Kelleigh Nelson February 16, 2015
Allen West, Another Neo-Con
Our 'neoconservatives' are neither new nor conservative, but old as Babylon and evil as Hell. -Edward Abbey, American author
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 22:30-31
Allen West's Military Service
Allen Bernard West was born in Georgia, graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and then joined the United States Army in 1983. He was deployed to Kuwait in 1991, and Iraq in 2003. In 2003, West was charged in an incident that involved the beating and simulated execution of an Iraqi police officer. He was fined $5,000, accepted a Non-judicial punishment and after 20 years of service, was allowed to retire as a lieutenant colonel after an Article 32 hearing.
West made an agonizing moral decision to save his men from a likely ambush. To do so, he shot off a pistol next to the head of a suspect, forcing him to confess vital lifesaving intelligence. Col. West didn't do that to punish the man, but to save lives, and it worked. However, the military considered his actions to be harsh interrogation tactics.
West reported his actions to his superiors, and he had to know it would cost him his career. He very well could have ended up in prison as well as having the instance cost him personal agonies. Yet, he made the right decision and it saved his men.
In 2004, Col. West returned to Afghanistan as an adviser to the Afghan army, an assignment he finished in November 2007. During his Army career, he was honored many times, earning a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one with Valor), and a Valorous Unit Award. He received his valor award as a Captain in Desert Shield/Storm, was the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year in 1993, and was a Distinguished Honor Graduate III Corps Assault School.
West Runs for Congressman
In 2008, when Col. West ran for representative in Florida's 22nd Congressional District, he lost to Democrat Ron Klein.
West was one of 32 black Republican candidates for Congress in 2010. He said he supported the Tea Party movement and rejected the notion that the movement was motivated by racism, saying the accusation was a creation of liberal critics and the news media. West was described as a "tea party star." His stance on Islamic terrorists convinced many patriotic and conservative Americans to support him for Congress. He has even spoken out about Islamists infiltrating the military. He raised $5.4 million and stated that 97% of his donations came from individuals, and I was happy to be one of those individuals. I thought West was truly a Constitutional conservative, but once again, I was wrong.
Congressman West became a member of the congressional Tea Party Caucus in February 2011.
However, the TP Caucus died a quick death and was all but defunct by 2012.
On February 1, 2012, West announced that he would run for reelection from the new 18th Congressional District, which consists of a majority of the previous 16th Congressional District. He had been redistricted. He received a primary challenge from Martin County Sheriff Robert Crowder, but won the primary. Crowder later endorsed Democrat Patrick Murphy, a political newcomer and a Republican until 2011. Unfortunately, West lost his re-election bid to Murphy, and it was not only because of being redistricted, but because he had lost his grassroots Tea Party support. Here is why he lost that support:
Allen West voted for the Pigford II farm payouts to non-existent black farmers against his constituents' wishes, and the TP people were quite angry about it. Allen apologized and admitted he didn't do his homework.Allen West supported Speaker John Boehner's plan for cutting spending and raising the debt ceiling, even though his fellow Tea Party supporters were very skeptical. (Link) Cut Cap and Balance raised the debt limit against his constituents' wishes. (Link)When Congressman West was interviewed on the Laura Ingraham show after the debt vote, Ingraham asked him how he felt about his Tea Party supporters being very angry at him for his vote. He actually answered her by calling his Tea Party supporters, "Schizos." (Video recording)Allen West voted against cutting 100 Million from Obama care, against his constituents' wishes. (Link)Allen West voted for the horrid NDAA and insists there is nothing in the bill that would allow military arrest and detention of American citizens. I've read the bill and hundreds of others have too. (Link) Allen West was on the NDAA committee. (Link) And why was there a provision that would allow the president to order the death of an American citizen without a trial? (Link) Again, this was against the wishes of his constituents.Col. Allen West has capitulated on his anti-Islam stance. (Link) He wrote a letter to members of the Interfaith Alliance which was in contrast to his previous speeches stating his stance on Islamic terrorists.These various votes cost West his Tea Party backing. Here's a link to West's Congressional voting record.
West's New CEO Position
Under the "About" category in the NCPA website, you'll find dozens of their experts, and the first person listed is Bob McTeer, who is best known for his 36-year career with the Federal Reserve System, including 14 years as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and member of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
Another expert is Estelle James, PhD, who is a consultant to the World Bank, USAID and other international organizations. Previously she was Lead Economist at the World Bank and Director of the Bank's flagship course on pension reform. She has also served on the Governing Board of the new pension fund in Kosovo and the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security in the U.S.
NCPA (Allen West) Invites Traitor to Lecture in Dallas
Also:
| Allen West Wrong on Nullification and Supremacy Clause |
