About Me

I registered as a Republican at 18 and maintained that registration until last year when I changed it to independent. Though I voted for McCain, I had become disillusioned with the GOP after six years with the party in complete control of the executive and legislative branches of our government failed to implement conservative reforms.  I believed the Republican Party had abandoned me when it failed to uphold the conservative philosophy with which I equated it.

After the November elections, I decided that simply going to the polls every two years was not enough–that more is required of me if I am serious about bringing this country back to its conservative foundation.  As a result, I resolved to become more involved, to actively promote my ideology any way I can.  To that end, I founded this blog and became active in numerous online conservative activist groups.

The conservative uprising occurring in response to President Obama’s sweeping social reforms that have rapidly dismantled the governmental structure envisioned by our founders has convinced me to once again register as a Republican and fight to return the party to its conservative roots.  I am an active member of the Arkansas Tea Party, Inc., Rebuild the Party, AmericaC2C, Glenn Beck’s 9/12 Project, and several other groups which have also taken up this fight. 

A little background on me. After high school I attended college for a year, spending all the money I’d saved so I went to work. I worked moving furniture for 5 years then joined the Marine Corps. I spent four years in (’91-’95), including two 6-month deployments overseas. After separating from the service, I bought a farm and went to work driving a truck. My wife and I then built a chicken house and raised chickens for seven years. I returned to school during that time and received my degree. We sold the farm and I now teach math in the high school. Hard work and acting responsibly has carried me through life so I have very little tolerance for those who act irresponsibly and then claim to be disadvantaged.

I’m a staunch economic conservative and a social conservative with one exception–abortion. In my opinion, the woman carrying the fetus must make that decision. That said, I am 100% against partial birth abortions due to a nurse who witnessed a murder during one of these procedures early in her career. She said the baby came out crying and the doctor killed it, stating “this is an abortion, not a birth.” I cannot however equate an undeveloped fetus with a child. I realize this puts me at odds with many conservatives, it puts me at odds with most of my family. Usually though, when choosing a candidate, this isn’t even an issue for me because other issues have already decided which candidate will receive my vote.

The number one issue for me is a candidate’s stance on the 2nd Amendment. It’s my opinion this fundamental right ensures all the others. Due to the desires of so many to completely do away with the 2nd Amendment, or subvert it by considering it a collective right, I oppose any candidate who votes for restrictions on the purchase or possession of firearms for personal use or votes to require licensing or registering of guns. History has proven licensing or registering firearms is the first step on the road to confiscation.

After that, I consider fiscal responsibility the most pressing concern. Unfortunately, for quite some time, the difference in the Republican candidate and the Democrat in this arena has been too small. Both parties have supported irresponsible spending and contributed to the current bloated beast we have for a federal government. Any responsible candidate will freeze government spending (cutting it would be better but that’s not going to happen) and let economic growth take care of the deficit. It’s no wonder the American people have overspent themselves into financial ruin when our leaders have consistently modeled this behavior for decades.

I believe in personal responsibility. Every American isn’t entitled to a new car, a boat, an all-terrain vehicle, a big house, or even the best available health care. For years I’ve watched people forego purchasing health insurance for their family to buy these items while I paid the premiums and did without what I couldn’t afford. It’s a matter of priorities. If you have any of these items and cry to me about not having health insurance, I won’t shed a tear. As long as our government continues to reward irresponsible behavior, or encourage it, the behavior will continue.

I do believe society has an obligation to provide an education to our children. I teach in the public schools, left the private sector hoping to be a positive role-model for kids. I do not, and will not, belong to the teachers’ union because it consistently defends bad teachers and fails to consider the harm they do to students. But, teachers aren’t the only problem. Much of the blame lies with society, namely the parents. Too many kids are unruly, disrespectful, and apathetic. We can lead a horse to water but we can’t make it drink. Parents need to be called on the carpet. Unfortunately, the parents are often the cause of the child’s attitude. In my opinion, the welfare (in all its forms) state has created this flaw in our kids and their parents. Until our society shifts back to one of self-respect and respect for others, there will be kids left behind.

I believe the massive bailout of private corporations is a mistake. Our economy is suffering from the indulgences of the past 15-20 years. Americans bought too much on credit with little consideration for how the debts would be repaid. It would be far better to let the chips fall where they may. The wheat would then separate itself from the chaff and we could move forward. It’s going to fall to that point anyway. All we’re doing is prolonging the agony and rewarding the irresponsible business practices of incompetent CEOs.

I could write more, but I’ll leave it at that. I’ve never been much of an activist, but now feel compelled to become more engaged in an effort to take the Republican Party back to its conservative roots.