- We are fed up with a federal government that has the arrogance to preach to us about how to live our lives...
- We are fed up with bailout after bailout and stimulus plan after stimulus plan...
- We are fed up with a federal government that pledged $200 billion to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac...
- We are fed up with a Department of Homeland Security that refuses to secure our borders...
- We are fed up with a self-interested Congress that spends its time earmarking over 9,000 pet projects in 2011 worth over $16 billion...
- We are fed up with a Congress that often fails to even read the legislation it passes...
- We are fed up with activist judges who tell us what is right and wrong and deny us the right to live as we see fit
- We are fed up that Social Security and Medicare teeter on the verge of bankruptcy...
- We are fed up with a federal government arrogant enough to declare it knows more about our health than our doctor...
- But perhaps most of all we are fed up because deep down we know how great America has always been, how many great things the people have done in spite of their government, and how great the nation can be in the future if government will just get out of the way.
These 'fed up' statements resonate well, especially for libertarians. But... wait. Judges?
Here's the whole paragraph:
We are fed up with activist judges who tell us what is right and wrong and deny us the right to live as we see fit -- from deciding when life begins and where the Ten Commandments can be displayed to telling the people how to punish criminals.
I hope that he's trying to say that he opposes judges that don't follow what the Legislature has set as law. I don't think any judge would be impressed if you told her, "You shouldn't tell us what's right or wrong! You're denying me the right to live as I see fit!"
He continues the chapter with why he finds America great. This section is essential for every politician... and, guess what? America IS great.
These two portions of the book -- why he thinks America is fed up and why America is great -- sang to me. I expect that he'll make them part of his campaign speeches.
The final part of his first chapter deals with the Tenth Amendment. This topic is important; I'll finish the review of his first chapter tomorrow.
Take care, all.