It Is Time For Republicans To Represent "A Choice, Not An Echo"

President Bush certainly has taken the protection of America seriously. This should be the first priority of any Commander in Chief. Bush rarely gets credit, but he deserves much for there not being a terrorist attack against America since 9-11 and for taking the fight to the enemy. If you had told people after 9-11 that we would not be attacked for the next seven years, there would have been disbelief. Bush has focused on giving our law enforcement the tools they need to fight this enemy and stop them before they strike. The Democrats have opposed him every step of the way, putting politics ahead of national security.

It is an unfortunate truth, however, that the Republican party has abandoned its own principles on many domestic issues surrounding limited government. The largest expansion of government since LBJ's great society came with the prescription drug benefit for seniors passed by a Republican President and Congress (McCain voted against it, by the way). But the Republicans were not rewarded for being the "Democrat-lite" party. The Republicans have lost the White House, the House, and the Senate. Now is the time to send the message that the party must return to its ideals. To provide the American people with a true contrast, a real representation between the competing political ideologies in our society today. Now is the opportunity for conservatism to make a comeback in the Republican party and provide that choice. Now is the time to return to the principles that have made America great, the principles of individualism, limited government, personal responsibility, and peace through strength.

The Democrat victory of 2008 should give all Republicans an opportunity to look back and learn from Barry Goldwater's announcement of his candidacy in 1964. I think his words should give everyone a sense of the message today's Republicans should be sending to America.

"One of the great attributes of our American two party system has always been the reflected differences in principle. As a general rule one party has emphasized individual liberty and the other has favored the extension of government power. I’m convinced that today a majority in the Republican Party believes in the essential emphasis on individual liberty...
I was once asked what kind of Republican I was. I replied that I was not a 'me-too' Republican. That still holds. I will not change my beliefs to win votes. I will offer a choice, not an echo. This will not be an engagement of personalities. It will be in engagement of principles.
I’ve always stood for government that is limited and balanced and against the ever increasing concentrations of authority in Washington. I’ve always stood for individual responsibility and against regimentation. I believe we must now make a choice in this land and not continue drifting endlessly down and down for a time when all of us, our lives, our property, our hopes, and even our prayers will become just cogs in a vast government machine.
I believe that we can win victory for freedom both at home and abroad. I believe that we can be strong enough and determined enough to win those victories without war. I believe that appeasement and weakness can only bring war. I’ve asked and will continue to ask: Why Not Victory–why not victory for sound, constitutional principles and government–why not victory over the evils of communism?"

Substitute communism with today's evils, such as radical jihadism, and not one other word need change. It is now our chance to work from within to make sure that this remains the message of today's Republican party. There is no need for two liberal parties, one liberal party is more than enough.

"A choice, not an echo."


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