Conservative Review with Daniel Horowitz

What is it we are celebrating this week?  How far have we deviated from our founding values expressed in the Declaration of Independence? In this special episode of the Conservative Conscience, we break down six key principles referenced in the Declaration of Independence.  Anyone who fully understands the 201 words of the preamble should have no problems discerning the right course of action on almost every policy issue.  While the world around us has changed dramatically over the past 241 years, these foundational principles are self-evident truths that will never change. Show links John Adams essay on equality    Calvin Coolidge’s epic July 4 speech in 1926 My July 4 manifesto on sovereignty The real right to health care our founders believed in   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Supreme Court’s latest term behind us, we take stock of the state of affairs in what has become the nation’s most powerful branch of government.  Contrary to popular opinion on the right, this was a bad week at the court, on net.  And when coupled with other decisions this term, as well as the growing trend of sheer lunacy in the lower courts, we are about to face a torrent of bad decisions that will void out any point of winning elections.  In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we explain how the soft bigotry of low expectations among the conservative elite has allowed them to remain silent amidst the tyranny of the courts and instead grasp at straws to convince themselves we are winning in the courts.  In fact, between religious liberty, immigration, election maps, and the social fabric of this country, we are staring down the barrel of certain defeat at the courts unless we finally do what it takes to reform the system wholesale.  Roberts has become the new Kennedy and the lower courts are insufferable.  We will never win the existing judiciary game.      Show links Roberts joined ruling allowing failing cities to sue banks for their woes SCOTUS: states could violate Second Amendment but can’t follow biology Why the SCOTUS ruling on “travel ban” is not as good as it appears Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No matter how liberal Republicans seem to become, no matter how profoundly they betray their campaign promises, so much of the conservative movement just doesn’t care.  It was bad enough until now, but with the ultimate betrayal of keeping, codifying, and bailing out Obamacare, this dynamic has reached a new low. In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we explain just how harmful the betrayal from Trump and Republicans has been to any effort to fulfill the core campaign promises.  Yet, because they are focused on nonsense or the binary idolatry of “at least they are not Democrats,” much of “conservative inc.” just doesn’t care.  Unless something changes quickly, we are headed for the nightmare scenario in which conservatives suffer all the liabilities of GOP control, but secure none of the benefits – all the while permanently shifting the body politic to the left.  Further, we explore with great specificity why the GOP health care bill is worse than simply doing nothing and why it must be opposed at all costs.  Show links Conservatives must repeal and replace Republicans who have embraced Obamacare Conservatives have made peace with Obamacare This is not what Trump promised voters   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite the craziness of the GOP, they still managed to win the Georgia special election.  That is how badly swing voters still don’t want Pelosi’s policies.  So why won’t Republicans use this mandate to move in the opposite direction?   In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we dissect the message from the recent slew of special elections and how it provides an opportunity for Republicans to energize their base by offering the country a new direction.  Yet, from Obamacare and immigration to fiscal policy, the courts, and foreign policy, Republicans are keeping the status quo.    We also delve into the details of the horrendous Obamacare bailout bill that is making Jonathan Gruber proud.   There are also some issues going on in the courts that are killing our sovereignty.     Key quotes:   During his inaugural address, Trump inveighed against do-nothing politicians who are all talk and no action. Trump said: “We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action, constantly complaining but never doing anything about it. The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action. Do not allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done.”   I couldn’t agree more, Mr. President.  So why is there all talk and no action except for the actions that contradict your rhetoric?    Show links   Trump supports comprehensive immigration reform The GOP bill to make Obamacare great again GA-6 win is not a mandate to be liberal idiots   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How is it that so many supposed conservatives are so credulous in the face of policy betrayals by Trump and Republicans that they fall for every distraction?  Sadly, this reveals a more uncomfortable reality that the modern conservative movement and conservative media don’t really stand for anything.  And as Alexander Hamilton warned, "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything." In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we discuss the true consequences of Trump’s amnesty and how it violates the foundation of his campaign promise.  We also observe how the silence of conservative media is appalling and how there is no movement to demand that Republicans utilize their control of government for specific policy victories. In that light, we also lay out some opportunities for conservatives in the upcoming markup of the annual defense bill, an opportunity that will likely be lost on this fledgling movement.  Finally, we tackle the concerns with Trump’s foreign policy and his further involvement in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia, in complete violation of his campaign promises.  Yet, conservatives don’t seem to stand for anything other than not being the Democrats…even if we ironically adopt their policies!     Show links Trump admin not even cooperating with investigations of Obama era Earth to conservatives: Trump granted executive amnesty A smart GOP would push right to carry legislation now Time to jump ship from phony Obamacare repeal   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The entire conservative media is focused on the endless rage against the liberal media and accusing them of fomenting violence.  But we all forget what we are even fighting for.  As we chronicle throughout the podcast and in our writings, there are a number of liberal policy outcomes emanating from this GOP Congress and administration, yet we are fighting over a bunch of nothing.  The best way to fight back against the media?  Let’s actually enact the agenda for which they supposedly hate us!  Let’s start by pursuing a pro-gun agenda and immediately enacting a right-to-carry bill.  Stay in for the August recess and overwhelm the Left and the media with one policy victory after another.  This will have the effect of electrifying our base so that the Left is not the only side with intensity for the mid-term elections.   We need more winning and less whining. Show links Our troops forced to undergo transgender sensitivity training…under GOP control! My list of dos and donts in the Middle East Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Distraction, distractions, distractions.  By refusing to use the bully pulpit to promote a robust and bold conservative agenda, the Trump administration and much of the “conservative” movement is falling into the media trap.  We are focusing on what the media wants to discuss.  Why, instead, is nobody focusing on the fact that Trump is continuing the illegal amnesty of Obama?  Why is nobody focusing on the dozens of agenda items we’ve laid out at Conservative Review to drive the narrative and force the media to focus on what we think is important rather than us focusing on what they think is important? In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we focus on a number of forgotten issues – from the Saudi Arms deal and Trump’s amnesty to the crazy courts, Hezbollah operatives on our shores, and the GOP making Obamacare great again.     Show links Trump admin taking in Australia’s rejected refugees 9 issues Trump could focus on to deflect from Comey and Russia…if he actually cared Betrayal! Trump grants amnesty to 125,000 illegals in 3 months Feds bust Hezbollah sleeper cell on our soil, yet nobody seems to care   Forget about Sanctuary Cities – the courts have created a sanctuary Nation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While every Clickservative is focused solely on Comey and Russia, we stand at a crossroads on so many issues.  From the debt ceiling, Obamacare, Dodd-Frank, foreign policy opportunities, Israel policy, budget betrayals, immigration, judicial reform, etc – there is no time to be wasted on nonsense.  Conservatives can raise their voices and demand change while the president is on the fence and we can seize these amazing opportunities. On the other hand, we can get distracted by nonsense and watch the shallow-state losers in this administration lead the president astray on every critical issue.  The choice is ours.   Specifically, in this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we delve into three issues in depth – Dodd-Frank repeal, the debt ceiling, and how to use the Arab schism with Qatar, Iran, and the Muslim Brotherhood to our advantage.  As of now, we are getting all the liabilities of cozying up to the Saudis (getting ensnared in Yemen, getting caught in Syria, the disastrous arms deal, throwing Israel under the bus), but not getting the benefits (going after the Muslim Brotherhood, abrogating the Iran deal, and stop fighting for Iran in Iraq). This is the difference between allying with one of your enemies against another (bad) and playing them both against each other for our benefit (good). The lesson from all of this is that true conservatives have so much to talk about and run on in a principled and resonate fashion. We don’t need to focus on the media or what the media is focusing on all day.  And if conservatives would actually give such advice to the president, it would have a self-fulfilling effect of bailing him out of the media’s narratives and changing the discussion to substance over style, which always benefits our side.        Show links Republicans have nothing to run on but the media Secretary Kelly says he wont deport “Dreamers”! The moral case for a cool off of immigration from the Middle East The importance of the debt ceiling and why Trump must reverse course, show leadership The courts are destroying Republican electoral viability and nobody is paying attention The importance of repealing Dodd-Frank Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Thursday, Trump fulfilled a major campaign promise in exiting the Paris climate disaster.  But he also confirmed a colossal betrayal in failing to move the Israel embassy to Jerusalem and continuing the maniacal negotiations with the PLO.  What gives?  Why did conservatives succeed in getting Trump in our camp on one issue and not the other?  The answer is simple: conservatives got in his face and made demands on the climate issue, but not on foreign policy.   In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we discuss how conservatives must speak out and demand change from this administration, otherwise we won’t get it.  Trump has shown a sensitivity to conservative criticism, which is a good thing.  We should learn from the Paris success and use it for other issues.  The next issue must be immigration an homeland security.    We explore Trump’s opportunity to regain momentum by giving a series of televised addresses and promoting a very specific immigration and homeland security agenda.    Show links   Lesson for conservatives on Trump Paris leadership? Speak Out! 20 immigration and homeland security ideas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between the courts setting immigration policy, national security policy, election law, social policy, redistricting, and criminal justice policy, we no longer live in a republic.  The lower courts, not just the Supreme Court, stand above the other branches of government and the 50 states.   But how did this happen?  How can the other branches, which have more robust powers, get rolled by courts created by Congress?   In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, we explore the recent immigration rulings and some other cases to demonstrate how the judicial crisis stems from a political crisis whereby the other branches of government are needlessly giving in to the courts.  In fact, as it relates to the Fourth Circuit opinion on Trump’s executive order, the administration is giving the courts even more than they ask for.   At some point, could we really blame the courts for grabbing power that is handed to them on a silver platter by the other branches of government?   We explore some simple solutions laid out in Stolen Sovereignty, if only there was the political willing to enact them.   Key quotes:     “It is not probable that the Supreme Court would long be indulged in a career of usurpation opposed to the decided opinions & policy of the Legislature. Nor do I think that Congress, even seconded by the Judicial Power, can, without some change in the character of the nation, succeed in durable violations of the rights & authorities of the States.” James Madison to Spencer Roane, 6 May, 1821   “It may in the last place be observed that the supposed danger of judiciary encroachments on the legislative authority, which has been upon many occasions reiterated, is in reality a phantom. Particular misconstructions and contraventions of the will of the legislature may now and then happen; but they can never be so extensive as to amount to an inconvenience, or in any sensible degree to affect the order of the political system. This may be inferred with certainty, from the general nature of the judicial power, from the objects to which it relates, from the manner in which it is exercised, from its comparative weakness, and from its total incapacity to support its usurpations by force.” Alexander Hamilton, Federalist # 81.   Show Links:   A summary of congressional power over the courts The Fourth Circuit’s opinion is the most radical and dangerous ever Why Trump has a responsibility to ignore the courts What can be done about immigration and the courts   Mnuchin Wants Debt Ceiling Raised Unconditionally Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices