Someone has to stand up for the truth.

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I think it's time to clear the air. For those of you who still don't seem to understand my job, let me make it perfectly clear: I do not work for a political party. I work for America, its ideals and our Constitution. It's not my job to be the cheerleader for a party or an individual. It's my job to protect America and defend its principles. And frankly, I don't care whether you agree with me or not.

As an editorial cartoonist, I've had a consistent record for over 30 years as a constitutional conservative, a free market capitalist and a defender of America and its ideals.

America is great. America is an exceptional nation and a beacon for liberty. I believe, absolutely, in this grand republic. It is the greatest country in the world. But the strength of America and the solutions for America lie in its people and in our foundation of liberty and freedom, not in one individual or the government.

America has lost its way because we have abandoned our values and principles. We elect those who believe in nothing, who routinely compromise their principles for political expedience and who negotiate away our ideals. I refuse to do that.

We have lost our way because we have allowed progressive re-engineering of our values and the rewriting of our history by allowing progressive institutions to brainwash generations through education, popular culture and the media.

America has lost its way because there are far too many who believe that government is the solution rather than the problem, far too many who have traded their liberty for subsistence. As de Tocqueville once said, "The American Republic will endure until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."

America has lost its way because there are far too many who believe that government creates jobs. Government does not create real jobs. Liberty creates jobs. I was in Berlin before the wall came down, and I was there a year later when freedom rebuilt that city and allowed it to flourish.

We have lost our way because far too often, we compromise and adhere to the current of populism and conventional thinking because navigating through the flood of accommodations and going with the flow is often easier than doing the right thing.

We have lost our way because there are too many who are too willing to accept a half loaf because it is free, when with some hard work and faith, you can feed thousands from a few loafs.

Someone has to stand up for the truth.

The depth of these problems will not be easily resolved by a superficial emotional reaction or hollow promises, no matter how great the uproar. It requires a far more substantive solution, a return to what our Founding Fathers believed in, the uniquely American ideals and values.

For a republic to survive, it must be built on a bedrock of virtue. Our country is exceptional because these liberties handed down from God are protected by constitutional principles.

So if you're looking for a party lackey or media bootlicker, there are plenty of those around. Please take your pick. You will not find him here. I support America and its values. I have criticized both Republican and Democratic administrations in the past when the media refused to do its job. I have criticized both foe and friend when it was needed.

While friends may disagree from time to time, don't ask me to compromise my values or beliefs to accommodate your lack of faith and fortitude. I believe in America. I believe in its people. America is a great country, and it will find its way.

I may be wrong. I have certainly been wrong in the past. I am humbled by it. I try to learn from my mistakes, and I am willing to freely admit that. But I work hard to substantiate my point of view and to ensure that my instincts are validated first, rather than emotionally react to events. Life and thought is an evolutionary process, but morals, ethics and integrity are principles that should not be malleable.

I will continue to do my job and to do what I think is in America's best interests, and I will stand alone if I have to.

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Michael Ramirez is a two-time Pulitzer-Prize winning, nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist with Creators Syndicate.

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