For Our Children, It's Time to Choose

As of Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Sixth of a Series

This is the sixth of a series in which Moore County’s Republican and Democratic party chairmen will address various political issues. Today's issue is the upcoming election. Jim Heim is chairman of the Moore County Democratic Party. Robert M. Levy is chairman of the Moore County Republican Party. Click here for Heim's take on the issue.

My friends tell me, "I vote for the person, not the party!"

And I understand that sentiment. Clearly, I could not vote for David Duke, the Klan leader turned politician, no matter which party carried his registration. Nor would most Democrats vote for Obama supporter and semi-reformed terrorist Bill Ayers, should he seek public office.

But, absent the emergence of a morally unacceptable nominee, it makes sense to vote for the standard bearer of the party which advocates an image of what America should be.

For me, that means a conservative country that supports government limited to the protection of liberty and the pursuit of happiness while always protecting life at every stage of its being.

It means a proud country, unapologetic about its use of its military when would-be invaders, whether they be Muslim fanatics or illegal aliens, cross our borders with a desire to change our way of life.

It also means a country where taxes are collected and utilized sparingly with the primary purpose of enhancing an atmosphere in which private enterprise can bring new jobs to the unemployed. My image of America is a country which encourages the taking of risk by allowing the brave to keep the monetary reward which is the by-product of hard work.

There are really only two parties in this country. Some people may want three or maybe more. But the government will be controlled by either Republicans or Democrats. The party that wins the majority will control not only which laws are passed, but also the laws on which the lawmakers can vote and which ones are so deeply buried in committee that it will take a miracle to resurrect even their shadow.

Democrats will enact laws that make energy more expensive, hoping that the middle class will drive less and the poor will use the bus or a bicycle. Democrats will force on us new health care regulations that confirm to the government the power to ration care among the "masses" on a model decided in Washington.

They have faith in government to become a "great leveler" and enforcer of "social justice." For Democrats, "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child." For me, the village needs to stick to building sewers, reservoirs and "roundabouts." I want my wife and me to have the final say about our children. I also want to keep my earnings to spend on my children and grandchildren as we, not Pelosi, see fit.

Now, even though I am chair of the Republican Party, I may not agree with everything my party leaders do. When George Bush and John McCain wanted amnesty for illegals, I was as opposed as if the proposal had come from Harry Reid.

But, I know that, overall, my image of America and that of the Republican Party are so close that I must vote Republican because it is the party that both respects and encourages my conservative views. It is the only place where my ideal America has a chance to become an American reality.

If Republicans make errors, and they will, they will err on the side of the right to bear arms. Democrats will err on the side of firearm confiscation. Republicans may trim welfare a bit too much for some, but Democrats will err by making welfare so pervasive that personal initiative will be destroyed.

In the end, Democrats will be loyal or at least sympathetic to the policies of bigger government, higher taxes and social justice through redistribution of wealth. Republicans will be loyal or at least sympathetic to lower taxes, smaller government and a society where God remains a present in the "public square."

I vote Republican because it is the party that promotes the individual and fights the collective. I respect those that consider themselves independent. But once in the voting booth, we all must all ask ourselves quietly, "Which side are you on?"

It seems that with every economic calamity, there is a cry to impose Robin Hood economics to equalize wealth. Roosevelt's NRA and other policies just prolonged the Great Depression. Obama's "stimulus" and unemployment compensation extensions have likely done the same, all with borrowed money.

Only tax cuts, as passed by Kennedy, Reagan and Bush, advocated by today's Republicans and opposed by today's Democrats, have brought America quickly out of economic morass. And that deliverance from economic poverty to prosperity is what we will vote on this fall.

For me, the choice is simple: Democrats trying to establish Obama's "Metropolis of Enforced Social Justice" or Republicans trying to renew the promise of Reagan's "Shining City on a Hill." I choose the bright sunlight for my children and grandchildren to inherit.

For all the stakes are high. But especially for them, I will vote Republican.

Robert M. Levy is chairman of the Moore County Republican Party. Contact him at Law52@prodigy.net.