On the State of the Republican Party

Instead, what we are seeing now is the natural flow in the shift of power between parties.  This shift was spurred by a handful of driving forces, the most significant being the rise of the power-pop figure that is Barack Obama.  

So, to my fellow Republicans out there, I’d like to give the good news and the bad news. I’ll start with the latter to make this less painful.

The bad news: We suffer from a lack of leadership.  Plain and simple. We do not have a republican Barack Obama in waiting. Michael Steele has an admirable background, but he is not the principled leader that will lead us out of the desert.

The good news: We may not need a charismatic leader – although I would certainly love one.  In fact, I am willing to wager that the Republican Party could put Barney Fife on the ballot in 2012 and still claim victory.

The reason?  This administration, along with its Congress, will tarnish the allure of massive reliance on government.  The forecast for budget deficits are eclipsing every number in the record books.  This administration is printing, borrowing, and taxing more money than has been deemed prudent by the Congressional Budget Office.  We are laughing at our constitution by spending on projects not specifically enumerated by our founders.  The point is – this is not sustainable.  Democrats love talking about environmental sustainability, yet they turn a blind eye to financial sustainability.

Around 2012, this administration will pay for the sins of an uncontrolled purse.  Many economists believe that we are in this recession for the long haul, and by 2012 we will see the fruits of our labor: hyperinflation, stagflation, a lower standard of living, higher energy costs, higher taxes for every income bracket, a vulnerable military, and a profligate government.

Notwithstanding, there are some issues that the Republican Party should seek to reform moving forward.

1. We should take our strategic need for energy seriously, and provide real solutions for innovation and the diversification of domestic energy sources that don’t punish businesses. This includes nuclear power – any comprehensive plan must include provisions to remove hurdles to decentralized nuclear power.  Our energy interests should not be at the behest of our foreign competitors.

2. We can also, in an industry-friendly fashion, encourage responsible business practices toward the environment. This includes tax policies of encouragement and dissuasion through tax cuts, not tax hikes.

3. We must prove to the American people that we are a party that can responsibly handle the limited funds provided by the people. President Bush’s greatest weakness was his inability to curb government spending in a consistent manner.

Luckily, there is a generation that still admires Ronald Reagan and James Madison. Young people who believe in a strong military, limited federal government, personal responsibility, and low taxes.  A generation that is smart enough to see the corruptibility of large government.  

The leviathan will be conquered not by hope or change, but by principled conservative governance.