Tuesday, November 25, 2014

My Manifesto

I support neither Democrats nor Republicans but rather choose to consider the actual policies and positions (or lack thereof) espoused by politicians, most all of whom I loathe. In terms of my political preference, and in no particular order, I consider myself a Constitutionalist, an historic Federalist, somewhat Populist, definitely a Libertarian, a bit of Tea Partier and a socially liberal Christian (all as described within the common definitions following). I find no mutual exclusion in any of these constructs. As such, any opinion (and it's JUST an opinion) offered will come from my understanding of that foundational background. Much like Christianity, over time Democrats and Republicans have done good things, bad things and an awful lot of so-so things. So I beg you in ALL cases, support the good, challenge the bad and grow in understanding, no matter where it's to be found.


The smoking lamp is now lit, that is all.


Definitions from an historical point of view

Federalist - A compilation of 85 anonymous essays published in New York City to convince the people of the state to vote for ratification. These articles, written by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, with some contributed by John Jay, examined the benefits of the new, proposed Constitution, and analyzed the political theory and function behind the various articles of the Constitution. The Federalist Papers remains one of the most important documents in American political science.



Populist - The last significant expression of an old radical tradition that derived from Enlightenment sources that had been filtered through a political tradition that bore the distinct imprint of Jeffersonian, Jacksonian, and Lincolnian democracy." This tradition emphasized human rights over the cash nexus of the Gilded Age's dominant ideology.



Constitutionalist - Constitutionalism is descriptive of a complicated concept, deeply imbedded in historical experience, which subjects the officials who exercise governmental powers to the limitations of a higher law. Constitutionalism proclaims the desirability of the rule of law as opposed to rule by the arbitrary judgment or mere fiat of public officials…. Throughout the literature dealing with modern public law and the foundations of statecraft the central element of the concept of constitutionalism is that in political society government officials are not free to do anything they please in any manner they choose; they are bound to observe both the limitations on power and the procedures which are set out in the supreme, constitutional law of the community. It may therefore be said that the touchstone of constitutionalism is the concept of limited government under a higher law



Libertarian - Supports maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.


Tea Partier - Seeks a reduction in the U S national debt and Federal budget deficit by reducing government spending and taxes. A mix of libertarian, populist, and conservative activists, The Tea Party has generally sought to avoid placing too much emphasis on traditional conservative social issues. National organizations have expressed concern that engaging in social issues would be divisive. Instead, they have sought to focus their efforts away from social issues and on economic and limited government issues placing the Constitution at the center of its reform agenda. It urges the return of government as intended by the Founding Fathers. Scholars have described its interpretation variously as originalist, popular, or a unique combination of the two.

Socially liberal – A political ideology with the belief that the right to freedom from coercion should include a societal foundation. Social liberalism seeks to balance individual liberty and social justice. Like classical liberalism, it endorses a market economy and the expansion of civil and political rights and liberties, but differs in that it believes the legitimate role of the government includes addressing economic and social issues such as poverty, health care and education. Under social liberalism, the good of the community is viewed as harmonious with the freedom of the individual.