David Webb: America, who are you and what matters?

We have just gone through an evolution of significant days in American history. They are in some ways crucial to our culture. Have we as a nation connected the dots? I am more likely to believe not. 

May 16 is Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May. What follows next is Memorial Day, when we pause at 3 p.m. local time for a minute of honor and thanks to those who have given the last full measure in all our wars. Memorial Day weekend has become the unofficial start of summer. Those who fought and died for our freedoms secured us this right. Lest we forget the true meaning of these days, and many have, it is time we all remember and hold ourselves accountable to do what is right and true next year. 

As citizens we have many duties, and daily — not just at commemorations or election time. It’s not my or your, it’s “the” United States Constitution. The same applies for the state constitutions. The brilliance of the Constitution is that it is a document of common sense that we have the ability to amend, though not so easily, nor should it be easy. The conservative movement doesn’t fear change. We prefer that it be correct, necessary and effective toward a better country and world for all. 

{mosads}Now to the daily political grind. With just 530 days to the 2016 presidential election, America has skipped over the 159 days before the 2015 elections. The 2015 elections matter because we will be able to take a measure of voter enthusiasm and turnout, and with exit polls even get a better read on what matters to the American people. 

Too many Americans are letting themselves be led by the headlines and far-reaching goals of the presidential candidates on both sides while ignoring the content of the story as it is being written. State legislatures matter to the immediate and far future. Since President Obama took office, Republicans have gained more than 900 state seats. Many more seats are needed for votes to translate upwards, however. 

This is where the Republican Party begins to reverse a weak position of not building a stronger farm team. Republicans have worked to solidify their position; this is clear when you look at incumbency rates. The political class at the top may not like this, but why do we care what they think? We live in a representative republic, and we need a newer crop of representatives. 

The recent Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City is a useful measure of where Americans stand. The straw poll is used to garner support for the winner; this year it was former neurosurgen Ben Carson, who took 25.4 percent. Other top finishers were Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, with 20.5 percent, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, with 16.6 percent. 

More important is the response on top election issues by the Oklahoma attendees, which reflects much of the country. Of the attendees, 46 percent chose national security, 39.6 percent chose economic issues, 14.4 percent chose social issues and 85.2 percent support lifting restrictions on exporting oil and natural gas. Americans want to be safe, they want to live and travel in a safe world, and they can only do so in part if a strong economy exists. 

I spoke to the Scotch Plains Republican Committee at its fundraising dinner this past weekend. Members asked me to speak on the presidential race, and I did, but first I talked about the importance of local success as necessary to a longer-term view for the GOP at all levels. Their candidates must win municipal and state seats in 2015 to bolster chances in 2016. This must be replicated across America. 

On the Democrat side, do not expect low favorability to shake the Hillary Clinton campaign. She’s in it to win it, both the primary and the general. According to a Pew poll, her favorability plummeted 17 points, to its lowest level in seven years. This is in part due to the drip, drip, drip of the email scandal and Benghazi investigation. When it comes to the Clintons, what cannot be proven is innocence, and they just keep moving toward their goal. Like or dislike them as a power couple, they are effective even at the expense of others or the country. 

So who are the new potential leaders and where do they come from? In our history, many have come from those who raised their right hands and served in the military. The good news is we have a new crop of battle-ready veterans to face an increasingly dangerous future. 

Who are you? Better yet, ask yourself: Who am I, and what do I want for my country?  

Webb is host of “The David Webb Show” on SiriusXM Patriot 125, a Fox News contributor and has appeared frequently on television as a commentator. Webb co-founded TeaParty365 in New York City and is a spokesman for the National Tea Party Federation. His column appears twice a month in The Hill.