NCCCC - Highlights, Summary, and a Look Ahead

The core heavy lifting from the conference was generated during the well constructed work sessions in which attendees could take their choice, or simply bounce around any of the six discussion panels which were:

The Future of Education
The Role of Citizens in Politics and Government
Responsible Monetary and Fiscal Policy
The Proper Role of Government
NC Law and the NC Citizen
Restoring Conservative Values

Several action plans were developed in each of the sessions in which to utilize as a primary step forward in these areas:

The Future of Education: The money should follow the child. Choice and competition must be part of the educational system. Dallas Woodhouse, state Director of AFP, said, "Education is the civil rights issue of our time". We must work toward educating the citizen on these issues and elect officials who will fight for such policies.

The Role of Citizens in Politics and Government: The most critical immediate action plan is to use lessons from the left's playbook, which is understanding and utilizing modern communication technology, such as the many different resources available on the internet, to disseminate and share information. Also, proactively creating media and networking strategies where one sees an opportunity is crucial to sharing information.

Responsible Monetary and Fiscal Policy: We must gain control of these irresponsible tax and spend policies. Target and remove career politicians. Reduce spending and lower taxes. Remove barriers to business and bring offshore companies and their money back home.

The Proper Role of Government: It must be understood that education of government's responsibility starts in the home and family. This increases the level of educated citizens who will band together and not stand for government overstepping its bounds. Also, we need to support policies that keep power and control at the lowest government level, from roads to education. Get the federal and state governments out of every single agenda that a local community wants to pursue.

NC Law and the NC Citizen: Four areas that affect us as NC citizens to be educated on, aware of, and proactively making a difference in are: crime, redistricting, immigration, and the funding of political races. These are areas that are affecting each of us every day where liberty-loving conservatives could and should really impact change across the board.

Restoring Conservative Values: Again, leverage the technology available, while not ignoring the traditional communication methods. Be a mole inside the left's agenda by subscribing to newsletters and propaganda which they readily distribute. Groups such as MoveOn.org and ACORN are great places to start. Pastor Tony McGhee reminds us that, "The times we live in now demand action".

That's it! A very successful conference all around. Remember, you don't have to be a Republican to have conservative ideals. I feel no loyalty personally to the Republican party, but I certainly stand by their side on issues which we agree on, which are the pillars of this great country we live in. Independents and unaffiliated voters make up the largest constituency in the entire country, and many of them consider themselves conservative - but have serious issues with the Republican party. We must band together and reach out to these people as conservatives without political labels. As a conservative Libertarian myself, I can tell you first hand that it can happen!