The reelection of President Obama comes as a rude awakening for half of America today. In a ideology battle with two combatants that couldn't represent more divergent ideas, the progressives prevailed. This left many asking why it happened. Was is Mitt Romney? Was it Hurricane Sandy? Was it the changing electorate in this country? Maybe, but there are deeper questions that the conservatives in this country have to start asking. What does the GOP stand for, and does it represent the best for America? Everyone's answer may differ, but it is obvious from the election that some things need to change. The GOP has been stuck in neutral for some time and has failed to win the popular vote in 5 of the last 6 general elections. The GOP is becoming increasingly localized and disjointed in their messaging. Not even sincere conservatives can trust the candidates the GOP is nominating these days. The Tea Party grew out of populous anger over Obamacare and continued as a check to the stagnant ideas in the GOP establishment. Even the Tea Party is left at a crossroads after the complete disaster last Tuesday. The way forward is not certain or pretty, but major changes need to be made if a conservative candidate has any chance in the near future.
After watching the last election season, a number of disturbing trends became apparent. One, the media and pop culture are completely set on sabotaging any conservative message in the eyes of the public. This is not a new revelation but it has reached a boiling point, the likes that we have never seen before. A functional representative republic is dependent upon the public having access to accurate information about their country and the circumstances around them. Without pure information it is impossible for the public to make informed decisions about their welfare. Biased information from the media poisons the minds of the masses and directs them to follow a self destructive and selfish ideology that erodes the fabric of this Country. The public believes in a false truth that is built upon lies perpetrated in the media. The indoctrination becomes complete when the progressive politicians distribute treats, in the form of benefits, to those that obey with their vote. Any dissent is immediately attacked as racist or crazy because it flies in the face of the "common sense" created by the media and pop culture. Their strategy is effective because it is simple. It is a variation of the old lymric about the fisherman who either gives a man a fish today, and he is hungry tomorrow, or teaches him to fish and it feeds him for a lifetime. The progressive belief is, if you give a man a fish today, he votes for you tomorrow. The message is so saturated in the public's life, that it goes against reason for it to be wrong. The great challenge of the next generation of conservatives is to combat this messaging and even the battlefield. It is sad that there really isn't a clear battle plan when it comes to this front in the war.
The second problem fear of change in the party. As a political party with long time members, it is not hard to understand why change is resisted, especially in a conservative party. By the vary nature of those drawn to the conservative cause, change is viewed with skepticism. Just because the GOP is based on preserving the founding principles of this country and preserving the values that have worked, change in some areas is necessary for a party to exist. Without change, women and blacks would not have the right to vote or hold equal status in society. As the country moves on through time, policy positions need to adapt as the times change. Many conservatives feel that any change of course equals and subversion of the Constitution. This is not true and given the changes in the electoral, it is change or die.
The attitude and rhetoric towards women must improve and it was ever more apparent this year with the rhetoric about women's rights and rape. It was an absolute joke when the GOP convened a group of 60 year old men to discuss women's reproductive rights. Although the Sandra Fluke circus was absurd and the GOP was very justified in questioning the government's role in providing birth control, their knowledge must improve. The issue got worse when Todd Akin from Missouri made the ill fated statement about "legitimate rape". No man should ever cast aspersions about rape or rape victims unless they know exactly what they are talking about and have the empathy to speak as if they are talking directly to a victim. Rape is a life changing event for a victim and it is a fear that every woman lives with most of their lives. To say that any form of rape is legitimate is spitting in the face of rape victims everywhere. A man can never know the same fear or pain that a victim knows, and thus should not pretend to speak like they understand. No matter the situation, a candidate should restrict their commentary about rape to the prosecution of attackers, resources for victims, and support for those affected by this crime. The insulting and ignorant commentary that was used this year was repulsive.
Above all else the future of the party rests in those that choose to carry the torch. Without a choice between candidates with a vision, conviction, and communication skills to forward the cause, this party will continue to put forth flawed candidates like Romney and McCain. Conservative principles are what this country was founded upon and they align with the inner virtues that make this country great. The next generation of candidates must have true convictions with deep compassion with the American disposition. Because this country can not survive with the leader only holding the confidence of half the country, we need a uniting figure that will not pit demographic groups against one another. The American people want this reality, and conservative values deliver it, the only question is who will lead it going forward?
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