Political historians have observed that a liberal or “progressive” direction seems inherent in Western-style democratic processes evinced over time.  That is to say, change happens and moves forward in a left leaning reform direction.  Even when conservatives come to power, they regress as it were just one step for every two steps taken.  The next reformer takes two steps forward, and the next conservative takes one step back.  If the Republic is lost, it is therefore lost forever. 

Of course, this description is somewhat prejudiced since many of the same historians theorize what they are hoping for.  They don’t take careful stock of evidence when liberalization gets reversed, and they overlook the longer view of history that shows any and everything is indeed possible.  Philosophers of history say nothing is inevitable, but practicing historians constantly work out their case studies to show the opposite.  So-called historical consensus is always against the traditionalist’s arguments.  Free will is hardly acknowledged in the historical profession to move in a direction other than the New Deal or Diversity, whatever that is.  

Politics is the art of the possible, however, according to Otto Von Bismarck.  And if so, this should give heart and cause as much to conservatives as anyone else.  It is certainly possible to dream of freedom again.  It is possible to study the Constitution too, to interpret and apply it more strictly, and to recapture the Founders’ worldview even if altered to the modern context.  It is possible to restore the Republic in other words.  Even the empirical example of the Progressive Era in history serves notice that an Era of Restoration can and might be on its way.  

Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin provide America with an historic opportunity.  They have been dubbed as mavericks by journalists, because the reform impulse they represent tends in a different, i.e., rightward direction.  That is to say, the change they represent would point our historical course to Restoration in key respects and so reverse the otherwise “inevitable” trend towards serfdom.  Whether you interpret America’s direction now as a drift or slide or slouching towards Gomorrah, there is near unanimity that things aren’t well—indeed, that the things government should do either haven’t been pursued or that the attempts to do them have fallen far short.  I refer now to basics: a platform the Government should always be “for”—Prosperity, Peace and Freedom.

These are the things America has been known for before.  They are things we have experienced and things that should be recaptured.  If and when restored, they must be actively maintained.  It takes a government comprised of dedicated, professional and patriotic people to serve and to bring these things to fruition.  It takes smart, hard-working civil servants, as well as men and women of integrity to serve in elective and appointed positions.  Prosperity, peace and freedom are not the stuff of something new and neo-progressive but of something old and enduring, the permanent things our Constitution gives us the ability to keep if we would follow it.  The kind of service required from our leaders now calls for character and competence, not charisma.  It requires a vision of the tried and true, not a vindication from Oprah Winfrey. 

The free market needs oversight not repudiation.  Taxes ought not to be an instrument of social engineering or class warfare at home, nor should they be an impediment to American business success abroad.  Peace moreover should be won and reinstated through strength and with honor, rather than through fatigue or weakness.  An Era of Restoration from McCain-Palin would potentially bring some good things back to the future: national sovereignty, including border security and a foreign policy based upon U.S. interests; accountability and transparency of government by and for the people, not beholden to special interests that subvert law and financial institutions; and the U.S. Constitution including federalism, according to which the people of the several states may pursue different policies, social objectives and methods of solving unique problems. 

It is not far-fetched to suggest in the Election of 2008 that Sarah Palin could come to resemble Teddy Roosevelt, who was also nominated to be vice president before ascending to the presidency.  Both Palin and Roosevelt were reform-oriented governors before being picked for second spot, and both determined to root out corruption and special privilege.  Indeed, the nature of the Progressive Era is such that it began with cities (Palin was a reform mayor) and then spread to states.  It was propelled by the middle class’s insistence that its mores and social norms be respected, counter to a direction laid out by entrenched and acquisitive interests representing the status quo.  National policies were informed comparatively late by virtue of McKinley-Roosevelt’s win in 1896 and Roosevelt’s succession to office. 

The issues, personalities and imperatives of reform today are different, but the example illustrates the resilience and hope embedded in our American system of government, according to which the American people, if sufficiently determined, can change or reverse course by picking Washington outsiders to lead them.  Reform will resemble the long-awaited Era of Restoration whenever we begin to apply local, common sense solutions and populist standards of decency from the American Heartland.  It is time to end the elite and corrupt business-as-usual politics entrenched inside the Beltway and in both political parties.  It is time to place the prosperity, peace and freedom of the country first and foremost, and to end this sad mockery of the Founders’ great Republic. 

_____________________

Wesley Allen Riddle is a retired military officer with degrees and honors from West Point and Oxford.  Widely published in the academic and opinion press, he ran for U.S. Congress (TX-District 31) in the 2004 Republican Primary.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

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