This is the first in a series of essays where I will explore the necessary foundation of a political party to replace the Republican Party. I do not call for the disillusion of that party. It remains to be seen if it can be salvaged. In the history of the United States, however, a new party with principles and commitment can grow and become a successor to one that has failed.

The Constitution of the United States is one of the most remarkable documents ever produced by man. It seeks to limit the power of the national government and to curb the powers of government at all levels. It defines the three branches of government with their checks and balances, a system that is demonstrably better than the parliamentary forms preferred by the social democracies of the world.

America is not a social democracy. Its basic tenant is that government is limited by nature and by written constraint. A political party that is true to the Constitution and the intent of the Founders will have as its primary principle that it should advocate nothing for government that can be done by the people.

Our Founders lived in a time and place that produced a cultural bias. Our nation cannot live and act as it did two hundred years ago. Each step we take that emboldens government, though, is one that should be measured against the original freedoms and not be an act of refutation of some long ago belief system.

Many of my beliefs could be classified as those of a “social conservative”. I reject that label because I do not believe that our basic freedoms should be restricted by government to prevent adults from making choices that may be immoral. The party I would build allows adults to make their own choices about what they do, who they associate with and how they spend their time and money.

During the period between the Presidential election and the inauguration in January I will be writing a great deal about governance, political parties and how to preserve our liberties. I will not be commenting on the actions, intent or faults of the President-elect. The eleven weeks until the new President takes office is best spent in thought and contemplation of those things that make the United States unique and valued in the world and to its citizens.

Let’s face it. Campaigning for President has become a narrow road laced with minefields. We’ve made the process all about avoiding any word, deed or notion that could possibly offend anyone.

Why?

A hundred years or so ago, the campaigns abounded with silly songs, limricks and absolute lies. We still managed to elect capable Presidents.

Who really cares if you have a bastard son someplace? Hey, so what if you matriculated publicly. Are you gonna kill Osama bin Laden? That’s what we really want.

Some folks are lazy or criminals or slobs. You used to be able to label people, and the voters understood. Everyone has a lazy SOB in their family or their neighborhood. No one minds you telling him to get off his ass and get a job like everyone else.

You can’t be a plain speaker any more. Silent Cal? Please… Teddy Roosevelt? A former soldier and a hunter? And not afraid to send in the Marines? Even JFK couldn’t get elected these days. “Ask not what your country can do for you?” The papers would rip him to shreds.

Oh, for the good old days.

Ma, ma, where’s my pa? Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha.