An Open Letter to Aspiring Candidates

Colonel Dan, SASS Life #24025

As I wrote last month, I’m convinced the case against incumbents is clear and the time is both ripe and right to clean house. I’m sure many aspiring candidates also smell blood in the water and see the 2010 election as their best shot at unseating entrenched political power mongers. I agree, 2010 must be viewed as our moral imperative to help such “unseating campaigns” succeed—but those aspiring candidates must first have the right philosophical foundation before they can hope to earn our support. What is the right philosophical foundation? Part of our responsibility is to clearly define it and let them know exactly what we expect and what we will insist upon. The following letter is how I define that philosophical foundation.

Dear Aspiring Candidate,

You say you want to serve the people of the United States. I sincerely hope that is your true motive rather than some underlying goal of holding office just to satisfy your personal ambition. The difference is huge and we will insist on nothing less than honorable service. America has had her fill of self-indulgent office holders.

Pledge to return America to the honorable philosophy of our Founding Fathers. Pledge to reverse the destructive course and repeal the dictatorial actions forced upon us by politicians of both parties. Make it your solemn duty to elevate our beloved country to that shining light of virtue on a hill. What I am about to tell you in this regard could not be better said than by those who said it first.

If elected, you will be entrusted with a divine responsibility, a fact that was lost on most of your recent predecessors. John Adams described it this way, “Politics are the divine science, after all. How is it possible that any man should ever think of making it subservient to his own little passions and mean private interests?” I therefore appeal to your sense of American honor and pride that was personified in the spirit of our Founders. If you want to see a successful future, look to the past for guidance—you can learn from both good and bad examples and I implore you to learn quickly—the recent past for the bad and the more distant past of our nation’s birth for the good.

Remember that government is but a necessary encumbrance on the freedom of societal man and Americans have lived the lessons of how beneficial it can be when limited and how destructive it surely is when unlimited. James Madison addressed this, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” What should you look to for those controlling limits on government? Thomas Jefferson made it very clear and very simple, “Let no more be said of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” Respect and abide by our Constitution and always be cognizant of your sacred oath to support and defend it. Your loyalty is clearly to America, the Constitution and her people—not a political party.

Extreme pressure will be placed on you to “go along to get along.” Be ready for it but never surrender to it. Exert your independence on a solid foundation of honor and virtue having no fear of how history might treat you. As John Adams advised, “What is to become of an independent statesman, one who will bow the knee to no idol, who will worship nothing as a divinity but truth, virtue, and his country? I will tell you; he will be regarded more by posterity than those who worship hounds and horses; and although he will not make his own fortune, he will make the fortune of his country." And is it not your stated goal to serve our country’s fortune rather than your own?

After serving a single term of office with honor and virtue while others may have held multiple terms for personal enrichment, how should you look back on your service? Adams addressed this also and it’s the goal for which you must strive. Earn the right to look your fellow citizens squarely in the eye and be able to repeat Adams’ words sincerely from your heart. "I do not curse the day when I engaged in public affairs....I cannot repent of any thing I ever did conscientiously and from a sense of duty. I never engaged in public affairs for my own interest, pleasure, envy, jealousy, avarice, or ambition, or even the desire of fame. If any of these had been my motive, my conduct would have been very different. In every considerable transaction of my public life, I have invariably acted according to my best judgment, and I can look up to God for the sincerity of my intentions." Conduct your affairs so that this too can be your legacy and your testament.

If you sincerely share this philosophy, I say go forth and do well for America with our blessing and support. If not, you shouldn’t serve at all for we will be watching and were you to deceive us you would surely pay a heavy price—Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Sincerely, An American Patriot

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It’s now our responsibility to put deserving candidates in office. Our Constitution or the law cannot do this for us. As Sam Adams admonished, “… neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend of the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man.''

I share the view from our Founder’s saddle…

Contact Colonel Dan: coloneldan@bellsouth.net

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