Republicanism - NOT GOP politics as usual

As Founder of Take Back The Republican Party (www.TakeBackTheRepublicanParty.com) I am privileged to have conversations with good people from all across America each day. Like you, they are frustrated - some are even angry - at the state of our union and the direction we are being forced down by the Socialists. From each conversation I am part of, I listen and learn to what people have to say. Over the last 9 months, here is some of what I have learned:

1) Americans - regardless of their party affiliation or social beliefs, overwhelmingly want low taxes, small government (with governing decisions made as close (local) to the people as possible), and the freedom and liberty granted us by the Constitution to be restored, preserved and upheld.

2) Americans are tired of both sides and the media focusing on the issues that divide us. People are desperately seeking an end to the divisiveness and instead, want our country to focus on the things that we agree on - low taxes, small govt, the Constitution.

3) Americans are confused by the plethora of niche groups who focus on one ideological issue instead of focusing on the most urgent and pressing needs of the day with real and reasonable solutions and plans to achieve those solutions.

4) Americans don't know what to do to make a difference and feel like, alone, they can not make a difference.



As a result of our research at TBTRP, we've come to understand that we the people, are overwhelmingly united in our belief in and desire for Republicanism to be THE set of governing principles used to run the country. Republicanism is low taxes, small government, decision making driven to the most local level possible to increase the ability of the people to have a say and to hold elected officials accountable, and certainly, the restoration - preservation - enforcement - upholding of the Constitution - most especially as it relates to the freedoms and liberties granted to us as Americans.



We have also found that there is confusion in the real world about the difference between Republicanism as a set of governing principles, and Conservatism as a set of social beliefs. The two do NOT necessarily go together. For example, the are big government proponents (Socialists) who are very Conservative on social issues. The best example of this would be President George W Bush. Under President Bush, we saw a definite focus on moving social policy to the right, but at the same time we saw an unprecedented (until Obama) expansion in the size of government spending. It's not the Conservative policy of President Bush that turned off so many Americans, it is that he claimed to be Republican yet did not govern in the tradition of Republicanism - government grew, the economy soured, people got angry about the war - and as a result the people felt lied to by our government and politicians once again. So, in 2006 the people said enough of the RINO's and the "Republican Party" and voted in the Democrats (whom I refer to as Socialists as that is a more appropriate definition). Did the American people WANT Democrat Party rule? Of course not, but the Democrats do what they say. Crazy as it sounds, people like that.



At the same time, there are people who are Moderate or Liberal in their social beliefs, yet very much want, and want to vote for, Republicanism. And they do. In fact, most Americans vote purely based on a candidate's governing principles. Case in point, let's go back to 2008. The numbers tell us that only 22% of the American people consider themselves Liberal. 34% Conservative. 44% Moderate. One would think that the more socially conservative candidate would win every time. Just capture 37% of the Moderate vote and victory is achieved. However, it's not social philosophy that drives the majority of the vote in America - it is governing principles. And we know that Republicanism is the desired set of governing principles people want. So, which candidate did a better job of convincing the people he was the one with the Republicanism principles? Correct, it was Obama. What was the message he used to swing the vote his way? "Tax Cuts for 95% of Americans." Clear, concise, and people could relate to that message. Forget all the other stuff.....people first and foremost care about their finances!! You would think that after Bill Clinton and "It's the economy, stupid." and Obama with "Tax cuts for 95% of Americans." that those leading the GOP would have the light bulb turn on.....and yet, even under new leadership, it has not changed the GOP.



The answer is NOT to move to the center or the left and become the Democrat Party light. The answer is NOT to compromise on your social beliefs (no matter what they may be). The answer, no matter if you are Conservative, Moderate or Liberal is to understand that governing principles drives votes.



The answer is that in order to take back power, we must win elections. To win elections we must throw away the current playbook and people calling the plays for the GOP. We must, one town, one city, one county, one state at a time, replace GOP "leaders" with people who understand its about winning elections and to win elections we must have a clear, simple, understandable message of Republicanism and deliver it in a way that regular people can relate.



Today there is no clear message coming from the GOP. And, the message, if one could call it that, that the GOP is delivering is not the message of Republicanism. We MUST change that.....or we absolutely will continue to see our freedom and liberty diminish - our taxes will go up further - our government will grow even larger - and our way of life will continue to evaporate.



I ask, encourage, urge, beg each of you reading this to become part of the solution and help us Take Back The Republican Party.



Thank you for reading and God bless America.



For Today. For Tomorrow. For AMERICA!