Now, I can't think of anything that Huckabee has said yet that is going to solve a problem I can't fix for myself except for tax reform (i.e. changing to the Fair Tax). I am going to write through what I like about Mike Huckabee and see how that lines up with Rush Limbaugh's assesment of the situation.
- Huckabee wants to seal the borders to stop the bleed of illegal immigration: Ok.. I've got no problem there. How am I supposed to seal the border myself? When the minutemen tried to go assist the border patrol a few years ago they were assailed as "Vigiliantes" by George W. Bush and others. So, we as citizens aren't going to be recognized as a line of defense on sealing the borders, I guess the Government needs to do that. On that same note, the constitution defines one of the responsibilities of our government as "provide for the common defense". That was important enough to the founding fathers that it was put in the FIRST PARAGRAPH of the CONSTITUTION. Protecting our borders is clearly a part of "the common defense".
- Huckabee supports the sanctity of life, including a constitutional amendment to reverse Roe v. Wade: I may have to concede this point somewhat, but for me I line up with Huckabee 100%. Roe v. Wade has legalized murder. We need to stop this mass killing. If that means a constitutional amendment, then so be it. America needs a dose of personal responsibility. It is not a personally responsible act to use voluntary and elective abortion as a means of birth control. I recognize that most "conservatives" want that to go to states rights, and for once I will concede perhaps not being completely in line with the conservative viewpoint. I think my view is MORE conservative than the mainstream conservative view.
- Veterans Bill of Rights: Find me a conservative that thinks we do not owe our soldiers and veterans a huge debt for their service. Just like my employer provides me with health care, disability insurance and workman's compensation as a part of my employment, the people of the United States owe it to our "employees" who we send into harm's way that they be taken care of for the injuries or trauma they sustain in our employ.
- Education: IF we as a country are going to provide education (which, really is too big government for me) It is essential that we get the RIGHT people teaching our kids. Teachers unions that want to force tenure down our throats and allow teachers who perform poorly to continue in the classroom should be stopped. In Arkansas, Huckabee passed the "Fair Dismissal" law which allowed teachers continued employment to be based on their performance NOT on how long they have been there. As a victim of a poorly run public school myself, I am extremely passionate on this point. Teachers who had no real-world experience in their field, didn't care about students passing or failing and treated students unfairly based on their strenghts or weaknesses were allowed to remain on staff simply because they were "untouchable". Arkansas is not viewed as the mecca of great minds, but progress has been made there under Huckabee's watch.
- Health Care: Huck doesn't want government supplied health care. That's good enough for me. I don't see how Rush thinks this is "looking to the government to solve my problems"
- Taxes: Imagine a world where April 15 was just another day. No more letters from the IRS informing people of audits. Prices dropping on products because corporations don't pay taxes on the raw materials or the products they produce. Imagine a world where if you buy a used car, there is no tax. Imagine a world where if you earn $1,000.. you get a check for $1,000. That is the world Mike Hukcabee is for. How can you be against that? This all happens with no revenue change for the Federal Government.
- Marriage: As a Christian I think that marriage is a holy establishment set apart by God for one man and one woman. I would support a constitutional amendment that defined it as such. I'm tired of the whole world worrying about someone's feelings being hurt because someone told them they were different or (God forbid) WRONG. I guess this is where my compassion runs out.
- Energy Independence: Huckabee's website statement is very strong on his push for energy independence. I like the idea of being away from giving money from the people who are trying to kill us. Don't you?
- Second Amendment Rights: Mike Huckabee is the absolute strongest candidate on the Second Amendment. Our government has FAILED US as citizens and has tried for too long to deny us the rights set forth in the constitution to protect ourselves against a tyrannical regime taking power. The second amendment is NOT ABOUT HUNTING.
Looking back at history, the worst dicators and tyrannical regimes in the world have started by taking away the people's means of defending themselves. Our power hungry government could easily attempt that at any time.
So, Mr. Limbaugh, there you have it. I doubt seriously you'll ever read this blog. I don't care. I feel better having written it. I support Huckabee for several reasons, and I have thought it through.
Rush, you dissapoint me. Just like Islamic Extremists tell other muslims they aren't "Muslim enough" you have set out to tell thousands of conservatives they aren't "conservative enough".
