Natural law, 'nature's God' and the constitutional conservative

October 15, 2010

Joe Miller, the West Point and Yale Law School educated Republican nominee for US Senate in Alaska, calls himself a "constitutional conservative." Michele Bachmann and Rand Paul do too. Sarah Palin brands the candidates she has endorsed with the label constitutional conservative. Like it or not, there will be a new batch of constitutional conservatives elected on November 2. But, what does it mean to be constitutional conservative?

Rand Paul says it is, "a conservative who actually believes in smaller government and more individual freedom." Michelle Bachmann, along with 95 members of Congress, endorsed the "Declaration of Health Care Independence" with its "10 constitutional conservative principles." According to Sarah Palin, Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown is not a "hard-core constitutional conservative." Democrat Congressman Jim McGovern is definitely not a constitutional conservative. McGovern recently said, "I think the Constitution is wrong."

Although the Republican candidates who embrace constitutional conservatism have different ideas about how to address specific issues, there is one concept that provides the movement's underpinning - the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God."

For constitutional conservatives, the Declaration of Independence encompasses the "Laws of Nature" and it guides their understanding of the US Constitution.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

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Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates positions and political party statements, Jordan Sekulow is offering analysis in his individual capacity as lawyer and commentator. He is not speaking on behalf of the American Center for Law & Justice. The ACLJ does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this article should be construed as the position of the ACLJ.