For years I've heard the "leaders" of the conservative movement talk about getting us a "seat at the table." With the Republican nomination of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate – from their standpoint – they've reached their goal.

The first question I would ask all real conservatives in America, though, is this: What's on the menu?

If you read the transcript of her vice-presidential nomination acceptance speech on Wednesday night, the clear answer to that question is: Whatever John McCain and his handlers say is available. Don't forget, they are now the proprietors of the GOP establishment, and had the power to control every single word in her prepared text, which she faithfully stuck to other than one ad-libbed, and very funny, joke about hockey moms, pitbulls and lipstick.

Now, anyone with any sense of the realities of politics in America today, and the honesty to tell the truth no matter its impact on their own personal political agenda, must admit that Governor Palin's speech was a huge political success. She came across as a genuine person with a very real, very attractive family and a gritty determination about her. And she certainly demonstrated an ability to effectively slice and dice the Democrats, with a winning smile. I don't know if Barack Obama will ever fully recover from the experience. Let's hope not.

But what of the substance? In keeping with the normal culinary proclivities of John McCain and the George Soros-funded liberals who run his political operations, there was not a single mention of the central moral question of our day: the fact that – even though the protection of the God-given, unalienable right to life is the foundation upon which American liberty rests – every day in this country thousands of unborn children continue to be brutally killed in their mother's wombs. Not a single word.

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The other primary purpose for the existence of government – as described in our founding documents – is the protection of our fundamental liberties. This generation has seen an incredible erosion of those sacred rights in many areas, including the throttling of free political speech that was represented by the McCain-Feingold legislation of a few years ago. But, of course, this couldn't be mentioned.

Marriage, the most fundamental of our civilization's institutions – the institution most necessary to the fulfillment of the stated ultimate purpose of our Constitution, "to secure the Blessings of Liberty to our posterity" – is now under constant assault by the Left. But again, as measured by the content of Governor Palin's speech, this critical issue of our time, one that the vast majority of Americans agree with conservatives about, by the way, just doesn't have enough importance to be considered for inclusion. No surprise, since John McCain opposes a Federal Marriage Amendment to protect the natural family and real marriage.

There was much talk in St. Paul about National Security, and protecting our country from the terrorist threat. But again, Palin's text neglected to mention, even once, the threat posed by the ongoing unlawful invasion of our country by tens of millions of foreign nationals, and the fact that no one knows who these people are or where they came from. Again, this is not surprising, since the folks vetting the speech work faithfully for the godfather of amnesty for illegal aliens, Sen.John McCain, and they very much want our national back door left wide open.

Throughout this convention, there was also plenty of lip service paid to issues of money and prosperity, as always. Republican political operatives, even if they don't believe in much of anything else, believe fervently that your most pressing concern is your pocketbook. But again, not a word was said concerning the only possible way to truly restore prosperity in America over the long haul: fundamental tax reform. Sure, they promise tax cuts (once again they're bribing you, buying your vote with your own money), but, as has been the case for a very long time with Republican leaders, there was no discussion of getting at the root of our money troubles. In other words, the perverse destroyer of liberty, productivity and prosperity that we call the federal income tax, stands undisturbed in any real way into the foreseeable future.

Other than the obligatory "God bless America" at the end of the speech, our Creator, the Giver of Life, the Author of Liberty, and the Sustainer and Defender of everything we have and are, was not mentioned once. No Scripture was cited. If you'll remember, even Bill Clinton felt an obligation to at least mention the Bible, its timeless principles, and the Lord, in his nomination acceptance speech.

I have no idea if Palin wanted to include any of these things, but it matters little because in the end the room was swept clean by those who are now running the Republican Party and the McCain campaign.

I'll be charitable to all those good folks who are now panting after the red meat promised by this nomination. I know you're hungry for some real meaning in your politics. But I'll not be shy about raising the warning flag: with John McCain at the head of the ticket, you're not going to get to eat anything you really need. In their own political interest, the compromised "leaders" of the Republican Party are more than happy to let you, or Sarah Palin, pull up a chair, but you'll only get what they decide is good for you. And that won't include reliance upon God, the defense of traditional marriage, our borders, or the principled protection of the unalienable rights to life and liberty. They are embarrassed by all of that. The sign on the wall clearly says, "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." Those who insist on the inclusion of these fundamental matters of national survival can expect to be shown the door. As the hokey John Rich country tune "Raisin' McCain" says, "Get on the train or get out of the way."

Sadly, what they are offering has none of the actual nutritional content that is needed if the body politic is to thrive or survive. And, given the makeup of the McCain team, and McCain's history in government, the American people are about to be served up plenty of dishes that are fatal to the republic and its indispensable historic principles.

As the intentional process of driving God out of our public life and our politics continues to accelerate, liberty will depart with Him – count on it – because, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

As regard for the claims of innocent human life is brought only to a place of derision, scorn or embarrassed silence, don't be surprised at the rise of the culture of death in all its evil ugliness.

As the limitations of our physical borders, the rule of law, and the Constitution are ignored, don't act shocked when all other restraints on human evil also melt away, stripping you and your posterity of every last vestige of security, sovereignty and freedom.

Personally, I think it's time we start doing our political cooking at home again anyway. And then, in that great American tradition, we can get together for potluck. It will be safer, cheaper, more nutritious, tastier, and prepared by the hands of those who actually know and care about us, and our children's future.

Let's rebuild our communities and our politics from the ground up and restore true government of, by and for the people. Let's do it in reality, not in highly-produced television extravaganzas. We're fools if we place our faith in celebrity or personalities.

"Country first?" No. Faith in God, adherence to America's principles, and love for our families, neighbors, and communities, first. That is the true hope for America.

 

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Tom Hoefling is the chairman of America's Independent Party.

 

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