Lessons from Colonial America

For more information write to politicsphere@gmail.com

Lessons from Colonial America

For all the profound changes in Economic Policy that have taken place in the centuries after the establishment of the thirteen colonies and their independence, one must regularly revisit history through the lens of Economics to understand what has worked and what hasn’t.

Since the inception of any economic structure in the British North American Colonies, it became apparent each region would inevitably specialize in the production of certain goods. Through the years immediately following the first settlements –as population nearly doubled every 25 years-, New England emerged as a shipbuilding prowess, the Carolinas and Virginia gave a completely new center to economic activity around Tobacco, and the colonies around New York provided a vital commercial supply of furs, among others. It would be this structure of state-specialization that assured America would have the necessary capacity to grow in population and economic output.

Since President Barack Obama took his oath of office in January 2009, he –and his Democratic collaborators in State Legislatures and in Congress- have made countless efforts to eradicate the above-explained concept of Economic Federalism and instead transform it into a Presidential autocracy. The series of lawless acts signed by President Obama disguised as Executive Acts have seriously crippled the notion of state autonomy, his socialist-based Education and Healthcare projects have sought to unify America’s socio-economic structure around an all-mighty nanny state; even more worrying, his cronyism has focused (yet failed) on subjugating states financially to the will of the Federal Government through subsidies and entitlements.

It is surely the abandonment of this federalist system our founders envisioned that has provided us with an economically weakened America and a distorted democracy. It is perhaps time for us to look back to Colonial America and take note, for their legacy of state economic and social autonomy might be the only key to our salvation. It is necessary for our next leaders to understand the importance of limiting the scope of the Federal Government, for its intromission only guarantees the inevitable failure of those states that surrender to its bribery. 

“It is not by the consolidation, or concentration of powers, but by their distribution, that good government is effected. Were not this great country already divided into states, that division must be made, that each might do for itself what concerns itself directly, and what it can so much better do than a distant authority. Every state again is divided into counties, each to take care of what lies within its local bounds; each county again into townships or wards, to manage minuter details; and every ward into farms, to be governed each by its individual proprietor… It is by this partition of cares, descending in gradation from general to particular, that the mass of human affairs may be best managed for the good and prosperity of all”. – Thomas Jefferson

 

2016 Republican America

For more information write to politicsphere@gmail.com

2016 Republican America
By: Ricardo Madrid

The list of potential candidates has been extensive for the past few months, some already joining the race seek to ammend mistakes made during past primaries -most importantly, Democrats are barely managing to coordinate a strategy for Hillary's pretensious campaign.

It seems that what will resonate with voters in 2016 will be the vital focus this campaign must take on reigniting Conservative principles and values. Mitt Romney's campaign in 2012 undoubtedly failed because he stumbled upon believing apologetic moderate conservatism would increase his appeal to independents. Republican candidates must renovate their devotion to principled Conservatism and Limited Government to be able to transmit the message so desired by the American people.

The challenges seem ever-lasting, we are in desperate need of leaders who will recognize the inevitable debate this nation must face around Fiscal Responsibility and Monetary Policy. Leaders who will reignite the debate on Foreign Policy (different to Iran) and Free trade; those who will finally bring solutions onboard that will crush China's dirty commercial practices. We need candidates that will reflect the necessity of going back to our cultural roots to understand the perils of Amnesty and ilegal immigration. Moreover, we are in desperate necessity of real leadership, for America seems each and every day more on the sidelines. 

The debate will surely increase in complexity and grow in attacks; we are at the mercy of hoping this Republican primary will serve to strengthen our candidates and not exposedly destroy them as in 2012. The vast array of principled -or how Ted Cruz likes to call them (and I do as well)- "Courageous Conservatives" that stayed at home during the past Presidential Elections will only respond to a true grassroots movement that undermines traditional party lines. 

Such grassroots leadership, can only come from people (hopefully Ted Cruz) who understand the true significance of America and its constitution, those who are committed to the Conservative values that shaped this nation. 
We can only hope 2016 is a Republican year, as it will be.

From a Legal Latino to All Illegals

For more information e-mail us at politicsphere@gmail.com

From a Legal Latino to All Illegals

Having grown in Colombia, I myself understand the burdens and hardships of growing somewhere where opportunity is not abundant. I have always believed America truly represents the last best hope of humanity, not only for the unspoken support of economic liberty and opportunity, but also for the relentless pursuit of democratic values and of peace through strength.

My family has been linked to the United States –particularly to the state of Ohio- for a relatively long time. It all started when my dad came to the United States to pursue a Master’s Degree at Ohio State, and while he was here, my oldest sister was born. When his studies were over, he decided to head back to Colombia to continue building his career, my other sister would be born shortly after and America would always be the preferred vacation destination. 

Then, in 1997, I was born in Colombia. The business environment changed and my dad started his own company, whilst always taking every opportunity to visit friends and family in the US to try to look for investment opportunities and teach us –through the example of America- that we are truly the architects of our own future. I grew wary of the challenges my nation faced but was always inspired by the ideals of the Founding Fathers and the factors that –not coincidentally- had contributed to the rise of the world’s sole hyperpower.

As my thinking evolved, I became a passionate supporter of America’s role in the world and advocated for its increased intervention. My oldest sibling finished college here and was working for a company in Ohio. We decided it was better to start the immigration process and so –because of my sister’s American citizenship-, my parents were soon approved and my dad immigrated first.

I recently finished High School in Colombia and my mom’s permanent residence was approved, she immigrated this past December and I spent vacation here with them as I would with my regular tourist visa. Because of the lengthy and inefficient immigration process –one which punishes legal immigrants-, I am not yet eligible to work or live with my parents, and I will have to wait (even though I’ve now waited over a year) another six months to get my permanent residence and start living in this land.

Some would look at me and say I am fine because President Obama is committed to making “this land prosperous for all”; on the other hand, facts and reason directly contradict this vision. Obama’s Imperial Presidency has displayed an unwavering commitment to destroy legal immigration, not solely by his daily efforts to destroy opportunity in America, but by his omission of law and total disregard for the impending consequences invoked by long-term illegal residence (not only on those of us waiting in line, but on the American people).

It troubles me greatly that whilst I –and many others- have been waiting for an opportunity to live with my parents and immigrate legally, thousands of illegal immigrants have been rewarded and amnesty is now seen as an act of “compassion” rather than as an upfront attack on the constitutional foundations of America. I understand and support the calls many Americans have made to stop this immigration madness now, and this is not about hate or intolerance, but about showing the world the other face of latinos wanting to live in America; those of us who rally behind its values and have the moral basis to do so.

My story is merely but one compared to the millions out there, yet it serves enough as to see that once the breaking of law is accepted, a perpetual decay in legality might become inevitable. Therefore, I would argue, it is perhaps time for us legal immigrants to stand up and oppose the destruction of America from within. Illegal Immigration is not a matter of compassion or xenophobia, but of decency and morality.

Article by: Ricardo Madrid A.