Dedicated to all of our Veterans this Memorial Day.

A Consicous Conservative View of Economics

If you wish to know more about conservative economic theory, I recommend reading Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, On Liberty by John Stuart Mill and The Law by Frederic Bastiat. End the Fed by Dr. Ron Paul is another good choice.

Probably the work that had the most influence on me was the introduction to an edition of The Communist Manifesto which was written by A. J. P. Taylor . Taylor led me to understand how the capitalism and the free market are not the same thing. He also left me with the impression that the only difference between a capitalist and a socialist system of government is which elite controls the economy.

Alan Greenspan is not a choice.

A Conscious Conservative View of Wealth Inequality

One way to fight wealth inequality is by fighting for sound money and an end to inflation.  When statistics are listed in regards to wealth inequality, they are usually measured in a currency, like the US Dollar.  Because of inflation, that creates the illusion of a growing wealth gap that doesn't exist. 

50 years ago (1966) a person who had a total net worth of $20,000 was considered solidly middle class.  In 1966, you could buy a modest house, a new car and have money left over with $20,000.  A person with a net worth of $200,000 was considered wealthy.  That is a $180,000 difference.  In today's (2016) dollars, the same people would have to have a net worth of about $150,000 and $1.5 million to have equivalent buying power.  People say "Wow! The wealthy person is now more than $1 million dollars richer than the middle class person.  Something must be done."  In terms of buying power, the ratio is still the same, about 10 times.

So a large part of the problem is not that actual inequality is growing, but that the measuring unit (dollar , pound, yen euro) is ever shrinking.  If we return to a sound currency, where the unit of measurement stays the same year after year, the inequality stops growing.

A Conscious Conservative View of the Presidency

Presidential power has increased to unhealthy levels.  People should reject any presidential candidate that says what they are going to do.  The job of the president is to efficiently manage the government and execute the laws passed by Congress.  That is why he heads the Executive Branch.

Ted Cruz NOT as Conservative as His Supporter's Think

As of now, the press is lauding Ted Cruz as contender for the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States.  This leads us to wonder if Mr. Cruz’s views are conservative.  Let’s put him to our Conscious Conservative test.  How does Mr. Cruz score on the Conscious Conservative rating system.

---Does he respect private property?  It's hard to tell. He has made statements that he is in favor of private property, except when it gets in the way of oil pipelines.  0 POINTS

---How about the Income Tax?  Mr. Cruz falls in the “reform” camp.  He supports a "flat tax."  0 POINTS

---Where is Ted Cruz on inheritance tax?  He has doesn't specifically state on his web site.  However, it appears that in the past he has voted against increasing the inheritance tax and stated he supports eliminating it.  10 POINTS

--What are his beliefs about confiscating private property for public use?  He doesn’t appear to mind confiscating property for public use.  0 POINTS

---What about banking?  Ted Cruz appears to be firmly in the audit The Fed camp and has made statements against the US Import-Export bank.  He has not mentioned a plan to eliminate central banking..  5 POINTS

---Ted Cruz on free speech, assembly and travel-- Mr. Cruz makes a display about fighting for Christian speech, but it is doubtful where he would stand on more unpopular speech.  I’m also going to deduct some points because he wants to build a wall around the United States.  0 POINTS

---Is Mr. Cruz a Free Enterprise advocate?  He states he would like to get rid of several government agencies.  He does however seem to have supported subsidizing some industries in the past.  5 POINTS

---About Ted Cruz and the free exchange of labor and services—He appears to give at least lip service to small business deregulation.  10 POINTS

---What is Mr. Cruz’s record on freedom of living quarters?  He does appear to wish to get rid of HUD and some government housing restrictions.  10 POINTS

---Education-- Ted Cruz has pledged to eliminate the Department of Education.  He appears to want to return education to a decision that is made locally.  10 POINTS

OVERALL SCORE--- 50 POINTS

That is a Moderate score that has him leaning towards Liberal views. 

How does he rank compared to other prominent politicians?

Ron Paul            90 POINTS

Rick Santorum  55 POINTS

Ted Cruz           50 POINTS

Newt Gingrich   50 POINTS

Mitt Romney     35 POINTS

Donald Trump  35 POINTS

Barack Obama  20 POINTS

Mr. Cruz is definitely not a Conscious Conservative.   

A Conscious Conservative Quote

"There are two types of people who will never amount to anything...

those who will not do what they are told...

and those who will do nothing else."

--Napoleon Hill