May each of you have the heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, and the hand to execute works that will leave the world a little better for your having been here. -- Ronald Reagan

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Tribute to Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp died of cancer yesterday. I'm deeply saddened by this. He was one of the most influential leaders in economics and reforming the Republican Party beginning in the 1970's. He educated Reagan, Gingrinch, and what became known as the "Young Turks" that eventually were elected to power in Congress in 1994 after Democrats had ruled there uncontested for forty years. He got the leadership of the Republican party to advocate for and implement 'supply side economics'. It was and is a concept derided by the MSM and Democrats; in it's simplist form it states that the money you and I earn belongs to us, not the government, and we should keep it (low taxes). If you value hard work, initiative and liberty you understand and appreciate this concept. When it's applied, the wealth of the nation, built upon growing personal wealth increases, alot. For me, he moved economics out of the realm of theory to application. He was one of the early thinkers and politicians that had a profound influence on me during my transition from Statist to Conservative/Libertarian.

Kemp was an NFL quaterback for the Chargers for two years and led the Bills to two AFL Championships. He was MVP one year and co-founded the AFL Players Association. He served NY as a congressman for nine years. During that time was when he built his coalition to wrest power from the liberal elite northeast country club set that had been running the GOP. He may be one of the most influential (and most unknown by the general public) politicians and applied economists of the twentieth century.

Jack Kemp was a principled man, influential and caring. Our country, and myself, are grateful. RIP

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