Rice County Republicans

We are living in the third crucial, pivotal time in our nation’s history. I am suggesting a path to peace and prosperity.

1700-1850 In the later half of the 18th century the American colonies banded together to form a new nation, a republic, with a government, elected by responsible citizens, constrained by a
constitution, and founded on morality, justice, mercy, order, and stability. Many came to this “new world” fleeing political, religious, and economic tyranny. Such documents they produced! The
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution still are pertinent documents and can be models for other nations wishing to achieve the political benefits of self-government (with its varying
shades of democracy) and the economic benefits of free enterprise (capitalism with its balance of risk and reward for consumers, investors, managers, and workers).

1850-2001 In the mid 19th century, our nation was tested by a costly civil war. Maintaining its unity, and enhanced by thousands of worthy immigrants, the United States was then positioned to settle
the mid-western and western territories, to change from primarily agricultural and rural to primarily industrial and urban. Democracy and capitalism went westward to the last frontier. Significant
issues existed like whether the possibility of the rewards of success were enough to encourage meaningful investment, and whether the compensation to labor and the environments in which work was done
were sufficient and humane enough to make consumer consumption a major engine driving the national economy. Conservation of natural resources was also an issue.

Conservatives made significant contributions to the maintenance of the national union and, by emancipating slaves, to the application of human rights to all citizens of this nation, and to the
establishment of human capitalism and conservation.

This period also had significant disconnects in the economy, two costly world wars, a national interest in empire, and a thermonuclear balance of terror. It was American courage that led the world in
the drive to eliminate elements intent on destroying western culture including democracy, capitalism, and our traditional values. Our outstanding generosity twice rebuilt a damaged world and gave
substance and hope to millions. Our efforts, however, to make the world safe for democracy and to post American troops in multiple countries were perhaps too hasty and failed to recognize that given
the blessings of self-government, political and economic ideologies tend naturally to democracy and capitalism. In addition, foreign aid to countries that are “on their feet” and no threat to the
interests of the United States is costly and generally ineffective, if not counter productive. Our preparedness, our commitment to protecting American interests, and our national wealth realistically
raised the stakes of the cold war so high that our communist antagonist could not compete.

While the predominant political and economic approach during that time (starting in 1932) was liberalism, it was the conservative perspective that reminded people that in all times government should
mind its business and live within its means by limiting its scope, by dispersing responsibility to the lowest level possible, and by keeping spending and taxes low. Conservatives kept these vital
perspectives alive while warning of the dangers of collectivism. After our experience with collectivism, communism, socialism, and Nazism, we know that these approaches don’t work. They are unjust,
cruel, and ineffective. Much, however, of the liberal perspective today seems to show that the left hasn’t learned that lesson. Young people today, especially those in our colleges who are being
taught an outdated and ineffective approach to politics and economics, have yet to learn that times have changed, that the old approaches don’t even have the appearance of working. That limited
government, self-reliance, and political and economic sanity are the paths to peace and prosperity. That the government is the servant of the people, not its master. That a government strong enough to
give us all that we need is strong enough to take all that we have. That excessive control and regulation only makes the matter worse. That our government has expanded its role beyond what is
permitted in the Constitution and is doing what it is ill-equipped to do. That its activities beyond its constitutional scope are ineffective, not economical, and counter productive. That if we want a
bright future of peace and prosperity, we should not trust the political philosophy that got us into this mess to get us out.

It is the conservative view of Constitutional-based limited government that recognizes that our national symbol is the free flying eagle, not a chicken sitting in a cage waiting to be fed.

2001 to the present September 11, 2001 not only began the third crucial, pivotal period, but changed, or should have changed, the perspective of the American people.

We are now engaged in a life-or-death struggle with a vague, insidious, and evil enemy. An enemy that does not believe in self-government and human rights. An enemy for whom liberty, freedom,
democracy, and free-market capitalism are unknown concepts. An enemy who offers no hope for mankind.

Further, the United States is not, as it was in 1945, virtually the only nation in the world with prosperity and meaningful opportunity for employment. Other nations are now significant customers for energy and provide industrial and professional employment opportunities that are sufficient to keep their people at home in an increasing atmosphere of freedom.

These times call for the clear-headed, unencumbered examination of what will bring peace and prosperity to our nation. Politically, my observation is that faith in liberalism is like betting on a
horse that has already lost in a race that has already been run. In my view, our needs are best served by the implementation of the conservative approach – self-government constrained by the
Constitution, a commitment to live within our means, and, on the part of a responsible citizenry, self-reliance.

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C Michael Piper 507-645-9295