American Principles Project: Winning on Principle
May 29th, 2009
A few weeks ago phineas gage commented at Be John Galt,
Conservatism does not need to be reinvented.
It needs to be remembered.
Well, today I am excited to introduce to you the American Principles Project, launched Thursday, May 28th, at a press conference by Robert P. George, J.D., D.Phil., the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Founder and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. He is the founder of the American Principles Project. (He was also busy debating Doug Kmiec on Thursday!).
From the APP About the Project page, Foundations of the American Principles Project:
If these timeless principles are to be restored and our national commitment to them renewed, then a new voice is needed in American politics, a voice that is unafraid to stand up for what is right and speak out against what is wrong…
The American Principles Project has been created to help every citizen who truly wishes to be part of what our founding fathers called this great, “experiement in ordered liberty,” to be an informed citizen, and thus someone empowered to make a difference.
Are we conservatives? You bet we are, if by a “conservative” one means a believer in the rule of law, democracy, limited government and respect for civil liberties, private property and the free market, equality of opportunity, the sanctity of human life, the protection of marriage and the family, and the defense of our nation’s sovereignty and security. For us, these convictions are not platitudes. We are convinced that the renewal of our nation and the flourishing of our people vitally depend on making these historic ideals and commitments once again operative in the laws and policies by which we govern ourselves.
Their Resources page contains what is sure to be a growing list of articles and links to offer some discerning thinking and to give assistance in fighting propaganda. Thomas Peters, who just received a graduate degree, will begin work as their Communications Director on June 1st. His blog, American Papist, has already won recognition. He has provided a link to the APP twitter feed.
Fred Barnes has more information: The Principled Opposition Princeton’s Robert George sets up a conservative activist group with intellectual heft.
For those of you not familiar with George, I think you’ll enjoy reading this article from 2003 about him in action as a professor that also includes some fascinating biographical material:
Conservative Heavyweight: The Remarkable Mind of Robert P. George
The American Principles Project states:
Across the country, Americans are looking for men and women of firm conviction and sound principles to lead our nation into the future. A conservatism that is true to the political and moral principles that made America great will win, and will do so for the best of all possible reasons: because it deserves to win.
John Adams’ words still hold true:
Godspeed to Robby George; may he be one of many who will remind and reinvigorate the people of our nation through advocating and expounding our founding principles.
__________
Quotes: phineas gage, American Principles Project, John Adams (via TeachingAmericanHistory.org).
Crossposted to RedState Member Diaries and in a modified format to Be John Galt.
Written by INC
Posted in Uncategorized
3 Responses to “American Principles Project: Winning on Principle”
[...] Crossposted in a modified format to RedState Member Diaries and J’s Cafe Nette. [...]
INC:
First and foremost, welcome back!
Now to the post. This portion of the blockquote says it all:
Where to begin? Yes, there are many of us who believe we are watching America disintegrate before our eyes. However, without an uprising of voluminous proportions will we have the ability to take back that which those long ago fashioned into what we so cherish?
Seeking a leader may be the easy part. Defeating the idea of political correctness taking precedence (in many cases with the help of our courts) to all things fair and sensible may be close to impossible.
How do those with conservative values tackle the ever growing, disgraceful actions of our media? When the NYT, Keith Olberman, Chris Matthews (just to name a scant few) and the cable and news networks skew every story to lean left and are allowed by many our citizens to influence their thinking, how do we purport to capture those who may be on the fence?
If those who have the principles so well placed in your post are only speaking amongst ourselves, then we have no chance to recover that which we hold dear. There are not enough hours in one day to challenge each and every falsehood written or spoken about the true values for which a conservative stands.
I would love to believe there is that one person who would and could stand up and rally the masses in a return to sensibility and a belief in the Founding Fathers deeds and actions.
We are in a crucial time in our history and unless we can garner the strength in numbers to make America whole again, I fear for the generations to come.
Courage of convictions is a rare commodity in today’s political spectrum.
Those who challenge the popular opinion of the day are derided and treated with great disdain.
Lives and reputations are ruined by those who approach opposing opinions with such hatred and half-truths that there must be many well qualified individuals who have simply elected to never join the fray.
There are no easy answers to how we get from here to there. We can only pray that there is a way.
Thank you for the welcome, Sue!
You ask good questions and you are right: There are no easy answers to how we get from here to there. We can only pray that there is a way.
These are the days of small things and that can mean they are also the days when perseverance is the most difficult. We must ask God to grant us aid with what we can do in the assurance that He will take our small steps and use them for His glory and our good.
Prayer, I think, is first and foremost. It’s also hard because we always want to do something and see results at least beginning to happen. We have to continue to ask God to have mercy on our country and to turn us back to Him.
Encouragement of one another is important. I appreciate the funny little break provided by videos here because a little humor can go a long way in helping our hearts continue! Sometimes a look back at history can also provide perspective as we see those who stood firm.
I think a group like the APP will be of immense help in honing our ability to understand the issues and better speak to them with those we know. Many things they write we may already know, but if we gain one new insight or idea that will assist us in answering a question or stating a point we have made a gain.
We each have our area of influence. We have to start there and leave the results in God’s hands. He has called each of us to certain things and nothing is meaningless or without importance even when only seen or known by a few.
I will probably have a post up with more thoughts on this on Monday.