Death of a Concept?

I'm sorry, Mr. Gingrich, did I hear you correctly? Did you say that Reaganism is dead? I do apologize, sir, but I must respectfully disagree. Reaganism is not just the idyllic political concept that was born during my childhood years. It was not merely the ideas and methods of Ronald Reagan. In truth, Reaganism is merely a euphemism for conservatism. Nothing more, nothing less.
If you mean to tell me that conservatism is dead, then, my friend, you have strayed far afield from the Congressman from Georgia that I once admired for his convictions and beliefs. I remember the "contract with America." I recall the days when this great nation moved to put republicans in the majority in the houses of Congress. It was not because you were republicans that you were put in office, but because you were conservatives. In fact, I put it to you that the heart of this nation is still conservative. Shall we examine the truth of it?
Ask the average man on the street and he will tell you that he is overtaxed. Surprised? Probably not. Still, this is true, and conservative economics will tell you that he is most likely correct. Tax revenue was raised after Congress, under the direction of President Bush, slashed the income tax code in such a way that the majority of Americans received a second refund from the internal revenue service of three hundred dollars at a minimum. Lower taxes mean more private-sector spending, which in turn leads to more tax revenue. Businesses have the need and the means to hire more employees, unemployment falls, and therefore more income taxes are collected.
A wise man once said that the most frightening words in the English language are, and I quote, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." There is a great deal of truth in this as well. The federal government has grown far too large. Most regular folks would, if asked, say that they'd like the government to have a smaller role in their daily lives. Who wants a government that meddles in the affairs of its citizenry? The answer, you will find, is NOT its citizens. The government exists to organize the affairs of the country, not to decide what its citizens eat, drink, drive, spend, save, think or do. This country could do with fewer government programs, don't you think?
In fact, with fewer things to spend my tax dollars on and more of them coming in (thanks to those tax cuts), we ought to have no problem finding money to, oh, say, supply our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? Secure our revolving door borders? Allow the free market system to repair our broken medical insurance business by getting government out rather than having government take over? Just a few suggestions. That's all.
I think you'll find that the average American supports the men and women of our military, regardless of their feelings of the war in Iraq. So many times I have seen and received e-mails and video links to patriotic sites. People believe in this country. Patriotism is still alive and well. In fact, Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, just today, reminded us that the world at large still has a "healthy respect" for the United States of America.
All of these things are conservative concepts, Mr. Gingrich. All of them. Conservatism cannot die. It is not dependent on the moods and whims of this nation. Conservatism does not check with the polls to see which way the wind is blowing. Conservatism, much like integrity, right and wrong, does not depend on CNN to carry its story. It does not need the New York Times to print its agenda in bold face. It needn't be concerned with changing with the times. Conservatism is bedrock. It is a foundation for beliefs, not beliefs themselves. It is a why, not a what. It was the parchment that the "contract with America" was written on, rather than the pen you used to write it. You once understood that. Perhaps it is that Newt Gingrich, rather than Reaganism, that has died.