Friday, March 7, 2014
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary L. Bauer
America Rejects Defense Cuts
As the Obama Administration looks for ways to pay for the massive spending in its latest $4 trillion budget, it is taking a meat cleaver to the Pentagon. Obama wants to slash the size of the Army to its lowest levels since before World War II.
But the American people aren’t very keen on the idea of gutting our defenses. The latest Fox News poll finds that only 36% of voters support the troop cuts, while 59% oppose them.
I am sure the decision to so drastically cut the defense budget was an easy one to make inside this White House. But the factory worker in Michigan, the cab driver in New Jersey, the farmer in Indiana seem to have a greater understanding of the dangers we face.
You Read It Here First
In Monday’s report I warned that the left would soon trot out a straw man and accuse conservative critics of the administration’s handling of the Ukraine crisis of warmongering. Here we go.
Last night the Democratic National Committee released talking points on Ukraine. Here’s an excerpt from the third bullet point: “ many of the options that have been suggested by our critics are consistent with the policies we are already pursuing or considering. Or are they suggesting a military response?”
No one on the right is advocating a war with Russia. But these talking points may make war more likely. They have indicated from the White House’s perspective that a “military response” is already off the table. Why telegraph weakness to Moscow?
It was precisely this mentality that allowed Hitler to run roughshod over much of Europe in the 1930s. Eventually, free nations were forced to fight. Now that Putin knows he need not fear a military response, what incentive does he have to back down?
Iran’s Ship Of Death
Two days ago, Israeli special forces seized a Panamanian flagged ship, bound for Gaza, in the Red Sea off the coast of Sudan. Concealed in containers of concrete mix, they discovered dozens of sophisticated rockets, each with a range of more than 120 miles.
An IDF spokesman described them as “military grade, surface-to-surface” rockets, adding, “In huge volume, [these rockets] could be called a game-changer.” The rockets were manufactured in Syria, flown to Iran, then shipped to Iraq, where they were picked up by the Panamanian vessel on its way to Gaza.
Responding to the news of this seizure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:
“As it conducts talks with [world] powers, as Iran smiles and utters pleasantries, the same Iran is sending lethal weapons to terror organizations via an intricate network of clandestine global operations in order to hurt innocent civilians. This is the real Iran and this country must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons.”
Netanyahu is right. Why is this administration negotiating with Iran? Two preconditions of talks with the Islamic Republic should be that it immediately stops shipping weapons to terrorists and stops trying to harm our ally Israel.
Uninsured Uninterested In Obamacare
Expanding coverage to uninsured Americans was the primary reason Obamacare had to be passed, or so we were told. But two recent surveys indicate that the uninsured are not rushing to sign up for Obamacare.
According to the Washington Post, “just one in 10 uninsured people who qualify for private health plans through the new marketplace have signed up for one.”
But the numbers are worse than that. The Post reports that nearly half of the previously uninsured Obamacare enrollees failed to pay their premiums. Perhaps they assumed it was free.
For The Love Of God And Country
The Pew Research Center released the results of a new study into in the Millennial Generation, what they believe about politics, faith and the issues that motivate them. Who is a Millennial? Essentially anyone born after 1980.
They range in age from 18 to 33. They are very different from Gen Xers, Baby Boomers and seniors in their detachment from fundamental institutions of American society. For example:
- 50% of Millennials describe themselves as political independents, and only 31% believe there is a major difference between the two parties. Yet 60% of them voted for Barack Obama in 2012.
- Just 26% of Millennials are married.
- Only 36% of Millennials consider themselves to be “a religious person,” whereas majorities of every other generation describe themselves as religious.
- Sadly, only 49% of Millennials say they are a “patriotic person,” compared to vast majorities of other generations who say they are patriotic.
Love of God and Country is more than just a slogan. It represents the values that forged America — the belief that we were endowed by our Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These were the values that led the Greatest Generation to storm the beaches of Normandy to defeat the evils of fascism, and later Soviet communism. They are the values that motivated young men and women to volunteer to defend America after 9/11.
I am hopeful that age and life experiences will lead more Millennials toward our values, as they marry, raise children of their own and pay taxes. But today’s Millennials are the children and grandchildren of men and women who love God and who love America. If Millennials are rejecting the values of their parents and grandparents, something is going wrong.
Of course, the popular culture and the educational establishment are predominantly left-wing. But family matters. Never underestimate your own influence!
Fighting for our values and putting America back on the right track can be as simple as talking to your children and grandchildren. Teach them to love the things we love and to honor the things we honor. Defending faith, family and freedom begins in the home!
* * * * *If you are interested in receiving Mr. Bauer’s daily report by e-mail, please call 703-671-9700, visit SIGN UP FOR GARY BAUER’S “END OF DAY REPORT” or simply send a reply e-mail titled “Subscribe” and include your name and address.
Visit End of Day archives to share reports on Facebook. Follow Gary On Facebook And Twitter.
To be removed from Gary Bauer’s End of Day distribution list, please reply to this message with “Remove” in the subject line.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to American Values are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. You may donate online by visiting our website or by using the following address in your web browser:https://www.ouramericanvalues.org/american-values-contribution or you may mail contributions to the following address:
American Values
2800 Shirlington Road
Suite 950
Arlington, VA 22206Phone: 703-671-9700
Fax: 703-671-1680
