Stephen Clay McGehee
Who Is Stephen Clay McGehee?
- Founded Adjutant Software, March 1995
- Programmer / technical support – Saxon Tax Software
- Campaign treasurer for state representative in 1994 and 1996
- Candidate for Volusia County Supervisor of Elections in 1992
- Engineer (defense electronics)
- B.S. Berry College (Mt. Berry, GA)
- B.A. University of South Florida (Tampa, FL)
My Own Politics
I make it a point not to let my own political beliefs affect the business of creating and selling political campaign software, and my customer list includes campaigns from everywhere on the political spectrum. It is inevitable, though, that some will want to know my own political persuasion, and it’s probably a fair question.
I have been registered at various times as a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, Constitution Party, and “No Party Affiliation”. I was very active in Republican party politics for a number of years and was a delegate to the Republican state convention in 1995. In late 2003, I left the Republican Party – or as I see it, the Republican Party left me. I am now registered as a member of the Constitution Party. (I temporarily switched to Republican in order to vote for Ron Paul) I know that sounds a bit confused, but those who really care about principles rather than “big tent” party politics will understand. I played a key role in writing When The Lesser of Two Evils Is No Longer An Option – a plea to support candidates based on principles rather than on the probability of winning an election (a Google search will turn up several copies on the web).
I believe in severely limited government, in personal freedom and individual rights, and the responsibility that goes with it. The Word of God is very clear that government is instituted by God and that we are to obey legitimate governmental authority. In this nation, that authority is the Constitution and the offices authorized by it; it defines and limits all government and is the modern equivalent of the king. We must make a clear distinction between legitimate governmental authority (authorized by a strict reading of the Constitution), and illegitimate authority (that which violates a strict reading of the Constitution). All law, and those who administer and enforce it, must refer back to the Constitution for authority. A governmental official or law that violates a strict reading of the Constitution is not a legitimate authority and we have no duty or obligation to obey fraudulent and illegitimate laws or officials. We have, in fact, a duty to actively oppose illegitimate laws and officials and expose them for what they are. The Constitution is not a “living document” as some claim, subject to the political whims of the moment; such a document would be meaningless, as, in fact, it is quickly becoming.
To further complicate things, I also strongly believe in the concept of hierarchy. That is the idea that each member of a society has his or her place in that society, and that an orderly society is best achieved when we find our place in it and then serve that position to the best of our ability. A world without hierarchy is a world without leadership, and that would be anarchy – the worst possible end of any society. It is important to note that hierarchy does not apply to spiritual matters. Every man has equal ability to deal directly with God – we need no man-appointed intermediary to reach God. Discussing hierarchy is like dancing in a minefield. It is a concept that is very easily twisted to make it what it is not, so I’ll leave it at that.
I work hard to promote the cause of freedom and a very strict interpretation of our Constitution. I have no tolerance for those who look at the Constitution as a “cafeteria plan” where they can pick and choose which rights are “politically correct” and thus protected, and which score low in the latest opinion polls and are ignored.
I believe that nothing changes until the culture changes. The political system follows the culture, and any political change that does not have the backing of the culture of that system is doomed to failure. We spend far too much effort focusing on the political process and too little effort on the culture that moves the politics.
By this point, it should be clear that I hold some very strong opinions. It should also be clear that some of my customers take a stand that I find repulsive and work hard to defeat. I have far more respect for those who stand up for issues and policies that I strongly oppose, than for those timid, bleating sheep who quietly graze with the flock, never raising a voice that might offend someone. That’s what I love about this business: I get to deal with people who stand up for what they believe in – even if we strongly disagree. We may be on opposite sides in the arena, but we have shown the courage to stand and fight for our convictions. Even among the most rabid big-government liberals, I am among leaders.
My Own Faith
I am a saved Christian, and try to run my business and my life in keeping with my faith, serving my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In my business, I also serve even those who support issues and policies that I find abhorrent – silently praying that they will change their ways. On the other hand, know that apart from my business, I actively work against those who support such issues and policies.
I am part of an independent Baptist church and believe that the Authorized King James Bible is the incorruptible literal and perfect Word of God.
Spreading The Gospel of Jesus Christ is an important part of my life. I am vice-president of Gather The Fragments Bible Mission, Inc., providing financial and logistical support for missionaries in the West African nation of Sierra Leone.
Other Interests
I am proud of my Southern heritage and culture and do what I can to promote and defend it. I maintain the web site for the Military Order of The Stars and Bars, and have been a member of that organization for years. The name, Adjutant Software, was inspired by the office of Adjutant with the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which I held for several years.
I also built and maintain the web site of photos of the USS Cumberland Sound (AV17) and her officers and crew. My father served as an officer and photographer on that ship during WWII. This is probably the single largest collection of photos available anywhere for that ship. She was commissioned in 1944, the war ended in 1945, and she was decommissioned in 1947 – there just isn’t much information available on the Cumberland Sound other than this site.
