OPINION: 13-year-old clearly defines conservative principles

The book is remarkable for its clear, easily understood discussion of basic conservative principles. The author lists four fundamental principles of conservative thought. They are: support for the Constitution, respect for life, less government and personal responsibility. After defining each of these principles, he applies the principle to current events, asking if each action supports or violates the principles.

Perhaps more remarkable than the book itself is the author. Jonathan Krohn is a 13-year-old, home-schooled Georgia student. He began his studies on the cello at the age of four and has been performing on stage sense the age of eight. In 2007 he was the guest narrator for the Gwinnett Philharmonic’s rendition of Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.

He has been a performer on the Internet radio show “The Life Connection Show” and has been the principle writer for the past year. He is currently under consideration for the part of Michael Banks in the Broadway edition of Mary Poppins. He was named “Atlanta’s Most Talented Child” for 2006 by Inside Edition’s Debora Norville.

Krohn starts his book by discussing the creators of the U.S. Constitution and what each believed about the document. Included in the list of early supporters were Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. Noting the difference between Jefferson and Hamilton on the question of the powers of the federal government, he argues that each of them were true conservatives who supported the four principles he outlines.

Next he defends the right to life by pointing out the uniqueness of every person as soon as conception occurs. He proclaims the value of all human life and says that once a baby is conceived, the mother has no right to destroy it.

Among his arguments in favor of less government, he defends the free enterprise economy and states that government by its very nature restricts free enterprise, and the larger the government, the greater the restriction.

Finally, he places great value on personal responsibility.

“People must take accountability for their own actions and take whatever comes with it,” he declares. He continues that people on welfare become dependent on government and consequently lose their freedom.

Some of the style of the book indicates the work of a young person. But the content and clarity of his discussions indicates an ability well beyond his tender years. If Jonathan Krohn is any indication of the next generation, the current leftward swing of our society will not last very long.

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frankgillispie671@msn.com. His website can be accessed at http://frankgillispie.tripod.com/