Ted Cruz Puts Principles First

                When Senator Ted Cruz spoke at the Republican National Convention, he was classy and stood on principles. He congratulated Donald Trump on winning the nomination and urged his listeners to vote their consciences in November. He stood on principles and presented his remarks in a masterful way. Yet, he was booed off the stage, and his wife and father were escorted out of the arena by security.

                You can read Cruz’s remarks for yourself here and make your own decision about him. I think he gave a powerful speech, and I want to share his closing sentences. “We deserve leaders who stand for principle. Unite us all behind shared values. Cast aside anger for love. That is the standard we should expect, from everybody.

                “And to those listening, please, don’t stay home in November. Stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.

                “It’s love of freedom that has allowed millions to achieve their dreams….

                “We must make the most of our moment – to fight for freedom, to protect our God-given rights, even of those with whom we don’t agree, so that when we are old and gray… and our work is done… and we give those we love one final kiss goodbye … we will be able to say, `Freedom matters, and I was part of something beautiful.’”

                I was pleased to read Cruz’s remarks. He did not endorse Trump, but he did not say anything against him either. He stood on his principles and presented his message that we can defend freedom and we must do.

                Ian Ballinger explains that “The importance of the speech goes beyond this election, because what happens after this election, what constitutionalist conservatives do, whether we see a trump presidency or a Hillary Clinton presidency, will determine whether or not the constitutionalist movement survives.

                “For constitutionalist conservatives, this election is lost; neither Trump nor Clinton represents the values and principles within the Constitution. If we as a movement are to survive, we need to realize something: we very well may not see a fix to our country’s problems within our lifetime. And that’s okay.

                “To live constitutional and Biblical principles isn’t to only think of yourself in this time, but is to work towards establishing a foundation upon which our children, our grandchildren and generations down the line have the upbringing and the knowledge of history to continue the fight for these principles. To quote Sen. Cruz: `Freedom means religious freedom whether you are a Christian or Jew, Muslim or atheist, gay or straight. The Bill of Rights protects the rights of all of us to live according to our conscience.’

                “Cruz’s audience was not the people on the convention floor; it was the tired and broken conservative who isn’t ready to give up on principles yet. How easy it would’ve been for him to give up on his principles….”

                Many people were ready to give up on Ted Cruz when he accepted Trump’s invitation to speak at the convention. They thought he had gone over to the “dark side” and forfeited his principles. I am grateful to see that he is still standing tall and steadfast in defending constitutional principles.