by Chuck Barr:
Mitt Romney spoke highly about “our next generation of Republican leaders,” when announcing his decision not to run for President. Romney was on the right track: why repeat history when we can mold it anew again?
People always say history repeats itself. If the race to the White House in 2016 is any indication— thus far— that’s where we’re headed.
Another Bush and another Clinton— almost a certainty in terms of where party leadership in both parties see the future of the United States. Fortunately, there are individuals in both parties, and those who belong to other parties, who aim for higher standards than the past generation has set.
The most common argument for another Bush or another Clinton is a strong appreciation for the leadership that Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush have given to this country. People seem to not want to examine the failed policies of a continued dynasty. Why not?
If Hillary Clinton becomes the next President, Bill Clinton, John Kerry, and Barack Obama will have some input in the direction she aims to bring the country. The same goes for Jeb Bush. George W. Bush and his ties to the corporate elite will certainly rub off in another Bush Administration. It might not be a whole lot of influence, but if Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush were stuck on an economic, social, or catastrophic issue, their first phone call would probably be for some advice from some experienced family members. We’re certainly not getting the call.
And at this point, what difference does the Constitution make?
Okay, okay. So what if we don’t look at their family history and ties to the past? Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush are completely different than Bill and George, after all, right?
As Governor, Jeb Bush signed a statute that allowed him the power to overrule Terri Schiavo’s husband (her caretaker and legal guardian at the time) who felt that she would rather die than be in a constant vegetative state. Jeb’s ruling was overturned and deemed unconstitutional by Florida’s court, and the Supreme Court later rejected an appeal.
That case actually heavily involved George W. Bush, who signed the bill during the middle of the night on Psalm Sunday in 2005 and Rick Santorum, who sponsored the bill to keep her alive. Barack Obama also explained that it was one of his biggest professional mistakes (before taking office) to allow Congress to intrude when it shouldn’t have. In this case, Barack Obama is absolutely right: there should have been no federal government involvement in this case. Jeb Bush’s actions involving the statute also suggest that he is willing to bend the rules in order to make cases against what he believes are “moral absolutes”.
Speaking of “moral absolutes”, Jeb Bush also believes it best when we don’t teach children about abortion, homosexuality, or crime. Shielding children is best to build up good character. He believes in a top-down government approach to educating our children. History has proven the complete opposite is far more effective: it’s precisely why there isn’t any indication about education in our Constitution.
On civil rights, Jeb is the status quo— as far as politicians are concerned. He doesn’t believe that gays should ever be classified as victims and constantly is an advocate for the death penalty. For someone who believes in “moral absolutes”, there is absolutely a skewed moral compass here.
Hillary Clinton is very inconsistent with her views about many issues. For example, her support for traditional marriage and her murky beliefs in abortion don’t really make her the most friendly pro-liberty advocate. She rails against big corporations and big banking, yet is funded by them.
Overseas, she is just as bad. She believes in supporting and disseminating the message of democracy throughout the world. But her version is a heavy influence of American dollars working to uplift places like Latin America. She believes in a commitment to “help people abroad before committing troops” and has supported strong funding for international development. Above all else, she has expressed the desire to engage in world affairs and a continued support to the United Nations, saying that the United States ultimately benefits. Let’s not also forget Benghazi.
It’s hard to keep track of how Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush stand on different issues – their opinions change with each day and each campaign they run. And above all else, their record and stances are rooted in a statist political philosophy that is a proven failure.
With Jeb Bush, America get’s a fearlessly hypocritical interventionist: intervening in everything from personal decisions to foreign affairs, and someone who would continue to grow every aspect of government. With Hillary Clinton, America gets a fear-mongering hypocrite who killed a few people and got away with it, and someone who would continue the failed economic and foreign policies of the past few Presidents while growing the government in every aspect imaginable.
Even if you’re someone who isn’t all too keen on the libertarian philosophy of leaving people alone, let’s settle our differences and agree that America’s future is too great to give power back to another Bush or another Clinton. They have had their time and influence in American politics and have clearly left a mark on public opinion. Government is too big, especially when it can tell us what we can and can’t do. These two individuals will not be the ones to shrink it.
The next generation of leaders in America doesn’t have to be Republican and it doesn’t have to be Democratic. The next generation of leaders in America needs someone who is constantly fighting for smaller government – domestically and internationally. There are many other options, thankfully, that fit into our generation’s calling. But Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush: why repeat history when we can mold it anew again?
America, we can do better.
About the Author:
An aspiring filmmaker with a passion for liberty-minded politics, Charles Barr resides in Monmouth County, New Jersey and attends Montclair State University with the intention of graduating in 2017 with a double major in filmmaking and political science and a minor in communications. Charles has volunteered for various campaigns including: Ron Paul for President 2012, Stephanie Ziemba for State Assembly, Steve Lonegan for US Senate, Ken Kaplan for Governor, Brian Goldberg for US Senate, and Dorit Goikhman for US Congress. In addition to politics, Charles was the assistant director for the feature length film, My Brother’s Girlfriend that premiered in early 2015 and has helped with the production of various shorts. Currently, Charles serves as the Associate Director for the Empowerment PAC, the Assistant Chair of Herrera PAC, and is writing a web-series based on the dangers of prescription painkillers.
