Conservatives Bring it Back to the Constitution

Conservative Americans are finally uniting in what appears to be a peaceful revolt against big government.

Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council (FRC), addressed a packed Bloggers Briefing this Tuesday to talk about this increasing frustration with government intervention in the economy. Briefing attendees asked Perkins questions about hot topics such as health care reform and abortion.

Using health care reform as a prime example, Perkins pointed to the disconnect between what Washington hears and what Americans are actually saying, calling it a sign that government is broken.

Many Americans are starting to see these cracks in the government, questioning Obama on details of the health care bill, he argued. As Perkins said, “the more he tries to defend it, the more that’s uncovered that he has to defend.” One of the more disconcerting issues in the health care plan, argued Perkins, is the potential that it will fund abortions. The Hyde Amendment prohibiting federal funds from being used to pay for abortions is, according to Perkins, by no means a safety net against this.

“I am concerned about health care reform, but this is a much bigger issue,” said Perkins, pointing out that this is not simply about health care but about our constitutional rights. “Where is the constitutional mandate for the government to provide health care?” he asked.

It is not organizations that are directing this “angst and motivation among voters,” said Perkins, adding that “this is coming from the soil of America.” As it happens, rallyers present at the meeting were happy to report to the Bloggers Briefing that anywhere from 300,000 to 2 million people came from all over the country to attend this peaceful protest.

Sarah Carlsruh is an intern at the American Journalism Center, a training program run by Accuracy in Media and Accuracy in Academia.