the labels of democrat, republican, progressive, libertarian, or any of the other political groups that are around.The dedication to our Constitution, Bill of Rights and the foundations upon which our country is built on,is what makes this place a cornerstone of freedom of expression and thought.Thank you Mark,and all at the Post who work so hard to bring us all that you do. Truly a bright light in a very dark time in our country's history.

Such a timely article, Mark. I love The Patriot and staff and have tried to be faithful in supporting you. I will never stop. I watched on C-Span as Ryan Sorba was shouted down for objecting to GOProud being at the CPAC last week. Unless our Conservative principles are based on biblical teaching against homosexuality, our quest is in vain, and there is no such thing as a Conservative return to our Constitution. We either have a moral government or we don't and there can be no compromise on that. Love the sinner, but hate the sin. We can't legitimize it by inclusion, right, even if it costs our democracy. God bless y'all, Barb Miller

MARRIAGE IS NOT A RIGHT AND NEVER HAS BEEN - IT IS A STATE OF LIFE, JUST AS ARE SINGLE, DIVORCED, BLACK, IRISH, WHITE, GERMAN AND ON AND ON. IT IS UNIVERSAL AND CANNOT LEGITIMATELY BE TOSSED AROUND IN MEANING - IT APPLIES FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN FOR ALL TIME. Some [not all] of the rights which are ascribed to those who are "married" come only from God such as the right to sexual intercourse. Some come from the state such as tax preferences. God given rights in the various states of life are pre-defined by God and it is the height of pride when men presume that they can set aside any foundation of life [regardless of how convenient it is for man to do so] I might find it "convenient" to change my ID card and legalize myself as "Hispanic" [to perhaps satisfy a large percentage of the electorate in my district] but most of us would laugh at the silliness of attempting to redefine my very being as something it cannot ever be. Recently the state has seen fit to attempt to redefine the meaning of marraige - analygous to an act declaring that all Hispanics are now Caucasian.Thus governments might decide they have all-power to do anything they find "convenient" such as declaring a whole class of people as having no inherent "right to life." [Much of the world has done so in the last couple generations.] This too is a pathetic act of arrogant pride but it cannot change the reality of all creation. If it were just silly [but not silly to God], we might all laugh it off, but this silliness has brutally murdered more innocent lives than all other means since creation began. We might laugh off the pretense of making "love" with mechanical aids or sodomy, but the truth is that man-man and girl-girl "sex" is a violation of all nature and "nature's God." We can no more play God with the abuse of our sexual capability than the abuse of self-destruction. Sadly, the abuse of our nature ends up in self-destruction in both cases ultimately. It destroys both body and spirit.Unfortunately, clerics, teachers, and parents have abrogated their responsibility under a false kind of "love" which takes the easy path of avoiding these truths to appease those who rely upon them for "the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God."

'Tis such a shame that after 8 years of oppressive legislation, Ex-Os, PDDs, rape and plunder of the 4th Amendment , and others, did the conservatives finally awaken from a deep neocon slumber, and rediscover the Bill of Rights.Where was the righteous indignation over the onerous "Patriot Act" ? or the TARP Bailouts, Or the missing TRILLIONS in the Pentagon, or The John Warner Defense Appropriatiosn Act? ad nauseumAfter a TOTAL FAILURE of stewardship, is it any wonder why Americans elect a foreign-born Marxist? The RINOs ran an open border warmonger who has been a closet democrat for decades."We do not have two political parties in this country, America. We have one party; called the Big Government Party. The Republican wing likes deficits, war, and assaults on civil liberties. The Democratic wing likes wealth transfer, taxes, and assaults on commercial liberties. Both parties like power; and neither is interested in your freedoms."Judge Andrew Napolitano - November 16, 2009

Excellent commentary on our First Principles! Indeed, united we stand -- divided we fall! Pray and stay informed, keep a copy of the Constitution in your pocket or purse and read it regularly. May God bless and protect our troops and patriots!

B R A V O AND RIGHT ON !!!!!!!Thank you for the good fight and keeping we Patriots weel informed.B. Doggett

Thank you so much for all your work. You offer much inspiration for those of us who are attempting to awaken our friends and neighbors to the truth.

Excellent article but some misplaced "loyalty" when you cite Buckley as a "conservative". Mr. Buckley had quite a different history than what the public has been receiving and throughout much of his more recent years, he has been a regular member of the CFR (Council on Foreign Relations), an orgaqnization dedicated to subverting the US to UN control! Hardly supportive of Our Constitution or the position you state so eloquently.

Outstanding information which proves you guys do a lot of research and professional work. Thank all your staff and continue to do the service you are doing for the majority of the people !! Thank you

I am curious why there is NEVER any credit given to the John Birch Society for awakening America to the dangers of Communism, Socialism, the Fed, the huge costs of an out of control government and other warnings which were way before the others like Buckley caught on? Why have they been so ignored and all but written off of our conservative history? We used to hear of them all the time, and they did seem to play a huge part in Conservatism. Anyone with an answer?

Mark, thanks for this excellent post. It caused me to investigate the Federalist Papers and, in doing so, the Anti-Federalists. While I think the Federalists wrote about how our government should work, we should note that the Anti-Federalists' worries have pretty much come true.

Must respond to Jay. We were there, but you must have been watching the Establishment media, because they never saw fit to cover anyone that doesn't fit with their agenda. The Federalist Patriot was outspoken, Rush was outspoken, James Taranto at WSJ was outspoken on TARP, Dubai ports, Harriet Miers, Medicare pharmacy entitlement, Patriot Act, etc. Maybe now that the precedent has been set by the Holder Justice Department, we can look forward to the next Administration's AG calling hearings and hauling in Sen. Dodd and Rep. Frank for their complicity in the housing bubble, the trillions lost in home values, and the absolute sinkhole that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have become- now with no debt ceiling. I'm sure you'll agree.

I took that oath in 1969, when it wasn't very popular to do so; I didn't see an expiration date on it, so I hold it still in effect.@ Earl, I did make that suggestion to my Representative, Senator, and to the White House alike, in so many words, among other suggestions that would cut costs of insurance for most of us without cutting care.

I understand that the Census personnel are asking some very personal questions. Their suthority to require answers may exceed our rights under the Constitution.Would make a good article for the Post.

As pointed out in the essay, there are MANY groups trying to co-opt the Tea Party movemnet. They range from the GOP to money and power hungry hustlers. their ideas sound great on the surface, but when you seriously look at what is being asked and by whom, especially when the scheme is predicated on you donating money to them, you find the field of legitimate "leaders" thins rapidly. If we stick to Constitutional principles, question authority, and ask, "Who pays, and who profits?" and chances are, we will succeed. Up the Republic!

Excellent article Mark and I agree, however... I am VERY concerned... there seems to be no coordination of effort in Conservatives for the intent of "voting them out" and voting-in true constitutional defending representatives. With GOP, Independent party, Conservative party, Constitution party, and all the others... it appears to me that we will just splinter our votes which will get the Big Government incumbents re-elected. How will we know who to vote for in order to get true conservative / constitutioinal representatives elected?

I love the idea of asking us to take the Oath to the Constitution. Just because I am not in the military or an elected offical does not mean that I do not have an obligation to Support and Defend the Constitution. Every American that is enjoying the liberty and freedoms given to us by God and the Founding Fathers who put their very lives on the line for this Country should want to do this.Love my Country, stand up for Our Country or leave and go somewhere else to spread your misery to someone else.

The Patriot Post is on top of my reading list and thanks for it .....but..... please consider becoming a bit more succinct. I think most folks like myself have heavy inboxes every day and have learned to skim through emails - otherwise there isn't enough "day" to read.Your material is great but often wordy!Thanks and Bless You

Mark, More of a question than a comment, but, considering the collective Constitutional authority that the "Patriot Post" is, who better to ask. I have had an ongoing debate with a friend who insists that he is a "Progressive Conservative", whatever that means. He insists that there was a tenet of our Constitution that it was to be brought up for review and reform, as he put it "every two generations". I had never heard of such a stipulation in reference to the Constitution. Is my friend correct? And, if so, where can I read about this. Love all your productions! Keep up the great work.John Hickman

2/26/10 Dear Sir: I think that a few Wallpapers for PC would helpthe cause, Such as the rendering on 2/25/10named The Resurrected First Principals,and other colonial,revalutionary,patriotic,ect. With the Bonnie Star worked into it. Stay The Course Dale J.Slusser

The Tea party, is (should) not be third third party but the Tea Party. No radio hosts' lists (top 10 lists) for candidates or any other conversations from elected officials even list the Job No. 1 of abide by, enforce the Constitution. They are benefitting from the illegal activities and chaos.There is no other way then enforce the rules of law.Anything short of that is delusional fraud. All of them need to go and Job No. 1 candidates need to be elected and then trials and punishment for the guilty and to help the poor souls elected with the backing they will need to do their jobs.If people would think, there is no other way this is going to be fixed. The states need to defend this and each individual has the oath duty to abide by and enforce the Constitution. Any candidate that does not first say this is their responsibility and their job cannot and will not be supported. Why should we even listen to candidates, potential employees that otherwise are saying they are in favor of illegal activities, violation of the law.Produce candidates that know this is the problem and they will know what the solution is. I am not wasting my time with child management to teach people what their jobs are.

"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." Call me a one-issue guy if you want, but my sworn duty to protect the Constitution surely included the sentiments of the Declaration of Independence. One doesn't go far to find the unalienable "RIGHT TO LIFE" for all law-abiding persons -- certainly for the most defenseless of us. Re: WORLD MAGAZINE"S Jan 20 Issue which reports that since Roe-v-Wade more than 50 MILLION babies have been "legally"aborted. How many times the number of Nazi holocaust victims is that?Re: Our Presidents latest "Health Care Summit" (Health Care for whom): Federal funding of Abortion was studiously avoided. All one has to do to find out why is to follow the "Money Trail" to find out why. There is a big difference in swearing to "Support and Defend the Constitution" and being willing to support a Government which so clearly is NOT : "a minister of God for good" (Romans 13 13:4). At what point are we faced with the alternative "We ought to obey God rather than man" (Luke 5:29)?LtC Malcolm Chandler, USA (Ret.)

The Bush Administration may not have been perfect, but I sure miss it. Granted, the deficit went up to $459 billion. But, don't forget, a lot of that was due to the wars that needed to be fought. Bush also got us through the darkest day in American history, and his tax cuts and reforms were a huge factor in the economc recovery from 9/11 and Enron. Bottom line is the country was in much better shape when he was in office than it is now with BHO in office. If there is any justice in this world, the history books will give Bush his due someday.

I am very pleased to have found the Patriot Post. I appreciate the work it does. Has there been any effort made to expose students in high scool and college to it's contents? Coopting the Republican part seems to be the best for the Tea Party. If each believer in the constitution does his civic duty as a voter we will be able to succeed with out a party

I appreciate your comments on "First Principles" and the Mt. Vernon Statement. There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic.Optimistic because the Tea Party movement is raising the awareness of violations of the Constitution that occur daily by our elected leaders...er, um...lawyers. Cautious because a movement can be hijacked by deceptive power-mongers that do not understand or ascribe to any principle but self: self-promoting, self-preservation--anything but selfLESSness that comes from be a "servant of the people".I wear, as a badge of honor, a recent "accusation" of being "too principled for public life". As I contemplated that statement from a respected mentor, I realized the mire that we have sunk in to expect our political leaders to be unprincipled in order to be electable. Principled is EXACTLY what we need: wise to accept council but unwavering when solid ground is the foundation. Caution and discernment is required to find those kinds of leaders; leaders like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Ronald Reagan must be presented to the American people with such transparency and persuasion that the Constitution is restored to its rightful prominence—immediately subordinate to THE rule of law.

Mark, Thanks for the brief genesis of the Post. Having been a member of the Heritage Foundation for more than a decade I know you are in good company. Your points are on target: the GOP did waste eight years in control of our government; the media will try to gut the tea party movement; power brokers will try to co-opt all conservative movements; the only way to defeat those who are destroying our country is to focus on founding principles. As a delegate to the first (and only) national convention of the Patriot Party I watched as it was co-opted by Ross Perot's Reform Party operatives. Then the Reform Party was split by power players and never was able to achieve its potential before Pat Bucannan destroyed it to obtain $12 million in Federal funding. We cannot allow that to happen to the this resurgance of conservative activism. Our future depends on it!

I urge all of you to attend an "appleseed" weekend event in your area. please check out the RWVA-project appleseed. RWVA=Revolutionary War Veterans of America.Spend a weekend listening and learning about the Founders and the war for Independence, all while learning to become "The Rifleman within"Blake Uppleger

I was proud to take to Oath today and it was the same oath that I took so many years ago when I served as a deputy sheriff. I was proud and humbled back then to take the Oath as I am today to take the Oath for my country! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take the Oath for my country again. It means so much to me.Elizabeth North Carolina

I appreciate all that you are doing to uphold the Constitution of the United States.When I joined the Air Force in 1949 I took an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution and the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic and that was a lifetime oath but it seems our elected government employees have forgotten their oath to our Constitution and country and the people who elected them

I have read and reread The Mount Vernon Statement carefully, as too The Sharon Statement. As written, if the point is relegated only to Constitutional Conservatism, then there exists nothing more than an argument regarding a "Conservative's" position of the basis of our nation's founding in contrast to a "Liberal's" view of an evolving culture and society with the attendant need of an evolving governmental system. It is the words of John Adams that has been most influential to me, even more so than Ronald Reagan. Adam's is quoted as having said or penned, "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other." Assure me that "Conservatives" are more than a people of foundational, constitutional principles, otherwise a "Conservative" is nothing more than another guy or gal with another opinion. For Lord knows we have seen multitudes of "Conservatives" who could not stand the test based on John Adams' beliefs.

If our constitution is subverted by "reconciliation" and our Supreme Court fails to uphold our venerable document I am willing to take two actions. Travel to Washington D.C. to confront our senators and withhold my federal taxes. This patriotic group would be a perfect machine to launch such action. How far a you willing to lead?