DEAR CONGRESSMAN, HERE IS WHY I VOTED FOR YOU

The general election of 2014 is over. The Republican’s party has had an overwhelming victory. Nevertheless, we know the polling. Republicans did not win because of their own popularity. They won because President Obama and the Democrats insist upon making a mess of our country.

Therefore, I have decided to send a letter to my congressman. I want him to know why I voted for him.

Dear Congressman Rob Wittman

I suppose you are happy and content with the results of this last election, but I hope not. We sent you back to DC to do some hard, difficult work, not to enjoy the fruits of a great victory. We sent you to war with a ravenous government that claws and grasps for revenue. We sent you tie up in knots any congressman who would spend more money than we have. We sent you to shackle the phone and the pen of a president thirsting for power.

I cast my vote for free enterprise, not more government. Why? In the 80’s I worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.  I went there as an advocate for increased spending for NASA. I came away as adamant opponent, someone who would have happily seen NASA scrapped. I had seen for myself that socialism does not work. That includes a socialist space program.

I recognize that some still pine away for the good old days, those days when the United States was the first to land a man on the moon.

Forty-five years ago last summer, Neil Armstrong and I walked on the moon. Our Apollo 11 lander touched down in the moon’s “Sea of Tranquility,” and three days later we were home. We splashed down and came safely aboard the USS Hornet. In that moment, America fulfilled a promise — to herself and to the World. Together, we resolved to lead in space, convey men to the moon and come home safely. As Americans, one nation, we resolved to do it, and we did it. The time has come to find that kind of resolve again. (from Getting on with getting to Mars by  Buzz Aldrin)

For forty-five years those who dream of exploring new frontiers have depended upon politicians to fulfill their dreams. We have been fools. Politicians have their own dreams, and they have nothing to do with space exploration. They never ever did. For the number of votes it buys, space exploration is too risky and costs too much. Moreover, government bureaucracies, even NASA, are populated by too many risk averse bureaucrats, not enough people with a dream.

I now know I cannot make my dream someone else’s dream. If I want my dream to become real, I must do the work myself with others who share my dream. Therefore, I now cast my vote for smaller government.

I cast my vote for a balanced budget. We cannot afford what Congress and the President want to spend. Since September 15, 2008, Congress has added over $12 trillion to the deficit (see How Much Obamanomics Has Cost Us by Stephen Moore).

I cast my vote for a strong defense. The United States still retains a strong military, but we face growing threats: a resurgent Russia, an increasingly belligerent China, and militant Islamic states. Yet too many of our leaders want us as weak as Europe, with a government that divert funds needed for defense into extravagantly expensive social programs, incapable of defending ourselves (see Europe’s sentinels have gone home by Bruce Lawlor).

I cast my vote for the resolute defense of our borders from illegal immigrants. It is no secret that our president wants to make law, not just enforce the law, that he would legalize millions of immigrants with a flourish of his pen. Thanks to a spineless Congress and out of control executive, we now risk becoming a bilingual banana republic ruled by a tyrant with a pen and phone. You know what the people of this country want done. Please find the courage to do it!

I cast my vote for an end to Obamacare. That law is blatantly unconstitutional. Repeal it first. Then we can worry about replacing it.

I could say more, but this is enough. So let’s summarize. When those in power insist upon spending other people’s money for them, politics becomes a blood sport, not fun and games. That’s why I did not cast my vote so that you could work with the president and the Democrats. I cast my vote so you could stop them and reverse their agenda, and I think it is safe to say that lots of other people voted the same way. Therefore, you now have a choice. I hope you will help lead the opposition to Obama and the Democrats. Otherwise, please follow those willing to lead that opposition, or just get out-of-the-way.

In times past, the Democratic Party defended slavery; they even sought to expand it into the territories and free states. Latter the Democratic Party fought for racial segregation. Now, in support of bigger and “better” government required to implement so-called social and economic “rights,” Democrats would enslave all Americans. That’s what socialists do.

The Republican Party began as a third-party before the Civil War. Because it refused to fight slavery, the party the Republican Party replaced is now long gone. Yet time corrupts all things and all institutions created by men. Therefore, unless we get involved in the Republican Party, we cannot depend upon the Republican Party to stop and reverse the damage the Democratic Party has done.

Do you favor the prosperity and freedom that comes with limited government and free enterprise? Did you reluctantly vote for a Republican who needs to be encouraged to defend freedom? Then please write him or her a note. Politely let your member of Congress know why you gave him or her your support. Then, if your member of Congress fails to do his or her duty, do your duty and help nominate another Republican to replace that delinquent.