Unapologetically Conservative

I am a Woman. I am Educated. I am Conservative.

　I have been taught over the past four years that these three things do not go together and, for a time, I almost believed the lies. 　As a woman, I am a member of the "minority" and therefore am a victim of circumstance because of big bad men who think I should stay in the kitchen. Because I am educated by Liberal professors, I am expected to believe as they do and take their words as gospel. Yet, because I am Conservative, I view myself as a strong woman who is not a victim of circumstance, who will not be made a casualty of gender, who is strong enough to maintain my own beliefs and values in spite of the constant belittling. As Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated, "I owe nothing to Women's Lib”.
　
I believe Sarah Palin best described the reason I am Conservative in her book "Going Rogue".　“I am a conservative because I deal with the world as it is — complicated and beautiful, tragic and hopeful. I am a conservative because I believe in the rights and the responsibilities and the inherent dignity of the individual.” I have great hope for the world. More than anything, I want to see everyone enjoy the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"(Notice happiness is not guaranteed, we simply have the right to pursue it). The world is complicated, but there is beauty in the differences. We are an imperfect people, tragedy occurs, but it is　our response to tragedy that gives me hope.
　
I agree with Ronald Reagan, that the best social welfare is a job. Not because I hate poor people and believe they all are lazy, but because I have experienced poverty and know there is nothing more rewarding than earning your own paycheck and living within your means. I believe in a smaller, de-centralized government. Government has over-stepped its bounds in so many arenas; in bailing out banks, mandating healthcare,　increasing taxes, and more. Without a drastic cut in　government,　our country will grow weaker as　our citizens become more dependant on hand-outs.  I am Pro-Guns because I believe our founding fathers did not make a mistake, but truly wanted every American to have the right to bear arms. I am Pro-Life. I　am against abortion　because I have seen the ultrasounds of babies, held my younger siblings in my arms, and never had the chance to know a half-sibling that was aborted. I have educated myself on the facts, statistics, and arguments for and against abortion, and it is from this education that I have decided it is outright murder. Finally, I unapologetically believe America is the greatest nation in the world. There is no other nation in the world in which an individual can rise from poverty to become a CEO, Senator, or Professional Athlete. I know that with hard work, diligence, and prayer, I too can rise from humble beginnings to impact the world.
　
It is an exciting time to be an educated, Conservative woman. All around this nation I can see women worth admiring rising up to take leadership roles where they are desperately needed. No longer is Hillary Clinton the only example of a female involved in politics. I can now look up to women such as Sarah Palin, Nikki Haley, Michele Bachmann, Kristi Noem, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, S.E. Cupp and more. Ever since my love of politics began, I could only dream of one day pursuing a career in politics, changing the world, and impacting lives. Now, I know it is possible. "The woman's mission is not to enhance the masculine spirit, but to express the feminine; hers is not to preserve a man-made world, but to create a human world by the infusion of the feminine element into all of its activities."-Margaret Thatcher

Jessica Fancher
SUR Contributor                                                 http://www.facebook.com/jfanch01?ref=ts
　

Debt Ceiling

     Everyone can agree that the United States’ national debt is completely out of control. The U.S. is about to hit the debt ceiling which now stands at $14.29 trillion. This is a huge opportunity for Republicans in the House to make massive spending cuts. Republicans have a huge bargaining chip with the debt ceiling. I recommend that House Republicans threaten to not raise the debt ceiling unless federal spending is cut back to 2008 levels. This is a very realistic goal. For example, Governor Bob McDonnell in Virginia has cut spending back to near 2006 levels. Governor Chris Christie has cut spending significantly in New Jersey, which is a notoriously blue state. Governor Christie has also had to battle with unions in New Jersey but he has still managed to cut spending. Governors Christie and McDonnell have managed to cut spending without the benefit of a bargaining chip such as the debt ceiling.

(Photo courtesy of Jake Johnson)

Republicans need to inform Democrats that they will not raise the debt ceiling unless spending is taken back to 2008 levels. Also, Republicans should insist that entitlement reforms that would ensure further spending cuts in the future be implemented. If the Democrats do not agree to this then Republicans should stand firm and not raise the debt ceiling. Democrats will argue that if the ceiling is not raised then the U.S. will default on its loans but this is not true. The Heritage Foundation has stated that “keeping the debt ceiling at its current level would not, in and of itself, risk default on the debt.” Also, is it not ironic that our President a couple years ago said “the fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure”? That was back in 2006 and President Obama backed up his rhetoric by voting against raising the debt ceiling in 2006.

This is the first true test for the Republican majority in the House; to uphold the promises made in this past election cycle. This is a huge opportunity for the Republicans to set themselves up for sweeping victories in 2012. Republicans may never have another opportunity as good as this to begin reigning in our debt and informing Democrats everywhere that this new breed of politicians mean what they say.

Michael Lesko
SUR Contributor