On July 4th, 1776 the founders set forth to establish a system of governance based upon PRINCIPLES and self-evident TRUTHS. They understood moral clarity and that there are areas of life that are not shaded with gray but are black and white. Where has that gone?
In this week’s episode of the Conservative Conscience, your host Daniel Horowitz breaks down how America has abandoned black-and-white moral clarity and opted instead for moral relativism – and why that is perhaps the single greatest factor in the destruction of our Republic.
Sexual Orientation? Gender? Good & Evil? Natural Law? Religious Freedom? These are all gray areas now.
But alas, Horowitz asks, “When was the last time you’ve seen a Republican speak with clarity about morality the same way you see the Democrats speak with clarity about immorality?”
… still waiting.
Also, be sure to check out Daniel’s annual July 4th manifesto coming out next week!
We explore the original role of the Judiciary as conceived by our Founders, a role that has transformed into that of an oligarchy. Anthony Kennedy determines the outcome of every political issue in our country. That is very dangerous for democracy.
In this episode, Daniel Horowitz is joined by special guest Phil Haney, a former Department of Homeland Security frontline officer, to discuss his book See Something, Say Nothing: A Homeland Security Officer Exposes the Government's Submission to Jihad.
Since leaving the DHS, Haney has become a whistleblower exposing the government’s failures. The result – his intelligence information was eliminated and he was himself investigated by the DHS. Now, Haney joins the Conservative Conscience podcast to shed light about the radical Islamist enemy we face and how the Obama administration is capitulating to jihadist terrorism.
In wake of the #Orlando Terrorist attacks, the GOP have already begun to wilt and bend in the defensive posture they are so often found in after the Democrats go on offense.
Daniel lays out the problems our immigration policy, details the issues which the GOP should be pushing for, and explains why the Republicans should be going on offense and fighting back against the failed policies of the Left and the Obama administration.
Important Links:
7 Constitutional Steps to Protect the Homeland Against Jihad
Republicans of all stripes are caught in the vicious cycle of having to respond to everything Trump says. They are ensnared in the circuitous Trump trap.
How do they escape?
In this episode, Daniel and Joe discuss the false choice conservatives have been given by the media and political class. Everything in politics is always a binary choice. This year it has fully centered around Trump – whether one is pro-Trump or anti-Trump.
The only way to get out of this trap is to redefine the landscape and actually stand for something. Imagine if Republicans actually fought for some of the priorities we focus on here at Conservative Review?
Then, the binary choice would be whether you are for flooding the country with un-vetted refugees or whether you stand for American sovereignty and security. Or it would be a choice of whether you stand for privacy and sanity with men not being allowed in female dressing rooms or not?
Those are choices conservatives can win. But with a party standing for nothing other than quietly rubber-stamping Obama’s agenda, by default the only exciting news is Trump.
Thus, they are caught in a trap of their own making.
In this episode, Daniel has a special guest, Patrick Poole, who uses his expertise to navigate the murky waters of the Middle East. Daniel and Patrick mark the 72nd anniversary of D-Day and lament how our military and strategic vision has fallen so low since those days of glory. Our military has been abused in recent years by being placed in the cross-fire of sectarian civil wars with no national security interests, definitive outcomes, or reasonable rules of engagement.
Patrick offers unique insights and updates on what is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. He observes how our special operations soldiers are being stretched thin and being placed in impossible circumstances because they are being used as the president’s private army in order to fulfill his fundamental global transformation.
Finally, Daniel notes that with the upcoming debate in the Senate over the defense authorization bill, Republicans have an opportunity to stand for our military and question Obama’s misuse of our soldiers in pursuit of aimless missions. Sadly, we have no men on the field in Washington to stand for the men who are being placed in the line of fire. A far cry from the WWII days when our soldiers knew that their military and political leadership had their back.
Links
https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/06/2014-2015-middle-east-immigration-numbers
The GOP has had the Majority in the House and Senate for a while now, and the excuse of not passing positive legislation is that Obama would simply veto any meaningful measures.
But when they carry the water for Obama as they appeared to have done on the Transgendered Bill this week, you have to see them for what they really are: a transgendered GOP Congress. They identify as Republicans, but in reality the way they vote and legislate is that of liberals.
There is a good chance that no new conservatives will be elected to the U.S. Senate. Few if any conservatives will be on ballots for the House. As for the GOP Presidential nominee... well...
So what are conservatives left with? Daniel and Joe argue it is the best hope, and possibly best strategy for conservatives to regain a foothold in the political arena. It isn't an easy or quick solution, but it would have lasting and important effects on the political landscape for years to come.
What is the truth behind North Carolina’s common sense law to prevent radicals from tearing down any and every private space for women – be it bathrooms, dormitories, or locker rooms? How did this battle begin and who is standing with local North Carolina Republicans to combat the insanity?
Dan Forest, North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, joins Daniel to warn the country that if they fail to stand with North Carolina, every state will be overcome with this radical transformation. One of the few brave, articulate, and principled conservatives in an era of a lost Republican Party, Forest makes it clear that he will not back down in the face of boycott threats from the corporate cronies who’ve sought to placate the radical sexual identity movement.
Links of Interest:
Sen. Burr Hides in the Men’s Room as North Carolina Fights Alone
Ted Cruz is out, Kasich is out, and Donald Trump is now the presumptive GOP Nominee for President. Now what? What is the path forward for conservatives? Not just for the White House in 2016, but down ballot and moving forward.
Daniel and Joe talk about what the real problem was for conservatives in 2016, and what needs to be corrected in the future.
Links of Interest:
Our once proud constitutional republic has turned into a pure democracy. In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel and Joe demonstrate from the outcome of the presidential and congressional primaries how pure democracy leads to tyranny. It would be much better to conduct primaries through the Colorado convention model where anyone can still participate, but the process tends to attract only those voters truly engaged with the political reality and familiar with the authentic records of each candidate.
The Trump campaign has successfully framed the conventions as “voterless elections” orchestrated by the establishment against the will of “the people.” In reality, as Daniel explains, the conventions are dominated by the most committed conservative activists in each state who truly reflect the will of the people and the Constitution, as envisioned by our Founders in a republican form of government. Pure democratic primaries, on the other hand, reflect nothing more than the will of Rupert Murdock who uses Fox News (Faux News) as a means to manipulate public sentiment. In this case, Fox’s agenda is #NeverCruz; in other cases it will be against a candidate even Trump voters like.
By going through his experience with congressional primary challenges, Daniel makes a compelling case to Trump voters that, in the long run, RINOS like John McCain will always win reelection in democratic primaries. The only way to defeat them is through a convention that harnesses a republican model of precinct or district representation.
Links
Is there not a cause that conservatives will rise to fight for? Can Republicans unify behind a cause that is transcendent? Donald Trump is winning because he represent change from the usual status quo of Republicans folding instead of fighting. But what would Trump the president look like as compared to Trump the candidates?
Beyond Trump, who is the master of the sound-bite, why aren’t conservatives fighting for seminal issues to reclaim our government and fight for SOVEREIGNTY, SECURITY, and SOCIETY?
Links of Interest:
Trump's Trans-Ideology
Top 10 Slam-Dunk Issues for Conservatives in 2016
One of the reasons that Trump-mania is sweeping the nation is that the voting electorate is mad at anyone associated with the federal government. Republicans are not immune to this dissatisfaction, because even with the majority, they are scoring points for the Left, and allowing the Obama administration to get whatever they want.
Since coming back, Congress has done nothing but focus on backwards priorities, all the while ignoring winning 80/20 issues simply because they might have the slightest hint of “SOCIAL” attached to their policy description. Along with the fact that Senate GOP leadership is up to its old tricks again, trying to prevent a way for Sen. Mike Lee from gaining a position on Senate leadership.
Daniel and Joe discuss the top issues that the GOP is focusing on, and the ones that they should actually be concerned with – the ones that most impact the country and should be the focus of the presidential race and Congress’ attention.
Links of Interest:
IRS Giving Tax Credits to Illegals Who've Engaged in Identity Theft
Top 17 Left-Wing Moments of John Kasich’s Endless Political Career
Just In: House Leaders Silence Opposition on Puerto Rico Bankruptcy Bill
Republicans have a majority in the House and Senate, and therefore they should be "greasing the skids" for a GOP President to come in and undo the the societal transformation that has occurred under President Obama.
Democrats cannot safeguard, nor will the attempt to, our SOVEREIGNTY, SECURITY, or SOCIETY and the principles that are the basis for these pillars. The big question is why Republicans are asleep at the wheel. The GOP has the chance to win on so many "80/20" issues but shy away at the first scent that it might expose them politically.
Daniel and Joe discuss these three issues, and how if Republicans wanted to win on them they could. The key to upholding Sovereignty, Security, and Society is simple -- but it requires adhering to actual conservative principles. Listen as Daniel lays out the plain facts on what it takes to win on conservative issues that are vital to the success and prosperity of America.
Who will prevail as the GOP Nominee? Well, the answer to that became a lot more complicated after the resounding win in #WIPrimary by Ted Cruz. Because of his win, and the path forward, it is looking more and more like the summer nominating convention will be open and that no candidate will get to 1,237 – the magical number to secure the nomination.
While Cruz and Trump both have states they will likely win easily --- the recent surge by Cruz and the shrunken field have made for an interesting race. Daniel breaks down things state by state, and discusses how the June contest in California may be a deciding factor.
Daniel and Joe also discuss the messaging behind declaring a mandate in a race like this. Each Campaign will have to make the case at an open convention (or beforehand) that their candidate should be the nominee. The offer their predictions on what those arguments should be, and explain which has the most merit.
Nowhere in the Constitution does it describe an unelected super legislature who is tasked with determining what is and isn't Constitutional but that is exactly what we have with the federal courts and especially the Supreme Court.
The concept of judicial review started as a controversial function that would sometimes be used by the Supreme Court, but today it seems all societal and legislative questions find their answer through the courts.
Daniel and Joe discuss the courts and the impact they have on America, our laws, and the future of the Republic.
The 2016 Election seems more like a circus than an American presidential race. Daniel rants about how the media covers everything that is sensational, but nothing that is important. The seminal issues of the day are ignored for stories fit more for tabloids than the front page of daily papers.
The Founding Fathers wrote and fought for critical issues of life, liberty, and freedom, while the topics that are trending in 2016 are nothing but sensationalized personal interest stories at best.
That is why outlets like Conservative Review are so important - the long-form commentary along with the podcasts and LevinTV allow Americans to get the important issues of the day all in one place.
Daniel takes a step back from this year’s crazy election cycle and focuses on why Americans are so angry with the government to begin with.
Judging from President Obama’s recent Cuba visit, secret détente with Iran release of violent terrorists from Guantanamo, and nonchalant response the horrible terror attacks in Brussels, Daniel concludes America has “an enemy within” and a “complacent Congress” unwilling to stand up to him.
“This is a president who sides with our enemies, he has downright formed an alliance with our enemies – the Islamists, Iran, the Cuban regime – and yet Congress is completely out-to-lunch.”
Cuba:
Raul Castro is using our kind immigration laws regarding Cuba to extract concessions from the Obama administration, who is more than willing to give in. Obama normalizes relations with the communist regime while Cuban immigrants are syphoning American welfare funds only to return to Cuba. Congress idles.
Iran:
Obama’s deal with Iran has gone much further than the nuclear agreement. Without punishment Iran conducts missile tests, detains U.S. soldiers, and now Obama is paying ransom to the regime. Again, Congress is nowhere to be found.
Guantanamo:
Defense officials have confirmed that Americans have been killed by prisoners released from the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which Obama wishes to close permanently.
Brussels:
“Numbers matter.” Belgium has an extremely large intake of Muslim refugees and Daniel warns that America, under Obama, is heading in the same direction. Congress has talked a big game regarding refugee resettlement but has done nothing substantial to alter Obama’s plans.
While Obama violates our sovereignty and safety, what is the Congress focused on? Oh yeah, criminal justice reform aka jailbreak…
Critical Links
Obama Admin Delivered Property to Iran as Part of Secret Détente
Officials say Guantanamo transfers have killed Americans
Obama: We Can Learn from Cuba About Human Rights
Upcoming Primaries
Daniel goes over the road ahead for the GOP primary and discusses some delegate math. At this point, the best chance to stop Trump is for Kasich to drop, as has been said time and time again, but barring that Cruz does have the ability to win some important states and walk away with an argument and mandates heading into the convention.
Arizona & Utah are closed primaries. Will this first chance for Cruz to run in a narrowed filed, in closed primaries show his strength? Will early voting hurt in Arizona where some numbers have almost 55% of the people voting early?
Kasich: He doesn’t have a path to win another state, let along a plurality – what is his end game?
SCOTUS Nominee
It looks like Senate GOP leadership may hold the line on the SCOTUS nominee, but they are so unfamiliar with such principled stands that they come off looking awkward and goofy. Can they unify in message or will it come off looking unprincipled?
The judiciary was made into a political beast in 1987, if the GOP wants to reform the judiciary across the board, they need to start with this nominee and block it but do so while messaging the correct way.
UPDATE
Daniel’s forthcoming book – PRE-ORDER Today!: Stolen Sovereignty
Links of Interest:
Strip the Courts of Power over Redistricting
Kasich Supports Obama’s Liberal Supreme Court Nominee
House Committee Passes Refugee Reform, But Is It Real?
I had the privilege of filling in for Steve Deace on his nightly radio show. We really covered the gambit of important topics and touched a nerve with many conservatives who are feeling dejected from the entire political process. Included in our discussion:
We closed the show with some inspiration from one of my historical heroes, Justice Joseph Story, one of the leading constitutional scholars of the early 1800s:
“Let us never forget, that our constitutions of government are solemn instruments, addressed to the common sense of the people and designed to fix, and perpetuate their rights and their liberties. They are not to be frittered away to please the demagogues of the day. They are not to be violated to gratify the ambition of political leaders. They are to speak in the same voice now, and for ever. They are of no man's private interpretation. They are ordained by the will of the people; and can be changed only by the sovereign command of the people.”
After Thursday’s debate, the big question still remains: Can Trump Be Stopped? Daniel breaks down his recent memo detailing the possibility of anyone topping, or stopping, Trump. He breaks down the SCIENCE and MATH of how Ted Cruz is really the only candidate who could stop Trump.
On this special edition, Daniel and Joe further examine where the race is going from here. If it stays a 4-man race, it essentially creates a smooth path for Donald Trump. Daniel mentions the failed attempts so far to stop Trump with a crowded field, especially Romney’s blunder. Even while the cries for Rubio and Kasich to drop and back Cruz continue to grow by the day – including Sen. Mike Lee.
They also breakdown Cruz’s path to beating Trump along with a theory behind why Kasich is staying in the race even with almost not mathematical way to win. Joe lays out his theory that Kasich is vying for a Vice Presidential spot with Trump by forcing a brokered convention with Trump having a plurality of the vote, and creating a Trump-Establishment unity ticket with Kasich, to beat Hillary.
If Marco Rubio and John Kasich would drop out, recognizing they have no path to 1,237 Ted Cruz could actually STOP Trump, but it is becoming more and more clear that they are in this for their own personal gain.
Kasich has campaigned almost exclusively for 2 states so far: New Hampshire and Michigan. He finished 2nd and 3rd. Yet, he plans to stay in to "win Ohio" even though polls show him down to Trump.
Marco Rubio was shutout in Michigan, Mississippi, and Idaho last night, and barely getting a couple from Hawaii. At what point is enough, enough? Rubio has campaigned hard but never gained traction - if he, and his camp, want to STOP Trump, would their best strategy be to go to the debate Thursday, hammer Trump, and then drop out? Or, like Kasich, is Rubio in this for his own political reasons looking to play spoiler and possibly handing the nomination to Trump who would struggle against Hillary.
Daniel Horowitz and Joe Koss break down all the ins and outs of Tuesday's primary election results and discuss what it means for Trump, Cruz, and the Republican Party.
The 2016 race is finally winnowing down to the top candidates, but the time for choosing is NOW, not later. Daniel explains that it is time for conservatives to support the principles, and the people who defend the principles, that make this country great. Enough is enough, it is time for conservatives to come home.
#SuperTuesday is over, but what do the results mean? Daniel Horowitz and Joe Koss break down what the wins and losses mean for Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio.
This is a special edition of the Conservative Conscience Podcast.