FOCUS, Not Change, is the Key

Let me state up front that I'm not a fan of CNN. In fact, I've been known to refer to them as the Communist News Network because of their very obvious bias toward the left. I will say, though, that I appreciate their willingness to provide plenty of material about which I can blog. The article today by Gloria Borger, is missing some key points.

The problem with the GOP isn't a lack of new ideas, it is a lack of direction. In an effort to appeal to a broader base, the party has embraced, at least nominally, too many groups with widely diverse beliefs -- just like the Democrats have done. The difference in the election was not a significant mandate for Obama or the Democratic controlled Congress. The difference was the unpopularity of the sitting President coupled with the economic turmoil since September 11, 2001, which was capped by a collapse of the credit markets.

The U.S. public needs to embrace the principles of the conservative wing of the GOP. I believe they want to embrace those principles. The problem is, they can't see them being embraced by the GOP itself. Those principles, if embedded in the public psyche, would have prevented many of the problems that we are faced with today.

Those principles are fairly simple. 1) If you incur a debt, you should pay it. 2) Don't borrow more than you can afford. 3) Get a job. There is merit in providing for oneself and one's family. 4) Marriage is between one man and one woman and is intended to last for life. 5) Kids need both a father and a mother living together -- preferably their biological father and mother. 6) Life is precious -- even for the unborn. 7) Success is the result of hard work and personal initiative -- not race, gender, social status or so-called "class." 8) If you make a commitment you should do everything in your power to keep it. 9) Government is to facilitate commerce, protect the innocent and protect our borders -- NOT be "the great equalizer!" 10) There is nothing wrong with making money. However, there is something wrong with taking money away from those who made it to give to those unwilling to work for it. 11) Education is critical. It must start in the home. It requires discipline and self-initiative. It is a personal responsibility and should not be solely in the hands of the state. 12) We should be responsible for the wise management of our resources -- stewards, not caretakers. Those resources benefit no one if they are not utilized. 13) Charity is a personal choice and a responsibility. It should not be forced on individuals by the state. 14) Personal religious liberty is critical to the proper functioning of society. Personal beliefs inform behavior by individuals in whatever capacity they occupy -- whether in the schools, the workplace or the government. Individuals should be allowed to exercise that religious freedom as they choose as long as it doesn't interfere with the rights of others. 15) Individuals have the right to protect their property. Gun ownership is a right of all honest citizens. 16) The courts are to administer the law, not attempt to change it by their actions. 17) I'm sure I've missed a few points, but the above list covers most of the big ones.

The GOP has lost its direction in the desire to garner votes through embracing a wide-range of groups and ideas. We need to accept the fact that there will be people who will NEVER embrace our candidates. Forget them. Quit trying to reach out to them. Success comes through FOCUS -- not a drifting, wavering, nebulous, ephemeral -- I'm running out of descriptors here -- set of ideals. It's time to choose a course and proceed.

The New Conservative Political Activism

Political activism is something with which most conservatives are unfamiliar. In this year, when the conservative arm of the GOP has been less than enthusiastic about their Presidential candidate, it has been even more difficult to be active. That will have to change in order to combat the leftist extremism that has become so abundantly pervasive throughout the media -- including the "blogosphere." It is time for conservatives to utilize the tools before us to meet the onslaught head-on. Blogging is one piece of the puzzle. Dr. Donald Douglas has posted an interesting piece on his American Power blog related to that very issue. You can view it here. How will you respond?

God and Country/Maverick and Barracuda

The last few days I've thought a good bit about Sarah Palin as the VP running mate of Senator John McCain. The choice by Senator McCain was brilliant. It countered the age issue. It showed that the GOP's believes women can do any job. It brought Executive experience. It focused on energy. It highlights marriage and family. It is pro-life. It is about doing the right thing. It says, "we're coming after the good-ol-boy, get-nothing-accomplished, power politics as usual crowd."

On a side note: The media has blasted Governor Palin for not "staying home" with her children. It crossed my mind that they are saying her husband Todd can't handle things at home. That's about as sexist as it can get. The Democrats are saying that men can't be good parents.

I hope the Dem's have met their match. God and country, The Maverick and The Barracuda. Great ticket.

Sarah "Barracuda" Palin

OK, the title to this post might be a little extreme but it's meant as a compliment. I just watched her speech. She did a superb job. My take-home points:

"To the media -- I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion, I'm going to serve the American people."

"...integrity, good will, convictions and a servant's heart..."

"...put the government on the side of the people...put the jet on E-bay..."

"The American Presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery."

Impressive.

Abortion, Climate Change and the GOP

It is critically important that the GOP maintain its stance on the sanctity of life vis a vis the platform regarding abortion. It is hoped that progress in the fight to stop the destruction of future generations by the killing of unborn children will continue under the next administration. I believe that most people that seriously think about the issue agree with the view that life begins long before birth.

The platform concerning Climate Change is another issue altogether. The U.S. has one of the best records in the world of addressing issues affecting our environment. A healthy environment is achievable without sacrificing our economy or our standard of living.

The biggest threats to the global environment are in state-controlled countries and in extremely poor countries. In state controlled economies, where there are virtually no individual property rights, there are no personal incentives for taking care of the environment. There is instead, the natural human tendency to do the least possible for the meager living that is allowed by the state. Personal property rights on the other hand, give the owner of those rights incentive to protect that property. If he wants his land to be productive he is not going to destroy it by piling toxic chemicals on it (subject of course to education on the negative impact of those chemicals).

In poor countries, the issue is that the people are just focused on survival. How can they devote resources to "saving the planet" when they just want to know from where their next meal is coming.

If we really want to fight "climate change" we need to focus on raising the living standard of the world to ours. This involves better forms of government and abundant energy resources.

Have you ever noticed that the highest birth rates are in the poorest countries? Lower birth rates are closely correlated to economic well-being and education. That's where we need to focus our efforts and our money -- better governments around the world, abundant energy for developing economies and a general improvement of the economic well-being of the people of this world. When those things happen, "climate change" will be mitigated by the very people that today are contributing the most dangerous pollutants to our atmosphere, water and land resources.

Wind and Solar to Power Conventions

In a way, I find it humorous that the power company that will supply electricity to both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention is touting the fact that the electrical requirements of both conventions will be provided by wind and solar energy. I thought that was historically the case -- even without the involvement of a power company. You would think that there would be sufficient "hot air" in the speeches and enough "sunshine blown-up-the-skirts" of attendees that external power sources would be unnecessary! I would rather see the air let out of some inflated egos and a little sunshine on the backroom shenanigans.

The Left of the Left

One of the things that is interesting to watch in this year's race for the Presidency is the reaction of office holders to the candidate of their party. Increasingly, we are seeing a distancing of Senators and Congressmen from their chosen Presidential candidate. It seems that Obama is too far left for many Democrats and John McCain is too far left for many Republicans. When you consider that for the most part, the Democrats represent the liberal or left wing of the political spectrum and Republicans represent the more conservative or right wing of the political spectrum, that puts Obama at the extreme left and McCain close to the center. I think that bodes well for McCain.

The GOP Piggy Bank is Rattling

Money makes the political world go 'round. Obama has proven his ability to raise funds in a big way. So has Clinton. What about John McCain? So far, his fund-raising ability has been questionable. Is it due to the disenchantment of the traditional GOP base with their candidate?

It is going to take a monumental effort on the part of the GOP to offset the financial momentum that Obama has over McCain as we enter into the general election. Obama's base is motivated -- maybe electrified is a better word -- by their candidate. They are excited by their candidate. The same cannot be said for the nominee of the GOP. Will it be a loss due to lack of funding? That is a real danger. McCain must find a way to loosen the purse-strings of the party or he will fail dismally in the general election.