The Heritage of Natural Law: Mark Levin on Rediscovering Americanism

[Machiavelli]

Andrew C. McCarthy
National Review
July 15, 2017

Is there an enduring American character?

For those who view our nation as at a tipping point, the question is urgent. Others scoff, “Why?” After all, if the American character is truly enduring, it will endure — the ship eventually will right itself to the extent it is off course. And if not, history will inevitably evolve it into something better, right?

My friend Mark Levin would counter that this is the wrong way to look at it. The foundation of Americanism, he posits, is natural law. That does not just spontaneously appear, nor passively persevere. Understanding our natural-law roots, reaffirming our attachment to them in the teeth of the progressive project to supersede them — this is hard work.

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[INVAR]

This is exactly why retaining principles is more important than practicing pragmatism for the hoped-for leadership of lessor evils.

Most of society has decided to reject the very principles found in Natural Law and our foundations, especially when it comes to politics.

[truth_seeker]

The very first Principle needed, is the will to Win.

If one fails at that, all the talk and writing are for naught.

[INVAR]

The very first Principle needed, is the will to Win.

If one fails at that, all the talk and writing are for naught.

Win what - when you have no principles except winning for winning's sake?

Power?

Prestige?

The ability to direct your leaders to punish those you hate?

Your party's hands on the til to print more money to fund their particular pet projects?

If 'winning' is indeed your first principle... it explains why it is also your only principle.

Enjoy your hollow and vapid streak.

[truth_seeker]

Win what - when you have no principles except winning for winning's sake?

Power?

Prestige?

The ability to direct your leaders to punish those you hate?

Your party's hands on the til to print more money to fund their particular pet projects?

If 'winning' is indeed your first principle... it explains why it is also your only principle.

Enjoy your hollow and vapid streak.

When you write out your sermons, you make up shit like fake news. You might have a future there, if they paid by the word.

[INVAR]

When you write out your sermons, you make up shit like fake news. You might have a future there, if they paid by the word.

I'm sorry the salient questions sailed right over your head.

Perhaps a remedial English Comprehension Course is in order?

Or maybe the concept of having principles outside of 'winning' escapes your conscience?

[truth_seeker]

I'm sorry the salient questions sailed right over your head.

Perhaps a remedial English Comprehension Course is in order?

Or maybe the concept of having principles outside of 'winning' escapes your conscience?

My first principle is to deal with reality. That reality is if you lose elections, you gain no power to implement small, limited government. Or the other elements of governing we probably agree on more than disagree.

But you have loads of time on your hands for writing lengthy epistles and sermons, making up accusations along the way.

[INVAR]

My first principle is to deal with reality.

I thought you said your first principle was winning?

Of course I don't know how reality figures into the idea that advancing a Conservative agenda requires voting for and pushing a lifelong NYC liberal Democrat with no principles except being able to tweet nasties to those who diss him.

That reality is if you lose elections, you gain no power to implement small, limited government.

Yeah... and we've seen the 'reality' of what happens when Republicans win elections.  Same Socialist shit, rebranded and retooled because the GOP thinks themselves better managers of Statism.

If this is what we get when Republicans 'win' elections, they might as well keep losing them for all the difference it ultimately makes.

[truth_seeker]

If this is what we get when Republicans 'win' elections, they might as well keep losing them for all the difference it ultimately makes.

Yea, Justice Gorsuch is just like Justice Ginsburg. My bad.

[INVAR]

Yea, Justice Gorsuch is just like Justice Ginsburg. My bad.

We have yet to find out whether or not he is.  But then, I never surrendered to the precedent that the power of liberty should be vested in balancing whatever activists on the Supreme Court decide to rule.

At the rate the Conservative fruits of the GOP are made manifest, maybe after about 100 years of 'winning' with the Republicans - some kind of dent might actually be made in this Socialist Nanny state they have helped create.

I mean, who knew that with Republicans being given all three branches of government that the word 'repeal' would be redefined as it has and ObamaCare would become their baby.