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| Meet Colonel Allen B. West, CEO at NCPA |
I have the honor of being named the CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), a free-market/free-enterprise policy think tank headquartered in Dallas, Texas. This position will afford me the opportunity to have an impact on the development of policy positions, which will advance economic growth, individual opportunity and restore the promise of America for current and future generations.
Read the NCPA press release here.
My vision for NCPA is for it to become exactly what its name suggests – the “National Center for Policy Analysis.”
I see NCPA being the hub of policy analysis with collaborative efforts alongside other entities as its “spokes. Growth is aimed towards our economic practices and policies. Opportunity seeks to promote those policies and the concept of “equality of opportunity” versus that of “equality of outcomes” – and that starts with a good quality education.
Lastly, promise refers to securing the American Dream stating that regardless of where you are born or from where you come, you are endowed with the right of “pursuit of happiness” and NCPA will advocate for the policies enabling everyone to pursue – as opposed to policies that give a “government guarantee” of happiness.
My goal is for NCPA to be the preeminent Constitutional Conservative policy analysis entity, not advocacy group. We want to align ourselves with the fundamental principles of governance of America as a Constitutional Republic and promote the principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual sovereignty, free market economy, and strong national defense.
As we examine the policies in synchronization with the governing philosophy and principles, we become focused not on party but rather effective and efficient governing policy – and we must be able to simply articulate that in the public sphere.
NCPA’s current focus is on tax, retirement, healthcare, energy, education, and raw material policy. As we further develop NCPA as a policy center and nexus, the objective is to expand to the three legs of security – economic, energy, and national. We seek not only to advocate to elected federal lawmakers, but to be “America’s Think Tank” by becoming a repository of information where Americans can turn to find principled analysis. That means we want our message to reach the kitchen tables of everyday Americans – the middle income family.
And we want to hear back from you, my fellow Americans, to garner your input and also your ideas. Most of all, I look forward to expanding our base of volunteers at NCPA and our next generation group of interns who will set the stage for our future statesmen and women.
Why these three categories of security? They will keep our think tank on target and purpose-driven.
Economic security assesses the tax, regulatory, government spending, and monetary reforms that affect the advancement of a free market economic system. In this leg we also must continue to address the issue of healthcare reform and spending considering it is one-sixth of our economy. It is critical that we never lose sight of free market ideals and solutions – not government-driven.
Our economy has drifted to one drive more by government spending driven than the free market – and critical to that are our small businesses. We must examine our budgetary process — how can we move away from the baseline process towards a zero-based budget — and what the true solutions are for the mandatory spending side of our budget. We must slow down the debt clock.
Energy security is vital, as we should be producing, consuming, and exporting our energy resources here in America. Part of the 21st century battlefield is energy resources – just look at how Vladimir Putin leverages it against Europe. NCPA can be a leader in analyzing the full spectrum development of our energy resources – an energy Manhattan Project. And this leg promotes our economic growth, offering better opportunities for Americans — as we see emanating from the Bakken fields in North Dakota.
Lastly, nothing matters if we fail in the number one responsibility of the Federal Government: “To provide for the common defense.” NCPA can be a voice that objectively identify what a 21st century U.S. military force should look like to meet the challenges of this battlefield with non-state, non-uniformed unlawful combatant belligerents and the adversarial nation-state actors.
Our think tank has to be versed in national security policy and how the current threat environment shapes our force structure — not the defense industry or budgetary constraints. Defense policy has to return to the premise of “peace through strength,” but it must be based on a fiscal responsibility, not political gimmickry.
We must return to sound principled policy based on our Constitutional Republic philosophy of governance, fundamental principles, and proven policies for success, prosperity, and security.
It’s not about attaining political office for me – it’s about a better-engaged and informed electorate regarding the policies that advance America. It is about the oath of office I took many years ago — “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
And NCPA has so blessed me to be a voice that can have an impact on the future of my country. Folks, it just does not get any better than that!
And as Davy Crockett said — y’all know I am a Tennessee Volunteer — “You all can go to hell, I am going to Texas.” Well, ten years later, I get to go back to Texas, the place of my last Army duty station!
Rest assured, I will continue to make my voice heard on this pages, and to each and every one of you, I shall remain Steadfast and Loyal.
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