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Conservatives: Don't Give Up
Townhall.com ^ | January 27, 2021 | Thomas P. Kilgannon

Posted on 01/27/2021 6:14:35 AM PST by Kaslin

In the last two months, I’ve spoken to many conservatives who no longer trust society’s institutions and who say they are giving up on civic participation. Their skepticism derives from election results that warrant investigation, inexplicable pandemic regulations and their uneven application, acceptance of violent crime in major cities, economic and cultural persecution of Trump-era public servants, and a hopelessly biased media.

Their fears are justified, their despair is understandable, but their actions are misguided. Some vow to never cast another ballot. Others say they’ve performed their last volunteer hours. Those who want to remain politically active will do so only in a new political party. They’re advising young Americans to avoid military service and careers in law enforcement. They believe the United States is on the road to ruin.

Their mood mirrors that of Bill Murray’s character in the movie Stripes who said after he lost his job, car, apartment, and girlfriend, “and then…depression set in.”

But St. Francis de Sales warned us “never…yield to the temptation of discouragement,” even though “God allows many difficulties to beset those who want to serve Him.” It’s true that history isn’t going to record recent events as the golden age of conservatism, but neither does this mark the end of our influence.

There’s a tempo to political and social movements that requires us to measure success not by a moment in time, but over the long arc of history. Barry Goldwater paved the way for Ronald Reagan. The character of Vietnam-era service members inspired a loving embrace of combat veterans decades later.

I was in the first wave of volunteers for Pat Buchanan’s 1992 primary challenge to President George H.W. Bush. The Never Trumpers were Never Buchanan before they were Never Trump and they’ll never change. They trashed the very themes of sovereignty, border protection, and family and culture that later inspired key elements of the Contract with America and animated the national debate for the next two decades. Thus, the Buchanan campaigns of ’92 and ’96 were the political catechism for electoral success in 2016.

America First is here to stay if we build on the foundation of the last four years. When President Trump took office, there wasn’t a strong America First farm team with high-level government experience. But now, Trump-friendly candidates have strengthened Republican ranks in the House, and they’ve been empowered in state governments. America First alumni are running for offices across the country. So what can the average person do to help the cause? Plenty.

Run for office. It’s true that governors and federal offices get the attention, but the most important elected positions in America right now are on boards of education and city councils.

Become a bureaucrat. Personnel is policy and federal and state agencies are going to be staffed by somebody, why not you? Conservatives should seek career positions and offer their expertise to advisory boards and commissions. Government will improve when conservatives are involved in the decision process.

Serve your country. Join the military, National Guard, Coast Guard, federal law enforcement, or intelligence agencies. Join the Peace Corps. These opportunities offer personal growth, maturity, valuable skills, and lasting friendships.

Serve your community. Law enforcement and firefighting are noble professions which offer fraternity and professional satisfaction. Election monitors and poll workers are always in need. Join a first aid squad, EMT unit, PTA or volunteer at your place of worship.

Contribute to charity. Time spent helping at a soup kitchen, veterans’ hospital, church, prison ministry, woman’s shelter, animal rescue or another cause important to you will renew your faith in your fellow Americans.

Vote. There is no excuse for not voting – none. I’ve heard them all and none are valid. Plenty of Americans have been denied the right to vote and the sacrifices they made to cast a ballot are too great stay home on Election Day.

Pray. Only God can truly unify and heal our nation. When we are one with Him, we will be one with each other.

“The American story has its share of missteps, errors, contradictions, and wrongs,” says President Trump’s 1776 Report, but they’ve been corrected through “self-sacrifice, courage, and nobility.”

I believe the best is yet to come because I believe in our Constitution, our founding documents, our history of progress, our ability to overcome adversity, the ingenuity of entrepreneurs, the generosity of average citizens, the courage of military and law enforcement, the character of the American people, and the saving grace of God.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: presidenttrump
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1 posted on 01/27/2021 6:14:35 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

How do you “not give up” on that which is already lost?


2 posted on 01/27/2021 6:18:33 AM PST by ScottinVA (Enough. Divide the country.. now.)
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To: Kaslin
Barry Goldwater paved the way for Ronald Reagan.

True that, but we live in a very different era.

3 posted on 01/27/2021 6:21:06 AM PST by ScottinVA (Enough. Divide the country.. now.)
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To: Kaslin

Nothing to do BUT give up when the Supreme Court refuses to do its Constitutional duty and no one is left to make them. Crazy left run wild is what we got for it and once they are finished not one right wing anybody will ever be “elected” to any office that matters and the only ones that GET “elected” will be the ones the left allows to happen to their take over is not as obvious to the drive by news watcher.


4 posted on 01/27/2021 6:25:14 AM PST by Democrat = party of treason
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To: Kaslin

We aren’t even conservatives anymore.

Americans don’t give up?

Patriots don’t give up?


5 posted on 01/27/2021 6:26:11 AM PST by Williams (Stop Tolerating The Intolerant)
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To: Kaslin

Not giving up. But the first target to destroy in the quest to reestablish the republic is the Republican party establishment.
It cannot be reformed, it must be wiped out. No Mitch, Luz, Marco, Sasse, Romney, Bush etc. If they remain there is little point in trying to beat democrats.


6 posted on 01/27/2021 6:29:13 AM PST by DesertRhino (Dog is man's best friend, and moslems hate dogs. Add that up. .... )
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To: Kaslin

Here’s where the big conservative backers screwed up;

While Soros is busy buying up all the DA’s the Right should have been supporting LOCAL school board candidates with money, campaign expertise and marketing advice. Most school boards are comprised of former teachers or teachers from outside districts that reside in another. The ONLY way to truly reform education is to take back the schools at the local level, meaning school boards. In our district ALL the votes are held in a single location, at the school making it easy for teachers and hard for retired or working people.

We must demand mail in votes for all school votes, and win back our districts and reform education and stop the Leftist indoctrination.


7 posted on 01/27/2021 6:30:34 AM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: Kaslin

Actually, The Democrats and Biden are failing miserably from day one of their rule!!! Watch the unemployment sky rocket, the economy fail and your freedom and liberty go right out the window!!! Biden can’t reach the bathroom without guidance and he understands just about nothing that he told and ordered to sign as executive orders!!!

The world world is laughing at us....fools that we are having accepted a false, illegally elected POTUS!!! Americans...you are all at fault for this creating this mess...you all stood by, like sheep being led to the slaughter, and let this farce become reality!!! Fellow Americans,very sad days for the American Republic ahead!!! Am hoping Trump will save us!!!


8 posted on 01/27/2021 6:39:04 AM PST by JLAGRAYFOX (Defeat both the Republican (e) & Democrat (e) political parties....Forever!!!)
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To: ScottinVA

And the Arizona water (or whatever it is there) eventually McCained him.


9 posted on 01/27/2021 6:41:41 AM PST by daler
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To: Kaslin

There’s only one way that this mess is going to get fixed. It will be fixed the same way these that things are ALWAYS fixed.
The left has destroyed the republic and with it any hope of a clean, diplomatic elimination of the tyranny that now grips the nation.
It will take some time. I’m pretty sure that I wont see it happen, but the majority will eventually tire of being ruled by the moronic liberals, and only then will the ship be righted
It will not be pretty, but it will be conclusive.


10 posted on 01/27/2021 6:42:47 AM PST by skimbell
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To: JLAGRAYFOX

Note that you are only hearing this on WWW — for now.

MSM will never, never, never admit or even speak about how BBiden’s policies make things worse. Because in their minds he is doing the exact right thing. He is pushing the communist agenda and destroying all opposition.

There is no reform of the GOP. It must be destroyed, especially its elites. I will not contribute to any candidate that support compromise with this rising/triumphant evil. If you are going to fight, fine. I’m with you. Anything other than that, go work for the DNC.


11 posted on 01/27/2021 6:54:50 AM PST by bobbo666 (killing opposition)
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To: Kaslin

I’m in Georgia and find this post anachronistic.

No longer does my vote matter.

No longer does my contribution to a politician matter either.

If vote fraud/ election cheating isn’t addressed, it will continue and worsen.

I’m not giving up - i’m realistic in my view that the cheaters will decide everything that matters. Fighting it in the open just gets you canceled.

This is a war - we just haven’t been fighting.


12 posted on 01/27/2021 6:55:52 AM PST by Principled (Biden is illegitimate and whatever he says can be ignored. )
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To: ScottinVA

Are you going to put your suicide on Pay Per View?


13 posted on 01/27/2021 7:03:49 AM PST by Redleg Duke (Who the hell would throw shit at a fan?)
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To: Kaslin
Become a bureaucrat. Personnel is policy and federal and state agencies are going to be staffed by somebody, why not you? Conservatives should seek career positions and offer their expertise to advisory boards and commissions. Government will improve when conservatives are involved in the decision process.

HE DOES NOT GET IT. Become a bureaucrat? My Lordy! How can someone live with themselves and become what they are actual against? What utter drivel.

The solution is not to be consumed by the establishment. It is to destroy the establishment.

If the vast majority of government is not needed then why perpetuate it? As soon as you stake your livelihood, your paycheck, and your retirement on government you have lost all objective thought. You have become the deep state and you rationalize the reasons why your job, your board, commission or agency is really needed. You begin to think people really need you and they are incapable of living their lives without your little corner of government. All this is when the absolute opposite is true. You need to people's taxes to survive because you are no longer capable of providing a good or service that is needed in the private sector. You can't take care of yourself while thinking other can't. That is absolutely sick. It is a disease. It is disgusting, just like the vast majority of people who work for government.

14 posted on 01/27/2021 7:07:18 AM PST by ConservativeInPA (“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” ― Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Redleg Duke
Are you going to put your suicide on Pay Per View?

No. The suicide of the nation has already upstaged it.

15 posted on 01/27/2021 7:22:43 AM PST by ScottinVA (Enough. Divide the country.. now.)
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To: Kaslin

The first places to go are the local GOP committee positions. I think those are elected positions.


16 posted on 01/27/2021 7:48:31 AM PST by Daveinyork
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To: Redleg Duke

Stupid remark.


17 posted on 01/27/2021 7:59:45 AM PST by Slehn
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To: bobbo666

Actually, I agree with you just about 100%!!! IMHO, Trump must move to dump McConnell, McCarthy, Romney, Sasso, Murkowski, Collins & many other back stabbing traitors and turncoats in the existing GOP!!!

And...IMHO...both the entire Democrat Party and the Republican party need to be totally destroyed politically from top to bottom.

Can you imagine these Democrat low life scum and vermin characters have withheld and not passed a meaningful Stimulus bill in ages, bastards, criminals, corrupt politicians they all, are while millions of American people and businesses are suffering through no fault of their own!!! Pelosi, that manic, nutcase and her Trump impeachment farce willbe welcomed into SATAN’s House with open arms!!!

Shame on the American people for letting their nation republic go down the drain!!! Sad times for Freedom, Liberty Opportunities, Equality & Individualism in the once great American Republic!!!


18 posted on 01/27/2021 8:14:09 AM PST by JLAGRAYFOX (Defeat both the Republican (e) & Democrat (e) political parties....Forever!!!)
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To: Kaslin

This is one of the major successes of the extremists and terrorists on the left. When they are able to get away with blatant lawlessness, it demoralizes those who support the Constitution and Rule of Law.

The adage “all it takes for evil to succeed, is for good people to do nothing,” is what the left goes after. If you attempt to stand up for what is right (not what you “think” is right), you are viciously attacked - by the extreme left, the not so extreme left and, of course, nearly the entire media.

They are managing to shutdown and cancel ANYTHING they deem in appropriate - and they are winning with this tactic. The good is losing access to any platform that allows them to speak publicly, so unfortunately, the left is bound to win this - with the complete blessing of our media.


19 posted on 01/27/2021 8:18:00 AM PST by MCSETots ( )
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To: Slehn

Well, he is the one emotionally surrendering. What does he have to live for?


20 posted on 01/28/2021 7:04:13 AM PST by Redleg Duke (Who the hell would throw shit at a fan?)
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