Recently, I was invited to address some people as a candidate for Arizona CD-8. I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about. Lately, as I have watched, like all of you have, the rampant dishonesty of our government, my thoughts turned to the repeated warnings from our Founders.
While I know they were by no means perfect men, I believe to my core they were inspired by our God to accomplish all that they did. I wanted to assure those in attendance that I first believe that freedom is a gift from our God, not government. Secondly, that our Founders were inspired and our Bill of Rights and Constitution are inspired documents that contain conservative principles. I’d like to share with you some quotes from our Founders and others who participated in our liberation from tyranny.
James Madison: “It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freemen of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle. We revere this lesson too much…to forget it.”
Alexander Hamilton: “The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature by the hand of the Divinity itself, and can never by erased or obscured by mortal power.”
George Washington: “The foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality;…the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained…”
John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Thomas Jefferson: “Can the liberties of a nation be sure when we remove their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift from God?”
John Adams: “The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
Benjamin Franklin: “God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”
Patrick Henry: “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not be religionists, buy by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”
These quotes, and there are so many others, tell me that America is a land choice above all others. That it has been destined for greatness from its inception. In addition to telling us how important the role of God was in the founding of this nation, they warned us, being the inspired men they were, to carefully select those who would serve us in government.
Sam Adams: “If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”
James Garfield: “Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…If the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
Abraham Lincoln: “Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step over the ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the Earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
James Madison: “In framing a government, which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.”
It is my belief that our Congress and our President have forgotten whom they serve. The quest for personal power and influence have corrupted too many of them and it’s time that they pay the bill for it with their jobs.
I’m optimistic. There are many good people running now who understand the role of government and to whom they answer. Find them. Support them. Elect them. While we are currently struggling collectively as a nation, I don’t believe for a second that God’s handiwork will fail. I believe we can repair the damage and emerge stronger than ever. That’s what Americans do and that’s who we are.
But it is going to take the will of the American people to accomplish this. I am but one man of many who want to go to Washington and begin the overhaul. Alone, I can accomplish little. With the support of the voters in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, I can be the blunt instrument that is required for these times and I will be that proverbial ‘bull in the china shop’. Conservatives who believe as I do, and there will be many who win elections in November, will join me and we will start repairing the damage and plugging the holes. I’ll do what I say I will do. Will you do your part?
Andy Goss is a Republican candidate for Congress in Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District
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Please re read Sam Adams’ quote. I’m no fan of the current administration nor was I a fan of the last but the last thing we need is another Contract on America.
I admire your passion for our forefathers elegant design. I believe Americans need to be reminded of these truths and I sincerely hope that Arizona can lead us back to our Constitutional foundations.
Here is a group from Utah that has taken up the banner of state and individual rights. Perhaps there is value in expanding the Patrick Henry caucus to other states. What do you think?
http://www.thepatrickhenrycaucus.com/