Meet Les Phillip

Posted by Larry Miller on March 7, 2010 under How | 6 Comments to Read

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of talking with Les Phillip who is running for Congress in Alabama’s 5th district. He says, “Today’s representation is Washington is destroying all we have fought and died for. They were elected to serve as the people’s voice, to defend our rights and to create the opportunity for all American’s to enjoy security and prosperity. Instead, the power of elected office is being used for self-serving agendas, special interests and political gain. I say, ‘No more!’”

His message is the message so many Americans are looking to hear. His decision to take on the primary challenge of an incumbent Republican (until recently a Democrat) congressman whose voting record shows him to be part of the problem… not the solution shows the courage so many Americans are looking for.

After last year’s State of the Union address, Phillip was so upset with the direction the new President was leading our country, he found himself in his bathroom preparing to retire for the night… telling himself that something had to be done… that someone needed to step forward. The only person listening was the guy in the mirror… he knew it was his time to stand in the gap.

It was not an easy decision to take on the Alabama Republican establishment. Despite knowing what he had to do, he struggled with all the reasons he should not even try. He did not have the wealth to finance the beginnings of a campaign. He did not have the connections. He felt like Moses standing before the burning bush… ticking off the reasons this was not a practical enterprise. Then, like Moses, he had to do the right thing and take on the job before him.

Yet this was not the first time he took on, and accomplished major goals in his life. Born in Trinidad, his family immigrated to the United States when he was eight. He later graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, then the Naval Academy at Annapolis, which led to a distinguished career as a naval aviator.

He served his country, but also experienced the benefits of our country. He enjoys the life he has with his wife and three daughters, and the success he has had in sales, marketing and running his own business. Phillip says he is “living the American Dream”… and he sees President Obama and his cronies as trying to close the door on the things many of us still hold dear. He is now is fighting to protect this dream, not only for his family, but for everyone in this great country. Unfortunately it may take someone coming from another land to appreciate what many of our fellow citizens take for granted – an entitlement.

When looking at the parties in action, Phillip says he has to admire the way the Democrats never seem to act like they are not in control. Even when they are in the minority, he says they act like a majority party. They insist on having their say… unlike the Republicans, who, even when they have the numbers to get the right things done, cave to Democratic pressure and succumb to the ideas and policies that are destroying our county.

He hopes to rally his party to be what it promises and do it says. He looks for an example to the children of Israel occupying the Promised Land. They were told to destroy the inhabitants and not mingle with them. But it was easier to let Hittites, Jebusites and all the others remain. The conquerors were diluted. Their religion was polluted and they failed to enjoy the promised land of milk and honey. This is the same way Republicans allow what they know to be the destructive policies of the Democrats to have currency prevent our country from being the shining city on a hill.

How is this thinking being received by the state and national party establishment? The National Republican Congressional Committee is endorsing his opponent. John Boehner has come into his fifth district to raise funds for his opponent, Parker Griffith. This is the same Parker Griffith who, just a few short years ago, was pleased to have Nancy Pelosi raise funds for him when he wore the other teams jersey. You can find out more about Parker Griffith at http://primaryparker.com.

The party leadership says they believe a “moderate” like Griffith will have better appeal with independents and Democrats. They still have not picked up on the idea that winning elections with candidates that do not stand for the values of the people is still a loosing strategy. Again, they are willing to sell out the party’s base in search of votes from people who cannot trust their perfidy.

Nevertheless, Les Phillip is pushing forward in what would appear to be a David and Goliath struggle, yet Real Clear Politics says the race is competitive. He has an opportunity to knock out one of the Washington insiders who shares some of the blame for the mess we are in.

When asked about the biggest threats facing our nation, Phillip talks about cap ‘n trade that increases costs without any additional production, the FED printing money which will eventually lead to runaway inflation that will collapse our entire economy and the pervasive selfishness throughout our entire government and economic system.

This man gets it. He understands what we need to restore our nation to it’s former glory. He knows what we need to set us back on the road to prosperity. His party leadership doesn’t quite understand it… but in many cases, they are becoming more irrelevant with each passing day. Besides, consider the first David and Goliath struggle… and who won. You may even be able to have a part this time around.

Find out more about Les Phillip at http://www.lesphillip.com/.