Most people associate the term America First with foreign policy. While the implication speaks loudly for
a pro national stand, most ignore the tradition that Populism is at the core of the movement. In order to understand the heritage,
one should examine the most overt aspects of this tradition. Professor Ralph Raico, states the case for an American
First foreign policy in his book - The Failure of America’s Foreign Wars. He refers to the following motto used by Richard Cobden, the libertarian theorist of international relations:
“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is — in extending our commercial
relations — to have with them as little political connection as possible.”
While the sordid history of mindless interventionism is widely available, most detractors want to rely upon
the canard that isolationism from world affairs is the goal for advocates of the America First philosophy. How insincere,
such a reproach is and disingenuous are these critics. Clearly those who accept the wisdom of Washington and Adams, understand
that it applies today and has the same validity as when the nation embarked on its unique journey in self governance.
So what is the nature of the fear within the internationalist camp, that requires them to deny our own history,
distort the facts and often falsify the significance about our heritage? Their dread stems from an aversion toward LIBERTY, especially when it is practiced by individuals of integrity. The populist movement of the late nineteenth century
had a strong alignment with rural interests. If Thomas Jefferson championed the populace, William Jennings Bryan spoke for
the populist. When Alexander Hamilton advanced the elites, Woodrow Wilson served the masters of internationalism. This conflict
in mindset and orientation is at the core of the uninterrupted political struggle.
The domestic character in the America First movement, is largely unsung because the shapers of the political
culture have gone to great lengths to dispel the meaning of individual sovereignty. Populism is the embodiment of rightful
authority. Legitimacy of political institutions rests in the consent of citizens, and has as its only purpose, the benefit
and advancement of their interests. Elites and their minions need not apply for positions of privilege. Special treatment,
corporate domination and coercive compliance all promote cronyism of the few, over the prosperity of the many. While the control
and creation of money was fraudulently expropriated through the Federal Reserve swindle, the convergence of people control
was extended with the perpetual war for global domination strategy.
For the underlying objective in all internationalism policy is not just the expansion of an empire, but ultimately
is the enslavement of each individual. Individual Liberty is the preeminent archenemy of the mattoid elite. Populism represents the pro active political underpinnings that recognizes that the Statist is the supreme
enemy of the Republic. Those who lust after power for no other reason than to enrich and protect their own narrow appetites,
are the unfeigned problem. The reason that the people must be shielded from the common sense of Populism, is reducible to
the fear that elites have, that the regular folk will wake up to the fraud of the two party, one NWO voice, political system.
America First is the sensible and honest alternative to the continuous failures of the last century. The reason
is simple. More of your friends, neighbors and family would become empowered to attain the fruits of the national dream, when
they are able to live their lives as free and responsible citizens. Yes, an America First mindset, invokes obligations. But
our mutual duty is directed towards people, not government. Only individuals possess rights. The State exists to serve the
real master of government; namely the people.
Don’t be confused that genuine Populism promotes any form of “collectivism”. The emphasis
is always on what will enhance the interests of the individual. Society never has the authority to claim they can establish
subjugation for the ‘common good’. The test of validity for domestic policies will accept the standard that government
must be controlled and not be the controller. That is why the definition within the name of America First is so appropriate.
The point that the government is NOT the nation, has been made repeatedly. It is time to put that theme into
practice. The Corporate/State axis is the evil twin. The solution is restoring a real free enterprise economy and scale back
and severely limit the role of central government. That is the goal for Populism. It is the American tradition and it deserves
to be put FIRST, whenever public policy is considered.
So when you hear the smears against the only sane and prudent course, ask who benefits from those cat calls
and who profits from that policy? The Republic is now dead with the enactment of the Patriot Act and now the Homeland Defense
Act. Nothing illustrates more animus towards the prospects of freedom than these domestic draconian dictates of the elites.
Populism is the political answer, American First is the correct policy, and Liberty is its eternal reward. Laugh in the face
of the toadies for the elites. Virtuous and honest citizens know better. America First is your legacy! Can you count
yourself among their ranks? Will you defend it or will you continue to pay trubute to the illicit betrayers of our Constitutional
Republic?
SARTRE - November 21, 2002
