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The Courageous Chris Christie

1 Jun

The “Courageous Chris Christie”

I hear freedom echoing in the hallways of state government these days – especially in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and New Jersey. Is it possible that it’s the same kind of freedom that rang throughout the cities and countryside as the news spread about the British surrender at Yorktown?

If it is, let me remind you of this: It comes with a price. The high cost of freedom is shared by each person who enjoys the unique privileges of liberty. The price to maintain and protect freedom is responsibility. I believe it is one free people inherently know – it is theirs to pay– until someone tells them otherwise.

I remember the first time I opened the grocery store with my own keys and Dad stayed home.

“You’re on your own now,” he said in his gruff kind of way. But I heard more than that. I heard, “I trust you. You are capable. I wouldn’t have sold you this store if I didn’t think you had it in you to make it work.” I was only 21, newly married and scared, but I was willing to take on the weight of responsibility for the opportunity of freely pursuing my dreams.

“The World Turned Upside Down,” was perfect background music for the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown to end the Revolutionary War. I feel myself humming a few bars each time I switch on the television and catch a glimpse of the Union workers protesting. Last year it was Tea partiers calling for the government to act responsibly. Now folks are walking off the job to demand the state or local governments to spend money they don’t have.

What has changed? The economy is about the same. Is it possible this is about the simple request to consider a responsible solution to budget deficits? Union bosses are taking their place at the table to demand their rights. It seems reasonable to me to trade a small percentage of a benefit package in order to avoid excessive lay-offs.

The responsibility part of the equation is either missing or forgotten. What about the line in “America the Beautiful” ‘…who more than self thy country loved, and mercy more than life.’?

Granted, it may not look so beautiful today with a flagging economy and a high unemployment rate, but in the long run, if concessions are made without undue tax burdens added, won’t that make for a better tomorrow? All the political promises from charismatic leaders can’t change things. But there is something that can. That something, I believe, is Courage.

One example of the power of courage to change things is happening in the state of New Jersey. Against the odds, Chris Christie, a Republican, was taking on Jon Corizine, the incumbent democrat in a gubernatorial race with little if any hope of winning. When the night was over, the blue color, blue state, home of “the Boss”, whose constituency had voted over 57 percent in favor of Barack Obama in November, elected Christie as their Governor.

He would take his post as the first Republican to hold that office in over 12 years. Probably because he campaigned as a fiscal conservative, the voters elected him to deal with a financial state of emergency. There was no plan of action in place besides an appeal for handouts from Washington or a hefty tax increase or both. So, with roughly a 3 point margin over Corizine, the “Courageous” Christie takes office and the story begins.

Two of my favorite lines in all the video clips I’ve watched of Christie on Youtube (and re-watched!) are the following: “Why are we cutting a small percent from the state’s portion of your retirement fund? Because the state is broke and unlike the Feds, we don’t have a machine or the authority to print money.” And this is even better: “I was elected by the people of New Jersey to manage this fiscal debacle and I came here to do that. I came here to govern, not to worry about getting re-elected.”

Imagine that!

Doesn’t it seem ironic that it is largely the same people who want me to share my money as a private sector business owner in the form of higher taxes, so they are able to maintain their lifestyle, who are protesting a request to share some of their benefits for limited time, simply so others can keep their jobs? Something has to give, but it’s not them. This sounds more like an entitlement program. I’m required by law to pay more out of my pocket in taxes so you don’t have to suffer?

How did we get here? In my opinion, voters in America have elected people to office who lack the strength, integrity and courage to lead. Sound fiscal management is trumped by unnecessary expenditures to garner votes for the next election. A sound economy fosters freedom. Deficit spending leads to servitude.

Christie’s words, “Less spending, lower taxes and less government.” Less is more. In any family or privately owned business, there are times when the only way to stay afloat is to cut back. Saving and sacrifice have become taboos in American political campaign rhetoric.

It takes courage to stand up to a teacher, a fire-fighter, or a policeman and call a spade a spade. These people are invaluable to our communities. But as Christie said, “I’m sorry I have to be the first guy to tell you the truth. The politicians, who made these fairy-tale promises to you in order to get your vote, couldn’t keep them and they knew it when they made those promises.”

It all boils down to choices like anyone in the private sector has to make when business is slow. Either benefits are cut or positions are cut. There are no other options when the money train comes to a halt.

Men and women of courage are usually not the most popular people in the pack. Most great leaders have endured far more criticism than praise.

But courage is more than just bravado and a stern tone of voice; true courage requires preparation for the task and the ability to carry it out to completion. It requires a firm conviction that the path you are leading others along is one which is going in a good direction.

One thing about Governor Christie, when he is asked a question, he has an answer and most of the time, the information to back it up.

Other qualities that go with true courage would include, discipline, perseverance, resolve and patience. These are virtues recognized by most people as moral virtues, regardless of their creed. How often do you hear anyone getting an award for virtue? How can it be encouraged? En-courage-to inspire one with courage. Courage to do what’s right.

Courage is contagious and motivational. Alexander the Great’s horse, Bucephalus, was a war horse of great heart and valor. Just his presence would cheer a column of fatigued soldiers and give them the stamina to march on when they wanted to stop. Long after he was retired from “active duty”, the majestic steed traveled with his master to boost morale when things looked bleak.

MANY JOBS ARE LOST BECAUSE THE UNIONS WON’T MAKE SMALL CONCESSIONS ON EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEALTH CARE COSTS.

DOES ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE WONDER WHO THE UNIONS ARE FIGHTING FOR ANYWAY?

DO WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO FIGHT BACK?

It is an inspiration to see Scott Walker holding his ground, day after day, unwilling to give into the badgering by professional bullies and attacks by the mainstream media. I admire his courage. It gets me off my chair and renews my confidence in the people of this great country.

It renews my hope.

Recently I came across the simple quote “Leaders are those who lead.” A big following is not always the sign of a great leader. Sometimes it gets lonely out front, and I know from a little experience, it’s never pleasant to be the one taking the heat. But I have to say, I feel a surge of energy after I watch a Youtube clip of Governor Christie standing his ground.

Courage. It may be one of the few things in American government we could use a little more of.

Michele Bachmann – Walking the Talk

1 Jun

Voices of Freedom: Michele Bachmann

Join Her as She “Walks the Talk”

I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk.

Tony Robbins

If you have any experience in your past life with Sunday school or catechism you’ve heard at least one lecture or lesson on “Walking the Talk.” One bishop puts it this way to the young people on the eve of their confirmation: “Go out and share the Good News which you have discovered; take words with you, but use them only if you have to!” We all know the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words”, but how many people do YOU know who actually live as if they believe it?

In the world of politics and politicians it seems like a rarity—even an anomaly. And maybe it is, but my experience with Michele Bachmann has encouraged me and given me hope that integrity is still alive in America! She doesn’t just talk back to Washington or talk about taking back Washington—she is walking the talk about taking it back!

I met the Congresswoman when I was (as Chairman of the ND GOP) out scouting for a headliner for the first ever, “Take Back Washington” rally. The purpose of the event was for the candidates to hear what the grassroots had to say. The people would do the talking and the candidates would simply listen. The keynote speaker would be someone who could speak to the issues of concern from a conservative viewpoint.

When Michele agreed to come, I was really excited. Not only had she been elected to another term as a Congresswoman from the 6th District in Minnesota, she was gaining national recognition as a spokesperson for the T.E.A. Party movement and, of course, someone who meant what she said as verified by a voting record consistent with her well-articulated conservative philosophy.

As a social and fiscal conservative, much of what she shared that night in February of 2010 in front of a crowd of close to a thousand people resonated with their beliefs and concerns, but what stood out to me was what she said about personal conviction and integrity. When asked about her experience as a member of Congress her answer was prefaced by the sentence,
When you go to Washington to serve the people who elected you, you’d better be sure of who you are.

My first thought as I heard her say it was, “I wonder what she means by that” and as it went through my mind, I heard her talking further about knowing what you believe and the willingness to act on those beliefs. She even said a thing or two about conscience! She sounded a lot like the Founding Fathers speaking about an informed electorate and the importance of the Constitution upheld as a guide for a people committed to morality and truth.

The moment those thoughts got running in my head, they were chased by a whole raft of others looking for a place to land. I decided to put them down on paper. After I did so, I compared notes with what Michele presented that night in Bismarck and the following ten tenets were the result.

Ten Tenets of Freedom

Freedom is a necessary pre-requisite to equality

Freedom is not free: Individual freedom comes with the price tag of individual responsibility

Freedom is only one generation from extinction: it must be “caught not just taught”

The Government is of, by and FOR the people, not the other way around

Economic freedom is the foundation of personal and political freedom. Economic freedom requires fiscal responsibility from the people and the government.

Freedom is not absolute autonomy and self-sufficiency based on the human potential to reason; to thrive it needs the support of the great religious traditions of humanity

Freedom requires that the people stand their ground against the nationalization of health care, the media, and big business

Freedom flourishes in the company of an informed and involved electorate. Without an educated electorate, freedom becomes a farce or a tragedy or both

Truth is the foundation for freedom; freedom is tied to a measure of reality which is the truth. It has limits and boundaries; My right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the protection of the same rights of another.

Because of the finite nature of man, there will never be a state of perfection or utopia on earth, therefore there is a need for some rule of law and order in place to attempt to establish justice.

These tenets of freedom create a context and a body of ideas upon which many of the laws which are in place to keep order in this society we live in. America may well be the best example of this attempt at freedom which other countries have tried, but because these countries were not walking the talk they sacrificed their freedom on the altar of apathy and irresponsibility.

When my wife and I accompanied the Congresswoman to the airport, we talked about life, faith and the challenges and experiences she faced in public service at such a high profile. She has been called names, been viciously maligned by other members of Congress and even criticized by her own party. The night of the Take Back Washington rally in Bismarck, most of the candidates were unwilling to take the stage for a photo-op with Michele. Why? I didn’t ask. All I know is that the event which was allegedly supposed to be a “train wreck” in the words of a party operative was an overwhelming success and the first of many more in the country.

September marked the first T.E.A. Party rally in Washington DC where thousands of citizens gathered peaceably to be seen and heard. Congresswoman Bachmann was there speaking once again for the cause. After the election in November as a member of the Majority party in the House of Representatives she has started the T.E.A. Party caucus and continues to stand, fight and deliver.

She takes the mandate of her constituents seriously. She Walks the Talk and works tirelessly to keep America Free. Her intent is to keep her promises and vote her conscience.

She is a Voice of Freedom to be reckoned with—maybe on the Republican ticket for President of the United States in 2012!

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Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Evil Empire

10 Aug

Woe to them who call good evil and evil good. –Isaiah, Hebrew Prophet, 700 BC

In a postmodern age of political correctness and the reign of tolerance as a cardinal virtue, it seems the truth has fallen on hard times.  However, if one does an honest assessment of the history of mankind, the question “What is truth?” has been the subject of countless Socratic dialogues, debates and discussions.  The search for truth is an ongoing quest.

The words of the Hebrew prophet, Isaiah, at the beginning of this article seem almost eerie in their proverbial style; but they also have a ring of “truth” to them.  Something inside the human soul resonates with the idea of “knowing what’s right-sensing what is true.”  The theologian would call it “conscience”, the psychologist “superego”, the woman “intuition” and the average guy might write it off to indigestion!  But in all honesty, we know there is something to it.  Somehow truth and the knowledge of that truth are central to our existence as human beings.

All that said, looking back some 27 years to the day Ronald Reagan delivered his speech calling the Soviet Union, the “Evil Empire” we shrug and say, “So?  It was the truth.”  If the truth were so obvious, why the incendiary reaction of the media to his “harsh” words? Could it be that he was finally exposing the Communists for what they were?  They were not champions of human rights and “equality”, but totalitarian oppressors.  To put it simply-they were EVIL.  It seems someone had to name the enemy; someone had to tell the TRUTH in order for the world to stand up and take notice.

Ronald Reagan did for us what Thomas Paine did for the colonists under British Tyranny-he called the enemy by name and called freedom lovers to action!  It was Common Sense in 1776 and it was Common Sense in the 1980s.

Reagan was a man who lived his entire life in the service of truth.  Growing up with the uncertainties of alcoholism (his father Jack was alcoholic), he embraced the simple faith of his mother, Nelle, and vowed to live his life in obedience to a God who put a premium on truth.    From his early years in the Midwest, to California and even to Washington D.C., Reagan looked to providence for inspiration and guidance.  Certainly the attempt on his life, early in his first term as President, solidified the conviction that he was headed toward a “rendezvous with destiny.”

One of his most quoted “mentors” was a man named Whittaker Chambers who had become a spokesman against Communism.  He shared Chambers’ belief that the most fundamental problem with Communism was atheism-a total absence of faith in God. This left a few self-appointed servants of the “state” as final arbiters of right and wrong-of “truth.” In that context morality became a relative issue and the truth was relegated to the service of political power.

To Reagan, this flew in the face of the foundations of freedom laid by the Founding Fathers in America.  It reduced humanity to an entity in existence for the collective good.  The rights of the individual were of no significance; freedom was a universal commodity which depended on equality rather than true equality emerging as the outcome of individual freedom.

In his mind, peace without freedom was not true peace at all.   True peace preserves freedom-it does not sacrifice the individual on the altar of the collective.   He fully believed that all men were created equal and had certain rights by virtue of their humanity.  The Soviet Union-the “evil” empire, by infringing on these inalienable rights was usurping the place of God.  As a result, the “Great Communicator” used the many platforms of his life as an actor, salesman, radio/television personality and politician to herald what he believed to be true, right and the God-ordained responsibility of a good leader.

His voice was most clearly heard when he was communicating his passionate love of liberty to a receptive audience.  He felt most alive when he was speaking to the American people.  Today we hear the echo of his voice as we “listen” to the speeches he gave from the podium at the 1964 Republican National Convention, on the shore at Omaha Beach in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, at the Brandenburg gate or from behind his desk in the oval office.

It’s a voice which clearly sounds the words which have created history in this country; it has echoed around the world.  It is the voice of prophecy which called for the inevitable demolition of the Berlin wall, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

It is a voice of conviction, of conscience, of courage.  It is one of charisma, charity, and collaboration without compromise.   Above all, it is a voice of compassion.  He genuinely cared for the people behind the iron curtain whose God-given rights were trampled, whose families were torn apart, whose places of worship were demolished, and whose personal identity and dignity were diminished.  It was his voice which sounded out the truth boldly enough so no one could ignore it.  It has delivered hope and sparked a new appreciation for the message of freedom.

As President Reagan linked arms with Pope John Paul II, British Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher and other leaders in the free world, people began to lift their heads from the despair and weight of oppression.  They dared to believe again.  Hope was rekindled and people all over the world caught an optomist’s vision through the eyes of faith backed by the resolve of an iron will.

Reagan himself often drew on the arsenal which he referred to as the “greatest and most effective in the entire world-the moral courage of free men and women” to reinforce his message.  It became fuel for the fires of courage and resistance.  This light from the “city on a hill” would eventually topple the “evil empire” and rescue the planet from the threat of nuclear war-a catastrophe which could have plunged it into a “thousand years of darkness.”

“Freedom is only one generation away from extinction,” Reagan often said.  Listen to his voice-let it reverberate and resonate in your soul until it becomes your own.

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