But be vigilant!

Yesterday I suggested that conservatives and, indeed, all Americans give our next president a chance and the benefit of the doubt.  I haven't changed my mind.  As Americans we owe that much to our elected officials.

But none of them should be given a blank check or unlimited power.  And none of them should be allowed to take either.  Preventing politicians of any stripe from overstepping their bounds requires a watchful eye.

A couple of items in the news deserve watching . . . 

First, Valerie Jarrett, co-chair of President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, told Tom Brokaw on Meet the Press Sunday that "given the daunting challenges that we face, it's important that President-elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to RULE on day one."  (Emphasis added, link here.)  Note the inappropriate use of the word "rule."  Presidents don't rule - at least not in this country.  "Lead" might have been a better word and it could be that Jarrett simply misspoke.  But keep an eye on this administration.  Protect your freedoms and allow no infringements - not even to face "the daunting challenges" ahead.

Second, watch out for Obama's "national security force."  Georgia congressman Paul Broun is warning that the president elect may be intent on setting up a civilian force "answering to him, that is as strong as the U.S. military" to

support his policy of "radical socialism or Marxism."  Sounds crazy - and it probably is - but Obama did say in July that "we cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set.  We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."  Broun stated, "that's exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany and it's exactly what the Soviet Union did."

I don't honestly think that Obama wants his own gestapo and I don't think that his advisors believe or desire his installation as dictator.  But I don't trust Obama.  I wouldn't trust John McCain either - or anybody in the White House.  All presidents must be subject to scrutiny and critical analysis because power definitely has a tendency to corrupt.  

Be vigilant.