I can relate to those who believe that *any* alternative to Bill Clinton would be acceptable. For years I voted based on who could win, with their faithfulness to conservative principles a secondary concern. It always seems to come down to one or all of the following: Fear of a bad leader greater than the fear of supporting a candidate who rountinely compromises principle; thinking that winning elections is the objective - without regard what policies are enacted after you win, and the belief that the GOP can be reformed (which requires quite a lot of ignoring of the GOP's record and statements over the last 16 and more years). It is called placing pragmatism over principle - and you never win playing that game.

Pragmatism has proved to get us nowhere. By choosing the GOP, you are only advocating going to the same destination at a slower pace (maybe - Dole's record has him on the side of Clinton in most issues). As someone said at the US Taxpayers Party Convention, "it's time to stop fearing Bill Clinton, and start fearing God." We have to do the right thing (get rid of evil governors), but we have to do it the *right way* (supporting godly men, not those who condone evil). What's the difference, in God's eyes, between"utterly evil," and "evil?" The only difference between the GOP and Democrats is the degree of evil they support - at least with Clinton it's obvious he is lying.

Peg Luksik, founder of the Constitutional Party of Pennsylvania, made a terrific speech at the USTP convention. It centered on an illustration of political parties as buses. You are on a bus to the wrong destination (San Diego). You have argued with the driver, telling him to go to New York, where you want to go. He ignores you, so you threaten to get off the bus. You threaten louder - so he tells you you can have a special commission to study your concerns. He offers you the best seat on the bus. He makes you the Chief Assistant Back Seat Driver. He offers to paint the bus a different color. Finally, he points out that he is not going to San Diego as FAST as some other buses ...

BUT YOU ARE STILL ON THE BUS, AND IT IS STILL GOING TO THE WRONG PLACE!

Your fatalist support of the GOP is only delaying the victory of the movement to replace it. There are many in the US Taxpayers Party sacrificing much to build a party of principle. If all those taking the easy way out would stop spouting pragmatism and defeatism, and start helping, the battle would be won quickly.

Do you really believe that God would call you to vote for any party or candidate that has knowingly appointed judges to decree that Roe V. Wade is legitmate, who consent to the continuation of 1.5 million abortions per year - including every year that the GOP has had a pro-life plank in their platform? Remember, many GOPers, Dole in the lead, voted for Stevens, Breyer, O'Connor, Souter, Ginsburg, and Kennedy (Kennedy being the only mild surprise that he voted to uphold and even strengthen Roe). Had Reagan, Bush, and Dole even held to that one principle, appointing pro-life judges, Roe would be history.

God often used evil people to punish His children. I never once read where He used the evil people to lead the reform movement back to Him. Search the Scriptures - He raised up leaders committed to Him. Howard Phillips is such a one. I know him and his family. Their example speaks for itself. His words agree with his actions which agree with his life. Name another man running for office (not on a USTP ticket) that you can truly say the same about.

Before the Revolution, the Founders had to do something harder than fighting for liberty. They had to vote to approve the signing of a document that was essentially their death warrant. Did they try to compromise and get some relief from the King? Did they decide to become a colony of France, just to escape the tyranny of the King? Did they give in to the impossibility of their task? Thank God Almighty, *they did not*. They voted to commit their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor." That commitment to ally themselves with God - *not their military strength,* made us free. Today, we won't even put our convenience on the line, but instead work against Godly reformers.

In Isaiah 50:2 God says: "When I came, why was there no-one? When I called, why was there no-one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst."

Is God's arm too short to give the USTP victory over the GOP/DEMS/Establishment and everyone else? I think not! And are we so wise or strong that we can help Him out - by compromising with supporters of evil? No! Can you honestly tell me that you will go into the voting booth, look up at God, say "I am doing this because it honors You" and pull the GOP lever? If you can't even stand up for your conscience in the privacy of that booth, before the God who made you, do you really expect those you vote for to withstand all the pressures they are under in public and make right choices, whatever the consequences? I guarantee you - they will be no better than you.

As for Howard Phillips not being able to win, it sounds like you expect the USTP to ask for your vote after it has already won the victory. NEWS FLASH: Then, we won't need your help. Can you see Patrick Henry waiting for everyone else to go out and fight, and if the odds got better, he would join the cause? That's YOUR argument.

There is no shortage of people who will stand around and complain, while others do the heavy lifting. If you expect any change with that attitude, I wouldn't hold your breath. The reason Phillips "can't" win is because people like you won't support him - you like to mouth conservatism, but when the going gets tough, you head for the comfort zone with lots of excuses. If you will continue in your excuses for your pragmatism, then I'm glad you weren't around in 1776.

I urge you to set a high standard - and support no one who does not meet it.

"If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disbelieve, how can we afterwards defend our work? It is our task to raise a standard to which the wise and honest may repair, recognizing that the event is in the hands of God." -- George Washington, 1787

"Moderation in temper is a virtue, but moderation in principle is always a vice." -- Thomas Paine