Posted on 06/21/2005 4:56:33 AM PDT by Badray
PRO and CON: Can a divided Party stand?
Abortion. Globalism. Animal rights. Homosexual rights. Women’s rights. Union rights. Freedom from religion. Government schools. Welfare rights. Gun control.
What do these interests have in common? All are part of the Democrat agenda. Democrats have built their "Big Tent" and various interests each have a seat at the table. While each constituency within the party vies to win the Party’s nomination, once the contest is over and the nominee is selected, the fighting ends and they all coalesce behind the anointed candidate. The process has worked very effectively for decades, and in the past, has made for a strong and formidable coalition.
Even though Democratic alliances have not been quite as effective of late, the Republicans are nonetheless still trying to emulate the Democrat’s methodology.
The Republican version of the Big Tent has never truly been effective. It is at odds with itself, not only during the primary season, but also leading up to and thru the election. There is a tension and even a bitterness that permeates the ranks. Why is that? Are the Republicans just mean and can’t get along as well as their Democrat counterparts? Or is it deeper than that? And is the fix simpler too?
Unlike the Democrat tent, the GOP version is schizophrenic. It tries to assemble a coalition that is at once pro life and pro choice; pro gun rights and pro gun control; small and limited government advocates and larger, nanny state government statists. The GOP tries to take both sides of every issue. WHY? Why is our candidate ‘the lesser of two evils’ when we could be offering a true, clear choice that will uphold our values? The GOP desperately tries to hold on to each wing of the party for fear of losing elections, but how do you build trust with those built in conflicts? How do you build an effective Party with those conflicting ideas? Should you even try? What good comes of it?
We have tried, and, undeniably, we have failed to be a cohesive force. The process has been extremely damaging, not just to the party but to the nation as well. While attempting to build our tent, we included many liberals and their candidates, giving them a second chance to win office and wield power. Once included and labeled as ‘moderate’ Republicans, their support for left of center ideas give credence to those ideas and has allowed the media to paint those who oppose them as "extremists." (Why is it that the ‘moderates’ always differ with us on the core issues and not the minor ones and can still say that they are Republican?) In more than one instance, this element, in crucial votes, have failed to support the GOP, allowing their Democrat friends to win a cherished victory. The recent phony filibuster deal is just the latest manifestation of such behavior.
These liberal ideas are the antithesis of what many of us believe. What’s the point of voting for ‘your’ party when the result is that the goals of the opposition party are advanced? When the Party no longer works to advance our principles, the principled leave the party. Their pangs of conscience will not allow them to support or vote for candidates or a party that violates their principles.
Where does that leave us? What should we do to correct this?
I believe that the GOP must end its identity crisis. It cannot continue trying to be both pro and con on every issue. It’s hypocritical, self-defeating and opens us to ridicule. The State Committee in PA is currently condemning the presumed Democrat challenger to Rick Santorum for not clearly stating whether he is pro life or pro choice. But where was the GOP last year when pro life Rick was working feverishly to reelect pro-abortion Arlen Specter? There seemed not to be any problem with abortion during that race.
It’s time to decide. Will the GOP continue to be a haven for liberals looking for a ballot slot? Will it come to an early demise for not differentiating itself from the Democrats? Or will it just continue to struggle for every victory because of this infighting?
We have a rare opportunity to show that traditional Republican values are the better ones. Most of us have lived under Democrat leadership all our lives. If we don’t act now, our children and grandchildren may face the same fate. We are witness to one failure after another of their policies. To the extent that we have allowed liberals to share our label, we are just as responsible. The ‘solution’ is always to throw more money at it. Our large cities are still the stronghold of, and showcase for, Democrat leadership. That should be reason enough to want to be different. Why mimic the party whose policies have destroyed our great American cities? Name for me a big government solution that works as promised. Forget effective and cheap, just one that works.
Will we have the courage to shed liberal Republicans from the ballot? Candidates that fail to abide by the platform should lose Party support. For the GOP to survive and thrive, I believe that voters need to be offered a distinct choice, not an echo or a shadow of the Democrat Party. Further, I believe that people will choose this new, vibrant, and principled Republican Party in droves. In fact, we will attract proud and committed voters that will more than make up for those that we will, and should, lose.
Will the GOP become the party that will lead America for generations to come by being the party of our Founding values and proudly stand for a sovereign America, small, limited government, low taxes, and individual liberty and responsibility?
I know that it should. I think that it can. What say ye?
bump
Another well deserved bump!
That is a great write up!
Thanks, but I don't think that it struck a cord with too many considering the low response count.
I did a postscript since the SC Kelo decision.
I'll freepmail it to you.
Don't get me started.
Happy Independence Day, my FRiend.
Same to you
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