Opinion

Toth: Crockett and Cruz

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Texans cherish the memory of Davy Crockett’s heroic death at the Alamo in 1836 but few know what led him there or why he fought so valiantly. Throughout his life, Davy Crockett was renowned for his love of liberty and fierce loyalty to the Constitution.

Originally a Democrat, Crockett found he could no longer identify with the party’s positions which he believed were straying from our country’s founding principles. As a man who believed in individual liberty and the principle of congressional restraint this shift was unacceptable to him. He left the party in 1833 and joined the Whig party (forerunner to the Whig Party).

His journey of Constitutional fidelity was strengthened by a well-intentioned mistake made while in Congress. When a fire in Georgetown left several families homeless, Representative Crockett and Congress voted the next day to appropriate $20,000 to the homeless victims. The following year while campaigning in Tennessee, it has been reported that Crockett was challenged by a constituent for his vote of public charity. “Colonel Crockett, your vote for the people in Georgetown shows you either don’t have the capacity to understand the Constitution or that you lack the integrity and strength of character to be guided by it.”

He went on to say: “If the Constitution has any value it must be sacred and rigidly observed in all of its provisions. What’s more, the man who wields power and misrepresents it is more dangerous the more honest he is perceived to be.”

Crockett then asked, “Should a country as wealthy as ours complain about such a small sum to alleviate the suffering of so many?”

“Colonel, the amount isn’t at issue, rather it’s the principle. Government ought to have no more than what it needs for its Constitutional mandate. The ability to collect and disburse tax dollars is the most dangerous power man takes upon himself. The Constitution doesn’t define charity nor does it stipulate how to subsidize its existence. Can you see how you’ve opened the door to fraud, corruption, and favoritism? The Constitution strictly defines your limited powers to collect money and pay for things. Anything beyond those defined powers is usurpation and a violation of the Constitution.”

After this encounter, Crockett embraced the constitutional limitations placed on government while celebrating the charitable work of individuals. Government has proven repeatedly that it is incompetent in the work of charity. If the past 50 years of Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” has taught us anything, it’s that government handouts bankrupt the nation while creating a dependent class of people trapped in the shackles of entitlement programs. To turn around this tide of “Government Charity,” strong constitutional leadership is required.

Much like Davy Crockett, Ted Cruz’ love and fidelity to the Constitution offers Texas and America its greatest hope. My grandfather came here in 1910 with nothing more than the clothes on his back. He was drawn here by the opportunity that liberty provided and nothing more. Ted Cruz understands if this Republic is to endure, liberty, not entitlements, must once again define America’s greatness and character; and integrity must once again be cherished by those who lead us in Washington. Ted Cruz has my full support because Texas and America need a president who will honor his oath to lead this country according the U.S. Constitution and nothing more.

Steve Toth is a candidate for Texas’ 8th Congressional District seat in the March Republican primary.