Politics

Dr. Ben Carson and the Heresy of Preaching Self-Reliance

Feb. 17, 2013 6:00pm

- TheTeaParty.Net

Todd Cefaratti is the Freedom Organizer of TheTeaParty.net, which he founded in 2009. He is also the Editor of the Tea Party News Network which he founded in 2012.

Dr. Ben Carson and the Heresy of Preaching Self Reliance

Dr. Banjamin Carson speaks at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast (Photo Credit: C-SPAN) 

Political pundits on both the left and right were blown away last week. From such an unexpected place, the annual National Prayer Breakfast, a speech touting pure, uncomplicated logic came from Dr. Ben Carson and served as a refreshing bit of inspiration at a time when Americans have been losing hope.

And while his message of self-reliance and accountability was endearing, President Obama’s noticeable contempt look for such heresy was almost as satisfying.

Dr. Carson had dared to offer an alternative to Obama’s vision of government’s role. Within less than a half hour, Dr. Carson shredded to pieces the liberal vision of America. He took aim at political correctness, the educational system, the tax code ,and then set his sights on what he knows best: the healthcare field. While America has heard over and over again these last four years that government is the answer, the self-made surgeon was living, breathing proof that dedication and self-reliance is the surest way to prosperity.

Dr. Carson came from nothing. He lived in poverty, had a short temper and, not surprisingly, did badly in school. His mother, however, refused to allow their dire circumstances to be used as an excuse for failure in life. She instilled responsibility and a reverence for education in her son. He became a world-famous neurosurgeon and the living embodiment of the American success story at a time when such rags-to-riches stories have become entirely too rare.

Once upon a time, America was called the “Land of Opportunity.” It was never called the “Land of Guaranteed Success.” To make it in America, one had to be willing to work hard and utilize the opportunities that this wild, relatively-new nation provided. Somewhere, though, a great moral decay took place and excuses became more common than success stories.

The narrative that defines modern progressivism is that government is the creator- the creator of opportunity, the creator of prosperity, the creator of social progress. Every expansion of government’s role in the lives of citizens has been sold as a means of helping to create; but the truth is that it is the individual, the self-reliant chooser of his or her own destiny that is the creator of social and economic mobility. Dr. Carson is the living embodiment of that fact; and the liberals hate him for it.

Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky abhorred the speech, saying, “I think it’s not really an appropriate place to make this kind of political speech, and to invoke God as support for that kind of view.” But where else should a learned man of faith and science espouse a belief that each of us has a duty to ourselves and our communities to take responsibility for our own success in this world? I’m sure Schakowsky would have preferred the tired liberal mantra of “trust unto the government,” but truth be told, I’m much more likely to take advice from the self-made neurosurgeon over the institution that brought us “cash for clunkers” and that can’t seem to figure out a fiscally viable way to deliver the mail.

In the immediate aftermath of Dr. Carson’s speech, the web blew up with calls for “Ben Carson for president 2016.” At first, I thought, “Wouldn’t that be something?” But after a moment or two, I realized that as America is engulfed in the petty squabbles and misdirections provided by career politicians, so detached from the people they are supposed to represent, we could do a whole lot worse than an intelligent, straight-talking man with character who believes in America and the power and potential of the individual.

Does Dr. Carson have all the answers? Of course not. And unlike the president and his administration, he has the humility to say so. But he seems to have a grasp on what has made America great better than anyone I have heard in a long time. If nothing else, having a president that believes in America and our founding principles would be a welcomed departure from our current commander-in-chief and a tremendous step in the right direction.

Comments (24)

  • rockin-robin
    Feb. 25, 2013 at 2:11am

    Dr Carson is the right man for the job.The left winged media would cruceify him .an me to for my spellingGo dr carson

    Report this comment

    rockin-robin  
  • Doctorluna
    Feb. 22, 2013 at 7:17pm

    I loved what Dr. Carson had to say. He spoke eloquently, and he spoke on behalf of God and our nation.

    Report this comment

    Doctorluna  
  • jobewan
    Feb. 20, 2013 at 2:10pm

    . . hope he doesn’t have a Clintonesque “accident”.

    Report this comment

    jobewan  
  • flagbearer
    Feb. 20, 2013 at 1:30pm

    From neurosurgeon to politician? George Washington didn’t want to serve, but did. If Carson chooses to serve his country in the same spirit as did GW, I’d support him. I do agree with some of the posts here that he might be better suited to the U. S. Senate first. Go get ‘em, Doc!

    Report this comment

    flagbearer  
  • devildogger
    Feb. 20, 2013 at 12:11am

    I think Dr. Carson would serve the country better as a Senator from MD. If we can keep the House and win the Senate, then obamacare can be repealed with a simple majority vote. I think Dr. Carson would be quite pleased to cast a vote to get rid of that unAmerican legislation and help return America to its roots as a country of, for and by the people.

    Report this comment

    devildogger  
  • jcwink
    Feb. 19, 2013 at 3:30pm

    When someone speaks the truth. The reaction from the fraud being exposed…tells all you need to know.. Now they are demanding an apology! from Dr. Carson…. How twisted is that?…. The apology should be from the fraud…

    Report this comment

    jcwink  
  • mileaway
    Feb. 19, 2013 at 3:26pm

    Carson is a nice guy but NOT Presidential material. He would be an excellent advisor to someone like Allen West though. The same as Rand Paul. Great economic and social plans but not the correct background for leading a country.

    Report this comment

    mileaway  
    • TruthTalker
      Feb. 20, 2013 at 11:07am

      What? Not enough community organizing experience?

      Report this comment

      TruthTalker  
    • Skemp
      Feb. 20, 2013 at 4:24pm

      He’s 100% more president material than Obama!!
      At least this man can direct us to a better America, than someone who can only dream
      I’d vote for him in a quick minute.

      Report this comment

      Skemp  
  • FightingBear
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 10:37pm

    Carson & Cain 2016!

    Report this comment

    FightingBear  
  • cashprize
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 7:40pm

    walked near the TV set even though I could hear very well from where I was sitting before. No doubt his speech was a little Like Jesus going into the Temple and correcting wrong actions and restoring what the Temple was for in the first place. It had become a place for silent manipulation of currency values.

    Although Ben Carson had no physical whip, he was a demonstration of what an official prayer breakfast is suppose to be about; God and country and how the Creator because of our call upon him, he might help us thankful servants to move forward with our country in a way that pleases Him.

    Many pundits on the left and some on the right, being used to this get together as a way to hide values instead of finding answers, found fault. Some felt the whip and others cried out saying it was just too mean to come into the temple and whip the value changers.
    http://www.examiner.com/article/dr-ben-carson-the-bible-and-godly-solutions

    Report this comment

    cashprize  
    • Trapperpk
      Feb. 19, 2013 at 3:25pm

      Dr Carson is not about being a super star. His own results in life speak for himself. A rising star is made by those who are hungry. Obama was a rising star because he fed the masses with hope and change and cannot sustain that promise. Dr. Carson is about empirical results and nation building based upon the original national blue print of our nation. No alterations here, but what is important is his inner motivation. God!

      Obama has not clearly defined his inner motivation after these 4-5 years of being president and two elections. When Dr. Carson started his latest speech with scripture and a strong Christian Reference to God. President Obama failed to define his motive as speculation still swirls about, confusing Americans as to “What’s he up to?” Nobody clearly understands as he write his story on the fly.

      Dr. Carson does not write his story on the fly. It is structured in his heritage as a Christian and a Scientist with a hefty dose of Mom power. Obama doesn’t necessarily thank God for his Mom for making him who he is today. This is really a story of two moms since the dads weren’t present or voting.

      Report this comment

      Trapperpk  
    • Doctorluna
      Feb. 22, 2013 at 7:14pm

      I loved your comment.

      Report this comment

      Doctorluna  
  • bonesiii
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 7:38pm

    It would be awesome if he runs. He’s my kind of thinker.

    Ideally, the value from a speech like this wouldn’t need to be sort of politicized like that — he was diagnosing illness and all of us should take the doctor’s advice, including all who are in office or want to be. Still, if he would ever consider it, he should go for it. You hate to take away an accomplished surgeon from where he’s needed there, but we NEED responsible elected leaders. They seem so rare now.

    And by the way, no more appropriate place for that could be imagined; anyone who thinks differently really needs to read the Prophets — this was way tame compared to much of what the truthtellers of biblical times said! God is all about shattering our deadly delusions for our own sake, in any category of life. It’s all His universe.

    Report this comment

    bonesiii  
  • herewegoooooo
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 6:51pm

    Condoleezza for Pres & Dr. Carson Vice Pres
    Foriegn Policy part is solved … can you think of a more solid ticket?

    Report this comment

    herewegoooooo  
  • FEISTY
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 4:16pm

    Carson-Rubio a black and a hispanic Republican ticket…LOL!! Imagine the level of hysteria from the left.

    Report this comment

    FEISTY  
    • KevINtampa
      Feb. 18, 2013 at 5:30pm

      Rubio?

      Meh. His drinking the water was a dare. A sign that he has been co-opted. He was symbolically drinking the Republican-Democrat Progressive kool-aid.

      Report this comment

      KevINtampa  
  • docvet
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 3:44pm

    It is also a good time to remind liberals that any negative comments about Dr. Carson makes that person a racist. Good for the goose, good for the gander.

    Report this comment

    docvet  
  • flyalot
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 3:34pm

    term limits (2 tops), no pay after “SERVICE”, back to jobs or business as usual, and no more lawyers!! Problem is they’ve set a booby trap so that everyday peeps can’t afford to run and if they try they get tarred and feathered by the MSM until they back down. Disgusting!! I always said we already have term limits, it’s called the voting booth. But that hasn’t worked out too well of late. So “real” term limits are in order. No more career politicians. Here I go dreaming again, time to wake up and smell reality…LOL.

    Report this comment

    flyalot  
    • happ77
      Feb. 19, 2013 at 1:35pm

      Term limit, 1, 6yrs, go home. Also 1 new justice every yr, serve
      9yrs, go home.

      Report this comment

      happ77  
  • rangerskippy
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 2:17pm

    Imagine the audacity of “invoking” God at a prayer breakfast while standing only feet away from President Obama. He should have been invoking Obama and the All Mighty Government to care for all his needs.

    Report this comment

    rangerskippy  
  • EndOfCommonSense
    Feb. 18, 2013 at 1:39pm

    I would vote for him in a heartbeat. I think the worst thing that ever happened to politics is politicians. This country was made to be run by normal everyday people, and as a country we have always done better when we have people like that in power.

    Report this comment

    EndOfCommonSense  
    • FedUp_Express
      Feb. 18, 2013 at 2:21pm

      As the good doctor says, lawyers (the group that makes up most of the politicians) only care about WINNING, not solving problems.

      Report this comment

      FedUp_Express  

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