I purposely let this topic stew awhile before addressing it. I wanted to put some time between the emotional aftermath of the event and what I hope will be some objective conclusions. It’s now time for that objectivity and someone has to say it; the GOP loss was a totally avoidable self-inflicted shot to the foot. Twelve years ago they were given the power they’d been begging for since the 1960’s and the unvarnished truth is they blew it. Empty “conservative” promises, inexcusable pandering, gross over-spending, corrupt addiction to power and ignoring both the Constitution as well as their sworn duties did them in with conservative America.
When the Republicans assumed control of Congress in 1995 and then won the White House in 2000, my hope for change, albeit guarded, rose somewhat. However, I was soon brought back to reality when that same GOP controlled Congress passed the Campaign Finance Reform Bill and Bush unconscionably signed it, eminent domain was bastardized, spending went through the capital dome with never a presidential veto to stop the hemorrhage, earmarked pork was king and America’s borders remained inexplicably wide open even after we were attacked and thousands were killed. Now why would the “conservative” Grand Old Party ever do such things? Simply out of political fear they might offend/alienate a voting block or a big contributor…and God forbid that we profile at our own airports—that too might offend. Well, their pandering fence straddling between conservative rhetoric and liberal action did offend—it offended the exceptionally powerful conservative base all across this land.
When anyone straddles a fence too long, they eventually get the rail up their crotch and that’s what happened to the GOP. Trying to be liked by everyone so they could stay in power indefinitely, the Republicans promised conservatism but delivered liberalism. Traditional Americans saw right through it and the GOP paid the ultimate price—they were deservedly sent to the showers.
If the current war played any part in their loss at all, I’d say it was not over starting it, WMDs notwithstanding, but over adopting a politically motivated limited approach and not finishing it. If an international situation requires military action, then slam that bug with a sledge hammer and be done with it. Modern America has never won a limited war and never lost an unlimited one. Any constrained approach with its restrictive rules of engagement only puts good troops through an extended meat grinder—not the best use of professional war fighters as I see it.
Will these newly elected Democrat quarterbacks be any better than the now sacked GOP starters? Absolutely not and that’s the worst part of it. Because of the GOP’s fence games, I hold them responsible for creating the situation wherein the Democrats even had a chance to get in the game! Politicians know full well that historically, anytime Americans become disgusted or disenchanted with incumbents they rightfully throw the bums out. I wonder if those same Republicans realize just how popular the GOP would or could have been today had they told the left leaning PC crowd to take a hike and stuck to traditional, authentically conservative principles, values and virtues? My guess is this election wouldn’t have been close! The vast majority of patriotic Americans love solid traditionalism just as much as they hate political duplicity.
The sadder part is yet to come so hold onto your noses, your wallets and your guns. The GOP’s forsaking of traditionally conservative principles will make the next two years difficult to bear now that we have to look at Madame Speaker Nancy. The worst of it is the big government; constitution ignoring GOP has set the stage for 2008 and Madame President Hillary along with that philandering First Husband.
Now it’s up to us traditionalists who still care deeply about America to ensure the GOP knows the real reason for their loss was because they betrayed traditional conservatives by being too liberal and not because they betrayed modern liberals by being too conservative.
Just how does that fence rail feel now boys? Well, you have a few years to nurse those wounds, think about how you earned them and what it’ll take to heal them.
Just the view from my saddle…
Contact Colonel Dan: coloneldan@bellsouth.net