Alabama State Senator Scott Beason (R-AL) announced his candidacy for Alabama’s 6^th Congressional district late last week against 10-term incumbent, Spencer Bachus (R-AL).  This comes on the heels of multiple accounts of corruption exposed initially in Peter Schweizer’s best selling book, “Throw Them All Out.”

Since Schweizer’s book came out, CBS’ 60 Minutes did a feature on Congressman Bachus’ insider trading, and that of others.  Since then, his own constituents held a rally demanding Bachus’ resignation.  In response, he committed to hold hearings on the STOCK Act, an effort to reform insider trading.  Later, the Congressman reneged.

His constituents reacted angrily, committing to recruit a strong candidate against the Congressman, and many names were floated.  Just after Christmas, Judicial Watch named Bachus one of the top 10 most corrupt politicians in Washington.

“This (Spencer Bachus) is clearly not proper representation of the good people of Alabama” said Deanna Frankowski, of Rainy Day Patriots, a local Tea Party group.  “I told Scott Beason that we need his leadership against Bachus, and that I would help him if he ran.”

Many thought that of the possible contenders, Sen. Scott Beason would be able to gain the traction and funds to take on the hefty war chest of Congressman Bachus, estimated to be upward of $1 million by campaign’s end.  Beason gained statewide prominence and considerable national attention for championing the embattled Alabama illegal immigration bill, the “Bill for the Rule of Law”.  Under scrutiny, many legislators have weakened their positions on the bill, while Beason has remained a steadfast defender, further impressing conservatives across the state.

He is a favorite of local talk radio shows, and has already hit the ground attending a local “Pistols and Politics”event at a gun shop in the district, as well as any other place he can find a crowd.

“I am running because I feel a strong calling to do so” he said on the Dr. Gina Show on 101.1 WYDE The Source right after his announcement.

He will not be alone in the race, and many see the crowded field as indicative of the enthusiasm to “clean house” where Congressman Bachus is concerned.  Other notables include another Tea Party favorite, a former US Army Instructor Al Mickel, Stan Pate, a colorful figure in Alabama’s political landscape, and David Standridge, a local judge.

Bachus’ constituents are clearly unhappy with him, and he will have the fight of his life to retain his seat, by all indications.

In response to Peter Schweizer’s shocking revelations in Throw Them all Out, I organized a call for the resignation of our local Congressman, Spencer Bachus. I was in good company, flanked by conservative giants Andrew Breitbart and Stephen K. Bannon, as well as Business Insider and other Tea Party folks who recognize the urgent need to clean our proverbial house before attempting to sell it in 2012. Despite Bachus’s alleged improprieties, I knew my protest would engender some pushback; I was surprised, however, to see the direction from which it came.

Some Republicans whispered foul, suggesting that I should instead “pick on a liberal like Nancy Pelosi, or even Obama.” When asked, they elaborated that even if the Congressman leveraged his position to gamble against the American economy or bought based upon sensitive, inside information, “at least he’s a reliable conservative vote.”

A reliable conservative vote is necessary. But it is far from sufficient.

Voting in accordance to the wishes of one’s district is a rote activity that any halfwit could perform. Of course, politicians have to vote representative of their districts or risk being voted out; the American electorate understands that fact. However, there is a stark contrast between Congressman Bachus and Senator Jim DeMint, Governor Walker, and Congressman Paul Ryan, three exemplars of voting based on principled leadership, rather than political expediency. The difference can be more insidious than it might seem at first glance. This holds true on both the federal and local levels.

It is easy to “vote right” for your district. Nancy Pelosi wins her district, as do most representatives, not because they are right on the issues, but because they vote in accordance with their districts enough that any “rogue” votes are understated or in small proportion to the ones that please their constituents. Politicians don’t always vote their district out of conviction, but often only because political expedience. Of course, there are ways to “vote right” and kill things behind the scenes. Worse, there are ways for a politician to look perfect on paper, yet behind the scenes sabotage the very votes they publicly support. Our most corrupt elected officials commit the most egregious and invisible act: publicly claiming to fight for something, while secretly cutting deals with other voting members behind the scenes to kill it, or worse, giving it mere lip service but expending zero political capital to pass the bill.

Governor Walker, in contrast, endures great risk in opposing unions in the historically liberal state of Wisconsin. Very little about what he is doing will likely seems aimed at re-election, amassing personal power, or profiting personally. His bold and decisive actions have set the trend of doing the right thing as one sees it, regardless of political and personal cost.

The unfortunate reality of these unsung heroes is often that their careers do not advance. The game of politics does not reward those who are not playing to win personally. To climb the political ladder requires a certain degree of expediency and self-interest. This reality breeds corruption, which is why patriots across this nation must herald the unsung public servants who sacrifice their careers for virtuous acts and must unabashedly rebuke the corruption in our ranks who tilt the playing field against those whose honor and character compels them to behave out of selfless virtue.

Our American history abounds with heroes like Ryan, Walker, and DeMint. Our Founding Fathers risked everything to establish this country. It seems that the least we can do is refuse to look the other way when cowardly, self absorbed politicians in our own party bilk the system at great peril to our nation in these trying times.

What does the term “patriot” really mean in these days of American peril? We submit that this chapter of our Republic necessitates holding our politicians to the highest standards, and obligates us to direct our outrage more at the corruption on our own side of politics than that on our political opponents. We submit that to be any less than that signifies an unforgivably cowardly act of selfishness. That is the act of a traitor in these days, when many believe this nation teeters on the brink of disaster for lack of solid, conservative leadership.

I love Thanksgiving.  It is uniquely American and uniquely right.  We celebrate God and Country and enjoy family time absent the stress and distraction of the more commercialized holidays.  There is no need to deconstruct “Jesus Clause” or explain to our children that our Lord and Savior rising from the grave has nothing to do with eggs and bunnies.  Who came up with that bunny laying egg thing anyway?

Recently, I visited with a man from Mexico who is in the U.S. legally, on a work assignment for a large corporation.  He was telling me how much he was looking forward to his first American Thanksgiving.  He will celebrate with friends either at their home or the others’.  I asked about the menu.  “Roast turkey with all of the trimmings” he quickly replied with a contagious enthusiasm.  This, from a man whose favorite staple is tamales.  He has never tasted a real roasted turkey, the American way.  I was going to ask about deep frying it…next year, I thought.

His simple menu selection and his use of the word “trimmings” flooded my mind instantly with thoughts about that unique dish, roasted Turkey.  We have celebrated Thanksgiving and that fine tryptophane laden meat at different times, with friends from Germany and friends from Russia.  It is always great to talk about the other traditions that are uniquely American, and more than just food.

I remember water skiing with friends from Europe on the amazing Lake of the Ozarks.  We rented a boat, filled a cooler with all kinds of libations, and enjoyed the heck out of a sunny July day.  As we sat quietly taking a break from the action and taking note of all the beautiful lakefront homes, they began lamenting how this would never be allowed in Europe.

In Europe, if you tried to put a motorized boat on a lake, the environmentalists would decry the degredation to the environment and pass laws to stop you.  If you tried to build a house on a lake, the communists would insist that the land belonged to all of the people and no one privately.  They went on, but the point should be clear.  In America, we are defined by putting individual rights first, starting with the Pilgrim’s quest for a place in which religious worship was every man’s exclusive domain.  These rights extend far beyond that to include the individual’s right to own land and be secure in that land and enjoy it for his or her own use.  Our uniquely American Government is designed on “negative rights”, or the right to be free FROM government, as opposed to the positive rights the socialists pursuit as to be given BY government.

If government can give you access to a Lake, then it can surely bar access from that same Lake.  This is true with welfare, education, health care, and any other positive “right” the communists demand.  Not in America!  Something as mundane as water skiing takes on an entire new meaning when you consider that people want to take that right from you, especially when you consider their widespread success World-wide.

So as you enjoy a uniquely American roasted turkey, and reflect upon the freedom you have to partake in your favorite hobbies, do one thing.  Please take a look at your kids and promise them that you will damn well do your best to make sure they and the successive generations of Americans can enjoy roasted turkey and the same freedoms you do today before some soulless commmie takes away these liberties in the name of positive rights.

While you are at it, the next time you see a commie, or some OWS goof, tell him to go eat sprouts or tofu or whatever politically correct sorry excuse for a staple food he eats.  Then make haste to the biggest juiciest, hormone inspired 100% pure American beef burger you can find and be sure to slap on some American cheese and plenty of bacon.  As you savor that first bite, thank God for blessing your America and promise Him too, that you will fight!