Do you believe government is trying to do too much?

We do. Government at all levels has taken on responsibilities that should be left to individuals, families, churches, and communities. People look to government to be their savior - to provide for their needs, to bail them out of bad decisions, and to impose their own agenda on other people through the force of law. (more…)

MCPP's Governing by Principle is a call to Mississippi elected officials, candidates, and citizens to put principle above politics and partisanship. The ideas relied upon by America's Founders to frame our government came long before there were Republicans and Democrats. The principles we have identified transcend partisan politics and even the hottest issues of the day. (more…)

How can public officials�or private citizens�take the principles found in our Governing by Principle primer and apply them to proposed laws, regulations, or other actions? The first step, of course, is to understand the principles and resolve to live by them. But in the rush through the agenda of a committee or board meeting or a legislative session, it can be difficult to evaluate each proposal. (more…)

"Just because a problem exists doesn't mean government should try to solve it." This principle of governing is always important to remember and follow, but never more so than in the economic crisis that now faces the families and businesses of our state. (more…)

Now that Governor Barbour has released his budget plan for next fiscal year, the work begins in earnest to find a way to accomplish the immediate goal of creating a balanced budget in the reality of the current economy. (more…)

Those of us who oppose the government's take-over of the health care system are often labeled as cold-hearted, lacking sympathy for those who have health problems that are hereditary or otherwise not the patient's fault. (more…)

With all the talk about the so-called "right to health care," it's important to consider what "rights" really are. In general, there are two types of rights. One type is intrinsic to us as humans. Some call these "fundamental rights" and others call them "human rights." Our nation's founders labeled them "inalienable rights." These are rights that demand nothing from other people - nothing, that is, except respect. The right to speak freely, to worship as we please, and to defend our property are among these. The role of government is to secure these rights from infringement. (more…)

One reason America is suffering is that those who believe in conservative principles stopped fighting after Ronald Reagan left the presidency. Too many wrongly counted on the Republican Party to fight the conservative fight on auto-pilot. (more…)

A recent column in The American Spectatormagazine provides an important perspective for conservatives: we need to re-focus on principles, not parties. If we do that the right way, the politicians will respond, but if we don't engage - if we pull out of the debate because the political parties have let us down - we may never regain our country. (more…)