Dear GOP

1-6-23

You would think that after losing three election cycles that the Republican party would take stock of its operation, and beyond just the leadership. It may in fact be happening but where is the outreach to actual voters? The machinations taking place behind closed doors only serves to further alienate voters who in many cases are voting for Republicans only because their opponents are so unacceptable. Here is my prescription for the Republican party’s reemergence as a viable political party.

Define Conservatism – We have let the left castigate conservatism. Their audience sees it as evil. It is imperative that we supplant this derisive view with the actual facts of conservatism and its attachment to freedom. It is in its purest form, a philosophy that puts the individual in control of their destiny and works to thwart incursions on that freedom. You aren’t the boss of me!

Fiscal Restraint – How hard is it to convince enough people that we cannot continue to spend money we don’t have? Even those on the receiving end of the largesse understand the gravy train can and will run out. Rather than accept the “heartless” criticisms, confront them straight on with stories of generational dependence and the sorry lives that are a result of mis-directed policies.

Education – The loss of fundamental civics education has created generations of people who have been propagandized into thinking this is a bad place. Their ignorance of the country’s history, its mechanics for governance and basis in Judeo-Christian values (that are not dissimilar to those of most other religions including Islam) undermines respect for our institutions with ominous consequences now being born out. Disrespect for institutions including law enforcement is gnawing away at the social compact of being nice to one another.

Social Issues – It is critical that we do not get hung up on tribalism and carve outs for this and that. The mantra has to be we are all Americans and that means we are free people. You can think and say ANYTHING you want. There is no such thing as “hate speech” and we have to start calling efforts to throttle speech out. There are sufficient laws already on the books that protect everyone. Carving out additional items for any other group or individual is an anathema to American values. Make the case for why the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Acts are no longer necessary as well as all the other attempts to “protect” classes. We all have the same freedoms afforded by the Constitution.

Finally, organize yourself better. I am a registered Republican, have volunteered as a poll watcher, stopped in campaign offices for lawn signs and I have never been contacted by a local Republican party official. The only contact I have had with the Republican National Committee is from the through postal mail requests for “my opinion” on a survey. Of course, it is attached to a solicitation for money. Checking off one of the several options for giving my opinion is a lame means of understanding my issues and poor cover for fund raising.

Get out the vote trumps any and all other elections activities. The ground game is where you win elections and the Republican party is lazy. No one knocks on my door or calls to see if I voted. Two words folks, “Phone Banks”! And now, its clear that early voting needs immediate attention to first, shore up its administration so it cannot be further corrupted and second, get our rightful share of those choosing this method.

GOP, you can do this. Get going for the good of our country. We need you more than ever.