There are a lot of questions percolating out here in the Republican base. Conservative activists expected that their agenda would be given a chance. That's why we donated to our politicians and worked on their campaigns. Was it all worth it? Many people want to know because 2006 and 2008 are just around the corner. We'd like to know whether it will be worth our time, money, and effort to engage in a cause we believe in but will never get through because our leaders lack the ability to act like the majority.I eagerly await the input of the rest of the WMD editorial board and our readers...
Rather than worrying about some hypothetical future where Republicans are back in the minority, why not govern now? Why not make a difference? Why not stop acting like Democrats lusting for the continuation of personal power? Have the Republicans in Washington become just like the Democrats of the 90's? Is the Republican National Committee so concerned about building a "bigger tent" that they have allowed the dilution of our cherished values? Does any Republican in Washington know what "small government" even means?
The silence is deafening… Will there be a price to be paid for it?
Mark's Remarks
I think Matt is getting worn down by all the nonsense going on. The reason why we got active was to make our voices and needs heard. This is not built in a day. It is not just done through elections. It needs to take money and calls and emails. It needs to take threats to their power that they cannot deny, like conservative candidates to run against in the primaries.
I do think there are a number of Republicans in Washington who know what small government means. However, they are listening to their reelection analysts instead of doing what is right and good for America. Unfortunately, there is no real Reaganite among them with any power. What we have are a bunch of composite, "lavender" Republicans. It is even worse in the state house of Ohio's General Assembly.
We need another revolution. Reelecting this President was a good start. However, we need to take control of the Republican party apparatus. After all, without us, the common voter, there is no party. Therefore, I encourage people to join central committees, to lobby hard to your party, and to check into candidates' conservative background before you allow your central committees to endorse them. By being ever more active, we can take back our party.
However, I share Matt's disgust for the current crop in Washington. They are more worried about losing power than in doing what they were elected to do. Didn't they get the memo from the Dems in 1994? Doing that leads to the self-fulfilling prophecy of being back in the minority. Instead of thinking what if we get back in the minority, why don't you do what is right for America now so we can see results and we can get more to come to our way of thinking? Instead, we have too many Republicans who are concerned about working with the Democrats and maintaining collegiality. Tell me, what is collegial about the witchhunt against DeLay, when 5 of the top questionable junket takers were Dems? What is so collegial about going after DeLay hiring family when practically the entire Democratic leadership in the Congress did far more as a conflict of interest, especially Harry Reid? It is time to grow a pair, gentlemen, and do what you said you were going to do.
