but that's why it is so critical in the middle of the debate and what we started out talking about. this puts us directly -- i can't think of a better way to put this. of the unitethis. the united states as a country can invest in young people by putting tens of billions of dollars towards reducing the interest rate on student loans. this is getting to the forgiveness question that reducing the interest rate or the united states government can continue to invest tens of billions of dollars. in th tax loopholes for billionaires and millionaires. think about it for a minute. there are lobbyists who will protect every one of those tax loopholes will be there morning noon and night to make sure the rule doesn't go through. they stay open and billionaires hang on to every thing all penny

that they can now get further loopholes. what have we got on the other side of student loan's? all that we have is our voices and our votes. for the billionaires and millionaires or are the rest of us going to say enough of this we want to an event instead of an billionaires we want to invest in our students and take back the country. we want to make our voices heard. [applause] >> this event is actually sponsored by the group of the

united states the patriotic billionaires and this is a group of more than 100 millionaires and billionaires that are calling for their taxes to get hired. do you have anything like that in europe? >> we usually don't pay much to go to the university but sometimes we don't get that much in exchange either. i think that each country has to -- they have to find ways to combine the opportunity [inaudible] struck me as extremely important in the access to the higher education in the country.

we look at what is maybe more difficult to make progress on that kind of issue, but i think that for me beautiful europe this is in excess of the education in this country. that's not saying that -- sometimes the equal access is the sort of expansion of the lower institutions. we all have to learn from each other and misdirection. >> we also have a number of questions on the role of the free trade and inequality. and also the role of organized labor. we don't do much about the organized labor and i was wondering what your take on the labor's role and inequality have

even exacerbating an equality by allowing the capital free flow. >> i think it is clear that they've put groups into the high-pressure. one of the reasons why that unions are playing the role today are because of the change in the structure in the manufacturing services and productions to address and it's interesting to see that a number of european countries which have been introducing the minimum wage in britain and germany into the european countries where the

union used to do the jobs and from 20 years ago there were the national wage is because that unions had the right place to negotiate the wages in a different industry and in these countries we have different national minimum wage is because this can be a way to conduct the wage that is more suitable. it's not enough but if you need to think about this in light of the evolutions. >> i would add something more about the unions. in the america that unions help build america's great middle class. they do. [applause] and they did back in two ways by getting them organized in the working conditions that would pay.

those things work and every one of the benefits that unions negotiated for ultimately worked out for everyone else. they ended up raising wages for the union an and then on union y ended up getting health benefits for the union and nonunion workers. but here is the key area to the second thing that unions did as they were out there as a force to be able to argue for things that were in the interest of working people generally. so they were on the front line in the social security. they were on the front lines for civil rights. they unions were out there to try to argue for what benefits the middle of america. what benefit working people in america. the biggest thing tha big thingh trade policy was that it hit in

the unionized industries and helped take a lot out of from underneath the unionized workers in the united states. and that the consequence is not only economics at the consequence is political. and we see the rising inequality at a time when they union strength has declined. i think those are deeply tied to each other. >> you called for the wealth tax and we have a one-time version of that here in the united states that has maybe one or two people known as the estate tax. is a beast of a state ta tax enh or do we need to go to something more annual? >> i think we need more. it is an attack and it's very important and i think it is good that it wasn't suppressed in this country years ago and i think that it is going to keep being something very important

for the future. the reason that we are most taxing on the wealth is we already have the annual tax. it was not progressive and so you pay in proportion to the value of the real estate property and also it doesn't take into account financial assets or financial inabilities. so, people were saying that there was a large debt to him sometimes the mortgage can be even higher. [inaudible] sometimes it is the same property tax as someone with no knowledge and so even in

addition we would have millions of billions in financial assets. so i think that this is a sustainable taxation. so the question isn't really need to introduce taxation but how do we make it work better. it was created at the same time of this building two centuries ago and at the time property was about the real estate property and land property into there was no financial asset or financial ability. of course this isn't the right way to tax the 21st century so i would propose the u.s. tax code right away.

i would take the same tax revenue and i wouldn't increase it. i would keep it exactly as it is and in effect i would reduce the 90% because of the huge amount of debt and i've increase that. it's not as if everybody is going to go to mexico and -- the problems are in the organization as a local matter that it was the same century ago according to the institution and the government couldn't do anything and then things happen and we didn't plan for them to have

been. we know in advance what happened. i think the tax system has to adapt to the problem and it may take time. that's the best way to make it happen one day. >> out is that the bill sound? ' neck i am in. i'm in on the notion that we have to rewrite our tax code. and thinking about the part of whathat part ofwhat you're talke state taxes as a fundamental question in this country. which do we think needs rewards? is that those who work hard and are smart and get out there and make something happen or those who were born into the right family's? and who are protected by the tax code that says generation after generation. they never even have to work they just get out there and live off of what's happened a

generation before, two generations before them in three generations before. and we have prided ourselves as a country being built by a country of people that get out there and work and make it happen. our tax system has to reflect the same value. it has to reflect the importance of work. people who achieve and people who accomplish being born into wealth and i think that is how this works. [applause] we have time for one more question. we want to read a portion of the book and see if you want to be elaborate. you write i worry that we are running out of time, but i am determined, fiercely determined to do everything i can to help us once again be the america that creates opportunity for anyone that works hard and plays by the rules.

i feel even what we can do together and what we will do together. all we need is a fighting chance. i imagine some people in the room to think of something that you could do. [laughter] [applause] professor piketty isn't eligible for this question because he wasn't born in the united states. what do you think? sputnik i do believe in us and iadb lead in sunday's like this on a morning where a whole lot of people come together to talk about ideas, to talk about the books because what we are talking about in here is we are talking about economics, we are talking about power that we are

also talking about values. this is a moment in time for the country and for the world a moment in which we decide who we are as a people and what kind of future we are going to build. as your book shows it's tough. it is an uphill climb. it will not happen naturally that the world will even back out. that's what it also shows is that these are not natural forces that make it happen. it is a set of rules by which we govern ourselves. and here in america we the people get to decide what the rules are. so i get how hard this is. it's about concentrated money and power on one side it's about our values and voices and a

votes. i believe we can fight back and we can win. [applause] [applause] thank you all for doing this. [applause] thank you. [applause]

that's one of our biggest issues. >> it's great to see you. >> she will give me the download. i am so glad that you are here. it's wonderful to see you. this is a great space. >> it's the right place for it. >> it's nice to see you. >> i am so glad that you are here. thank you.

>> it is very nice to see you. >> how are you? >> it's nice to meet you. >> i will read it. i promise i will read it. >> [inaudible] >> [inaudible] >> let me of read about it. okay. roger is my state director. very nice to meet you. thank you for being here.

how is that? you are welcome. take care. thank you for being here. >> [inaudible] she has three little kids right now thank you very much. >> it's nice to see you. >> they let you in the yard and they let you in the building. >> it only took seven months. what a crazy place. [inaudible] >> he proved it so. >> we could use a primary. [laughter]

>> we are getting a revolutionary state. hello. how are you? good to see you. >> okay. >> [inaudible] >> thank you very much. >> thank you. >> [inaudible] >> thank you for being here this morning. >> do you mind clacks >> not at all.

>> thank you. >> good to see you this morning. >> thanks for being here this morning. >> thanks for being here. >> every time i see you i'm thankful for every door that i knocked on for you. >> it's good to see you. i would love to be on the next campaign. >> fabulous. thank you. >> thanks

minutes. as we begin i do want to point out one aspect. our guest today is also a part-time commentator. millions of americans of course no bill o'reilly as the factor. malory in this case has been a factor long before it was cool. the john west professor of international politics in american government he is the host and cofounder of the new york meeting a nationally recognized gathering of officials, journalists, business leaders and authors in new york city and he also founded the similar charleston meeting that needs in south carolina. he previously offered at "the new york times" best seller which he is too modest to advertise the government unions

control america and robbed the tax payers blind. he's a member of the council on foreign relations and served as the vice chairman of the foreign relations financing and frequently testified before the house and senate committees on terror financing for the regulation of the financial service industry and other economic issues. he served as the chairman of the enterprise fund advocating economic growth, lower taxes and limited government and they also brought the challenge to sarbanes-oxley before the supreme court. and of course today we are featuring him on the big tent on the movement of the leaders and those in their recollections leading up to where we are today. please join me in welcoming our friend mallory. [applause] >> thank you so much.

what a great introduction and again thank you for hosting this meeting. what a better place to speak about the conservative movement that at the heritage foundation. i want to thank heritage for its support of the big ten project and many people at heritage were instrumental in to deserve my thanks starting with ed for his early support of the project. thank you for forever urging me onward. the general for continuing the critical chapter on ronald reagan and edwards for his observations on the early version of the manuscript. most of all i am grateful for the fine work in conserving and renewing the principles of the american founding. the friends friends i grew up it connecticut, the home of taylor von.

pt barnum as he was known as the greatest circus showman in history. let me paint a picture for you of how it was when i was a boy in the industrial city and the circus came to town. a mile long train with 60 cars pulled into the train station. trucks on the fairgrounds and local kids begin to gather to watch them unpack. finally they sat out with huge rings and raise the big tent which seemed to us and possibly big. it held the promise of a throw things at the call of the flying trapeze acts, tightrope walkers come of the human cannonball, fight your readers and clients he -- lion tamers. ..

>>ç >>ç that is why everyç day the

mainstream media portrays the conservative movement as a sideshow and haveç a parade of horribles showing them they do not careç about the needs of women or minority groups. politicians would promote xenophobia andç fear of immigrants and little white men and would focus on lowering the tax rates and preserving theç wealth instead of paying their fair share. day after day the media tellsç stories like these inlú is audience just asç shocking and just as fascinating as a circus sideshow.ç many conservatives fear the media reported freak show major in the next generationç away from conservatism.

>> the conservatives not republicans. 38 percent of americans in self identified as conservative as.ç but less than 25% self identify as republicans forç about as we all know there is widespreadç dissatisfaction with of brand reasons include attacks by theç establishment party, a disappointment with the party's choice ofç

candidates and republican party's endorsement.ç the republican party started off gathered around an ideaç of ending slavery. the republican party as an abolitionistç of the american party and other anti-slavery groups.ç and at a meeting in wisconsin in marchçç 1854.

far less important than party politics. even though ideas motivated and integrated the grass roots. the conservative movement is and always has been an idea driven movement. conservatism has several important intellectual pillars. if you follow the mainstream media you can probably rattle

those off in the mainstream media would say racism, sexism, xenophobia, economic inequality and militarism. president obama personified this when he talked during the first presidential campaign about small-town americans, and i quote, who cling onto their guns and religion or have antipathy toward the people that are not like them. but this isn't what conservatism is about. the conservative movement is not about people who refuse to embrace progress and have been left behind. the movement is about the people that hold on tight to their core principles and hold essential truths that are needed to save our beloved nation from tierney. we all know what the corridors of the movement are.

number one, the respect for religion and tradition of past generations. number two, the maintenance of the rule of law and protection of individual freedom and liberty and belief in a higher law. ththe idea is that what conservatism together are rooted in man's most important values and these values are the ones that the american nation was founded upon. liberty, freedom and a nation under god. the american founding was an assertion by colonials that they were in title to the rant did it -- writes granted. grant it. it was an evolution rather than a revolution. in the book big tent, the speaker in his contribution reminded us of this and the same

pillars have brought new generations into the movement for decades. a movement has to have the pillars we all agree on or it all falls down. when the leaders in the movement falls away from the core principles, as they sometimes do, we must step back and re-examine the course and select new leaders. but what is conservatism? it is ancient. the personal human impulse to fight for one's conviction is natural and timeless. conservatism as a guiding philosophy for social life of

education, cultural institutions and government is natural and agent. the word conservative comes frog for the purpose of safekeeping. perhaps because of association with guarding many people confuse conservatism with the blindly opposing tradition. but traditionalism fails to capture the movement adequately. conservatives recognize this traditiothattradition may be wrr without meaning. the tradition may be missing the truths and substance towards which the conservative stripe. the tradition may need

correction. conservatives have respect for the tradition but are not inseparable from it. ..

>> >> conservatives' first came together in the modern movement of the '50s and '60s well-established history a and i am sure almost all of you understand that. the modern conservative movement has three central

pulls national security conservatives, a social conservatives, and economic conservatives. the idea of the big 10 harkens back to the strategist in 1989 regarding the republican party that we have a big tent and can house many views and many issues he was speaking of party the conservative movement came in and also should be seen as of big tent. conservatism is advocated by people with the wide range of views and defense spending, national security, foreign policy, legalization of drugs, abortion, and marriage, and other issues ourselves while clashing fiercely with those in the movement that disagree about policy.

the vibrant and lively debates within the movement is in stark contrast to the orthodoxy of the left that will adopt the position no enemy to the left. special interest groups joined in a brilliant coalition each benefits them in return for their support of other coalition's members interest. this assures all groups on the left get their piece of the government by whatever cost to the nation. the ada behind big tent was p.t. barnum innovation that started quintessentially the american circus the traveling tent set up town after town on the american

frontier. when the crowds grew p.t. barnum and added more polls and expanded the tenant to fitted more patrons. the conservative movement had taken the lead to a large the tent. but that resolves frequent conflicts of deep intellectual and cultural refs' between major constituencies in the conservative movement. my friend, the conservative movement is a true lee big tent of people sharing a common principles but with wildly different world views. bail neocons and neocons and evangelicals and atheists. and isolation is the tea

party antiestablishment just to name a few. many of these groups really and truly disliked each other. it is amazing how much but they come together in support of the pillars but not frequently enough. the conservative movement is noble in many ways. but it certainly falls very short. many would rather burn heretic from a different wing of the movement in to fight the infidel center actively attempting to do tear down our beloved country. and conservatives of one strive to put a litmus test

on issues important to them to keep the other conservatives that did not agree with them. the results is the movement seems fractured and divided in the media and in popular imagination. over the course of american history conservatives have had a difficult time electing candidates to congress and the white house to share principles because conservatives had not been represented by a single political party. even two-day conservatives are split 90 percent of democrats self identify as conservatives 35 percent of independents self identify as conservatives. and 30 percent of republicans do not.

to have the opportunity to govern, conservatives had to come together as a political movement to get candidates elected. as a practical matter to get conservative politicians elected this usually involves compromise although it is not have to involve throwing out more principles. it is closely associated with the republican party to during the election of president reagan in 1980 although the movement in the republican party remain closely aligned, it is a very uneasy partnership. conservatives complain the republican party does not represent the tenets of the conservative movement faithfully and defines

conservative groups focus on ideology and they are problematic for the party. there is the emerging narrative coming up through the election by the media and the republican party. than narrative polls with conservatives depending on who you are talking to of course, the chances taking the white house. at the space sec level these conservative groups have a great challenge to the party because these groups are focused on ideology rather than party politics. but of course, you know, as i do that at times these troublesome groups include

everyone in the big tent except the republican party loyalist themselves. many grassroots conservatives fear america is facing the imperial presidency. this position is probably the hardest for progressives to understand and hardest to do with like media and even other conservatives to attack social conservatives

and inconsistent with the liberal rolled you but would never fed each republican and democrats they think of social conservatives today they represent the core of the party. the republican party in the present configuration cannot win elections without them.é+b# evangelicals constituted a whopping 27 percent of the electorate in 2012. with other types of religious conservatives contributing an additional 10 or 12%. you may recall the media uproar in the west over the comments by the duck dynasty patriarch still roberson the held rage led to him being suspended by a&e network but the broad support from conservatives from all wings of the movement resulted in

him taken off suspension one week after the controversy erupted. this example shows when the broad conservative movement defense the stage of conservatives the conflict dissipates and the media backs down. this stands in contrast to the example of two republican and senatorial candidates in 2012. they were abandoned by many wings of the conservative movement as well as the republican party. the question is are these cases different because of the statements each has made? it is also possible the main difference from conservative unity is the candidates for

office in roberson was not. other wings of the movement did not like a kitten and murdoch they fought hard against them in the primary. so when the opportunity arose the other wing and quickly came out against the candidate in hopes to replace them with other candidates that would represent their particular ideology better and as we all know too well many of the worst public divisions in the movement results from conservative wing this fighting each other in primaries and in the political arena. the truth is this. for conservatives to win the right to govern foreign

policy conservatives and social conservatives and the economic conservatives will have to work together to elect candidates in for the foreseeable future the conservative movement will have to get candidates elected or simply lose. but there will continue to be many freak show moments when the interest of the different groups collide. the p.t. barnum circus the freak show was a hugely popular attraction. so popular p.t. barnum could not get the patrons through as fast as he would have liked. something geared for hours. so he solved the problem by posting a cue to sign over the door that read to that

egress. they would go through the door and stood find themselves outside. that means exit. conservative leaders wish they could find a simple way to show the egress but they try to phibro which groups should be cast doubt. it remains a movement of ideas. the idea of purity could be the enemy of victory. it is the role of conservatives of policies. and to get these policies

implemented. only by winning the right to govern with freedom and liberty to the nation, my friends core conservative principles cannot be violated the policy differences need to be tolerated. governing according to conservative principles will allow our exceptional nation to use thrive and prosper. that is the contribution the conservative movement can make to our nation and the world. thank you for being with me in big tent. [applause] >> we will be glad to take questions if you'd be so

kind to identify yourself. as the courtesy to our guest. how could you ever thought of p.t. barnum was coming to washington d.c.? and another'' famous is the trouble that we shoot. questions from the audience? a lot of conservatives and looking at the other side hoodies think from people we should be reaching out to? >> we saw something very interesting have been with contributors to use of book. we have 17 contributors by

the way. even rand paul davis beach he gave the same speech almost at berkeley and got a standing ovation. we need people like that that can cross over with involvement from a broader spectrum that is a perfect example of how you can do it to. we need more of that. >> to show the egress sign. >> if i could just make a correction i worked for

ringling brothers. [laughter] [inaudible] >> i will take that under advisement. >> to greatly encouraged that use could you give them a message? >> if they're real message is the four core principles we should be talking about those rather than a policy detail or fighting each other over that. i mention this as a member of congress using it in a speech yesterday and was surprised the four core principles with the number of people he used it but the way became a those

principles and to the principles flows through all of them even end with the kind rand foundation they resonate and we can hang gets too caught up over policy differences. >> any questions before we dismiss? >> you said it was more of an evolution rather than a revolution what is the thoughts of the declaration

is that something we should be united on? my wife says an attorney and she believes in the black letter lot. other people belief in using the declaration. that is say question beyond my ability but i will tell you that we live in two nations and to to do a piece of work recently and they ask people what they felt about abortion and 75% of the northeast said they should be available in almost every case 60 percent in the south disagreed.

gay marriages 62% of northerners but not for it. it is fascinating how really be here to nations looking at the declaration of independence you could use that but i will not go there. it is shocking to me.roo i have lived in those nations york and south carolina and we really do have two different cultures and countries and it is getting harder and harder to bridge that. i don't know how we do it. are really don't. but writing something many years ago that i think is so important to look at today is the four cities that are important to western civilization in to talk

about jerusalem giving us divine law combat since the basis for social order, rome , of the republic of separation of powers the universality of law and then talks about it with the american in the experiment principles with this administration is helping us lose them faster. but i worry about that. the first chapter is by al regnery and talks about that at great length it is interesting to read about that. he is just a great american.

great. thinks. >> in light of these comments and the division within the country to focus with a great concept to attacked of infidels' before we burned the heretics any thoughts how to do that? >> that is tough. not really. it is up matter of continuing to talk about the principles working together on that. that is one of the hardest things to do. and it aiken and murdoch verses robbers and example to the show's everybody tries to fight their guide to the detriment of our country and the conservative

movement. i don't know how. i worry about it daley and the left is far better organized. what i'd like to think about is something that break-in is credited with 80 percent of the time is a friend and ally not a 20 percent traitor. we have to keep reminding people of that because it is so important. azine to ed meese from the heritage foundation and talks about that a great length and there is a lot to be said. maybe we tattoo on every single members or legislators hand but i don't know how we do it.

>> if i understand it you will be teaching? >> i will be teaching a cambridge next year's. >>s7 i will be teaching at oxford. >> what is oxford? >> teaching the young people have you seen changes in their behavior to in courageous nor discourage you? >> great question.89t our president said he wants colleges and vocational schools to train people for jobs for our society. and telling them they're trained to be a borisov. they are reckitt amazing that given what has happened

end in our society they see younker people you need to have free markets and to have individuals the pretty to keep this grates experiments going and i use the rand paul example from a speech at berkeley i cannot believe a social conservative with a standing ovation of a general crowd that he put together at berkeley? we're doing is something seeing something happening that is very good and it bodes well but with all the 3ñá changes it is hard to unwind it is not a

great answer but i hope it answers a little bit. >> to go to the last comment about the young people how we are attacked and vulnerable. with the one being social issues in where rand paul got his standing ovation is as long as the social issues are something that people dig their heels and the government does it need to tell us. and data we are divided on

that's been the reason rand paul got a standing ovation they don't have problems with most social issues. >> i agree completely but i'd like to come back to history. for those of you better students of history with the first evangelical president was elected jimmy carter 66 percent the evangelicals got mad. four years later he lost with ronald reagan carrying 64% my point is social conservatives have to be kept with in the structure

or we will complete the reformulate i cannot speak for senator paul because i know the man they he is the social conservative to the best of my knowledge it with the issue he tries to ram down the throats. i paid three. fact is important. >> day concept that might be useful how do you relate to the concept with the term american exceptionalism to the allied presented?

>> we have 17 kids to readers of the book and to talk about that in the book to say we are losing that the way that we stifle the market our government is involved in by freeing people the can keep this experiment going. you remember the equitation would obama said about american exceptionalism. and that is the problem. i believe democrats and the liberals tried for uniform mediocrity. and feel that american exceptionalism is wrong. i don't. believe that our country and america and by having a big

tent held up by polls or killers that we can save our country and continue this great american experiment. >> faq. mark levin and his supporters say given the size of government and the complexity of the allies say you need fundamental constitutional reform done proposed state level because if you have good people for leadership positions a permanent bureaucracy or a government what thought the you have about that?

>> and i think bureaucrats today are politicians. that is what is happening they have not become civil servants but politicians with tenure. i know how we do it the state's become less and less important these are being shut down washington is the key to and the schaede dose 50 places washington is where past to start. >> do we have a final question? thank you. [applause]

>> he will sign your buck in reducing chief for your kind attention. [inaudible conversations]

>> and now live to london for british prime minister's question time. each week the house of commons is in session we bring you prime minister david cameron taking questions from members of the house of commons live wednesday mornings here on c-span2. we invite your participation via twitter using hashtag pmq. prior to question time members are finishing up other business.

>> [inaudible conversations] could we not have a system that is sensible? >> i sorely take note of what the honorable gentleman says and i would be happy to meet with him to discuss it further. >> order. questions to the prime minister. >> number one, mr. speaker. >> thank you, mr. speaker.