Conservative Review with Daniel Horowitz

Trump has made his decision on the big cabinet post — secretary of State — and it’s ExxonMobil CEO, Rex Tillerson.   There is no way to sugar-coat this: Tillerson is a disastrous pick. Those who share the mentality of transnational corporate leaders like Tillerson are pre-conditioned to supporting the foreign policy establishment mindset on critical issues so as not to upset the applecart and what’s good for business.   While much of his issue portfolio is a blank slate, what we know about him and his past comments are disturbing. These concerns go beyond his ties to Russia, which in fact, should not even be the primary focus of his confirmation hearings. The real concern cuts to the core of what conservatives are looking for in any department head, especially the State Department.   Trump should have appointed a secretary of State who regards the current State Department with as much disdain as Scott Pruitt regards the EPA. The problem we have at the State Department is not a management crisis. We have a moral and intellectual problem with the State Department that has persisted for decades. It stems from a deep-rooted culture of moral relativism and an “America-last” mindset. As such, we needed a man with a strong ideological rudder who understands the issues, is on the right side of them, and willing to bust up the entire State Department structure and the global foreign policy apparatus.   Both sides of this debate are too consumed with Russia — pro and con. Some of the new pro-Russia “conservatives” are praising Tillerson just because he’s close to Putin. Opponents, such as Lindsey Graham and John McCain, are voicing concerns solely because of his ties to Russia. However, there are many other foreign policy issues that are important.   For example, is a man with his background really the type of person to oppose refugees, a Palestinian State, cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and the Muslim Brotherhood? Where does he stand on political Islam? Where does he stand on the Iran deal and reinstating sanctions? Does he support backing “Syrian rebels” in the Syrian civil war, helping Iran in Iraq, or our current involvement in Libya? What would he do about the 15-year disaster in Afghanistan?   To be fair, these are all questions that must be answered by any nominee, but traditionally we’ve had some sense of direction from the nominee before the Senate confirmation hearings, which don’t take place until the administration is already up and running.   And although we know nothing about where Tillerson stands on these issues, he is absolutely not the type of person who would fight the inveterate players and insufferable mentality within the system that stands opposed to America’s interests. That is why people like James Baker, Condi Rice, Bob Corker, and Robert Gates — the embodiment of the problem with foreign policy — are enthusiastically supporting him. In that respect, nominees for secretary of State are much like Supreme Court picks. Given the one-directional gravitational pull and inertia towards liberalism within the legal profession, unless someone has absolutely demonstrated a record as a solid originalist willing to buck the system, he will wind up being a David Souter. There is no middle ground. Likewise, with foreign policy, if someone has not demonstrably opposed the Baker/Condi views on open borders, Palestinians, and political Islam, he will be part of the problem.   The most important quality in politics is a strong and fierce ideological conviction to fight the moral relativism in global affairs. Other qualities are important but useless if someone is lacking that ideological rudder to row upstream in this environment. Even someone who is inherently neutral on these issues will wind up downstream in the cesspool of the global foreign policy establishment, much less someone with the connections, mindset, and “pragmatism” of a major transnational CEO.   Tillerson’s past comments in support of Common Core, a carbon tax, the homosexual agenda at the Boy Scouts, and TPP are not mere distractions to his foreign policy views, as some might suggest.   First, we must remember that the State Department has been used as a conduit to support social liberalism for years. But more foundationally, they reveal an establishment mindset that would preclude him from bucking the trend on issues that are clearly within the scope of secretary of State, such as refugees, Syria, Palestinians, Saudi Arabia, and the Muslim Brotherhood.   Tillerson is likely the first nominee for secretary of State ever who has absolutely no political — much less foreign — policy experience. Some supporters laud this fact as a symbol of an “outsiders’” administration. However, these people don’t understand what it means to be a true outsider or insider. There is no greater outsider than one who worked in the system, understands the issues and the politics, and swam upstream to fight the ideology of the political establishment. Conversely, there is no greater insider than someone who never officially worked in the field but subscribes to and is connected to the very essence of the system.   There is nothing inherently wrong with having no official diplomatic experience, if he understands the issues and policies, and most importantly, subscribe to the right ideology and is willing to fight the global elites to change course on the critical issues.   I’d take a guy like Andy McCarthy as secretary of State any day of the week, even though he never worked in the State Department. But Tillerson is not exactly an Andy McCarthy.  As Mark Levin asked last week, if this is just about making deals across the world why not appoint the CEO of 7-Eleven?  Indeed, we’ve come a long way from the days of John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Edmund Randolph as Secretaries of State.   Unless conservatives get positive answers on some of these critical questions, they should not vote to confirm Tillerson. We don’t need another Bob Corker, albeit with closer ties to Putin. Important links Tillerson promoting the homosexual agenda at Boy Scouts of America Tillerson supports a Carbon tax Tillerson big supporter of Common Core Tillerson’s strong relationships with Saudi Arabia and Qatar   Tillerson praised the Trans-Pacific Partnership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s exactly one month into the world of President-elect Donald Trump.  In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel assesses the first month of policies, statements, and cabinet picks and tries to glean a sense of direction from the nascent administration.  There appears to be a lot of promise as it relates to military, national security, terrorism, and immigration.  On the other hand, there are challenges ahead for fiscal conservatism, with the notable exception of regulatory reform.   The task for conservatives is to come forward with an aggressive positive agenda that speaks to the strengths of Trump and channels some of the misdirection into good constitutional policies.  As it relates to the bad economic policies, conservatives will have to stop him from doing further damage.   The key is to focus Trump on national security and the border and distract him from his other big government ideas.  Take a page out of Madison:   “The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State governments, in times of peace and security. As the former periods will probably bear a small proportion to the latter, the State governments will here enjoy another advantage over the federal government. The more adequate, indeed, the federal powers may be rendered to the national defense, the less frequent will be those scenes of danger which might favor their ascendancy over the governments of the particular States.” [James Madison, Federalist #45]       Show links: Trump’s comments in support of stimulus How the GOP establishment teamed up with Pelosi to block impeachment of IRS Commissioner Did Trump help establishment derail conservatives on impeachment? The importance of impeachment as an accountability tool for Congress   Trump’s Labor Sec., Andy Puzder, supported Gang of Eight amnesty Pruitt will be game changer at EPA … if Congress protects him from courts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In middle of a national debate over Islamic refugees, a Somali refugee committed a terror attack in Columbus, Ohio, last week, thereby proving the veracity of those who are concerned by the current resettlement program.  Meanwhile, the daughter of a top EU-official was brutally raped and murdered in Germany by an Afghani refugee.  Yet, political leaders from both parties are awfully silent on the refugee issue.  Even Trump has failed to mention it beyond a quick Facebook post. In order to get the facts right on refugee resettlement, Daniel invited Leo Hohmann of WND to discuss his new book, Stealth Invasion: Muslim Conquest Through Immigration and the Resettlement Jihad, with the Conservative Conscience audience.  Scheduled for release next month, this book chronicles all of the new information on refugee resettlement and how it is transforming some of our small communities, subverting our culture, and endangering our security.  This is about more than just preventing the next terror attack, but slowing the growth of a subversive culture that will undermine our way of life – similar to what is happening in Europe today.  If you want to be armed with the facts on the refugee issue, Leo Hohmann is the go-to man.        Key quote: On Refugee Contractors: “As far back as 2000, David M. Robinson, a former acting director of the refugee bureau in the State Department, described the insidious power of the contractors as follows: The agencies form a single body [that] wields enormous influence over the Administration’s refugee admissions policy. It lobbies the hill effectively to increase the number of refugees admitted for permanent resettlement each year and at the same time provides overseas processing for admissions under contract to the State department. In fact, the federal government provides about ninety percent of its collective budget. If there is a conflict of interest, it is never mentioned.” [Chapter 8 of Stolen Sovereignty]    Show Links Will Trump and Republicans finally shut down suicidal Somali immigration? Obama bringing in refugees that Australia rejected Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are always a lot of policy initiatives, suggestions, and complaints offered to a new administration.  Inevitably, conservatives will be disappointed with some of the Cabinet choices and some of the policies of any administration.  But conservatives have an obligation to hold the Trump administration to two iron-clad campaign promises: stopping harmful immigration from the Middle East and repealing Obamacare. In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel expresses some concerns about the potential direction of this Administration, particularly on fiscal issues.  In the long run, many of those issues will have to be solved through an Article V Convention of the States because Republicans – both in Congress and the Administration – will never deal with them properly.  But in the short run, the issues of refugee resettlement and Obamacare must be dealt with on a federal level.  Daniel explains how they can be addressed immediately, why they must be the first priorities for conservatives, and how Trump must make no excuses to shirk the mandate he has been given to act upon those issues. There are some particular problems as it relates to repealing Obamacare.  Many Republican leaders are signaling their intention to keep the coverage mandates and just repeal the funding mechanisms of the law (individual mandate, subsidies, taxes).  This is a big mistake and will ensure that Obamacare is never repealed and premiums remain sky high. There will be a number of other important issues bubbling to the surface with a new administration, but Obamacare and refugees are the issues for which conservatives must lay it all on the line.          Key Quote: On Obamacare: “The coverage mandates of Obamacare are not the stuffing or cranberry sauce.  The coverage mandates are reflective of the Turkey itself.” On Immigration: “Under § 212(f) of Immigration and Nationality Act, “whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.” This power is universal, enforceable at the will of the president, and applies any time for any circumstance.” Show links Why Transportation should be left to the states Will Trump and Republicans finally shut down suicidal Somali immigration? Republicans must commit to complete and immediate repeal of Obamacare. Here’s how Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the true meaning and origin of Thanksgiving?  It’s the same true meaning and origin of our founding, Declaration and Constitution.  As Ronald Reagan wrote in his 1986 Thanksgiving Day proclamation, “no custom reveals our character as a Nation so clearly as our celebration of Thanksgiving Day,” as it is “Rooted deeply in our Judeo-Christian heritage” and “underscores our unshakeable belief in God as the foundation of our Nation.”   Thanksgiving, perhaps more than any other day or custom, when one truly understands the meaning and origin of the day, reveals just how divorced this country has become from its foundation.  In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel goes through the history of Thanksgiving as a day of fasting, prayer, repentance, and beseeching God for his blessings and how it is inextricably tied to our founding as a nation.   Yet, when reflecting upon the true meaning of Thanksgiving one can’t help but feel sorrow over the dramatic change in the character of our nation.  Our most sacred heritage has been ruled unconstitutional by the unelected courts.  Even conservatives misunderstand the role of the courts and are ignorant of the true imminent threat they pose to our society – from district level to Supreme Court.  Daniel explains his opposition to one of the most highly touted conservative replacements for Justice Scalia because that individual clearly doesn’t understand the role of the federal judiciary or our heritage embodied through Thanksgiving.         "Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good." [Psalms, 107:1]     Key Quotes: “Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.” ~ Robert Winthrop, former Speaker of the House, 1849   “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity. Religion and morality are indispensable supports.”   “Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” ~ George Washington, Farewell Address   “[a] day of joyful thanksgiving to God for the bounties of His providence, for the peace in which we are permitted to enjoy them, and for the preservation of those institutions of civil and religious liberty which He gave our fathers the wisdom to devise and establish and us the courage to preserve. Among the appropriate observances of the day are rest from toil, worship in the public congregation, the renewal of family ties about our American firesides, and thoughtful helpfulness toward those who suffer lack of the body or of the spirit.” ~President Benjamin Harrison, 1891 Thanksgiving Proclamation   “I advise that on this day religious exercises shall be conducted in the churches or meeting places of all denominations, in order that in the social features of the day its real significance may not be lost sight of, but prayers may be offered to the Most High for a continuance of the divine guidance without which man’s efforts are vain, and for divine consolation to those whose kindred and friends have sacrificed their lives for country.” ~President William McKinley, 1899 Thanksgiving Proclamation     Show Links What the latest, absurd, religious freedom case could mean for Thanksgiving 10th Circuit Sodom and Gomorrah Court’s Ruling (see page 9 for wickedly hilarious rules of standing) List of Thanksgiving Proclamations from Continental Congress to the present     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As excitement is building among conservatives over some of Trumps solid cabinet picks, especially as it relates to immigration and national security, the concerns over the size of the federal government and the abuse of our Constitution and inalienable rights is more potent than ever. We must focus on making state governments relevant again and one of the most systemic ways of achieving that goal is to promote the Convention of the States Project.   In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel is joined by Mark Meckler, co-founder of the Convention of the States Project, to discuss Article V conventions, an idea long championed by CR’s Editor-in-Chief, Mark Levin.  Have you been wondering how the process works, why it is so important, and the long term benefits we can secure from pursuing Article V?  Mark Meckler breaks down the facts and swats down some of the misinformation concerning the process.  He also updates us on the state of play in the states and how they can come pretty close to meeting the threshold for a Convention in the coming year.   Remember, if you think this problem can be solved in Washington, you haven’t been reading enough of Conservative Review.  Meckler lets conservative activists know how they can get involved in a long term project that will actually secure enduring victories for the Constitution.      Show Links   There has never been a better time or need for a Convention of the States   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you think congressional Republicans would be emboldened by the election results to change their tepid ways of doing business?  Think again.   They actually elected the same failed leadership and focused on a ridiculously banal agenda for their first week back after the election.  In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel focuses on the opportunities that lie ahead for conservatives.  What should conservatives focus on in the coming months and what should they leave for future administrations or to the states? Daniel explains why tax reform is not something we should expend all of our capital on now because it is not a triage item and we usually wind up making things worse whenever we touch it with this crop of Republicans.  It’s better to deal with that issue wholesale through a Convention of the States and repeal of the 17th Amendment. Rather we should focus on 3 categories of issues: 1) immediate triage items that we have a mandate to change, such as Obamacare, religious liberty, refugees, and open borders (get your copy of Stolen Sovereignty for a blueprint) 2) systemic governmental reforms, such as judicial reform and term limits –issues that are easy to message and 3) devolving core functions, such as transportation, education, and welfare back to the states.  By empowering the states and focusing on systemic reforms, conservative can form a permanent firewall in state governments.  We call them rainy day reforms, political victories that will last for us even when Democrats inevitably win back the federal government.  Meanwhile, there will be opportunities to work with the Trump administration on foreign policy, national security, and immigration while hopefully steering their focus away from some of their liberal domestic policy agenda.      Key Quotes: “We must use this narrowing window of electoral viability to focus on rainy day reforms so that we are never one election away from losing our liberty.” “Everyone talks about entitlements except for the one true entitlement – that we are all entitled to a republican form of government, irrespective of who wins an election.  This is our Constitution and our inalienable rights.  We shouldn’t have to be one Supreme Court justice or one court decision away from losing our Constitution.  Time for wholesale judicial reform.”  Important Show Links   The election is over! House GOP celebrates by passing a new tax ... on concrete   The battle for the courts part 1: We still have a major problem that requires wholesale reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At every turn, we must asses how we can best make lemonade with the lemons that God presents us with.  In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel dissects the exit polls, returns, and down the ballot races to demonstrate why Republicans have a huge mandate on policy.  At the same time, there is an imperative that they use it because there is also counter data to show that Democrats are still very much on their way to building their permanent demographic majority in presidential years, despite last night’s results. Daniel delves into the false GOP narrative about the need to be liberal on immigration and how last night’s results vindicate our view both from a policy standpoint and from an electoral viability standpoint. As always, Daniel continues to make the case for judicial reform and how we must use this win as an opportunity to create an enduring firewall in state government against future national wins for Democrats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While everyone is focusing on the horse race and polling ahead of Tuesday’s election, Daniel takes the opportunity to discuss some foundational causes and righteous battles that must go on irrespective of who wins the election.   In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel demonstrates why some conservatives are absolutely wrong to assert that the Supreme Court is deadlocked 4-4, suggesting that all we have to do is block Hillary from appointing a bad justice (or have Trump, if he wins, fill Scalia’s seat with a good justice).  The court is in fact at least 5-3 liberal on most important issues.  Between the lower courts being lost forever, Kennedy being with the Left on the most consequential societal issues, and Roberts being unreliable and also reluctant to overturn lower courts, we have long lost the judiciary.  We need to make fight for wholesale judicial reform otherwise the Left will get what they want anyway.    Daniel also delves into Obamacare and how it could permanently destroy Democrats as long as we continue our movement outside the Republican Party to destroy the leviathan even if Hillary wins.   Remember, the Republic will not rise or fall on this election alone but on whether we acquiesce to the unpopular tyranny or commit to new strategies in fighting for the same principles.            Key Quotes “The Constitution is the ultimate stare decisis.” Clarence Thomas   Show Links This is how dishonest liberal Republicans become when they run against conservatives Daniel’s personal Obamacare story   A demonstration why the courts are already gone Early voting is unfair, unwise, and unconstitutional   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much of the “conservative” media is bankrupt and they have successfully dumbed down our voters by focusing on nonsense and ignoring what is important.  In this episode of the Conservative Conscience, Daniel focuses on what is truly important, irrespective of who wins this election.  There is an imperative to change directions within this movement, but fortunately, there is also an amazing opportunity.   If Hillary wins, she will, by far, be the most unpopular president to enter office from day one.  Now is the time for state governments to fight back and permanently grab back power from the usurpations of the federal bureaucracies and courts.  Daniel goes through the cases of Joe Arpaio in Arizona and Judge Roy Moore in Alabama to demonstrate how individuals are standing up to federal usurpation, but they can’t succeed because the pathetic Republicans in the state won’t stand with them.  They are left out to dry.  On the other hand, if we actually had a true Freedom Party in control of state governments with all its elected officials singing on the same tune, there is not much the federal government can do to enforce its usurpations.  States are enforcing federal usurpations against their own people.  That must end if we are to restore our republic, and a Hillary presidency will actually provide us with such an opportunity.   It’s time for our movement to think out of the box and think systemically or we will continue repeating the mistakes of the past. Key Quotes: "When you point at the moon, the idiot looks at the finger." - Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, Founder & President, American Islamic Forum for Democracy       “For as the sound of the thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool, and this too is vanity.” [Ecclesiastes, 7:6] Show links: Why ‘Republican’ control of the Senate is worthless and actually hurts conservatives Immigration lunacy: DOJ seeks to prosecute Sheriff Arpaio for enforcing federal immigration law   This episode’s sponsors: preparewithcr.com – Build your emergency food supply for only $99. PatriotMobile.com – Don’t let your hard-earned money fund liberal causes; choose a conservative mobile provider [promo code “Daniel”] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices