The GOP should not move left to get further appeal. That will not strengthen their cause, but undermine it. The GOP and American Conservatives have a wordview that is different in goals and dreams, not merely in degree from the worldview of the democrat party.
We believe in individual liberty - that man is endowed with inalienable rights from a common creator. We believe in individual responsibility - that men should be judged and should succeed or fail according to their own actions (as opposed to the color of their skin or their lineage). We believe that the Constitution is a contract created between consenting and free individuals which establishes a limited government. And lastly we believe that right and wrong exist and are unchangeable.
In contrast, the left beleives that man’s liberty, success, and morals are defined by society. As such, these elements belong to society and are subject to redefinition or change as is deemed expedient. The left does not believe in limiting government by a Constitution and generally believes that the document is meaningless. The left does not believe that the individual is responsible for his actions, but rather that these actions are a result of one’s socialization, and since society creates this, we are also all responsible for the success and failures of others. Lastly, the left does not believe in right or wrong as anything other than tools of expediency.
In light of these different worldviews, the GOP and Conservatives cannot shift to the left without betraying their foundations. Additionally, as we shift left we become the party that stands for opposition as opposed to leadership and creation (instead of having new ideas we become the party of a smaller increase in minimum wage).
One of the unfortunate but not unintentional problems that American Conservatives deal with is the label “conservative”. In reality, what Barack and liberals around the world propose and push is the same message that was promoted since the dawn of man. It is the message that some - based on color, lineage, or talents - are destined to rule the mass of stupid beings. In contrast, the founding of America and the writing of the Constitution were and are a break with the state of man since the founding of the earth. When we support the principals that led to the founding and the Constitution, we are not being conservative but are rather liberal radicals in the true sense of the word.
If we, the GOP, and its candidates hold to the views that led to the establishment of America we will succeed. We are the shining city on the hill offering hope to people around the world.
Obviously you took a great deal of care to write all that, and I never said the GOP should move left. Therein lies the conundrum.
As to our founding fathers, I don't idolize them nor look at the constitution the same as I would the Word of God (and since I'm not all-knowing and possess all wisdom, I take that with a lot of grains of salt and don't understand a lot or it nor presume to). The constitution was progressive for its time and has served us fairly well. I don't know when or how, but it will become either more ignored or revamped.
I can only speak for myself, but I don't want to make a grab for power and force my views on those who don't want to do it my way.
Right now, all I see is further marginalization and irrelevance in the coming years. It's inevitable. We will become outcasts or on the peripheral of the mainstream, leading to intolerance. The Amish and Mennonites (all I know of early religious bodies that have survived the utopianin movement) have done fairly well; I don't know what the future holds for them.
I won't compromise on certain basic issues, or if I do, I have sold out my soul.
I see intolerance on my own side, but the intolerance on the left anywhere they are in the majority is far worse and chilling.