Devildawg15's blog: "Six Things We Can Be Thankful For"

As we gather this holiday season, we should remember how fortunate we Americans are to
live in a free and just nation.

America was founded upon sound conservative principles grounded firmly
in human nature and not in radical idealism. And today, we see that
these principles, though under attack from the Left, are still very
much alive. As Heritage Foundation scholar Matthew Spalding explained
in 2003, Thanksgiving maintains the tradition of the American Founding
and affirms that "while we are committed to upholding religious
liberty, we remain one nation under God."

So, despite these tough times, conservatives and Americans have much
to be thankful for:

1.   The United States Constitution. The single most important and
timeless document of our nation's Founding Fathers, the U.S.
Constitution lays the framework for a government that protects
the natural and unalienable rights of every American. The
Constitution, the key to our greatness and the bulwark of our
liberties, offers an antidote to the Left's radicalism. That's
why The Heritage Foundation has made it a priority to educate
the American people about this fundamental document.

2.   America's Armed Forces. The brave men and women of the armed
forces have dedicated their lives to preserve and protect our
liberties and defend the principles that inspired our
Constitution. As President Harry S. Truman told Congress in
1945:
"Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service
of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our
undying gratitude. America will never forget their
sacrifices."

3.   A Conservative America. Recent Gallup polls find that an
overwhelming majority of Americans -- 40 percent -- identify
themselves as conservative, as opposed to liberal or moderate.
This simply reinforces what Heritage Vice President Mike Franc
reported after the 2008 elections: conservatives remain a
force to be reckoned with. After all, Barack Obama campaigned
last year on promises of lower taxes, spending cuts and a
stronger national security because he knows what principles
appeal to the American people.

4.   Growing Conservative Momentum. This year, the Left's
big-government plans -- and there have been many -- have
sparked a big reaction from conservatives around the country.
From the April tea parties to the August town hall meetings to
the September protests in Washington, concerned Americans have
made it clear to politicians that they remain devoted to our
founding principles even if their representatives have
abandoned them.

5.   The Sputtering Liberal Agenda. In part because of the firm
conservative response, the liberal agenda is wobbling
somewhat. While they continue to pose a grave threat to the
nation, radical ideas like socialized medicine, new taxes on
energy and handouts to Big Labor have been slowed or stalled
in Washington. The Left has so far accomplished relatively
little, but lest we grow overconfident we should remember that
they still hold the levers of power.

6.   Conservative Victories. The landslide victories of
gubernatorial candidates Bob McDonnell in Virginia and Chris
Christie in New Jersey -- both states that the Left had
counted on to remain in their camp -- demonstrate a growing
public demand for conservative solutions. Election Day saw
other conservative successes as well, including a referendum
protecting traditional marriage in Maine.

The conservative cause shows great promise, and for this we should be
thankful.