While much of the Tuscon civility debate has focused on words and pointing fingers for uncivil speech/rhetoric, no one seems to be looking at a more serious way that both Republicans and Democrats may be contributing to the growing lack of civility.

How?

Both parties are contributing to a “gimme” culture. Republicans promise tax cuts, while Democrats promise more entitlements. In the end, the overemphasis by both parties is really doing the same thing: appealing to our selfish side, our desire to have.

Civility requires sacrifice, which is why after events like September 11th you see, at least for a brief time, an ability to work together. For a return to civility to be lasting, our political parties will need to begin focusing on the duties and obligations we share as Americans. Without that calls for civility in our public discourse will fall flat.

I had a chance today to attend a workshop with Karl Rove, who was in town promoting his new book: Courage & Consequence.

It was an interesting hour. I was a little disappointed that much of the time was spent on storytelling and not on sharing his thoughts on campaign strategy (which was how the session was branded).

A couple key takeaways for me: 1) the power of influencers in a campaign and 2) data matters.

On a side note, when asked about the senate race, he endorsed Bennett as a “real” conservative. Perhaps that much time in the beltway has altered his view of what a real conservative is. I also wonder if he knows that Bennett’s first real campaign promise was to term-limit himself and if Bennett is willing to break that promise what would hold him back from breaking all his others.

One of the benefits of being a GOP delegate is that I get to see a lot more material from the candidates than the average voter. Over time, the mass amounts of emails, mailers, etc. invariably lead to little nuggets of insight about the “real” candidate.

Today I found one of those nuggets in an email communication from Senator Bob Bennett:

“Obama’s proposal to cancel NASA’s Constellation program and the Ares I rocket booster will not only devastate the economy of northern Utah; it will also weaken our missile defense and our national security.”

So what’s the nugget?

Bennett’s first priority is bringing home the bacon for Utah.  Coming in second is national defense/national security.

Frankly, I agree with Bennett that the Constellation program needs to continue, because it is of prime importance to our national security.

However, the fact that it brings jobs to Utah should not matter, because while it’s nice that Utah has some job benefits, we may find that the most cost efficient model puts those jobs in Texas or Florida, where we currently have launch sites.

Bottom line, “job creation” through congressional deal making is not a conservative leadership, but the prime modus operandi of the DC deal maker.

By John F. Pilmer

Applause was generous before, and deafening after, Ted Cruz spoke to the Heritage Foundation Resource Bank 2010 audience in Miami.  No doubt was left as to which side of the aisle the former Solicitor General of Texas comes down on.  He spoke encouraging words to tea partiers, republicans, and other conservatives about the future of the movement–in spite of recent liberal victories such as nationally controlled healthcare.

Among my favorite parts of his speech was his description of “What We Need From a Conservative  Candidate” in order to win back the White House and Congress.

1) He/She must stand for principles – Cruz gave examples of victories in Texas defending the 10 Commandments monument at the state capitol, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 2nd Ammendment (to keep & bare arms).

2) The right candidate stands for sound principles; has backbone for the fight; and motivate, inspire and connect with the people.

3) The right candidate must understand the opposition. He pointed to the current president as a “committed ideologue” in a long line of smooth talkers like FDR, JFK, and Bill Clinton. (Obama’s Actual Platform Ted Cruz 4 23 10 audio)

4) The right candidate must be prepared to demand change and settle for nothing less.

My take is that many in the audience will be doing more research on Ted Cruz. We will see him again.

www.juntocommunications.com

By John F. Pilmer

There was standing room only in Miami at the Heritage Foundation Resource Bank 2010 conference. Fueled by the huge backlash against out of control government spending and erosion of personal liberty, conservatives welcomed national figures like Ed Meese, Bridgett Wagner, and Matthew Spalding to the podium. However, the hit of the opening luncheon presentation may have been Billie Tucker, founder of the First Coast Tea Party that has attracted up to 7,000 participants to a single event. A working mother herself, Billie indicated in her remarks that the current administration has “made some mommas mad” and “you don’t want to make momma mad.” Her activism in the conservative movement is inspiring women everywhere to get involved.

www.juntocommunications.com

By John F. Pilmer

This week’s Republican caucuses drew much larger than normal crowds following this week’s unprecedented attempted takeover of health care by the Washington’s liberal left.  Here’s one peak into the experience in Utah and the unanimous precinct rejection of the mystery health care bill just passed by the House and signed by the president.
Daily Herald: 15,000 Pack into county caucus locations

Conservative Survivor – Raucous Caucus

By John F. Pilmer

The “law of the farm”, “reap what you sow”, “what goes around, comes around”–whatever you want to call it, the ripple effects of a tsunami of greed, corruption, toxic debt and governmental mismanagement are starting to show up in very painful ways.  In the U.S., we “ain’t seen nothin’ yet” as we brace for the long term consequences of short-term feel-good spending by Congress.

A trillion dollars in new debt in the first year of the Obama administration. Breathtaking! Now, the CBO estimates the liberal spendthrifts are ready to borrow another trillion, give a take a few billion, to fund Nationalized Healthcare. This is BAD, BAD news for our economic health in the long run–to the extreme.

Consider the little country of Greece, in the middle of their own debt crisis. Their relatively small economy is having negative effects on world markets.

Oil Plunges on Greek debt News: story

US Stock Market down on news of Greek debt problems: Hong Kong story; Canada story; US story

Now, what if that were the U.S. debt crisis, instead of Greece. What would be the effect–a tidal wave compared to the ripple caused by Greece!

China, our 2nd largest creditor (Japan just reclaimed #1 spot),  is concerned about the United States ability to pay it’s debt (story).  The world is questioning us for the first time in history because we are spending like teenagers!

Printing money we don’t have to create another iefficient government run program (ObamaCare) will surely draw fire from our country creditors.

Watch my healthcare survivor story:

Healthcare Survivor Story