Thoughts on Arlen Specter's Exit

As many of you have heard, Arlen Specter has left the Republican Party to join the Democrats.

There is a danger here that our party can misdiagnose the problem. The problem is not that moderates are leaving the party, the problem is that the Republican Party fails to appeal to the majority of independents. They are increasingly seen as a Beltway party and not as a grassroots organization. Arlen Specter was a part of that problem. Most Independent voters are socially and fiscally conservative, of which Arlen Specter was neither. Pennsylvania may be a pickup opportunity for the GOP if they rally behind a candidate sooner rather than later.

As for the claim by Arlen Specter that the GOP has moved to the right over the past few years; it is enough to make someone fall out of their chair in laughter. The GOP actually took Specter's advise in 2008, and nominated a moderate candidate--and last time that I checked, we now have a liberal Democratic President, whom Specter has now joined. Even President Bush, who was more conservative than McCain, surrounded himself with moderate advisors who caused his support to plummet in his second term. Conservative Republicans have not held significant power since the 90's when Newt Gingrich was the Speaker. I'm not saying that President Bush did not do some conservative things, however, his advisors hampered him, especially in his second term.

The American people are looking for leadership, and Arlen Specter represented a beltway brand of Republicanism that our party can do without.

The Miss California Story and Why It Matters

I am sure that you all have heard about the way Miss California was recently treated at the Miss USA pageant. There is a significance here that needs to be pointed out.

Twenty-one year old Carrie Prejean, a.k.a Miss California, answered a question about gay marriage by stating that she believed marriage is between one man and one woman. According to some of the judges her answer cost her dearly in the scoring. Later, many cultural liberals in the media justified this stifling of freedom of opinion, visciously calling her a bigot. All the while, she stated that she would be praying for the very judge that unfairly attacked her personally. This clearly shows integrity on the part of Miss Prejean.

There is a political side to this as well. Carrie Prejean has just thrown a monkey wrench into the propoganda machine that has been cranking over in the "mainstream" media. She is 21 years of age-that's right-she is young, and believes in traditional marriage. The media has long been pressuring the millenial generation to accept gay marriage in the name of "progress." Miss Prejean has spoken out in various media venues, as a student, in opposition to redifining the definition of marriage. The culturally liberal movement is obviously outraged.

As a student, I have observed that my generation, at large, is not supportive of redifining marriage, but rather apathetic toward the subject. Apathy should not be mistaken for outright support. Students across America have witnessed a fellow student being visciously attacked by the culturally liberal movement, and apathy can tend to wear thin. Students need to realize that everywhere gay marriage has been made legal, a restriction of liberty has followed. This is why it is critical for students in America today to not be intimidated by a cultural smokescreen which states that we all must accept a redifinition of marriage. If my generation truly prizes liberty, then they will stand up for the very institution that helps to safeguard it-the family.

Sarah Palin's RTL Speech

Just a few day's ago Gov Palin gave a speech to a Right to Life organization in Evansville, Indiana, in what is being called her first major national speech since the election.

This is significant for two reasons. She deflated and hit-it-home.

The deflating that I am referring to is not economical, but political. She referenced Katie Couric's antagonistic interview in a way that made the interview itself look silly. She also deflated the arguement that she is unintelligent. She made quotes and showed a clear understanding of the issues that are facing America.

She hit-it-home by giving a clear message to the national audience. Sarah Palin was well aware that a national audience would be viewing the speech. She dedicated a majority of the address to an issue close to her heart; abortion. On that topic she made a case for the pro-life movement that gave people something to rally around. Gov. Palin also touched on the topics of taxes, referencing the tea parties, and saying that Obama's spending policies gave her "heartburn."Finally, she touched on national security and foreign policy. Gov. Palin talked about missle defense and the need to cease the borrowing of money from hostile nations.

In her speech the other night, Governor Palin set the stage for her national message. The manner in which she gave a well-rounded message that stands in clear contrast to the Obama Administration, points to the possibility of an Obama and Palin matchup in 2012. She sent a clear signal that a President Palin is up to the job.

Thoughts on the "Culture Wars"

I want to address the issue of what is happening in the so called "culture wars" lately.

As my readers know American Youth is a conservative blog. So many of you can imagine how disappointing it has been to listen to the eulogies to the cultural conservative movement being broadcast a gazillion times in the media.

I want to encourage those who may be discouraged by saying that the cultural conservative movement is indeed alive and kicking, and I would contend, winning the "culture wars."

Sure, there have been some setbacks in recent days. We have have seen activist judges create a new right to redifine marriage in Iowa. We have seen the state of Vermont legalize same-sex marriage. Also, we have a President who not only supports such actions, but has done his own fair share of culturally liberal things, like promoting abortion and giving federal funding to embryonic stem cell research.

All of this can be very discouraging, however, there are some positive things to consider. A majority of the people in Iowa oppose same-sex marriage. The Vermont legislature that legalized same-sex marriage were elected by the people, however, so was the Governor that vetoed the bill. Meanwhile, President Obama's hyper-partisan abortion policies are not going over well with the American people.

Now is not the time for us to simply despair about our nations condition. Now is the time for us to seek God's face for the future of our nation. I don't know about you but I still believe the words of Ben Franklin when he said that "God governs the affairs of men."

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass.

-Psalm 37:5

McDonnell has Strong Fundraising Numbers

The McDonnell campaign has just released their fundraising numbers, and they look very strong.

One thing that I think is noteworthy here is that Bob McDonnell has outraised two of his three Democratic opponents. They are also forced to spend their money in a tight primary while Bob McDonnell can store his money for when the time is right.

This is a testiment to Bob McDonnell's strength as a candidate.

Foreign Policy: Month Two

We are now in our second month of the Obama Administration, and the foreign policy situation has only gotten worse.

This out of Iran

President Obama's speech was not well received by the leadership of Iran. Perhaps he should have directed his message to the people of Iran and not to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even on a miniscule point, the background lighting and the tone of his voice was gentle and sereal, not exactly the kind of bold statement that Middle Eastern culture expects.


In other (possibly related) news...

This out of North Korea

North Korea is perfectly willing to take advantage of perceived weakness from the Obama Administration. North Korea should not be underestimated by this Administration. Our thoughts an prayers are also with these journalists.

The Obama Administration must learn that peace comes through strength.

Do It Right

Word is coming down from the elitist tower in Washington D.C. that President Obama will issue an executive order lifting the ban on embryonic stem cell research.

This is a mistake on the part of Pres. Obama. This research will require massive amounts of eggs from women. We are likely to see poverty stricken women taken advantage of by a centralized program. This is not hope nor change, it is bad ethics. It defies our Declaration of Independence which guarentees the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all. There are many children today who began as an embryo in one of these clinics, and was implanted in an otherwise barren mother. They might not have been here today if the Obama Administration's policies had been enacted just a few short years ago. This is going forward largely unregulated and has the potential to hurt a great many people.

There is another solution, a bi-partisan solution. Adult stem cell research. Despite the claims of some liberal scientists, there are adult stem cells that can be genetically modified to do the exact same thing as embryonic stem cells. There is a deeper reason here, the people who stand to make money off of this are aggressively pushing lawmakers on this matter, however, the American people are tired of the uber-liberal social policies of this administration.

Now is the time for cultural conservatives to get off of the sidelines and get involved. You can start a blog for FREE by going to the Create Blog icon at the top of this screen. Let's get in the game and fight the tide of unconstitutional action by the Obama Administration.