The Mount Vernon Statement
Constitutional Conservatism: A Statement for the 21st Century
We recommit ourselves to the ideas of the American Founding.Through the Constitution, the Founders created an enduring framework of limited government based on the rule of law. They sought to secure national independence, provide for economic opportunity, establish true religious liberty and maintain a flourishing society of republican self-government.
These principles define us as a country and inspire us as a people. They are responsible for a prosperous, just nation unlike any other in the world. They are our highest achievements, serving not only as powerful beacons to all who strive for freedom and seek self-government, but as warnings to tyrants and despots everywhere.
Each one of these founding ideas is presently under sustained attack. In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, our universities and our politics. The self evident truths of 1776 have been supplanted by the notion that no such truths exist. The federal government today ignores the limits of the Constitution, which is increasingly dismissed as obsolete and irrelevant.
Some insist that America must change, cast off the old and put on the new. But where would this lead — forward or backward, up or down? Isn’t this idea of change an empty promise or even a dangerous deception?
The change we urgently need, a change consistent with the American ideal, is not movement away from but toward our founding principles. At this important time, we need a restatement of Constitutional conservatism grounded in the priceless principle of ordered liberty articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
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.
The conservatism of the Constitution limits government’s powers but ensures that government performs its proper job effectively. It refines popular will through the filter of representation. It provides checks and balances through the several branches of government and a federal republic.
A Constitutional conservatism unites all conservatives through the natural fusion provided by American principles. It reminds economic conservatives that morality is essential to limited government, social conservatives that unlimited government is a threat to moral self-government, and national security conservatives that energetic but responsible government is the key to America’s safety and leadership role in the world.
A Constitutional conservatism based on first principles provides the framework for a consistent and meaningful policy agenda.
*It applies the principle of limited government based on the rule of law to every proposal.
*It honors the central place of individual liberty in American politics and life.
*It encourages free enterprise, the individual entrepreneur, and economic reforms grounded in market solutions.
*It supports America’s national interest in advancing freedom and opposing tyranny
in the world and prudently considers what we can and should do to that end.
*It informs conservatism’s firm defense of family, neighborhood, community, and faith.If we are to succeed in the critical political and policy battles ahead, we must be certain of our purpose.
We must begin by retaking and resolutely defending the high ground of America’s founding principles.
February 17, 2010
The Mount Vernon Statement
You may want to consider signing up too, if you haven’t already!
We can take America back! We ALL know that right now, as you are reading this, a full blown assault is taking place against our constitution and against our very freedoms.
America can either return to being a constitutional nation, a nation of FREE people, a nation that lives by, and stands up for Her founding principles, or America is lost forever.
Live free or die is not just a slogan. Our founding fathers were great and brilliant men. Benjamin Franklin’s statement, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately” is not just a string of idle words either my friends.
We can do as our founding fathers did, or we succumb to the will of the New World Order and to the tyranny of a socialist government!
This is a manifesto that I could support in any and every situation.
Although “signing” petitions and documents over the internet is not legally binding or valid by most courts, this document and organization, The Heritage Foundation, is very good and I agree with Fred, SIGN UP.
It is really a sign of the times that we must be forced to reaffirm something that the founders gave us so long ago. But because of the slippaage of individual liberties, states rights, and an increasingly central government intrusion into every aspect of our daily existance it has become necessary to step forward and remind the nation of what the founders put to paper those many years ago. The Mount Vernon statement will go a long way in doing just that.
On a related note, occasionally I will venture into the twilight zone late at night and watch a little of Chris Matthews on MSNBC. I took such a trip last evening and watched “Chris Tingle” pass out his usually bulls#it wrapped with the blue ribbon. I won’t go into the details, but I did get this tidbit, he doesn’t like the word “patriot” and he is a big supporter of John Maynard Keynes. I knew the latter, but couldn’t grasp his reasoning on the “patriot” word. Something about when one describes himself as a patriot he is implying others are not or some such sillyness!
Right On Fred!!! Excellent post that is truly needed info right now. I call myself a Constitutional Conservative for these well stated reasons. I am signing on right now. Thank you.
I must have read it five or six times yesterday. I agree with it. Now, next time someone asks what do conservatives stand for, or what makes conservatives different … I can tell them to read the Mount Vernon Statement.
JDL
Left to his own devices, Mr Obama and his minions would further ruin this fine country. He did not expect, ladies and gentlemen, that we would be submitting the slightest resistance to his grand and pre-destined efforts. His cabinet, which informs and supports his Leftist philosophies, is keeping him pointed in the Left direction. Political reality has soured him for some on the Left. Even so-called “centrists” are displaying signs of remorse. This is an amazing revelation.
Due to all of this, Mr Obama is in somewhat of a precarious position. Because of that position, now is the perfect time to apply even greater amounts of pressure and, as this statement indicates, affirm our resolve to adhere to our Conservative roots and freedoms.
Consider this subject matter stolen, TF. Now is the perfect time for pressure.
BZ
Fred I don’t want to be the fly in the ointment but,….
“We must begin by retaking and resolutely defending the high ground of America’s founding principles.”
I don’t think they give a rats ass (I know they don’t) HOW MANY petitions we sign,or Tea Party’s we have, it just isn’t going to do any good. We could vote them out if we’ve got 50 years to do it and that really is a conservative estimate. When we do vote someone in to office, one we think can do the job, in 6 months he/she is just as corrupt as the asshole we just voted out. Then we got 2-4 more years BEFORE we can get rid of that shitbag. I’m done signing petitions, sending fax’s, calling my reps to only be put on hold or get an answering machine, or a damm form letter trying to explain their position with double speak. I’m ready to march, or cut their money off. One or the other makes no difference to me, but as Benjamin Franklin said…….
““We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately” and I’m dammed sure he wasn’t talking about signing petitions. I will probably get my ass flamed on this but it’s just how i feel and I don’t think I am alone.
Marching does about as much good as a petition, unless it’s an ARMED march and ya win…
I am really not up to going to war against the USA, not that I wouldn’t given reason, but for one thing, there’s not enough of us.
For another thing, I am seriously wondering just where our police and military would fall into this mix. Oath Keepers be damned, there’s a lot of young hot heads out there that don’t give a damn who they pull a trigger on.
To be very honest with you, I would LOVE to see America back as it was in the 50′s, it’s not gonna happen…
Until such time that we are assured that the police and military are as fed up with the BS as WE are, it won’t work, it’s called WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER…
Ya ever been in a war zone Vigilante? You seen the aftermath? Up close and personal? Or seen it happen because you’re a part doing it?
It’s really nasty man… Be VERY sure before you go to war…
Words to live by along with the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. Ref your comment above Fred, stealth, cunning and selectiveness would be needed to carry the day. Should push come to shove that is.
Yes Fred, I have been in a war zone. Korea 52/53 and yes, it’s a nasty
situation to be in just knowing that there’s some son of a bitch out there hiding or otherwise wanting to kill your ass with whatever he can use, even if comes to using his bare hands. Out of our unit of 200, I was one of the lucky 35 that survived and I thank God for keeping my ass in one piece that day.
Most of the police and sheriffs deputies that I talk to are all pretty much in agreement with us. They are ordinary Americans under those badges and they love freedom, have kids, just as much as the next person. Sure there are going to be assholes like the one in Palo Alto, but you’re always gonna have those kind irregardless.
Yes the 50′s !! Those were the days my friend, I thought they’d never end
YouTube - Mary Hopkin - Those were the days
Korea?? Damn, you really ARE old??
I gotta start being nicer to you Sir!
Seriously, I have talked to OLDER cops and they ARE right with us, some of the *Young Guns* are so damned gung-ho right now, they don’t see past their nose…
But, regardless, faint heart ne’er won fair lady, we may have no choice very soon, the current administration is not the cause, they are only bringing matters to a head…
As Sir Winston Churchill said, “If you’re not a liberal when you’re 25, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative by the time you’re 35, you have no brain.”
Maybe the youngsters will wake up and see what that son of a bitch in the Oval Office is doing to this nation, and see what his less than stellar predecessors have already done.
On this note, thanks to Vigilante and all here who have served in our military, law enforcement and first responders. You have protected freedom and assured the safety of Americans and have this beneficiary’s undying respect and gratitude. God Bless all of you.