Common Sense

Common Sense,

I title this post "Common Sense" based on my initial classification of this blog. It is also the Title of a great writing by Thomas Paine, which he wrote anonymously and boldly calling for a declaration of independence. We now have a party called "Modern Whig Party" that echoes Common Sense in our political discourse. I find myself very excited about this party, which stands for the beliefs I have and the need for our country to bring common sense back to the American people.

The Modern Whig Party was created by war veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts in 2008, as a veterans advocacy group. It has expanded into a moderate party that has a basic common sense platform on the issues.

• Fiscal Responsibility: Espouse public accountability and fiscal responsibility, with a focus on State government directing the spending in their State. With less spending directives from the federal government
• Energy Independence: Reduce dependence on foreign energy sources, with expediting more funding and research into viable green resources. They believe in limiting the ability of Oil Companies to own other energy sources, such as coal, which is a viable alternative with the clean coal plants. Also supports the "Pickens Plan" to support natural gas, wind and solar power.
• State's Responsibilities: State determine their own actions based on local values and unique needs.
  
• Social Acceptance: Every citizen treated as equal. Sexual orientation of individual has no bearing on anyone else's life. Race based affirmative action should be eliminated and replaced with economic criteria for education benefits
  
• Education / Scientific Advancement: Increase public and private emphasis on math and science. Supports NASA and NOAA, and at the same time tasking with mission of taking away government monopoly on exploration and allow capitalism in, which will expand technology and the further growth of mankind
• Veterans Affairs: Vigilant advocacy of medical, financial and general well being of military families and veterans.
• National Security: Support pulling out of Iraq except for a small base in the Kurdish part of the country. Focus on fighting the terrorist in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Continue dialogue with Pakistan, with the hope that they will end the defacto terrorist safe haven in their country. We will act if Pakistan fails to act.
• Immigration: If someone is illegal in our country they should be deported. Not realistic to hunt down with manpower and resources limitations. To offer the illegal immigrants the opportunity for citizenship if they join the military for an initial term and serve out their term honorably. Will not be allowed in security clearance jobs.
• Foreign Aid: Supports tiered subsidies and tax breaks to US corporations that remove their manufacturing operations from China. Steer companies in creating jobs in Iraq, West Bank and Latin America. Steer jobs into our hemisphere in Latin America
• Separation of Church and State: Government must not fund religious activities. Government to not favor one religion over another. See's no reason for Christmas trees and reindeer ornaments off of city hall property.
• Second Amendment: Supports right to bear arms, with the State governments being able to regulate to their local values as long as it does not violate the constitutional right.
• Abortion: Does not feel this closely divided issue should define a party. Believes the States should handle as any other health issue. Federal government should not get involved. Supports policies providing other options besides abortion.

There is an interesting story of the "Whig" party that involves the fight for freedom from tyranny, with some well known Americans as party members, ie Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Abraham Lincoln to name a few. With the plurality of the American people calling themselves independent or moderate, NOW is the the time to ACT, and boldly step out and proclaim our Common Sense leadership NOW.

I know it is hard, because I feel the emotional tug inside myself about stepping away from our two party system and supporting something totally new and different, even something called "Whig". Believe it or not we have so much power to make this happen, power in numbers, power in common sense platform. All we need is the individual power to ACT NOW without fear or hesitation.

NOW is the time, do not fear what will happen if the "other" party wins because I voted for a third party. We need to be strong and broaden our shoulders and take the step away from R & D, and vote for ourselves.

Common Sense is the answer not the same old nonsense.

Steve