EU Will Penalize Germany for Protecting Civil Rights

   The European Union has given Germany an ultimatum that it must enact a law to comply with the Data Retention Directive.  The Directive says that all E.U. countries must store telecommunications data about phone calls, e-mails, text messages and other electronic transmissions and allow law enforcement agencies to access that data.  The German Constitutional Court has ruled that such a law is unconstitutional and an invasion of privacy.  Courts in Romania and the Czech Republic have also ruled the law violates their constitutions.  The E.U. has given Germany one month to enact the law or face legal and financial consequences.
     As a Conscious Conservative, I see this series of events as a shocking reminder as to why the United States cannot afford to get involved with a North American Union or a organization like it.  Imagine having your internet search history turned over to Mexican or Canadian authorities for some reason known only to them.  The citizens in Germany now have a tough decision to make.  Do they give up their privacy to multi-national will or do they pay a protection fee to keep their privacy intact.    

Conservative View of The Dog and Pony Show

     As I write this, an internet search for "United States 2012 Election News" brings up some interesting stories.  One is about a poll that explores how many Americans want politicians to talk about religion.  Another tells about Mitt Romney and an "Etch a Sketch" campaign.  Another reports the launching of a new Political Action Committee (PAC).  There is another about how much money Barack Obama is raising for his campaign and one about who former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is endorsing (hint: it's Mitt Romney).  Although these stories have some interest, the big question about all of these is:  Who Cares?  These articles only serve to draw the public's attention away from the real issues of this election.

     As a Conscious Conservative, I believe that here are only five questions which a presidential candidate must answer in this or just about any other election.

1.  How are you going to respect my body and property?

     

     We now have a government that spies on its own citizens, can imprison them indefinitely or kill them without trial and takes their property to give it to a private business interest.  This question is far more important than which famous person endorses a candidate.

2.  What do you believe about Taxes?

     

     By some estimates, the United States Tax code is over 15,000 pages long.  Why?  Because it is designed     less to raise revenue than it is to control behavior and grant favors to political supporters.  This is more important than an "Etch a Sketch" comment.

3.  How are you going to handle the issue of Us vs. Them?

     Typical political strategy in Washington D.C. is to divide and conquer.  Pit women against men, rural vs. urban, young vs. old, rich vs. poor, etc...  We need a President who refuses to categorize people.  This is more important than a candidates's religion.  In fact,a candidate stating a religion is just more Us vs. Them rhetoric.

4.  How will you protect the US Dollar?

     Inflation has been the largest curse that government has inflicted on the American people in the last 50 years.  Households have to earn more than ten times what they used to in order to keep the same standard of living.  People find that their life savings are worthless.  This is more important than how many donations a candidate is receiving.

5.  How will you restore faith in the election process?

     Voter turnout for Federal Elections hovers around 50%, even during Presidential election years. The President needs to do everything in their power to assure people that their vote matters.  This would include advocating open ballots and working more to help the United States than to win re-election.  Fair elections are more important than who supports which PAC.

     You almost never hear candidates talking about these issues.  They prefer to dodge real issues for easy fluff.  The press also fails to do its job for not asking these questions.  What is left is gossip, innuendo and a Dog and Pony Show.   

Can Rand Paul Make a Difference?

I have been examining if the new "Tea Party" supported candidates will make a Conscience Conservative difference once they enter office.  I looked first at Nikki Haley, Governor-elect of South Carolina, and determined that she appears as much a Unconscious Conservative or Liberal as she does a Conscious Conservative.  Then I examined Wisconsin's Senator-elect, Ron Johnson and found that he appears to be a Conscious Conservative with some unconscious conservative leanings.  Last time, I looked at Marco Rubio and determined that he was an Unconscious Conservative with some Conscious Conservative tendencies.

I think it's time to examine Senator-elect Rand Paul of Kentucky.



Stance:

Oppose Federal Bailouts                                                  Conscious Conservative

Restore Personal Liberty                                                  Conscious Conservative

Examine Defense Spending                                               Conscious Conservative

Term Limits                                                                      Unconscious Conservative

Re-Establish Sovereignty                                                  Conscious Conservative

Rand Paul appears to be an Conscious Conservative with slight Unconscious Conservative leanings.  Depending on which alliances he has in the Senate, he may help make a Conscious Conservative difference.