Heal. Inspire. Revive.
By Tom Quiner
I love the Ben Carson story.
I am dubious of his credentials to be president. I’m not sure he’s got a broad enough grasp of complex issues, simply because he’s never served in government.
The nation’s Founders wrote the Constitution in a way to limit the size and scope of the federal government. Their best efforts failed. The federal government far exceeds what the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution ever imagined.
Even more, foreign policy is complex, murky, inscrutable. The Obama/Clinton foreign policy legacy will haunt future administrations for generations. I’m concerned about a new president with no previous government experience jumping into the middle of roiling international crises.
Granted, Dr. Carson is a brilliant man. If any outsider could get a grasp on the complexities of domestic and foreign affairs, it is he.
Having said that, Ben Carson has touched a nerve. He is the classic American success story: a self-made man who came from nothing; a Horatio Alger story if there ever was one; a man who could have easily been aborted had he been born a generation later.
His life makes a dramatic case against human abortion.
Last night, Dr. Carson was Dr. Carson in the Republican debate. He clearly doesn’t grasp policy as well as the “insider” candidates. He has flip-flopped on issues several times. He is feeling his way on others.
But then Ben demonstrated why normal people love him. In his closing remarks, he identified the disease eating away at this great country:
“In the two hours of this debate, five people have died from drug-related deaths, $100 million has been added to our national debt, 200 babies have been killed by abortionists, and two veterans have taken their lives out of despair.”
And then he tapped into the themes of his brilliant campaign slogan with his solution:
“This is a narrative that we can change. Not we the Democrats, not we the Republicans, but we the people of America, because there is something special about this nation and we must embrace it and be proud of it and never give it away for the sake of political correctness.”
The real disease facing America is political correctness.
PC is un-American in its fervor to silence moral and political opposition to the ascendant progressive value system. Dr. Carson stands squarely in the path of this leftward lurch that embraces dependence and impotence; and increasingly opposes free enterprise economics and Judeo-Christian ethics.
His personal narrative makes the case for independence and self-empowerment.
The Doctor is clear: he is out to eradicate the disease destroying this country: political correctness. His campaign slogan lays out his mission with concision:
“Heal. Inspire. Revive.”
On this basis alone, his candidacy has merit.
What a great foundation to build on!
Yes it is!
Foreign policy is important and perhaps more important now than any time in our nation’s history. That is why I am so hesitant to accept Carson or Trump as our CIC. I think Carson would make an excellent VP, as his intelligence is very obvious, and it is good for our president to surround himself or herself with bright people. And then he could be “groomed” to run for President in 8 years.
I totally agree.
He may not be too savvy with respect to politics, but his mind is not enclosed in a bubble. He sees the whole picture, as opposed to those who continue to have tunnel vision, thus impairing their ability to see beyond the fringe. Let’s face it. I would rather have a leader of his caliber, than a community organizer. That’s my take on this. Blessings.
I hear you. But then I think of what a novice like Obama has done to this country. On the other hand, Obama used moderate language to mask his intent to “fundamentally transform America” into a European-style social democracy. Dr. Carson, I believe, shoots straight on how he’d govern.
You note that he has flip-flopped on several issues. I noticed too, and I applaud him for it. You rarely see candidates say “I was wrong” about a policy (if I recall correctly, Ben Carson’s exact or similar words from the CNBC debate). What an honest guy!
Interesting response, Oliver. You make a point. However, if there are too many flip-flops, one is left with the impression that he doesn’t know as much as he needs to, and he’ be learning on the job. Right now, I’m still willing to give him a pass. Thanks for writing.
Point taken. He always seems so thoughtful. It’d be a pity if he said something stupid. I never get that terrible “oh dang it, what’s he gonna say?” feeling with Ben. If he doesn’t know the answer, he says “let me learn.” He seems like a quick study anyway, but I see what you mean.
I am particularly concerned with his foreign policy (or you could say lack thereof) which leads me to prefer Marco Rubio over Ben Carson by a tiny margin. Otherwise Ben is my favorite!
I hear you. Dr. Carson is a man of great integrity and intelligence. But so is Senator Rubio, and his knowledge of foreign policy is particularly strong. At this point, he’s got my vote.
He has said repeatedly, that foreign policy is a learning process. No one who has run for president, in my humble opinion, is on top of foreign policies. They have not dealt with this aspect of the office, in the past, with the exception of Veeps, as they are next in line for the office.They have experts who will groom the new office holder.
I suppose you’re right, but I am uncomfortable with someone with zero experience taking over the frayed Obama foreign policy legacy.
Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. I have been involved in politics for a long time, and I know how the system works. As for Obama, he has ruffians for advisors, with similar agendas, and being cut from the same cloth, he doesn’t question their validity. Remember, he wants to globalize America.
True. So does Hillary.
Why anyone would want to re America is beyond me. I would guess that being president does not quench their thirst for power, therefore.. why not try to rule the world? They’re so delusional! Their quest, which is not God sanctioned, will spell their doom.