'76 Blog

Editor: Peg Brady of Centennial, Colorado, a tireless grassroots worker for constitutional government and conservative reform, is first to file again this year, as she was in 2010, with a comprehensive journal of key points and memorable moments from the 19 hours of programming at Western Conservative Summit 2011.  If a comparison with James Madison's meticulous and indispensable journal of the 1787 Philadelphia Convention would be too lofty, still we must salute Brady as the Madison of this year's Summit - always with pen in hand when others' attention or stamina may have flagged, faithfully recording all of it to the benefit of everyone else who did - or perhaps even more, who did not - attend the memorable weekend at Marriott Denver City Center. BRADY'S SUMMIT DIARY Friday, 29 July John Andrews and Bill ArmstrongTo stirring cheers, WCS co-director and Centennial Institute director John Andrews welcomed us and promised an avalanche of information and inspiration. As CCU president and WCS co-chairman, Bill Armstrong affirmed our shared dedication to our beloved nation’s great future.  This year’s Summit upholds as its theme “Fulfilling America’s Promise” through restoring Conservative principles.Rick Santorum and Rick PerryAs joint keynote speakers, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry conveyed their thoughts about “America at the Crossroads.”  We all recognize that a vast divide separates our Conservative economic and political perspective and principles from the Left’s viewpoint.  The success of our principles is needed to safeguard America’s future, and thus that of all people who cherish freedom. Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum averred that we must all do our part to ensure that success.  It will not be pundits and politicos who determine America’s future but energized, dedicated people.  The Left’s goal is total government power controlling every possible aspect of our lives.  Obamacare is a prime example:  more than an economic threat, it undermines our private health choices and insinuates bureaucratic control into every business decision.  Obama’s “czars” are not officials elected by the people to govern; rather, they are political cronies with little or no experience in the fields over which they rule.Mr. Santorum defined our Constitution as America’s “operating manual,” our Declaration of Independence as our “heart.”  Rights do not come from the government; government’s only role is clearly delimited in our Constitution.  The “happiness” our Declaration of Independence proclaims is not self-indulgence; rather, true happiness derives from doing what is right and freely accepting responsibility for our choices.  He cited Abraham Lincoln’s straightforward directive, “We do not have the right to do wrong.”Rick Perry, former governor of Texas, emphasized the criticality of a flourishing free-market economy as the bulwark of freedom.  In Texas style, he enjoined Americans to “corral the federal government.”  While intruding into every corner of our lives, the government nonetheless fails in its responsibility for defending our borders.  Government bureaucrats declaim policies without regard for science and aimed at increasing government control, not ensuring our well-being.  The Left is “addicted to spending.”  He cited four essential Conservative paths, encouraging investment and economic growth:•    Spend only what is needed for genuine Constitutional functions•    Keep taxes as low as possible•    Enact only regulations that are logical, necessary and predictable•    Reform the judicial system to forestall frivolous lawsuitsSaturday, 30 July Tucker Carlson Mr, Carlson, editor-in-chief of the Daily Caller political website, addressed “What Americans Want from the President and Congress.”  His brief answer – far more than we get.  The Left-dominated federal government does not deliver what we expect of them, their Constitutional obligations.  Instead their actions target goals that are “unintelligble” to us.  Nor is the Left solely responsible for the madness tearing at America’s fabric; party politics weakens the impact of those whom we elected to uphold Conservative principles.  We mandated that they reduce spending and limit government, but their promises to do so have scarcely flowered.  The Tea Party’s great boon has been holding politicians accountable to Conservative economic constraints.  Especially deleterious is the media’s role in undermining American backbone.  “The media is even more Liberal than you think,” he warned.  Endlessly promoting pleasure-seeking and irresponsible disregard for consequences, the media encourages people to demand ever more government handouts and “rights” without regard for cost.   Media promote the notion that government largesse is free. Approximately fifty percent of American residents pay no federal taxes, ever worsened by illegal immigration.Foster Friess Successful businessman and inspiring Conservative activist, Foster Friess explored possibilities for “Replacing Obamacare after Its Repeal.”  First, he explained, it is necessary to recognize that Obamacare is about power, not about health care.  It seeks to drive most Americans into dependence on government welfare and subject to government control.  The Left repeats this pattern in climate, energy, immigration, and every arena in which it can stir or exacerbate a “crisis.”  Instilling fear and guilt are the Left’s prelude for promoting government intervention.  To promote readership/audience, the media intensifies the Left-induced emotional tension.Rather than Obamacare, Americans would be better served by personal and/or employer’s health-savings accounts.  Further, founded on his own clear business judgment, Mr. Friess detailed Conservative constraints for sensible legislation:•    Base decisions on reliable information sources•    Prioritize to pay down the debt and cut spending•    Promote self-determination and responsibilityFrank Gaffney President of the Center for Security Policy, Frank Gaffney fully comprehends the threat that Sharia poses for overriding our Constitutional rights.  In his topic “Our Choice: Sharia or the Constitution,” he described Sharia as totalitarian.  A well-known example is Sharia’s utter disregard for women.  Moreover, Sharia promotes overthrow, by violence or by stealth, of all governments founded on personal freedom.  Becoming common in Europe are “Sharia-Controlled Zone” signs, delimiting areas within which Sharia, rather than the nation’s political and justice systems, rule.  Dedicated to implementing Sharia worldwide is the jihadist Muslim Brotherhood.   Its self-proclaimed goal: “eliminating and destroying Western Civilization” by any means.  An effective tool of Muslim Brotherhood leaders is inducing citizens to adopt “tolerance” and then to enact Sharia-based legislation.  One of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Sharia-implementing sub-organizations is the Islamic Free Market Institute, a disguise for persistent and penetrating attacks on capitalism.  Countering these seditious assaults is the American Laws for American Courts movement.  Mr. Gaffney summarized the threat: “Sharia is completely antithetical to Constitutional freedom.”  He urges Conservatives to repeat President Reagan’s defeat of Communism, directing our 21st century efforts to eradicating the Muslim Brotherhood and all of its destructive offshoots.  And he averred that Obama embraces the Muslim Brotherhood.John Bolton Ambassador Bolton, a highly respected scholar of geopolitics and fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, explained what “Defending America in a Dangerous World” requires.  “Security is being independent,” including freedom from economic dominance.  But our current president “has no interest” in defending America.  Although bin Laden has been silenced, the threat of rogue nations and terrorist cults has not diminished.  Especially dangerous, international organizations have taken upon themselves the power to demand American compliance with policies that undermine America’s economic and personal freedom.  The UN Security Council has declared itself “the sole source of legitimacy.”  International decisions in such areas as climate, small arms and defense override our Constitution, and our current government subjugates us to these ruinous policies. Theodore Roosevelt believed that we must make the world “safe for ourselves.”   But Liberals demand massive cuts in defense funding, and our current president is reducing our missile defense sites and helping Putin re-establish Russian hegemony.  Our treasured ally Israel is especially threatened, as are Japan and South Korea, by Obama’s weak-to-nonexistent foreign policy.  It is not strength but weakness invites violence.It was Alexander de Tocqueville who first proclaimed that America is “exceptional.” Belief in American exceptionalism is not arrogance.  It is love of our great nation, President Reagan’s “shining city on the hill.”  John Andrews At the 2010 Summit, participants thronged to sign the Lone Tree Declaration, proclaiming Conservative values and America’s greatness as freedom’s beacon.  This year’s Summit appends further clauses to that shining message of America’s promise.Juan Williams National Public Radio fired its political analyst Juan Williams for stating his concern about airline safety after 9/11. He described the experience, especially his dismay that he was denied any opportunity for discussion or rebuttal.  “Political debate need not be polarizing.  Rather it should be the pursuit of truth.”  Instead, now disagreement incurs belittling ridicule and marginalization.  Special interests attempt to intimidate those who do not adhere to their dicta.  A sad example is the abusive attacks on Bill Cosby for advising young blacks to adopt self-determination and responsibility.  While avowing their dedication to diversity, the media exacerbate tensions by exaggerating extremes; controversy sells news.  But balance and bridges offer the best likelihood of sound decisions for America’s future.Dennis Prager Honoring President Reagan’s centennial year, author, radio host, columnist, professor and symphony conductor Dennis Prager reminded us of “Lessons from Reagan for the New Century.”  Liberals crave self-esteem, hence they promote the nannyist doctrine that self-esteem and equality trump achievement or even effort.  But nannyism erodes true self-esteem by destroying dignity and motivation.  “The bigger the state, the smaller the citizen” because the less they do for themselves; less achievement thwarts self-esteem.  Moreover, rewarding non-achievement undermines others’ motivation and ultimately threatens America’s entire self-reliant value system.  Welfare corrupts family life and individual freedom as well, further weakening our values.  So ingrained has the nannyist interpretation of equality become that the UN ranked Cuba and the US equal in health care – not on the quality of health care but merely on whether health care was equally available to all.  Cuba’s appalling health care is indeed equally available to all and hence ranked with our excellent health service.Left-wing intrusion into people’s lives deepens daily.  A newspaper’s choice of the 10 best composers omitted Haydn because the list already included too many Austrians. In San Francisco it is illegal to sell soft drinks, in Maryland receiving a high school diploma depends on demonstrating familiarity with environmental dogma, and California schoolbooks expound gays’ and lesbians’ contribution to American history. “Truth is not a Left-wing value.”  As Reagan rightly averred, “Government is not the solution.  It is the problem.”Arthur Brooks Professor, author and french-hornist Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, compared ”Free Enterprise vs. Big Government.”  The budget and debt debates in Washington are the newest manifestation of the 70-year slide into statism, steadily eroding our freedom.  Government spending lowers economic opportunity, and burdensome taxation can only bleed the economy.  Obama’s so-called “balanced” solution, requiring tax increases, worsens the economic damage that his policies have imposed.  Nor is the Left’s doctrine “fair” because it precludes job growth and, far worse, blocks “earned success, the avenue to true happiness.”  The Left’s notion of fairness is redistribution, but true fairness rewards merit – hard work, skill, ingenuity.  In contrast, it is highly unfair and corrupt to reward non-achievement.  Free enterprise, not government spending, offers equal opportunity.  And, because excessive government spending necessitates borrowing, the Left is stealing from the American people – and their children.  Combating this corruption is vastly difficult but crucial.  An important weapon is truth.  Reversing the Left’s misuse of language will promote clear discussion.  For example, we need not hesitate to state that redistribution is theft.  And we can truthfully point out that a government that steals from some people can target anyone.  Poverty reduction derives from free enterprise, not government.  Mr. Brooks advocates replacing income tax, which penalizes productivity and encourages deceit, with a flat tax so that everyone pays his share.  By keeping the amount small, even poor can feel contributive, rather than dependent.  True self-esteem grows from doing one’s best.Mr. Brooks concluded with a telling comparison.  Free-enterprise fiscal Conservatives view a successful entrepreneur’s millions and fervently hope that their children can succeed as well.  A tax-and-spend statist would say, “Let’s steal his stuff.”Kevin Jackson “Answering the Black Lie” has become businessman/engineer Kevin Jackson’s passion.  Rather than promoting cooperation, politicos play on racism to advance their own aims.  “People are actually less interested in race than in character,” Mr. Jackson contended.  After briefly summarizing black history in America, he protested that welfare does not help but deeply harms disadvantaged Americans.  “Liberals are destroyers” of peoples’ hopes.  They “steal ambition” and “corral” blacks in impoverished neighborhoods with poor schools.  Liberals use “sneaky” vocabulary to confound truth.  In comparison, Conservativism is the “antithesis to racism” because it promotes self-activation. “Your only entitlement is what you earn.”Pat CaddellAs a Democratic strategist, Pat Caddell is expert at “Understanding the Culture Wars.”  Mr. Caddell maintained that “America is too young to die” but is strongly threatened.  Our next generation may not be assured a better life enriched with freedom and virtue.  How did we let thieves steal our riches?  The government never stops spending, Mr. Caddell explained, and he continued that politicians of both parties are at fault.  “None cares about us, only about re-election.”  So unconcerned are they about Americans’ freedom and prosperity, to fund their runaway spending, they have made China our banker.Freedom of the press is essential for our freedom.  Our nation’s founders viewed the press as our protection from government.  Now the media side with the statists.  Mr. Caddell characterizes our elected officials as elitist, inept and partisan, governing for their own benefit.  Democratic Party leaders are corrupt and statist.  “If you knew them as I know them, you wouldn’t sleep at night.”  Republican Party leadership is unable and unwilling to fulfill their mandate to repeal Obamacare and cut government spending. They approved Eric Holder as Attorney General without a fight.  Both parties require our legislators to knuckle under and vote as party leaders, not their constituents, dictate.  Worse than the economic waste, political corruption circumvents the Constitutional balance of power and destroys our Constitutional freedoms.  We must restore common sense and proclaim once again that power resides exclusively with the people.  We should require truthful discourse.  Right and wrong do exist and virtue must be upheld.  Only in a free-enterprise economy can personal freedom flourish.  We must hold our officials accountable to the criterion “Act worthy of your office.”John Andrews, Theresa Melaragno, and Kevin MillerBecause the Summit schedule is too tight, the “Is Freedom or Responsibility Paramount?” debate will take place at one of Centennial Institute’s upcoming Issue Monday events.  Entrepreneur and author Theresa Melaragno spoke briefly about the “integrity meltdown” of Washington’s elitist bureaucrats and officials.  Their decisions are based on greed, not the nation’s well-being.  They are addicted to tax-and-spend power games.  Their personal lives manifest infidelity and self-aggrandizement.  To them, democracy means two wolves and a rabbit deciding what’s for lunch, whereas we know that democracy requires a well-armed rabbit.Kevin Miller, consultant, author and founder of CCU’s School of Business, believes that we Conservatives are our own worst enemy.  Government cannot deliver freedom nor ensure virtue.  Government should (although our current leaders don’t) protect freedom, while virtue is our own job.  Because giving government control over virtue (e.g., reducing obesity and carbon usage) empowers their intervention in our lives, we must guard against such encroachment, however well-intended.  What government is most likely to deliver is unintended consequences.Mark SteynCanadian activist Mark Steyn introduced his topic “After America” by quoting Tony Blair: “All power is transient.  All that matters is what did you leave.”  Will we soon lose the world’s beacon of prosperity and hence liberty?  He declared that the Left is seeking power at all cost, and the cost could be ruinous.  “It’s not about the debt ceiling, it’s about the debt,” as America spends $1 billion every hour.  By 2020 we will spend more on debt interest than on defense.  We now fund 80% of China’s military; by 2025 we will fund it all.  How ironic that the Left discounts American exceptionalism but believes that we can defy economic reality forever.Still, “It’s not just a spending crisis.  It’s a moral one.”  Too many Americans have abdicated on personal responsibility.  The Left’s incremental erosion of our moral fiber is nearly impossible to combat – but we must.Brad StineNew Yorker magazine described Brad Stine as “God’s comic,” blending Christian values with edgy cultural satire.  He advocated personal responsibilty; for example, the “pursuit of happiness” does not guarantee outcomes but instead requires hard work.  “Decisions have consequences.”  Countering Lefty trends, he declared that “Political correctness … restructures reality” and that “Not all ideas are equally valid.”  “If the truth offends you, that’s your problem.”Sunday, 31 July Cal ThomasAuthor and columnist Cal Thomas decried activism’s misdirection, eroding morality in its efforts to instill “good.”   When the Left takes up funding our nation’s institutions (with our money), they redefine the purpose of those institutions.  Schools have become bastions of “feel good” equality but fail to educate kids nor develop their understanding of right and wrong.  Families are enjoined to ensure their kids’ self-esteem and safety, defeating the kids’ need to become functioning, responsible adults,  “Good” behavior – or bad – is the person’s individual choice, and people need to accept responsibility for their choices.  Yet the Left wants a safety net always protecting people from responsibility.  That’s bad policy, keeping people dependent rather than helping people grow in freedom.Kate ObenshainRecognizing the truth of President Reagan’s admonition that “freedom is always only one generation from being lost,” Mrs. Obenshain, vice president of Young America’s Foundation, emboldens young people to become knowledgeable and active in the cause of freedom.  She introduced her topic “Young and Conservative: Anybody There?” with the belief that one informed, dedicated person can change the nation.  She reported that young people are disillusioned with “hope and change” rhetoric, especially those who are now seeking jobs in the market Obama squelched or those who are employed but find themselves paying exorbitant income taxes.  Surrounded by Left-wing diatribe and anti-Conservative discrimination, though, they flounder for lack of guidance.  They intuitively perceive that the Left’s rhetoric doesn’t make sense, but that’s all that they are taught.  As a result, young people are disillusioned, rather than disaffected or disinterestedIn its place, we Conservatives must proclaim our values, our economic concept and our dedication to freedom.  We can create a new “morning in America” to re-vitalize President Reagan’s great message.  Obama speaks at a campus on average once every 12 days.  We must counter that by boldly and openly championing our principles, and she empowers young people to do just that.  She helps them learn to “stand up [to Left-wing teachers and activists] courteously but firmly” so that their fellow-students will hear Conservative thought.   She teaches them to employ the Left’s language – to say, for example, “I feel excluded” or “I feel unwelcome” when a teacher mocks their ideas.   Her proteges also learn to speak to their fellow-students in terms that will reach them – as an example, pointing out that letting the government tell them what to do is even more limiting and demeaning than their parents’ rules.  Herman CainFrom childhood poverty to academic success to stunning business achievement, Herman Cain epitomizes the American Dream, and he wants that dream to remain viable for the generations that follow.  To do that, he averred, requires faithful application of our Constitution “as written” as the safeguard for liberty.  Echoing the Founding Fathers’ courage and dedication, we must become Defending Fathers for our precious Constitution.  Unlike the Left’s rhetoric, Mr. Cain maintains that the American Dream ensures the opportunity to pursue fulfillment, but hard work and virtue lay the groundwork for happiness.  He explained that business is the foundation of a flourishing economy, and that government’s only economic role is to nurture business:•    Making capitalist economic policy permanent to free business and citizens from crippling economic uncertainty•    Not burdening business with undue regulation•    Not imposing excessive taxation on business and citizens•    Replacing the personal income tax with a sales tax, known as the “fair tax”•    Establishing a maximum tax ceiling at 20%•    Eliminating all capital gains taxA vital immediate step is repealing Obamacare and nurturing free-market health care – allowing people to purchase coverage from insurors in any state, for instance.   On the question of illegal immigration, Mr. Cain advocated thoroughly securing the borders, enforcing current laws, improving the Immigration process and promulgating a strenuous citizenship path for persons already contributing to America, and returning power to the states.  America’s foreign policy should not strengthen nor subsidize our enemies.  Improved information-gathering and analysis will result from clearly defined short- and long-term plans.  Mr. Cain expressed his deep faith in the American people’s common sense.  The people, who pay the bills and hold the real power, should make the decisions.  Given truthful information, we can judge wisely.  He counters criticism that he lacks previous experience in government office by citing his record for problem-solving and economic success.  “Businesses, not bureaucrats, promote prosperity.”  When told that he doesn’t know how Washington works, he responds, “It doesn’t.”  Dick MorrisAuthor and columnist Dick Morris, who served as political consultant to leading Democrats, including President Clinton, opined that Washington elitists have forgotten who pays the bills and owns the power.  Obama’s Keynesian economic advisors assumed that we would spend the “stimulus” money, but in the current deep uncertainty we chose to save it or pay down our debt.  People, corporations, small businesses and banks will “hunker down” until Obama and his cronies are out of office.  When they threaten tax hikes, we stop spending.  When burdened with excessive regulations, businesses stop hiring and forego capital improvements.  That the administration punished Boeing for wanting to develop a factory in a right-to-work state taught other businesses to lie low.             Mr. Morris contrasted the current economic trough with those normal business cycles that recur periodically.  This trough he described as a “debt implosion cycle” that will last decades.  Quashed by Obama’s regulations and intervention, banks demur making loans, thus further constraining economic recovery.  Obama permitted some institutions – notably Fanny, Freddy and AIG – to forego repaying their “stimulus” funds, deepening the recession.  Not even China will buy our bonds, and the false money supply only powers inflation. Now Obama wants Congress to raise the so-called debt ceiling so that he can continue spending.  He continues to blame capitalism and corporations for the failed economy, but the cause is out-of-control government spending.  Mr. Morris stated that Congress should extend the ceiling 6 months, providing time for rational debate on genuine solutions.  Meanwhile, we must expose Obama’s spending addiction.  But we cannot expect the media to do so.  Countering a frequent accusation that Obama is a socialist, Mr. Morris pointed out that a socialist seeks government ownership of industries whereas Obama wants to control them.  Labeling that “corporatism,” Mr. Morris explained that Obama’s policies drive small businesses and small banks into ruin, then requires them to merge into ever larger entities which Obama expects to control.  Mr. Morris predicted that Obama will be defeated, perhaps not even nominated, because he has lost his support.  Obama is a gifted orator, but a weak and ineffective leader.  Our immediate mission as Conservatives is to ensure that the officials whom we elected and will elect uphold our principles.  The Tea Party’s high-energy activism has had a powerful impact by strengthening that resolve and cleansing the Republican Party of business-as-usual politicos.  Americans, he affirmed, are moderates who want minimum government interference and a strong economy, not costly and often misguided social programs.John AndrewsConcluding this year’s splendid Summit, Mr. Andrews announced the results of the “straw poll” documenting attendees’ 2012 presidential preferences.  Those results – and a recording of the entire Summit – can be viewed on the Centennial Institute website: www.ccu.edu/centennial.Bill ArmstrongEmpowering us to manifest Conservative values in all our daily encounters and tasks, Mr. Armstrong assured us that, by their the logic and wisdom, those values will thrive.  He proclaimed, “The long night of Liberalism is coming to a close.”LET FREEDOM RING!Peg Brady

(Syndicated Columnist & Centennial Fellow) Some liberals inform us that conservative criticism of President Barack Obama is racially motivated, which is why they would no doubt be surprised that conservatives gathered in Denver recently gave some of their loudest cheers for presidential aspirant Herman Cain. Did they not notice he was black?Of course they did, but it didn't matter. By the calculations of my own internal applause meter, they were at least meagerly less enthusiastic about the speeches of white Republican candidate Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and white Texas governor Rick Perry, whose hints he'll run are about as subtle as his state is small.They also embraced the remarks of several other blacks, including those of Juan Williams. You'll remember he was the Fox commentator who also worked for National Public Radio before it decided to crack down on free speech.He had said on Fox that he might feel nervous seeing Muslims at an airport because he knew some radical Muslims had given us 9/11, but made it clear such feelings were out of place because most Muslims were fine, decent folks. You would have to be insane or a left-wing zealot to think that's a firing offense, but I repeat myself. At any rate, the issue is between the NPR bosses of the time and their psychiatrists.Juan Williams is himself a liberal, and still got a warm reception at the Western Conservative Summit. Consider that and then consider what conservative commentator Ann Coulter has to take with her when she gives speeches on liberal campuses -- bodyguards. This audience heaped huzzahs on Williams when he said all sides need to listen to each other, and this brings me to stating explicitly what I've been hinting at: While obviously passionate on some subjects, the people attending were also polite, cheerful, informed, reasonable and the possible salvation of America.I make a point of this not because it is unusual to find Americans cut of the same courteous, constructive cloth, but because whole bunches of left-wingers are forever telling us the Tea Party activists, Christian conservatives, economic conservatives and libertarian enthusiasts have the compassion of al Qaeda and the intellectual heft of a Dick-and-Jane reader. What was the word Vice President Joe Biden used about the Tea Party the other day -- terrorists? Lefties resort to this ad hominem attack because the world has been busily disproving their worn-out idea of a statist utopia while the principles of conservatives are as fresh as the founders were, are and will be.Speaking of that, the most important content point of the conference was that this nation is in deep, deep trouble, partly because of an overwhelming debt, but also because of a steady march toward dignity-denying, freedom-cheating, socialist-style ambitions making serfs of us all, and a wimpy, blame-us, sovereignty-erasing foreign policy. Making the latter observation was the brilliant John Bolton, former U.N. ambassador and future secretary of state if a Republican with sense gets elected president in 2012. To me, the scariest thing he talked about was how a nuclear-armed Iran could be a WMD supplier to real terrorists (not members of the Tea Party) and would definitely change the balance of power. Our White House fiddles while this issue irradiates.Also hugely impressive was Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute and someone making the factually demonstrable point that nations that cut spending to get themselves out of debt are many times more successful than those that try to tax themselves out of debt, or even tax and cut.I'd like to talk about all the speakers, but must now move on to full disclosure by bragging that I am an uncompensated fellow of the Centennial Institute, the think tank that organized and sponsored the conference along with small but culture-changing Colorado Christian University, where I'll help teach a course this fall. For that I will be paid and won't mind a bit.Jay Ambrose, formerly Washington director of editorial policy for Scripps Howard newspapers and the editor of dailies in El Paso, Texas, and Denver, is a columnist living in Colorado.

Centennial Institute announced today that it will hold a 2012 presidential straw poll at the upcoming Western Conservative Summit in Denver.  Balloting will take place at 11:00 a..m, Sunday, July 31. Results will be announced at 12:45 p.m. The Denver Straw Poll will be the first test of 2012 presidential preferences among grassroots activists in Colorado and the Western states.  Summit organizer John Andrews said the target audience for his annual conference is movement conservatives, the faith community, Republican volunteers, and Tea Party activists. “No one knows yet who the Republican nominee for president will be," said Andrews, "but this should be a lot of fun for anyone interested in presidential politics - and particularly revealing in terms of next year's wild card, the Tea Party.  "To keep it fair," Andrews added, "the straw poll ballot includes a voting line for the only announced Democratic candidate, President Obama, as well as write-in options for any other Democrat and for any third-party candidate.” Western Conservative Summit 2011 runs Friday through Sunday, July 29-31 at the Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California Street in downtown Denver. Andrews said the Summit will be at capacity with more than 900 delegates expected from 20 states.  They will have the opportunity to see and meet two announced Republican candidates and two who are still unannounced, but considered to be potential candidates.  Texas Governor Rick Perry (R), who is considering a run for U.S. President in 2012, and presidential candidate Rick Santorum will keynote the opening night session.  Santorum, a former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, and Governor Perry will speak about “America at the Crossroads” at the Summit’s welcome dinner which begins at 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 29. Herman Cain, another presidential candidate, speaks at the Summit at 10:30 a.m., on Sunday, July 31.  His topic is “This Time, Real Change.” Cain is former chairman and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. John Bolton, former US Ambassador to the United Nations, who has said he will decide in September about his 2012 White House bid, will address the delegates on Saturday morning, July 30, at 10:00 am.  His topic is "Defending America in Dangerous World." The Denver Straw Poll ballot, printed as part of each delegate's program book, alphabetically lists the following announced and undecided Republican candidates: Michele Bachmann, John Bolton, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, Thaddeus McCotter, Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum, in addition to the listing for President Obama and the write-in lines.  John Andrews noted  that invitations to send a campaign video or surrogate speaker have gone out to all GOP candidates who are officially in the race but not attending the conference. Western Conservative Summit 2011 is presented by Centennial Institute, a public policy think tank affiliated with Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado. Additional Summit speakers are: 1. Fox News Analysts Juan Williams and Dick Morris 2. Political Commentator Tucker Carlson 3. Syndicated Newspaper Columnist Cal Thomas 4. Democratic Pollster Pat Caddell 5. Salem Radio Talk Show Host Dennis Prager 6. Author and Commentator Mark Steyn 7. Vice President of Young America’s Foundation Kate Obenshain 8. Founder and President of the Center for Security Policy Frank Gaffney 9. President of the American Enterprise Institute Arthur Brooks 10. Comedian Brad Stine 11. “The Big Black Lie” Author Kevin Jackson 12. Businessman and Philanthropist Foster Friess Full conference tickets are $250; separate session tickets are $80 and allow participants to attend either (a) Friday only; (b) Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; (c) Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; or (d) Sunday only.  Individual sessions include lunch or dinner; or Sunday brunch. Western Conservative Summit originated in 2010 at Lone Tree, Colorado. This year's event, moved to Denver to accommodate audience demand, is presented in partnership with 710 KNUS, The Daily Caller, Independence Institute, Colorado Union of Taxpayers, CitizenLink (part of Focus on the Family), Americans for Prosperity, the Heritage Foundation, Tea Party Patriots of Colorado, and 30 other conservative groups.  Summit co-chairs are John Andrews, director of the Centennial Institute, and Bill Armstrong, president of Colorado Christian University.  Andrews is a columnist for The Denver Post and is former president of the Colorado Senate and author of the recently released book Responsibility Reborn: A Citizen’s Guide to the Next American Century.  Armstrong is a former businessman and represented Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives (1972-1978) and the U.S. Senate (1978-1990).

(Story by Lynn Bartels from DenverPost.com, June 30) Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a potential candidate for president in 2012, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Western Conservative Summit. Another presidential contender, Herman Cain, and Fox News Commentator Juan Williams also are the who’s who speaking list. Rick Perry at a recent Republican event (AP Photo, Gregory Bull) The event begins July 29 at the downtown Denver Marriott, which means, alas, not another replay of last year’s hilarious Lone Tree branding controversy. (More on that later.) Among the questions that will be explored at the conference: Can Republicans and the Tea Party work together? The theme for this year’s summit is “Fulfilling America’s Promise,” said John Andrews, president of the Centennial Institute, which is co-hosting the event. He drew comparisons between the late President Reagan and President Obama. “Our president says America needs to be fundamentally transformed. Reagan, the hero of conservatives, said ‘We’re that shining city on the hill, our best days are yet to come,’” Andrews said. “The summit explores this crossroads.” Perry will speak Friday night on July 29, with speakers and workshops scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, ending with a straw poll on the presidential race. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, now a presidential candidate, was the keynote speaker at last year’s first-ever summit. Andrews said he believes her appearance in Colorado helped shine her star. Last year’s event was held at the Marriott South on Park Meadows Drive, which has a Littleton mailing address. But conference organizers continually used a Lone Tree dateline, and also asked summit participants to sign a Lone Tree Declaration, affirming “six tenets of who we are and what we stand for.” The city of Lone Tree was not amused after the Denver Post printed the six tenets and it received complaints from citizens. The city pointed out the conference wasn’t even in Lone Tree, which inspired a great Andrews one-liner. “Technically it’s not, but to quote Tina Fey, ‘We can see Lone Tree from the hotel,”‘ he said at the time. Andrews said the conference this year was moved to Denver in part because of the size: They expected 300 attendees last year and got about 900. But he also wasn’t happy with the “get lost” feeling he said he got from Lone Tree officials. “It just kind of wounded us. We said, ‘OK, we’ll go somewhere else,” he said. And just a warning to Lone Tree city officials: The Lone Tree Declaration is back, although it will be slightly revised. “We’re prepared that the chicken-little politicians of Lone Tree may feel the sky is falling but it’s a risk we’re willing to take,” Andrew said. The new Lone Tree Declaration is still being tweaked. Here’s some of what was in last year’s: 1. In our adherence to the self-evident truths of the American Founding, we are conservatives. 2. In our debt to the civilizational heritage of Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and Philadelphia, we are Westerners. 3. In our concern for the mounting threat to liberty, seeing freedom in the balance, we convene with solemn purpose at this Summit. 4. We seek a conservative renewal for our country through civic action that puts principle above party, resists the corruption of power, bridges intramural disagreements or rivalries, and protects an open public square centered on the nation’s Judeo-Christian core. 5. We commit ourselves unswervingly to a political and social order that upholds individual freedom and personal responsibility, limited government and the rule of law, free enterprise and private property, traditional family values and sanctity of life, compassion for the poor and voluntarism in service to others, natural law and morality, strong defense and secure borders, all in keeping with the original intent of the Constitution. 6. We reject, and will resist, the socialist temptation, transnational progressivism, secular utopian illusions, appeasement, disarmament, or capitulation to jihad and sharia. Article printed from The Spothttp://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/06/30/texas-gov-rick-perry-to-kick-off-colorado-conservative-summit/33180/    

(Scripps Howard Syndicate) Just maybe, possibly, conceivably we've come to a non-violent revolutionary moment in America, and here's one reason I think so: A Denver area conference. Called the Western Conservative Summit 2010, it impressed me not just because of the recitation of principles to which I subscribe -- individual liberty, limited government, constitutionalism, strength in the face of our enemies -- but because of the mood conveyed by both the audience of some 600 and more than a dozen speakers. Their disposition struck me as cheerful, positive and informed more by an idea of mission than anger at the other side. Dennis Prager, a radio talk show host, told the crowd that liberals were mostly good people, that many people in his own family were liberals. Don't attack them, he said. It's their fallacious arguments you want to deal with. He spoke of the great slogan on coins, "E Pluribus Unum," meaning of course that out of many different people, we are still one as a nation. Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota talked about self-sacrifice, unity and dedication to one another as Americans. She ended her speech with the true story of four chaplains in World War II, a Jewish rabbi, a Roman Catholic priest and two Protestant pastors. Aboard a ship that was hit by a torpedo, they did everything they could to help the men aboard survive, even taking off their own lifejackets to give to others. They went down with the ship, their arms linked together. Putting such earnestly conveyed feelings of purposes beyond the narrowly partisan together with various acute analyses, I had an image of an emotionally balanced, powerful, alert, energized, morally informed, widely inclusive force awakened from slumber by an overly leftist administration and marching toward something pretty big.  I don't mean just possible conservative control of the House after the November election, but rather long-term, significant efforts to subdue the threat of runaway statism while maintaining this country as "the last, best hope of earth," in the words of Abraham Lincoln.  Of course, one regional gathering does not a revolution make. In and of itself, it proved nothing, though quite a bit, it seems to me, in the context of the town hall and Tea Party protests, of radio, cable TV and Internet commentary coming on top of what is being said in more traditional media and of polls telling us that increasing numbers of Americans are frightened about the direction of government. It is extraordinary to see the Tea Party rallies involving everyday, middle class Americans. Bashed, of course, as racists -- unlike Prager, many liberals cannot live without the ad hominem slur -- they are nothing of the kind. What set them off as much as anything was a new, ill-conceived, vastly controlling, misrepresented health-care entitlement that will cost hundreds of billions over the years on top of other entitlements that could be economically ruinous all by themselves. If you think the Tea Party represents just a tiny slice of America in its disenchantment with almost all things concerning Barack Obama, check out a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll saying close to six in 10 voters think the president is more apt to be wrong than right in policies. Most would agree with the Tea Party that the president's handling of the economy is better described as a mishandling of the economy. The public has even less use for both parties in Congress, as it should, given the irresponsibility of so many Republican and Democratic members. Some might think conservatives are still too unrepresentative of the whole to have long-term sway. But consider, first, that the latest Gallup poll says 42 percent of Americans call themselves conservatives while only 20 percent say they are liberal. Then consider estimates that no more than 40 to 45 percent of American colonists were clearly behind the independence movement while 20 percent remained steadfastly loyal to Great Britain.  Remember who came out on top?  (Jay Ambrose, formerly Washington director of editorial policy for Scripps Howard newspapers and the editor of dailies in El Paso and Denver, is a columnist living in Colorado. He can be reached at SpeaktoJay@aol.com.)

(CCU Student) Looking back at Western Conservative Summit 2010 through the eyes of a future soldier, the words I remember most are these: "What price are you willing to pay for freedom?"They were spoken by the last man from whom I would expect to receive a lesson in patriotism -- a Lebanese PLO operative who partook in missions against Israel and the west from the time he was a child. However, Kamal Saleem’s words at Western Conservative Summit were probably the most moving and thought provoking of the entire weekend. Kamal Saleem was born in Beirut, Leabanon to parents who devoutly followed Shariah law and the teachings of Jihad and the Koran. Saleem participated in his first mission against Israel with the PLO at the mere age of seven. He continued to follow his beliefs and fight against the west throughout his entire childhood and yong adult life. As a young man, Saleem was a frequent house guest and strong friend of Omar Khadafi and his family. Saleem helped to train terrosts to fight against the United States and Israel and instructed numerous organizations from the IRA to the Black Panthers. Eventually, he was sent to the United States and given the task of secretly recruiting young Muslim men in America to travel to the Middle East and join in the Jihad against Israel and her ally, the United States. While here in the United States,Saleem was involved in an acciddent and was taken in by a Christian and Jewish family. Because of the amazing love and grace of these individuals, Saleem found the love of Christ and left his old life of evil behind. He now is a steadfast believer and an ardent patriot of his new home, the United States. During his speech, Saleem asked us who would stand on the wall and defend freedom from her enemies. This is when his speech particualrly began to grab my attention. As a cadet in the Army ROTC program at CCU, I have truly begun to dig into and explore the concept of deending freedom and protecting the American people from the enemy. And frankly, I am more than willing to stand on the wall next to Mr. Saleem any time. It is the bravery of this man that insired me and moved me so much. I couldn’t help but share my feelings with Mr. Saleem and the moment we shared will be with me forever. When I told Mr Saleem how I felt about what he said and that I was preparing to become an officer in the Army, it brought tears to his (and to mine) and he shared with me his heartfelt gratitude that I have rarely felt from anyone else during my time as a cadet. Something that Saleem asked the crowd was what they were willing to pay in exchange for the freedom we have in the United States. Sadly, I do not think many in the crowd, and in this nation, can answer that question. The majority of us simply go on through our lives and never give it a second thought. As a result, fewer and fewer men and women are willing to stand up and a make a consious decision to stand guard for freedom. Let us hope that with men like Kamal Saleem and others, more freedom lovers will take to the wall. Whether it be with a microphone, a pen, a computer, or a rifle, we all have a part to play in keeping the American dream and liberty alive and safe.

(CCU Faculty) The fantastically successful, 1st Annual Western Conservative Summit is over.  Some of our country’s leading thinkers and policy-makers joined concerned citizens from ten western States to reflect on where we are, where we need to go, and how conservatives can lead the way.  Here are a few summary thoughts from the distinguished speakers who addressed the Summit:Our current situation is indeed bad: In his closing remarks during the final presidential debate of 1980, Ronald Reagan famously asked the American people: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"  If we consider where we are today, as compared to where we were just 18 months ago, the challenges facing our nation have grown worse.  When we consider the major difficulties facing our country – the economy, national security, protection of liberty, and America’s international standing – it is exceedingly clear that since the inauguration of President Obama, these conditions have not improved.  Our economy continues to struggle.  More people are out of work and many of the jobs that have been created during past 18 months are government jobs (including many temporary census jobs).  National debt has skyrocketed, borrowing has increased, and the printing of new money has hurt our long-term chances of recovery.  Turning to foreign affairs: Iran has increased their production of nuclear materials; our relations with Israel are strained; North Korea has sunk a South Korean ship and suffered no consequences; and the situation in Afghanistan is increasingly unstable.  Conservatives are realists: If we fail to recognize legitimate threats to our homeland and our economy, we will indeed fall prey to interests who seek to do harm to our nation and our way of life.  Pointing out the great challenges facing our nation is not done out of a desire to be negative; it is done to accurately describe the situation so that the process of correction can begin.  Threats from radical Islam are real.  Our borders are far from secure and before any immigration law is enacted, this must be corrected.   Conservatives recognize the great threat that living “beyond our means” has on our economic viability.  Government programs seeking to stimulate economic growth have proven ineffective.  Bailouts and government ownership only enable worse corporate behavior in that they remove the consequences of poor decision-making.What we seek to conserve is important: We are often criticized as being backward-thinking and opposed to “progress.”  There are some things that don’t require progress: self-reliance; respect for others; maintaining the tenets of Western Civilization; and reliance on God as the author of our liberties.  Each of these is something that doesn’t demand “progress.”  Lincoln recognized that the principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence could not be made better; rather, they demand protection and cultivation, especially among our youth.Conservatism is a far better protector of liberty than “progressivism”: When the ideals that we seek to conserve are secure, individuals will have far greater protection of their liberties.   The programs that Obama has implemented have been harmful to the entrepreneur, adding new taxes and regulations.  The policies of the Obama administration have been harmful to individuals, limiting our choices when it comes to how we spend our money, where and when we will be able to access our healthcare, and ultimately, what medical procedures will be available.  Through policies such as card check, new financial regulations, gun control measures, and campaign finance regulations, progressives seek to limit how we as citizens organize to influence the government and how we carry on in our day to day lives. Conservatives view each of these initiatives as an improper taking of liberty by the government.America, in spite of her many problems is still great, and indeed the greatest nation:  We have an unparalleled record of defending the poor and oppressed, of aiding people in times of crisis, of respect for Judeo –Christian traditions, and of protecting free-enterprise and individual’s rights.  We have and will continue to seek relief for those who suffer under dictators.  We do not seek to rule over others; rather, we seek to spread the ideals of liberty and equality, that all men might enjoy these blessings.  While there are, of course, historical failings, for centuries the clear mission of America has been to spread these ideals.  We should acknowledge past and current failings, but recognize that the good done by the United States far outweighs our failures.  We are indeed “the last best hope.”Hope and Change are on the way:  While we agree that our nation is facing difficult challenges, the current leadership in both the White House and the Congress is incapable of dealing with these problems.  The Conservatives, who gathered in Lone Tree the weekend of July 9-11, are not mere complainers, nor are they the “party of no.”  Rather, we are people committed to a positive agenda that seeks to restore our sacred faith, protect the entrepreneur, revitalize our nation, protect our fundamental liberties, re-establish our leadership in the world, and effectively defend our nation from those who seek her harm.As we come down from the “summit” weekend, we must maintain the momentum.  Conservatives first must seek to impact electoral change, then must hold these newly-elected officials accountable.  It is clear that previous Republican administrations and Congressional leaders have failed to uphold these ideals while holding power.  As conservatives, we are committed to electing those who share our ideas as well as holding them accountable once they hold office.

My most unusual email of this Independence Day weekend came from Colorado National Guardsman Hal Jennings, who wrote to commend the Centennial Institute for sponsoring such events as the John Guandolo briefing on jihad and sharia (June 15) and the upcoming Western Conservative Summit in Lone Tree (July 9-11).  His is also the most conclusive can't-come explanation we're likely to receive.  As for you, never mind the explanation, just come.  WesternConservativeSummit.com has all the details and an easy reservation link.  We'll hope to see you there.  Jennings' email, and a photo of him in Kabul, are below. Keep up the good work, John.  Looks like a great summit and would love to make it but I'm activated again with Colorado Guard and won't be back from Afghanistan in time. I've spent this tour at US Headquarters and worked quite a bit with our NATO partners. It's already the 4th of July here [he wrote late on July 3, Denver time] and I started it off by flying an American flag of mine over the compound. What a way to start the Holiday.  Catch you at a future summit.  Hal Jennings / Parker

Bill Armstrong and I as conveners of Western Conservative Summit 2010, together with Centennial Institute Fellows Kevin Miller and Greg Schaller, have drafted a statement of vision and principles for American conservatives in the coming decade, entitled "Freedom in the Balance: The Lone Tree Declaration."  The declaration will be taken up on Saturday, July 10, by participants at the Summit, which is scheduled for July 9-11 at the Denver Marriott South. (The hotel is in a town called Lone Tree, with mountain views south to Pike's Peak and north to Long's Peak.)  We will invite all to add their names as signers.  Afterward, the Lone Tree Declaration will remain on a dedicated website where conservatives across the country can affix their signatures as well.  Here is the text: FREEDOM IN THE BALANCEThe Lone Tree Declaration Proposed for Signing by Participants atWestern Conservative Summit 2010July 9-11, 2010 We gather as grateful Americans, on the week of Independence Day, in the shadow of the Continental Divide at Lone Tree, Colorado.  Our signatures on this declaration, to which we invite others not present to add their names as well, affirm six tenets of who we are and what we stand for: 1. In our adherence to the self-evident truths of the American Founding, we are conservatives. 2. In our debt to the civilizational heritage of Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and Philadelphia, we are Westerners. 3. In our concern for the mounting threat to liberty, seeing freedom in the balance, we convene with solemn purpose at this Summit. 4. We seek a conservative renewal for our country through civic action that puts principle above party, resists the corruption of power, bridges intramural disagreements or rivalries, and protects an open public square centered on the nation’s Judeo-Christian core. 5. We commit ourselves unswervingly to a political and social order that upholds individual freedom and personal responsibility, limited government and the rule of law, free enterprise and private property, traditional family values and sanctity of life, compassion for the poor and voluntarism in service to others, natural law and morality, strong defense and secure borders, all in keeping with the original intent of the Constitution. 6. We reject, and will resist, the socialist temptation, transnational progressivism, secular utopian illusions, appeasement, disarmament, or capitulation to jihad and sharia. Reminding our compatriots that with 2010 America enters a decisive decade for its survival as a free society, and appealing to God for His mercy and help, we declare our fidelity to the Spirit of 1776.  To its revival we mutually pledge our solemn faith. Proposed on July 2, 2010, by: John AndrewsDirector, Centennial Institute William L. ArmstrongPresident, Colorado Christian University Kevin MillerChairman, National Freedom Initiative Gregory SchallerAssistant Professor of Political ScienceColorado Christian University