Today we are a week away from a presidential election, my ninth, in terms of eligibility. My values have been conservative for as long as I can remember. I have a sense, through knowledge and experience, that many American’s are just like me; a potpourri of  history and ideas that culminate into a philosophy on the world… the proverbial “worldview” that every human has, if you will. They may be as varied as the colors of an Arizona sunset, but every individual has a worldview.

I know how I will vote this time and this essay is not a discussion of my vote, one way or another. Rather it is a response, personally, to my view of the challenges America faces. I share it with those who read it, for no purposes other than to share.

I KNOW that conservatism is the answer to much of what ails this great nation; she is sick but still great. As many conservatives do, I feel deeply individualistic tendencies, as such, conservatives, I in particular, rarely join together as a whole, as a group, save when we have a leader with which to rally to or around. The thing about this election cycle, in my perspective, is that conservatives apparently lack a leader to bring them into a cohesive unit. We are assailed by political parties, pundits, pollsters and “reporters” opinion makers all but none leaders. As such Conservativism is adrift. Or is it?

We can bemoan the various reasons for this, we can argue on the finer points of the electoral process, the MSM, liberal institutions of indoctrination, multiculturalism etc, etc, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Sadly, complaining does little beyond refining one’s own belief, it does nothing to actually effect a change.

Regarding leadership however, or the lack thereof, we live under a peculiar political system. We are a representative republic, as I am sure you are all aware. But yet we hear slogans every election regarding leadership. Even we conservatives fall into the trap of “leadership” to endorse a leader is to imply that we are followers. That is not how our Republic works. We elect representatives in BOTH the legislative and executive branches that are NOT there to lead us, rather they are there to represent us; in the laws they create, the treaties they negotiate, the judges they pick, the expenditures of public funds etc, etc, etc. This is a critical distinction; if conservatives look for a leader we miss the point of our founder’s entirely. That point being that we are self governed. Hence the phrases “...deriving their just powers from the CONSENT of the governed”, “We the people”, need I go on?

If then the government requires not leaders, but representatives of those it is charged with governing, where is the failure? Is it on the representatives, or those represented?  

I say it falls to those being represented; it is we who have failed. We have the government we deserve. I have the government I deserve. It is I who have failed, not the Constitution, it is I, as one being represented, who failed to ensure that my representatives knew my wishes, it is I who have failed to ensure that my view is proliferated to my fellow citizens.

Conservatives have applied a “buy and hold” strategy to our representatives. But this type of investment does not function as it should without constant tending and adjustment. We have rested in our electoral victories while around us our ideas and ideals have been incrementally and steadily eroded. There is no rest, even if tomorrow brought about a fully restored Republic based solely on the Constitution, we cannot rest. It is Truth that failure is only ever one generation away. We can never rest, there will always be those who wish something different than what should be. We must commit ourselves to the long war of ideology. Become active citizen soldiers in the war of ideas, the culture war that has raged since our beloved nation’s founding.

I speak for no one save myself. FOR ME THIS STOPS TODAY!

Call this a manifesto if you wish, though in truth it is more an action plan of what one man thinks he can do to change the world he lives in to make it Veer Right. Feel free to make suggestion as you too may have ideas that will work.

The Electoral Process.

Picking and selecting a representative is a solemn responsibility endowed upon us by our Founding Fathers. But it is ultimately a small part of what actually guides the Republic. Individuals cast votes; a certain majority of votes creates a mandate. A minority of votes creates underrepresentation and disaffected citizens on one or another end of the political spectrum. The country is not made of one ideological group, therefore there will always be those who are “on the outs” Our representatives must make coalitions with ideological opposites and times to effectively govern the mass diversity of populace. The key in this is not the making of stubborn representatives, but rather in making known what we are willing to compromise on, and exactly how much we are willing to compromise. Yes this is a slippery slope, and one to be guarded against at all times, but it is a dose of reality. I leave the line to be drawn by fellow citizens. But draw the lines and recognize the need for compromise we must for there is no other way given the current form our government as taken. Arguing about principle, or lack there of does little to effect how the government governs. So cast you vote but know that this is only the smallest part of veering right.

I have no desire or inclination whatsoever to run for office, as it is now. Others may and I wish them luck but, the entire massive beast, Fedzilla, as Ted Nugent calls it, is far too corrupt. Those who enter are or rapidly become unaccountable despots and are prone to excess due to the nature of the beast. They are unaccountable because the populace sleeps. Therefore winning elections does very little to advance the ideological goals of Conservativism. On another note, why would I ever wish to subject myself and my family to the brutal assault of the enemedia. But I want to change government so what do? I work to increase the conservative ideal in the mind of the populace.

I have written before of the Time – Talent – Treasure principle of capitalism. They make convenient subsets of address for the balance of this essay, since everyone has some measure of each.

I live in a metropolitan area, though not extremely large. 600,000 I think.  We have several large chain bookstores, I have posted notices there for a conservative book club. It sounds quaint I suppose, yet I have several takers already. My intention is to avoid the lesser works of today, the Malkin, Coulter, etc type books. The first book on the list is valentine’s conservative handbook if you’re wondering. Also on the list are the founding documents, the federalist and anti federalist papers, and other serious works.

There are also various web sites like meetu.com where you can meet other’s of like mind to work together to affect change. As of the moment I haven’t decided which site to use but intend to do so soon.

I am thinking about teaching adult literacy at the local library, living in Southern California this sometimes takes on ESL (English as a Second Language) imperatives. What better place to insert my influence into a growing populace within our country?

I have and will continue to engage people in open honest debate about beliefs and my views of how to fix the problems we face.

Beyond this, there are several principles that guide me. I have children (babies) and grand children (long story), I strive to combat whatever indoctrination they might receive through the public schools system, TV, Video Games, Music, and other cultural incursions into my family. This is no small feat, and perhaps has given me my perspective on the battle. I don’t allow certain things in my home. Those things that young minds cannot properly understand nor discern as right or wrong, in doing so I hope to raise the next generation of conservatives amongst my own family. Books are essential to this as children in my experience love to read and be read to. That means turning off sports, or news and spending time reading them books with a conservative bent. The Bible is on this list, but so too are other books, Lynne Cheney’s children’s books come to mind at the moment. There are also plenty of homeschooling websites that have booklists for young readers. Do not underestimate the power of this type of counter assault on society. There is no better school than the home, and no better teacher than the parent.

2. Talent

Most of those who read this essay, share a talent with me, writing. I have had the pleasure of reading many of the essays found on TH and have been impressed by the styles and coherency of thought put into them. I have determined to begin a one man writing campaign. Frequent letters to my representatives at all levels of government is on my writing agenda. In addition to that, Letters to the editor of the local paper, or posting comments on their on-line columns and articles. I will of course include the “meet-up” group link on these posts. Organizing and public speaking happen to be talents of mine as well, I fully intend to utilize them when the opportunity arises. Should no opportunity be forthcoming I will actively seek to create one.

3. Treasure

In an economic downturn such as we are confronting. This becomes the most valuable resource I have. Ever hear of the phrase “vote with your pocketbook”? I have already started so have you most likely. Gas prices skyrocket, I drive less. Prices are falling, I have no intention of increasing my driving. Now the ecowhackos might see this as environmentally responsible but in truth its about my money!

I have not contributed financially to a party this time around, and that too is a vote with my wallet. Now let’s get serious for a second. Money talks, and quite loudly, you may feel that your vote is unheard, but your purchases or lack of are always heard. Trust me I used to work in marketing; you would be absolutely shocked at how far a household is broken down, sliced, diced and parsed into a purchasing power and make-up.

Here in California, we are voting on prop 8, if you don’t know what it is, it’s a proposition to add to the state constitution a definition of man and woman to marriage. There is a long list of corporate sponsors of the opposition to this bill, AT&T being one of them. My contract is up next month, and I will be changing to a new provider. I’ll send them a letter so they know why.

Now I could spend a lot of time trying to figure out ever corporation behind every bit of legislation or candidate, but I have neither the time nor inclination to do so (though I would be happy to read someone else’s research into it). I suspect it would be a full time job, and if you with held your purchasing power from all of them you’d end up in the dark, without heat, TV gasoline etc, etc. if I wanted that I’d go camping. But the simple truth is you don’t have to hit every corporation that sponsors liberal agendas. You only need to hit a couple and make it known why they are being hit. Does anyone remember Proctor and gamble being hit for their logo? Supposedly it had 666 in it somewhere. My father-in law worked for them at the time and they were scared. Their sales dropped almost 15% in a matter of weeks. They eventually changed the logo. Imagine how much more impact we could have by targeting corporations that champion causes in opposition to ours.

One in Particular comes to mind at the moment. MSNBC is owned by GE (General Electric). Aside from their electronics and other business entities that I refuse to purchase, they control a rather large portfolio of media, MSNBC is only a part of it. Here’s the list: And here is the link to everything else they have GE  

• BravoBrands
• CNBCBrands
• Focus Features & Rogue PicturesBrands
• Global NetworksBrands
• MSNBCBrands
• Mun2Brands
• NBC EntertainmentBrands
• NBC NewsBrands
• NBC Sports & OlympicsBrands
• NBC Universal Television GroupBrands
• NBC Universal Television StationsBrands
• SCI FIBrands
• TelemundoBrands
• USA NetworkBrands
• Universal Parks & ResortsBrands
• Universal PicturesBrands
• Universal Studios Home EntertainmentBrands
• Weather PlusBrands
• iVillageBrands

Hmmm? I wonder who advertises on those entities, providing dollars to GE that allows them to put the most vile, unjournalistic opinionators on air? I wonder what would happen if I stopped buying from them? Probably nothing. What would happen if conservatives stopped buying from them?  You see where I am going with this? I thought so.

Just stop buying from those companies that support our ideological “enemies”. Chances are you can find a substitute if it’s a necessity. In my case I am more likely to go without.

So this is just the outline of an action plan that I intend to implement. Will it change the culture? Around me yes, even if only one person changes their mind and begins the journey of conservative thought and deed, then I will consider it a success. If more join with me in these simple things, it will grow and spread and perhaps change more than just the around us, perhaps around the coountry.

I welcome other suggestions or even critiques in comments.