Newt Gingrich’s Speech at the CHLI/FAES Transatlantic Forum

Given March 24, 2010

The former Speaker, Newt Gingrich, spoke to distinguished guests in Washington, D.C., comprised of mostly American and Hispanic leaders, on the topic of transatlantic cooperation to spread the ideals of conservative politics and common sense.

Opening his speech through a historical lens, Gingrich recounted the height of Hispanic world power in the 1500’s.  During that century the greatest armadas and most impressive explorations and conquests were undertaken by the Spanish and Portuguese.

Bringing us back to modern times, Gingrich noted the time in American history in which the argument that the U.S. had neglected the opportunity to be a “good neighbor” to Latin America was first introduced.  Milton Eisenhower wrote the book The Wine is Bitter in 1963, which helped bring the discussion of Latin American relations with regards to public policy into the public dialogue.

Believing “we are at a great turning point”, Gingrich began to layout the current ideological battle being waged around the world, the dangers of following flawed doctrines, and how to win the argument of Conservatism.

To bring about political change and to implement the “principles that work”, leaders must learn to communicate effectively to audiences in the U.S., Latin America, and then to the European Union.

The final front, Europe, must be won Gingrich argued, because the European countries collectively hold significant influence with regards to economic development.  Gingrich warned that unless the European Union can be moved away from its “bureaucracy  and away from rules and regulations that crush liberty and crush opportunity, then we cannot get Latin America on to the track of economic opportunity… and will never have a stable future.”

Noting the political battle is fierce within the U.S., he stated leftist plans must be stopped, or the United States will find itself in a position where it is unable to strongly lead.

The former Speaker explained that the challenge of reaching individuals involves two arguments: one that speaks to one’s intellect and another that reaches the heart.

When devising the best strategy, however, there is “no guarantee that what has worked the last sixty years will work the next sixty.”

The political atmosphere, Gingrich asserted, is clouded in D.C., as well as other capitals around the world, by a skewed perception of simple reality.  Most startling is the lack of common sense found among politicians.

Quoting an author who said “there are times in history a man can be killed for saying two plus two equals four”, Gingrich built on that simple equation with his own example of how warped Washington’s policies are.

“If you can’t afford to buy a house, what’s the second half of that equation?”

The government’s support and financing of such individuals to help them buy houses brought on the current mortgage crisis, he stated.

Gingrich said such issues as illegal immigration are matters that resonate in the hearts of people, and dialogues of such should be encouraged.  He also said America’s diversity is one of its strengths:

“We don’t appreciate the scale of opportunity we have in America to both unify ourselves and in that process, to lead the world.”

Ending his speech with resounding commitment to the ideals of freedom, personal liberty, capitalism, and democracy, he urged those in the audience to dedicate themselves to fighting the good fight, reminding them that it would be a long struggle.

“We have the opportunity to tell the truth… and to make the case that a free people will voluntarily come together… to adopt sound policies, can create more wealth, more freedom, more opportunities, than can ever be created by politicians and bureaucracy trying to redistribute the wealth.”

The Americano

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