How Do We Elevate Constitutional Principles?
From Forbes
By Bill Flax
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Virgil Goode, Jr. |
It was my privilege to interview presidential candidate
Virgil Goode, Jr. of the Constitution Party, America’s third largest by
membership. We quickly tackled the elephant in the room: does the
Constitution Party waste your vote, or even deprive Mr. Romney’s
elephants thereby shifting victory to Mr. Obama and his donkeys?
Mr. Goode rebutted that he’s “attracting votes from both parties” and
there “are more independents than either Democrats or Republicans.”
Moreover, “many old-line Democrats whose families voted Democrat back to
FDR are fed up with Obama, but won’t vote GOP.” Appealing to these
constituents appears pivotal to Goode’s efforts to “shake-up the big
money interests controlling both Democrats and Republicans.”
The former congressman from Virginia, who has represented each major
party, predicted a Goode/Clymer win would break the two party
stranglehold suffocating America. He beamed that “the Constitution Party
doesn’t have any PACs” and its “principles have not been compromised”
by special interests.
Like Ron Paul, Virgil Goode has long supported a bill to audit the
Federal Reserve, which recently cleared the House. He advocates
“currency that is real and backed by gold or silver.” We discussed the
moral and economic implications of uncertain money and America’s
wavering adherence to the Constitution whereby Goode stressed the
“necessity for fixed principles.”
When discussing the application of justice, Goode champions “fair and
equitable opportunity, but it’s up to you to use it. Government cannot
ensure equal results because every individual differs;” further “success
is measured differently by different people.” Goode promises to “check
government spending” thereby freeing individuals to thrive.
Of the economic stagnation and looming fiscal upheaval factoring
heavily this November, Goode notes, “The biggest problem with the
deficit is programs that are unconstitutional and wasteful.” An ardent
proponent of balancing the budget, our deficits Goode insists, stem from
“spending.” “Taxes should be simple and fair … I’m not for increasing
income taxes; if we even have an income tax.”
In contrast to Republicans whose federalism means letting states
administer Washington’s initiatives, strings attached, Mr. Goode vows
the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, “would still matter if I was president.”
Goode would also boost the economy by “slashing and cutting and
eliminating unconstitutional agencies; then the bureaucracy stymieing
businesses will ease.”
The candidate laments “too much federal involvement in our lives”
offering as an example the Department of Education, “should not be
involved, schooling should be determined by states and localities … when
the Federal Government dictates standards, which shouldn’t be in their
purview, students (and taxpayers) suffer.” Goode staunchly resisted No
Child Left Behind.
When asked about the source of our rights/liberties, Mr. Goode
clarified, “Here in this country we’d say the Constitution, but there is
a higher law.” Of the natural rights views Americans have long
cherished Goode explained, “The Founding Fathers were religious persons
of faith” and that “just government preserves to individuals the
liberties included in the Bill of Rights.”
Goode differentiated his platform from the Libertarian Party, which
also favors limited government, “Gary Johnson is pro-choice and supports
‘gay’ marriage.” As an obvious devotee of constitutionalism, Goode
noted “the Bill of Rights protects life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness stated in the Declaration,” emphasizing the word life.
Regarding the oxymoron of “same-sex marriage” Goode warned,
“Government forcibly redefining marriage to include anything other than
one man and one woman would be totally foreign to the views of the
framers of the Constitution, first ten amendments and Declaration of
Independence.”
Goode denies that the Founders, men of “deep-seated values,” would
consider a cross on the town square or the Ten Commandments posted at
school “as un-constitutional.” Further, public displays “aren’t forcing
religion on anyone, but now certain parties wish to erase the principles
on which this country was founded.” He continued, “In this era of
relativity, we’ve gotten away from the Christian principles which made
families stronger, gave a compass to individuals.”
“I believe we’re an exceptional country,” observes Goode “but we must get back to being exceptional. We’re not globalists.” To “balance the budget, we need to step back from foreign entanglements.” The other parties “are prone to extend ourselves into too many areas.” He adamantly opposed our Libyan debacle and questionable legislation emanating from both parties which doesn’t “recognize American sovereignty.”
“I believe we’re an exceptional country,” observes Goode “but we must get back to being exceptional. We’re not globalists.” To “balance the budget, we need to step back from foreign entanglements.” The other parties “are prone to extend ourselves into too many areas.” He adamantly opposed our Libyan debacle and questionable legislation emanating from both parties which doesn’t “recognize American sovereignty.”
Goode implores “following the Constitution, we can’t let the UN
decide” clarifying “I don’t mind working with allies like we did in
World War One and Two, but I’d never let U.S. troops serve under UN
command. Under President Obama, he’s more interested in the UN’s
approval than declaratory resolutions by Congress.” Goode eschews
international meddling, but also lackadaisical enforcement of our own
borders.
“I’m totally opposed to illegal immigration and will put a moratorium
on new Green Cards until unemployment reduces. Jobs should [go] to U.S.
citizens first.” Goode would “eliminate automatic birthright
citizenship” for which he has supported past legislation and would
“immediately repeal the executive order giving temporary amnesty; a
stand Romney won’t take.”
The Constitution “secure[s] the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity.” Affirmative action unfairly lifting new arrivals over
native born citizens violates this sacred legacy. Easy welfare welcomes
the wrong immigrants. The Constitution Party has long opposed these
infamies, but families coming to improve their lot though honest toil
bolsters the economy.
Goode’s eagerness to curtail unconstitutional spending, streamline
red-tape and solidify the currency will better alleviate unemployment.
Given his passion vis-à-vis immigration reform, I asked if this
represented the first item on the presidential to-do list. Goode
replied, “It would be high on the list, but we have to get back to the
Constitution. I’d repeal all the recent executive orders which don’t
appropriately fit in the executive realm.”
As a candidate envisioning a less invasive executive branch, Goode
warned of the “ever increasing scope and sphere of a Federal Government
intertwined [in] our everyday lives.” He expressed admiration for George
Washington as a leader who successfully navigated the lure of power,
“He was a man of high principles, referring to the Deity as the source
of values and principles” who “inherited a precarious, chaotic
situation,” but “didn’t succumb to the temptations of monarchy.”
After successive imperial presidencies Goode appears well worthy of
consideration for the legions of Ron Paul supporters seeking limited,
constitutional government. Four years ago America didn’t elect “Change,”
but “Acceleration.” If conservatism was once, as Bill Buckley
suggested, “standing athwart history yelling stop,” saving the Republic
now requires more.
The locomotive sped further away from our founding vision towards
fiscal tragedy and a moral cesspool. Paul Ryan was the right choice for
Romney but the GOP’s failure to staunch the hemorrhaging of America’s
constitutional heritage and erosion of cultural values proclaims that a
U-turn is needed.
Going the third party route is admittedly precarious even for those
who tire of simply accepting the lesser evil. Yet, as Art Carden articulated for Forbes,
unless living in a key battleground state, it’s unlikely your vote
matters much. Likewise, for the many voters so disengaged they might
stay home, pulling the lever for Goode seems sound.
For Ohio and other key states, let conscience prevail.
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