Conservative groups from across the nation are meeting in Mount Vernon to sign The Mount Vernon Statement. The Mount Vernon Statement is basically a list of first principles for Constitutional Conservatism. In a nutshell here are the principles:
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.
Click here to read the full statement.
I think these principles are a good set of guidelines for conservatives to follow. However as a guiding set of rules, they appear to have a wee bit too much wiggle room when interpreted, for example the last principle, which talks about defense of family, neighborhood, community or faith. Does this mean that we would support candidates who make legislation in defense of these things? I am not a fan of government setting social policy in pretty much any way shape or form, even if it is to defend things I hold dear. You know what they say about the road to hell being paved with good intentions.
Other bloggers have noted that while having a list of first principles is one thing, getting elected officials to follow them is quite another. While this is true, I do think the principles are helpful for us to determine when our elected officials start to go astray. After all that is how we got into trouble in the first place, by not holding our officials accountable for their Constitutional slights.
Read the statement and let me know what you think.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Mount Vernon Statement
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4 comments:
Cliff, I agree with you, some of them are a bit vague. At least, that was my first impression. I viewed the Statement via American Spectator and kept scrolling to see if I was missing a more specific list of principles. Regardless, it is a step in the right direction.
I agree, essentially this statement could enable GWB to expand the Fed govt 2x under 'compassionate conservatism' or something else. We need concretes!
American Mom:
I agree that it is a step in the right direction, but something a little more concrete will be needed in the future.
LCR:
At the very least it will get people to start thinking more about the Constitution and the limits of the Fed.
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