The Moderation of Representation

A Time to Declare.

Matt Lewis has a new Substack: Nobody Likes a 'Moderate' — Until the House Is Burning. I read it this morning, and it just blew me away. I've followed Matt for a number of years and read both of his books, and I really admire his skill as a writer. The feeling he expresses here—this sense of abandonment, of being lost without a group to defend yourself against some unchecked power—is something I deeply relate to. I think it’s something we all feel at some point. And too often, when we find our group, we forget what it used to feel like to be alone.

Matt describes himself as a conservative, but also a moderate—and that's… well, let’s just put it this way: conservatives and moderates aren't exactly popular in modern politics. He believes in “limited government, personal responsibility, and the general idea that screaming should not be a substitute for policy.”

He goes on to say:

So here I am. A man without a movement. Too conservative for the left, too sane for the right, and too tired to pretend that “moderate” is a badge anyone wears proudly.

But maybe it should be.

Well, Matt, my friend, what I will say is, there is a movement out there for you. You do not have to be alone. That movement is Representation. Those who support representation are organizing a group called No Cap Fund. Our goal is to uncap the House of Representatives and return power to the people.

Call it moderation, call it pragmatism, call it conservative or progressive. As Thomas Jefferson said, “We are all Federalists, we are all Republicans.” There are things we must preserve and protect in order to be a free and independent people. And representation is one of those things. The most moderate thing to do is to protect it.

And if that means working with people we may disagree with on certain issues, so be it. If it means being in a group that dresses differently, talks differently, or sees the world a little differently, so be it. I want to be part of a group that values freedom. That believes we can govern ourselves. That we can write our own laws, make our own rules, and shape our future.

The original sin of our country was the compromise we made over representation to placate the petulant slaveholders. And ever since we have tried to rebalance ourselves while trapped in a state of learned helplessness, “that’s how it’s always been.” That’s how we became Too Dumb to Fail and how Congress has become full of Filthy Rich Politicians.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can overcome our learned helplessness and grow.

Many of you out there probably relate a lot to what Matt is saying. If so, then consider joining our group. Go to why435.org and Declare for Representation. And if you’re looking for a conservative group to be part of—a smaller one—join the Reagan Caucus. Help make it what you want a conservative group to be. And when you get there, tell them to support Representation by talking about it.

Because the problem we’re feeling is a problem of faction. And in Federalist No. 10, Madison told the world: the problem of factions is best cured by more factions. When power consolidates, tyranny or anarchy takes hold.

If we want to be a free and independent—if we want to govern ourselves and share authority—then we must Declare for Representation.

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh