POST ELECTION COMMENTS FROM "FLY-OVER" COUNTRY     (2000)

       11/08/00, revised 11/20/00, Re-edited 04/18/04 for technical writing errors, otherwise as the original. See Note at end. 

The national disgrace of elitist Liberal Statists in control of Washington, D.C. will continue to unravel the Republic, either through the coronation of proto-fascist Al Gore or the proxy of an emasculated Republican party.  The casual way we have come to regard human life now extends to the process by which we select political leadership.  The fruits of moral and intellectual relativism have truly ripened the significance of a Constitutional Republic.   It is one thing to be confronted by those with whom you merely disagree; it is another matter to be confronted by lawlessness, thuggish extortion and high treason.  This batch of Liberal con artists now in charge was only possible in the first place due to a climate of Statism that has been building for decades.   I see a struggle ensuing for many years to come; the destruction, over the years, has been enormous.  As citizens of what is supposed to be a free republic, it is an individual duty for each of us to critically examine the process by which the Republic has stumbled so badly.  I must say that I am not optimistic about an early reversal of Progressive Liberalism, building for at least a century in a climate of unprecedented material abundance that tends to desensitize the intellect.  Sadly, too many of our people fail to understand the connection between personal character and the responsible execution of public duties, either as voters or office holders, and even less the ongoing corrosive deterioration of the human spirit caused by Statism.

Our core domestic problem is the pitiful condition of the family.  Proponents of the notion that all problems must be solved through government intervention and control, hereafter referred to as Statists, have over a period of time largely destroyed the legal ability of parents to exercise control over the development and education of their children into responsible adults.  Coupled with the general destruction of religion, a necessary moral compass, the family as the basic unit of civilization has been widely gutted.  Of those who survive the womb, we are well on the road to becoming a nation of little bastards.

The alleged superiority of a Liberal Statist elite, exercising power through the various instrumentality's of massive government programs, regulatory mandates, activist court meddling, creative executive orders and Congressional buck-passing, has promoted a sense of dependence, victimhood and entitlement that has nearly collapsed the original American spirit of personal responsibility and initiative.   Too many people today look to government to solve their problems with collectivist "solutions", and the politicians love it.  Years ago they handed out kegs of cold beer on Election Day; now they hand out government programs and mandates.   Too many people today fail to understand that the government goodies come at the high price of lost freedom, subversion of the Constitution, of law in general and ultimately of the Republic itself.   It is, in the end, the American people themselves who must accept responsibility for this havoc, and the people who must correct it.  It is my prayer that at some point, when the rot goes deep enough, that the American people will rediscover their true heritage and react appropriately. The memories of those who have died and sacrificed themselves in the defense of this nation demand as much.

As 20th Century Statism continues its collectivist march towards Fascism in the 21st, (The ex-commies are "leading the charge", but that's another story) and the knocks on people's doors at night become more frequent, more tragedies will unfold.  There are no conspiracies here, only public complicity and ignorance. The election of a Republican government would slow, but not reverse this process.  Most Republicans are no longer republicans (Jeffersonian), but "me too" modern Liberals who would prefer to play golf.  It is far from clear that enough of them really comprehend the evil component of arrogant modern Liberalism, especially the northeastern (coastal) types.  However, one must remember that the politicians in office are always a reflection of the mindset of the American people, and in this respect people get what they deserve.

The Statist mindset has, for about 35 years now, promoted the concept of "hate crimes".  The problem with the idea of "hate crimes" is that a prosecutorial investigation of one's thoughts is required.  I would suggest that this is dangerous stuff.   Does one "hate" women because of a belief that life begins at conception?  Does one "hate" gays because of a belief that the practice is dysfunctional?  Does a white person "hate" a black person because of a belief that the excuse of slavery has gotten in the way of  resolution?  Is "hate", whatever that means, by and of itself, a crime?  Is a murder victim less dead because he was not killed by a "hateful" person?   All of this is madness.   Or are we really trying to describe thoughts and perspectives that are simply out of tune with the fashions of the Liberal Statist  Elite?  Notice that the same folks who condemn "hateful" speech are the same folks who defend the Hollywood porno mills under the guise of the First Amendment.

The legal regulation of thought is the most distinctive feature of a Statist regime.  About 30 years ago we saw a major breach of the Constitution with the initial passage of property seizure laws, all directed, we were assured, against "organized crime".  We now see where that has gone.  RICO is everywhere.   Now the fashion de Jour is "hate crime" legislation. Notice that it is the same judicial system that tolerates this stuff that created the right, out of thin air, of women to murder their offspring, and to furthermore do so without the consent of the father. The legal system has become politicized and a function of the Statist agenda.   I submit that "hate" crimes are political crimes masquerading as criminal law.

In America we have a First Amendment to our Constitution under which, presumably, a citizen's right to think and speak is protected.  If one acts on certain thoughts in some way that is a violation of the traditional criminal code then the action should be the issue, not the thought alleged to be behind it.  To start prosecuting thoughts is to disassemble America and guarantee a breakdown of the system.  The prosecution of thought is the end of dialog and the promotion of the Gulag, with "appropriate psychological re-education".  When will the camps appear? John Rocker, watch out!  Sadly, this process, known as "political correctness", is already well underway.   Much of the Press, the Fifth branch of government (after the regulatory empire), has become complicit, and our system of education at all levels debased, thanks to 110 years of John Dewey.  All of this is being accomplished in an atmosphere of hostility toward a humble consideration of a Divine Creator and a Superior Intelligence and Authority, i.e. God.  This is not a coincidence or irrelevant.  No doubt my thoughts here are evidence that could be used against me; I am no doubt under suspicion of being me.   This is the real reason for the Second Amendment and the real reason why Statists are working so hard against it.

When was the last time you actually read the Declaration of Independence (Jefferson) and the Constitution (Madison) as amended?  Too few Americans today understand the revolutionary concept behind these documents that, for the first time in history, located the foundation of sovereignty as originating with "the People" and the channeling of that power upward through the processes of a constitutional republic which specifically constrains governmental powers and the impulses of raw democracy.  Since 1860 (arguably 1803) this logic has been gradually eroded and turned on its head.  We have witnessed in the course of less than 200 years the complete reversal of a Constitution to constrain government on behalf of the people into a Constitution to constrain people on behalf of the government.

In my opinion, the most crushing single blow occurring in the 20th Century happened with the adoption of the Sixteenth Amendment.  In effect, we, the American people, wrote a blank check to the politicians and invited the lawyers and the judges to become our unrestrained nannies.  Now the concept of the socialist welfare state was fully fundable, Statism fully rooted and our freedom sold to the highest bidder.  The withholding of income taxes initiated during W.W.II threw more gasoline on the fire by promoting the concept that it was never ours to begin with.

Under this system the government has perfected the practice of extortion and confiscation.   Private wealth, in self-defense, has become astute at paying for protection in the form of carefully crafted "campaign donations".  Bill Gates' mistake was to not play the game.   When referring to other countries we condescendingly call this sort of thing corruption.  In modern America we just shrug it off and blame the politicians.  In fact the case could be made that the federal government itself could, and should, be indicted under RICO.   We should look at ourselves in the mirror; we allowed it to happen.  I submit, that by its very nature, the income tax law is evil, fascist and un-American.  An income tax is also a violation of the 10th Commandment.                                                   

I believe that the primary secular requirements that must be accomplished to restore the Republic have to start with the following:

1. An enhanced repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment, eliminating all direct Federal taxation, including sales or use taxes. 

2. An intellectually honest line item examination of all activities of the Federal Government for actual Constitutional authority in black and white, setting aside the legal fiction by which the commerce clause covers everything and that imagined authority resides in various penumbras, inferences, emanations and mistaken activist precedents.  I believe that the President of the United States today has the Constitutional authority and responsibility to set aside and refuse to enforce or act upon instructions coming from either Congress or the Court which he deems unauthorized by the Constitution, irrespective of the gutless acquiescence of his predecessors.  Activist judges deserve to have their appendages severed, and I believe the President assumes the authority and responsibility to do so upon swearing to uphold and defend the Constitution, John Marshall be damned.  Congress forsook its responsibilities years ago, as did the Presidency, under the cover of Marshall's "Constitutional review" authority, the original activist creation extruded out of thin air.

I am suggesting a Constitutional Presidential function of negation, not creation; a sort of super veto that is constitutionally identifiable.  He takes an oath of office to defend and uphold the Constitution, not un-Constitutional laws passed by Congress or proclaimed by the Court.    I say the President has the Constitutional responsibility to declare unilaterally, if necessary, the vacation of all activities and functions of the Federal government, new or pre-existing, such as he is prepared to specifically identify and document with reference to the founding documents, and to act accordingly forthwith.    

3. The IRS code today is unconstitutional by simple virtue of the fact that it grossly violates the Constitutional requirement of equal protection under the law.  Progressive rates and targeted exemptions (social manipulation) are unequal by definition, and only a graduate of Harvard or Yale would choose not to understand this.   Furthermore, enforcement of this code requires gross violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. 

4. Reduced to its Constitutionally authorized role of defending the borders, and the currency, engaging our narrowly defined legitimate overseas interests, making treaties, and ensuring the free flow of interstate commerce, the Federal Government could easily be funded, as it was originally intended to be, by a simple neutral and universal tariff on all imports.  Concede the fact that "the people" have a fundamental Constitutional property right to keep their money, and leave them to re-empower the States, as they deem proper.   

5. Restore the American family by getting out of the way.  Recognize as a matter of law the fact that life begins at conception.  This has nothing to do with the "right to choose".  Everyone has the God given "right to choose".  It has to do with the acceptance of personal responsibility for one's own actions in protecting the rights of an innocent human life.   Murder is a violation of the Sixth Commandment and the Founding requirement of a federal defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness  (property, as then understood).   Restore responsibility to parents and acknowledge their supreme function in raising and educating their own children.  Cancel this communist nonsense about how "it takes a village".  No.  It takes two loving, responsible and dedicated parents, a mom and a dad.  Toughest job in the world.

6. End all forms of affirmative action and group statistics immediately.   A hyphenated culture is un-American.  Real Americans are Americans only, who stand on their own two feet, not sniveling, whining "victims" looking for a handout. What needs to be measured is personal competence only, with the appropriate awards reflected by the marketplace.  In this context the word "fairness" has become a communist code word. 

7. Close the borders to further immigration for 20 years, except for those who are clearly victims of, and endangered by, foreign Statist regimes.  Otherwise, accept only a strictly limited number of individuals who possess specific technical skills of critical benefit to the American culture and economy.  Support and encourage the development of the entrepreneurial (middle) class of Mexico, and liberate Cuba, both special neighbors.  A period of time for assimilation is considerably overdue in this country.                                                           

8. We have created an international system of dependants and dependency.   End it.  Restore a coherent and connected foreign policy based on American national interests narrowly defined and restricted, preferably on a bi-lateral basis, but be prepared to defend those interests with clear resolution.  The key word here is credibility. End the appeasement of Statists, thugs, hoods and terrorists.  If it is necessary to do business with such types at all, then clearly communicate our position and if they fail to promptly get in line then take appropriate forceful action.  However, let others fight their own civil and regional wars.  We need to tend to our own affairs, and cease to be an international busybody.  Review our relationship with the United Nations, and its location on American soil.   The burden of proving the worth of a continued relationship should fall on U.N. defenders.

9. Craft and maintain a muscular (i.e. credible) military designed strictly for the defense of American national interests.  Today a high priority must be national missile defense, including boost phase capability.   Another priority should be the total inspection of every Chinese shipping container entering the United States, and perhaps those leaving as well.  A credible national defense includes recognition that the nation's diplomats are only as effective as the military strength behind them, and a successful military investment is measured by the need not to use it.

10. Recognize that private property is the foundation of human rights.   Restore this fundamental to Constitutional review.   There is nothing collectivist in the American Foundation.

In the economic realm Conservatives in recent years have frequently conceded leadership of the struggle to re-establish free market thinking to Libertarians.  While there is much to be shared philosophically, there are some important distinctions, and a failure to examine these differences is intellectually lazy.  The problem, as I see it, with the top Libertarian priority of unrestrained free markets is four-fold:

1. Carried to their logical conclusion, Libertarian economic priorities can create conditions that approach slavery.  Not a winner on a number of levels.  At least under traditional slavery the owner had a financial incentive to protect the value of his investment.  Exactly what do Libertarians offer as a value system that trumps the "free market"?   Remember that a pure Libertarian is totally secular in addition to being so anti-regulation as to approach anarchism.  Libertarians are strong on contract law, as am I, but they see this as pretty much the sole function of government.   The problem here is that I suspect that, once upon a time, certain interior African chiefs had pretty strong contractual arrangements with certain Arab, English, French, Spanish and American traders, as well as other African chiefs.  There is evidence that the practice continues today.   Of course a pure Libertarian will argue that the objects of such exploitation are better off as a result. Somehow this strikes me as a bit patronizing, and, of course, fundamentally flawed on a theological level.

2. Various cultures, including the American culture, are not likely to concede pure "free trade" as a first virtue.  There is, for example, the issue of national sovereignty (read national security) and national identity.  These are not trifling matters.  The current orgy to "open up" trade relations with the Peoples Republic of China will have future consequences in terms of war and peace that should be disturbing.   I would suggest that the Chinese culture does not understand contract law as Americans do, or used to, and is unlikely to change in this regard.  Furthermore, a continued failure to address the issue of a negative balance of payments is debasing the dollar, extending dependence on foreign funding and oil, as well as providing hostile regimes with the hard currency necessary to buy arms against us.   We have become the laughingstock of the world. 

3. While one might reasonably suspect that trade union members have their own narrow interests to defend, not necessarily consistent with the best interests of consumers or the economy as a whole, one must also recognize that a values discussion is warranted.  Such a concern is totally consistent with traditional (as opposed to "neocon") Conservative thinking.   Next time you talk to a Libertarian about "free trade" ask him if he is willing to sell his mother.  If the answer is "no", ask him why not?  The answer will not be Libertarian, and I doubt it will be covered by a contract.   The most honest Libertarians are hookers; nobody understands the free market better.

4. I am a forceful advocate of realistic free market economics, based on enforceable reciprocity, and consistent with American national interests.  The yardstick by which to best measure the desirability

Of certain "protectionist" laws, rules and policies should revolve around issues of national military and economic security only, but there should be no fear of employing these tools.  The contemporary Neocon / Libertarian purest jihad against "protectionism" is playing directly into the hands of the one world Statists, foreign and domestic, whom should be our major concern going forward.  Protectionism should not be a dirty word when it is applied thoughtfully and American Conservatives should be leaders in such considerations.   The market will eventually prevail just as water finds its way downhill, and we should continue to encourage this process, but we don't have to sacrifice the Nation in doing so and look like dikeless Holland in 1945.

Republicans, posing as Modern Conservatives (notice the oxymoron) frequently put forward thinking that parallels advice to women to "lay back and don't struggle" when confronted with a rape.  What is long overdue is a willingness to pack heat, intellectually, and to use it. 

It is in response to these concerns that I have come to identify myself as a Nationalist Conservative, as opposed to embracing a "one world" economy that fits so neatly with the plans of international Statists determined to see the United Nations take over everything.  Failure to recognize this distinction is costing us our freedom and our country.   We are in short supply of disciplined intellectual precision on this matter.

Am I "judgmental"?   Hell yes.  A failure to be "judgmental" is a failure to recognize the existence of moral and ethical standards, without which basic civilization is impossible.  That is precisely why the deconstructionist impulse of Liberalism embraces condemnation of "judgmentalism" as critical to their war against the American culture.  To be “non-judgmental” is also a convenient excuse not to think.  Without the destruction of American culture their schemes of top down Statist control cannot succeed.  The battle in the end lies with the issue of whose moral and ethical standards are to prevail, at the bottom of which is the debate between secularists and believers.  Secularists wish to jamb the religion of atheism down our throats utilizing the tools of Statism.  Believers, of course, reject the notion that an amoeba has any moral authority and subscribe to the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.   Any honest examination of the American Founding finds it awash in the belief and acceptance of God as the necessary moral basis of our culture while recognizing the right of individual spiritual choice.  Are those who take exception to this un-American?  Of course.  They may legally be citizens with the rights of citizens, but they are not Americans.  The time has come to draw a line in the sand.   And, oh yes.  That allegedly Orthodox Jew Joe Lieberman is a political fraud; just ask most any Orthodox Rabbi.   Also note that while the DNC condemns the NRA, they embrace the Peoples Republic of China.

Recollections of my ethnic cousins before, during and after W.W.II excusing their behavior and ignorance concerning the persecution of a certain religious minority in particular, and others in general, have always driven my thinking.   It is from that perspective that I refuse to shut up. I am an American, not a "good German". 

My political baseline is 1800, and while I know that most of you may find this amusing, check in again in about 30 years, if you are still allowed to do so.  God willing, I intend to still be around like a bristlecone pine.  I am writing elsewhere on these and other matters in far greater detail, and will continue to do so, chronicling the enslavement of a free people, and, with God's help and mercy, our liberation.    I pray every day for the soul of this great nation and I pledge to my fellow Americans to struggle to the end for a restoration of the Republic.  Remember that Ronald Reagan was not satisfied with containment, but insisted on a roll back, as do I.   Same folks repackaged.                                                     

Too many so-called Conservatives today, frequently comfortable in the academy, believe that with the collapse of the Soviet Union we are now beyond the ideological horrors of the 20th Century.  They fail to recognize the destruction and mayhem, rendered against the American culture domestically, caused during the external struggles against Statists and the Cold War in particular.  The struggle against Statists worldwide has not gone away, nor has the domestic subversion of our culture, ongoing for at least 58 years.   The Marxist culture of envy is alive and healthy.  Today the Statists are in charge and they are co-opting the corporations.  The drunken stupor of economic prosperity has glossed over the fundamental issues.

A hugely popular American talk-show host recently revealed his naiveté on this point when he intoned that domestic Liberals cannot be compared to Communists because there was not yet a Gulag and nobody had yet been shot.  Aside from this arguable inaccuracy, I would submit that there are plenty of domestic Liberals, and out-of-control Federal agents, who are entirely comfortable with the idea of putting Americans behind bars, or worse, for the crime of being Americans.  Perhaps we are on the cusp of a genuine life and death civil struggle.  Watch for the Balkanization.

It is important for everyone who takes these matters seriously to recognize the fact that everything to be known about human nature has been understood for several thousand years, and to respect the wisdom of the ages.  Growth occurs, for individuals, in a recognition and acceptance of these facts.  The attempted imposition of forced behavior modification by Statists during the course of the 20th Century cost the violent deaths of over 100 million people. Where are we headed next?

                                    Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

                                    God Bless America

                                    Sincerely,

                                                        Jim Sohmer

                                                        American Nationalist Conservative

                                                        Jefferson,Colorado                                                                        

NOTE re. 20^TH Century Statism:  The morphing of communists into fascists with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and an examination of conservatism, libertarianism, liberalism and environmentalism in America is considered in detail elsewhere.  The core issue is the evolution of Statism with the implicit threat of fascism.

Re-edited 04/18/04 for technical writing errors, otherwise as the original.   This letter was written and distributed in the midst of the national post election brouhaha in Florida, with an actual winner of the presidential race not yet determined.  It is the original letter of the Mountain Observer.   Post September 11, 2001, it remains an excellent statement of American National Conservatism, as I see it.  Subsequent letters, and now this website, are intended to develop and expand these ideas.  JES 04/18/04