Nominations, Numerology, and November

Yes, I like alliteration. Deal.

We here in the 5th District of Virginia have a job to do. Finding out who our prospective nominees truly are is turning out to be a fairly daunting task. The sheer volume of candidates has caused equal measures of excitement, bewilderment, and, for some, apathy.

This last is the most dangerous of the three, because apathy has been a staple in our nation’s political realm for over a generation now. This emotion (or, technically, lack thereof) has simultaneously been a detriment to our populace and boon to our political class.

With a full sardine can of candidates vying for the Republican nomination (some less smelly than others), it is incumbent upon us to fully screen them, leaving no question unasked. In simple terms, they have each submitted to us their application for a job. We are, at least in some measure, their prospective employer.

Would you hire someone to protect your most valuable possessions without performing a thorough background check and a full analysis of their character and integrity? Why, then, should we approach this hiring process any differently? After all, the person we select for the job will not be charged with defending some tangible trinket from theft. Their duty will be to protect and defend our inalienable natural rights from the incessant encroachment of a political class hellbent on usurping our power for their own selfish ends.

So, bearing that in mind, it infuriates me to no end when supporters of any of these 8 candidates try to blur this central overriding issue. Some of them will claim that a person’s voting record does not provide us with clues to their overall character and, thus, should somehow be off-limits to our scrutiny. Some will say that a person’s stammers or stutters, at this early stage, are enough to disqualify them from being a legitimate challenger, and their character or principles be damned. Still others have made the ridiculous assertion that, because of one’s fundraising prowess (or lack thereof), we can write them off as a serious contender.

Those in the latter category have conveniently neglected to perform the “guzzintas” (as Jethro Bodine would say). Considering that the final quarter of ’09, as far as fundraising for a 2010 race, basically spanned the time frame from Election Day to Christmas. 48 days guzzinta 90 days almost twice, so one can honestly say that the numbers posted by 5th District candidates reflect merely half of a fundraising quarter.

This is not to say that there aren’t other legitimate concerns with some of these candidates, by any means. I have said consistently that there are far too many people in this race, and my volume increased dramatically after December 12th.

The fact of the matter is that, as with any hiring process, there are some resumes and applications that should almost be rejected out-of-hand. In order to filter through these applicants, we must maintain a pinpoint focus (at least until the end of May) on the duties of the position we are trying to fill. Again, this can be summed up by the oath they are required to take when sworn into office, and the simple duties laid out in the document the oath refers to.

You will notice that nowhere in the oath of office, the Constitution, the Declaration, or even the original Congressional rule book (written by Thomas Jefferson) is there any stipulation of party unity. The only loyalty required of a Federal office holder is to the Constitution. That is not to say that all (or even a majority) of our Congress Critters cling unwaveringly to that loyalty. Far from it, in fact.

On numerous occasions, and on both sides of the aisle, elected officials on all levels have cast votes that amount to a direct assault on the letter and spirit of our founding documents. The excuses for doing so vary widely, but the end result is the same. We are, at this very moment, witnessing the damage caused by these reckless actions. (Just visit USDebtClock.org, if you have a strong enough stomach.)

Any vote that is cast which runs contrary to the Constitution, or even purposely undermines it (as we’ve seen more frequently over the past few decades), is essentially a willful violation of that elected official’s sworn oath. This points to a serious flaw in their character, regardless of whether that particular vote was cast for personal or political reasons.

This is why it is absolutely essential to examine the character, convictions, and bedrock principles of our prospective employees, under a microscope and with the highest wattage bulb we can find. Any one of them that withers from the heat should have their application rejected. Immediately.

This is not a time for partisan games, political pedigrees, or inflated egos to take center stage. It is time for thorough examination, of both our candidates and ourselves, if we seek to restore the vision and adhere to the wisdom of our Founders.

Men and women of principle are desperately needed, at this profound moment in history. Just 15 such people, out of 435 in the House of Representatives, can change the entire dynamic, shift the paradigm, and right the ship. Pardon my blatant mixing of metaphors.

Out of the 8 candidates in Virginia’s Fifth, there are a few of the former and a few of the latter. We must focus now, find them out, and move their resumes to the top of the stack or the wastebasket accordingly.

Let’s get work, folks. Time is a’wasting.