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which fit less neatly under the heading of government activism, are weakened federal government support for traditional family values and against abortion. He is also troubled by the inclination of populists to want the country to withdraw as a global leader to promote the ideals of freedom and limited government.

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the speech given by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the University of Texas Austin celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

In that speech, Thomas articulated practically the identical agenda that Pence is talking about: individual freedom, limited government, free markets.

He talked about the Declaration, the principles which it articulates — all men are created equal, with God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Thomas presented these as American principles, the principles that define what the United States of America is uniquely about. He defined them as American as opposed to conservative.

He discussed how progressives intentionally rejected these principles in exchange for a belief in ideas of government activism and management imported from Europe.

The entitlements that consume 40% of our federal budget today — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid — are the results of this progressivism and what Thomas and Pence would call departure from the principles of our Declaration of Independence.

Thomas also brought in the critically important perspective of race. Bringing race into the picture takes on the progressives.

Progressives bring the history of slavery to reject the principled founding of the country, to portray the nation as founded in bigotry.

Thomas argues importantly not so. “The slaveholders used the power of government to deny the fundamental natural rights of slaves; the segregationists used the state to oppress the freed men and women — including my ancestors.”

Regarding America’s global leadership, the Declaration of Independence is a universal statement about rights — it talks about the rights of “all men” — not just Americans. So, if we choose to claim these universal rights, we must equally bear universal responsibilities. We cannot claim what happens outside of our borders is none of our business. Practically speaking, our first responsibilities are at home. But this does not negate our universal responsibilities.

Mike Pence has written an important and courageous book. However, its message is for all Americans, not just Republicans. Today almost half the country, 45%, identify as independents.

He must reach everyone.

Star Parker is founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and author of “Necessary Noise, How Donald Trump Inflames the Culture War and Why this is Good News for America” (Hachette 2019). To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS. COM