This country was founded by a group of businessmen, (Yes, they were all men at that time, we’ve come a long way baby.), publishers/writers, landowners, what would be described today as anarchists, and even a few preachers. These Conservatives have decided that they know exactly what was in mind when every Founding Father signed the Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation and The United States Constitution. Apparently their History studies began and ended with the Bible of their choice because there is very little in common with those outstanding well thought out (well the Articles of Confederation were kind of messy admittedly) documents and this partisan manifesto. Add to that the blatant hypocrisy and down right manipulation of contemporary sentiment and you end up with something that looks like it should be posted on the wall of a treehouse in a religious summer camp. I’ve left the editing errors intact within the blockquotes.

The Mount Vernon Statement

Constitutional Conservatism: A Statement for the 21st Century

We recommit ourselves to the ideas of the American Founding. Through the Constitution, the Founders created an enduring framework of limited government based on the rule of law. They sought to secure national independence, provide for economic opportunity, establish true religious liberty and maintain a flourishing society of republican self-government.

They kind of forgot a couple of things like yes we are a republic but we are also after much deliberation, heartache, and bloodshed a Democracy. Nice try in getting your team name in the first paragraph even if you would have been referred to as the Whigs at that point in history, better get your powder on.

These principles define us as a country and inspire us as a people. They are responsible for a prosperous, just nation unlike any other in the world. They are our highest achievements, serving not only as powerful beacons to all who strive for freedom and seek self-government, but as warnings to tyrants and despots everywhere.

And according to the public reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision to let corporations buy their own politicians I wouldn’t get my hopes up about justice right now a lot of Americans are getting a clue that justice is for sale, finally. Just who exactly is prosperous right now? Not the average American right now they are already drowning in credit card debt. And too many Americans are about to or have lost their homes and their jobs due to a tanking economy. They seem to not understand that the Age of Imperialism from our armed forces did not begin until late in the nineteenth century. Yes, we pillaged our way West but it was after we ran out of room that we became interested in finding other countries to exploit. As to tyrants fearing us someone better tell that to North Korea and Iran they didn’t get the message and there is plenty of unpoliced injustice here and abroad to make that statement more than wishful thinking.

Each one of these founding ideas is presently under sustained attack. In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, our universities and our politics. The selfevident truths of 1776 have been supplanted by the notion that no such truths exist. The federal government today ignores the limits of the Constitution, which is increasingly dismissed as obsolete and irrelevant.

The only people attacking the government are Conservatives are you sure you want to say this? Ditto on changing the natural growth of our mores, education, and our politics. Do you really want to go back to buggies and candles? How about the absence of anything like a banking system; that would really put a crimp in your base. Again with this projecting your notions into the political spectrum, it is to you and your ilk that separation of church and state among other issues puts a crimp in your style it was good enough in 1776 and even better now since mass media lets you proselytize 24/7. Those that are thinking the Constitution is obsolete also think they shouldn’t have to pay taxes on the roads, something considered a public good.

Some insist that America must change, cast off the old and put on the new. But where would this lead — forward or backward, up or down? Isn’t this idea of change an empty promise or even a dangerous deception?

Your group keeps trying to push us backward it was nice of you to admit to it at least. The world is not static that I why we have a Constitution that was developed to grow with this land not hold it back. Nice little stab at President Obama’s campaign promise there.

The change we urgently need, a change consistent with the American ideal, is not movement away from but toward our founding principles. At this important time, we need a restatement of Constitutional conservatism grounded in the priceless principle of ordered liberty articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

You should go re-read the Declaration of Independence; today it would qualify as hate mail. The principals you espouse have been pushed back by your peers. Did you change your minds?

The conservatism of the Declaration asserts self-evident truths based on the laws of nature and nature’s God. It defends life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It traces authority to the consent of the governed. It recognizes man’s self-interest but also his capacity for virtue.

The Declaration of Independence is as radical as you could get without bloodshed. Are you reading the same document I am? Nature has a God? I missed that little piece of information.

The conservatism of the Constitution limits government’s powers but ensures that government performs its proper job effectively. It refines popular will through the filter of representation. It provides checks and balances through the several branches of government and a federal republic.

And you guy’s got in there and jimmied up the works with your toadies, the Founding Fathers are rolling in their graves because it was what you are doing that they feared most, subversion through assimilation. They knew that would be the only thing that really could harm the Constitution and you guys did it royally.

A Constitutional conservatism unites all conservatives through the natural fusion provided by American principles. It reminds economic conservatives that morality is essential to limited government, social conservatives that unlimited government is a threat to moral self-government, and national security conservatives that energetic but responsible government is the key to America’s safety and leadership role in the world.

The Founding Fathers knew not everyone was Conservative that is the reason it took so long to get the Constitution ratified, everyone wanted to know their rights would not be trampled on.

A Constitutional conservatism based on first principles provides the framework for a consistent and meaningful policy agenda.

It applies the principle of limited government based on the rule of law to every proposal.

Oxymoron.

It honors the central place of individual liberty in American politics and life.

Then why are you in our bedrooms and our doctor’s offices all the time? DOMA anyone?

It encourages free enterprise, the individual entrepreneur, and economic reforms grounded in market solutions.

Is that why your big business buddies get all the breaks? Small business has been crushed by your policies.

It supports America’s national interest in advancing freedom and opposing tyranny in the world and prudently considers what we can and should do to that end.

Invade any country with resources we want has been the status quo. Does this mean you are going to do something about Uganda among other places where life is being disregarded?

It informs conservatism’s firm defense of family, neighborhood, community, and faith.

Is that why I find your Queer kids homeless on the street all the time? Defending your family from the Ghay? So are you going to be nice to Wiccans finally, and Athiests?

If we are to succeed in the critical political and policy battles ahead, we must be certain of our purpose.

Perhaps you are too certain without examining the ramifications of your actions thoroughly.

Look at the mess you’ve made.

We must begin by retaking and resolutely defending the high ground of America’s founding principles.

That would be a good start. See you at Pride.

February 17, 2010

Signatories.