Obama: "No You Can't"

In recent months, millions of Americans have listened to the empty rhetoric of Barack Obama. We have all heard his speeches and his vague promises of hope and change. We’ve listened to a man—who has been independently ranked as the most liberal politician in the U.S. Senate—promising that he can somehow bring both sides of the aisle rushing to follow him to the very farthest extreme of the ideological pendulum.

These are clever words and slogans—especially when so many Americans are dissatisfied and distrustful of government—but they are empty promises.

At this point in history, our President has very low numbers, and our Congress has even lower approval ratings. One recent poll found that Congress has recorded its lowest approval rating in the history of such polls. Yet all of Barack’s promises hinge on giving America’s bloated, ineffective, and unpopular government even greater control over American life. We’ve heard Barack lay out his solutions of big government, and we have seen him lead enthusiastic crowds in chanting: “Yes We Can.”

Perhaps there is no greater irony in this campaign than watching the disciples of big government and the welfare-state screaming, “Yes We Can!” The political philosophy of liberalism, which treats the American people as though they are utterly incapable of taking care of themselves, has the audacity to embrace a slogan of “Yes We Can.”

The entire foundation of liberal politics is built upon the premise of “No You Can’t.”

Conservatism believes that Americans CAN take care of their families.
Liberalism looks at the American people and screams: “No You Can’t.”

Conservatism trusts that Americans can wisely choose how to spend their own paychecks.
But the high-tax policies of liberalism say to the American worker: “No You Can’t.”

True conservatism believes that our citizens can thrive best when government regulation and the yokes of bureaucracy are lifted from their shoulders.
But the thousands of liberal bureaucrats in D.C. would tell you, “No You Can’t.”

Conservatives believe that America is unique because we can look to God as our source for liberty, not to government.
In recent decades, our liberal judiciary has told us: “No You Can’t.”

Conservatism believes that American law can be fair & equitable while securing our borders.
Liberalism says, “No You Can’t.”

Conservatism believes that Americans can bear arms in accordance with the Constitution’s 2nd Amendment.
We have seen numerous liberal states and municipalities expressly declare, “No You Can’t.”

Conservatism believes that parents can be trusted to decide the best alternative for their child’s education.
Liberalism rejects school choice—shouting to parents: “No You Can’t.”

In short, conservatism believes that Americans CAN prosper apart from the long arm of big government, and liberalism whispers, “No You Can’t.”

Consider this. Barack wants higher taxes; socialized healthcare; increased regulation on American industries; more burdens on gas prices; dramatically increased pledges of international aid; a government bailout of the mortgage and financial industries; and a bigger role for government in virtually every conceivable arena of the political landscape. Now ask yourself … why does Barack want to expand the size and scope of our federal government? Is it not because at the base of Barack’s entire political philosophy is the belief that Americans CANNOT attain success apart from the crutches of big government?

At his core, Barack believes that the government MUST interject, because he believes that American people CANNOT succeed. Conservatism believes the opposite. We believe that time has proven that the government CANNOT outperform the American people, and therefore the American people CAN, MUST, and SHALL.

Obama has painted the repeatedly failed policies of liberalism (see LBJ & Jimmy Carter) as though they are new policies of hope and change. Government has grown wildly in recent years, but government has never been more unpopular with the American people. And Barack’s solution? MORE government! This is liberalism. It feeds on pessimism and a lack of faith in the American people to thrive apart from their addiction to government handouts, bailouts, and sellouts; whereas conservatism trusts in the ingenuities of American enterprise and the charitable nature of the American people.

Government has never lifted America to greatness; the American people have. When Barack says, “YES WE CAN,” he means an elite group of Washington politicians CAN, because they know better than you. But like Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater, conservatism believes that big government is a hindrance to success. It is not the answer to the problem; it IS the problem.