I sent the following letter to Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee.
As the policies and actions of the Obama Administration have become more readily apparent, the Republican Party may believe that they have “default” support among Conservative and Independents for the upcoming election cycle. I would urge you to examine this more closely. As you may have noticed, the approval ratings for Republicans are still quite low. There is a reason for this beyond the fact that the left and the media are against Republicans.
I believe that these low ratings are due to the Party’s abandoning of Conservative principals. After George Bush was elected, government continued to grow in both size and scope. Government interference in the free market continued, and programs continued to flourish and grow in influence. Far too many Republican Congressmen and Senators, who ran on platforms of small government and fiscal responsibility, spent like drunken sailors when they arrived in Washington. The people, and particularly the Party base, watched these developments with a growing disgust. It is the opinion of many that Republican candidates run on Conservative issues to win elections, and then disregard those ideas when assuming office. The people have grown tired of this, leading to, in my opinion, the losses in 2006 and 2008. When too many Republican office holders abandoned to core concepts of the Party, the voters did not support them. Simply put, one cannot energize an alienated base. And we sir, are alienated. Consequently, when the voter has difficulty defining the differences between the Republicans and Democrats, the Republicans lose. There are differences, but there has been such a blurring of the lines that the base has been discouraged, and the left has been empowered. To this date, there are Republican Senators and Congressmen that are voting with the Democrats for (what will become) a single payer health care system, and a Cap and Trade Bill that will absolutely destroy our economy. As long as these events occur, the base will be suspicious. The empty promises are now falling on deaf ears.
Over the spring and summer, the Tea Party movement and the town hall meetings displayed the high level of discontent that the people have with President Obama’s policies. However, one cannot rely on the left’s description of these events. For one, the Republican Party did not organize them, as you well know. If the Party had the ability to organize so many large and diverse crowds across the US, we would be talking about President McCain right now. For two, the sizes of the crowds (particularly the 9-12 event) were seriously under-reported by the media. They don’t want the people to know how big that particular movement are, nor do they want the people involved in the movement to realize their own size and power. For three, many of the attendees at these events are just as upset with the Republican Party as they are with the Democrats. I cannot speak for everyone at these events, as they were, contrary to what the Democrats and the media have said, not a monolithic group of white, racist Republicans. However I can make some general observations:
- People are upset with corporate bailouts and government ownership or control of corporations.
- People are upset with the government’s dictating of anyone’s pay.
- People are upset with government causing problems, and then proposing even more government as the solution.
- People are upset with the intrusive nature of the current administration’s view of government. We do not want government run health care. We do not want government run schools.
- People want tax cuts, not tax increases.
- People want government to live within its means, just like we have to.
- People want government to shrink, not grow exponentially, or simply grow more slowly.
- People are upset with international capitulation, and the weakening of our defenses.
What we want is to have our elected officials actually act upon what they promised during their campaigns. We want government to shrink, not just grow more slowly. I, myself, have made the comparison that the recent choices between Democrats and Republicans is the choice between socialism, and “socialism-lite.” Please hear this: There is no way to do big government in a “Conservative way.” The two are mutually exclusive. In fact, they are the antithesis of each other. We want Republicans, not “Republicrats!” We want a set of men and women that will lead, not shy away from tackling the bureaucracy, or the Democrats and their client groups. We want people that will make the case for eliminating government programs that have not worked, nor ever will. We want people that will stand up to the leftist media, and make their message heard. We want people that will talk to the people as they were grown men and women, not sheepish children that require herding. And, we want leaders that will listen to us, not the talking heads in the media, not the pressure groups that are bussed in to intimidate them, and not the advisers that recommend that they “moderate” their message. When the Party supports and promotes moderate candidates, the base sees this as another indication that the party is out of touch with, if not dismissive of, traditional Republican ideals. If that continues, the next round of town hall protests may include moderate Republicans, and if it does, it will be well deserved.
There is a rumbling in the base. More than just the discontent that I was part of at the end of the last administration, this includes people leaving the Party, and supporting third party candidates. There are many Republicans that are pledging to not vote for a moderate candidate, and will vote for a third party Conservative, even if it means losing an election. There are third parties cropping up, and existing ones are gaining members. People are angry, and will cling to their ideals. In case you have not noticed, multiple polls have indicated that the people are moving to the right, particularly Independents. The Republican Party can be part of this movement, or it can be left by the wayside. We have said from the beginning, our fight is not about race or party, it is about ideas. Will this nation be free, or will it be a socialist state?
I would kindly remind you to review the origins of the Party. What happened when the Whigs decided to stand in the way of history? You are currently in the position to make the same decision for the Republicans. Will you stand for the ideas of the founders, or will the Republican Party go the way of the Whigs? The choice is yours. We will be watching and evaluating the Party’s performance in this regard.
As for me, I will stand with my fellow Conservatives, for Conservative ideas. The banner under which I stand is not as important as the ideas themselves.
Let’s see if I get a response.
For highly intelligent Conservative News and Opinion, please consider the The Liberty Pen . 
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I believe that future generations should have the same opportunities that myself, and those that came before me, had. My parents taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do. I don’t want to have to tell my daughter, “You can do whatever the government tells you to do.” We are at a crossroads in this country; are we going to be free, or are we going to be slaves to the nanny state. I choose freedom. 
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Excellent letter Matt. I would only borrow from a comment made by Rush Limbaugh in explaining Mark Levin’s book to add:
9. It is important that our representatives understand just how far we have come from the principles and concepts of our founding; and how far the left has taken us from our Constitution.
I especially liked this part: “There is a rumbling in the base. More than just the discontent that I was part…” Maybe because my personal blog is Present Discontent??
I hadn’t thought of it in that way. Maybe it was Present Discontent.
Thanks!
This is a SUPER letter Matt! It should be published far and wide. It captures our feelings exactly.
Let’s see if you get a response, other than a donation request!
Wonderfully crafted, which is a normative element for your workings. In my opinion, this article, as well as those from your other contributors, illustrates that the citizenry acknowledges that the principles of our Founding Fathers are timeless and necessary. Very rarely have I seen the Founders referenced by our representatives, and it is unfortunate. Mr. Steele would do well to take your letter to heart.
You should have told him his “What UP?” blog sucks. Barring that, you wrote a great letter…which I’m sure he’ll use to line a bird cage or something. He’s an idiot. Newt is an idiot. And I can’t stand either of them.
Go Doug Hoffman, NY23!
Whazzuuppp? Michael Steele’s just trying to be cool man. Don’t pick on him.
It’s awesome to see what’s happening with Hoffman! The more I think about it, I realize this is the only real solution. Yes, third-party candidates.
I’ve researched the history of the GOP, it’s on my blog, but I suggest looking into it yourself … Because truth be told, the GOP has always worked against the genuine conservatives. It’s hard to believe for those of us who were alive during the Reagan years, but upon looking back, you’ll find even during his administration, the federal government grew in contrast to his philosophy. A lot of that is to blame on the idea the collective conscience has that the president runs the whole show, but he doesn’t. Congress runs the show.
Even the “conservative revolution” of 1994 did nothing but grow the size and scope of government. What about “we’re all Keynesians now” price-control Nixon? Or “read my lips” George Bush Sr.? And we all know George Bush Jr. expanded every aspect of the government he could get his fingers on.
I know it goes contrary to popular opinion, but I’ve become convinced that there’s no hope in the Republican Party, and Hoffman is proving a 3rd party can win! Perot did too, but that’s another story for another time.
There are 4 fundamental changes that must take place in America if we are ever to be truly free again, but I’ve found when writing about them on my blog, they fall on deaf ears.
1. Corporations and unions can’t vote, therefore corporations and unions must be banned from participating in the political process (especially making political donations).
2. All corporate welfare must end.
3. We must greatly expand the amount of representatives serving in the House as our Founders intended.
4. All foreign aid must be abolished, because in reality, “aid” is just a fancy word for bribe.
The election that Hoffman is in is a special election and additionally in New York there is no primary process. New York has more than two parties, so this is not that unusual of a situation.
With all due respect CL, a third party would only serve to keep the far left statists in office. Perot was the main reason Bush 41 was a one-termer, not the only reason, but the main one. Remember that Clinton won with ONLY 42% of the vote. Not even a majority. No, a third party is not what America needs. Not even Teddy Roosevelt could get back into office as a third party candidate.
What we need to do, is to take the Republican Party back. Get enough strong conservatives in there to enable the power base in the Repub Party to shift from the so-called moderates to the true Conservative values of our Founding Fathers.
I am curious, what corporate welfare are you referring to?
I’ve been all over the place on the idea of re-taking the Republican Party vs. supporting/forming a third. It’s a tough call. My idea at the moment is that if Hoffman does well, and especially if he wins, it’ll send a strong message to the Party leadership. I don’t think that they can simply expect Conservative support by default. Not after dubya, and the many anti-conservative actions when the Party last had majorities.
I think we should support Conservatives, whether they are a Republican or not. The Party will either get with the program, or they’ll go the way of the Whigs.
We better watch what we walk into this election:
http://americaspeaksink.com/2009/10/charlie-crist-and-the-film-outrage/
@ Bunni, Thanks! I’ll publish whatever I get back, If anything.
@ Liberty Pen, Thank you again for the kind words. They are much appreciated. If the Republican Party does not turn to the ideas of the founders, Hoffman will be the first of many.
@ Dr. Dave, Thanks, I left his blog out, just didn’t warrant the attention to the fail within. We’re going to have to support this guy.
Support Hoffman, absolutely. Steele, hell no. He was doing the Friday show for Bill Bennett’s Morning in America radio program for a while and callers had him canned because he’s…just…so…bloody…awful.
Steele, as well as the rest of both parties (apparently) are completely out of touch with the Republican/Conservative base. He was probably mystified by the entire episode.
A great letter I could not agree more. I would with your permission like to put this (with credit given) on my site.
I did a post a couple weeks ago about my unhappiness with the Republicans. For me the answer is to ignore party in the next election and focus on ideals. If the Republicans give me a conservative candidate, they will have my vote. But, if the candidate is out in left field I’ll look elsewhere. I do not think it matters if Republicans control congress. What does matter, is that conservatives control congress.
Don,
All direct and indirect subsidy payments that go to corporations/businesses are corporate welfare. To make a list would take days because it would be so long. But for example: Monsanto, Boeing, Xerox, IBM, Dow Chemical, and General Electric are companies that have received billions of taxpayer dollars over the years.
If there is a subsidy, then there is no free market. And quite frankly, it’s theft.
Perot may be the reason Bush Sr. lost, but in all due respect, what good would have come from a second Bush term? I hate saying it, but even Bubba was better on taxes and welfare than Bush (either one of them).
And “far left statists”? What do you call Republican and ACORN-backed Scozzafava?
I know my opinions frustrate some, but I’m just looking at reality for what it is, and we’ve got a bigger mountain to climb than most realize. There’s no pot of gold at the end of the next 2 election cycles, but they are a place to start. Washington must change, and “we the people” need to change the political incentive system to make that happen.
Look, I’m happy to support a Republican if they’ll actually represent me, but not just because they are Republican.
On third-parties … I think it’s a big mistake to assume a third-party would only divide the Republican vote. Economically speaking, today will feel like the Roaring 20’s come 2012. The paradigm is changing.
CL,
Fair enough. Make no mistake, I wasn’t blindly defending the corporations by any means. I just don’t subscribe (and I’m not saying you do) to the idea that all corps are evil, greedy entities. Some are, that is to be sure.
To be prosperous in today’s world, we need to eliminate Capital Gains Tax and reduce the Corporate Income Tax greatly. More incentive to invest and expand business, means more money flooding the economy.
As far as my comment on the far left statists, I was referring to the national level, but I understand that statists can be elephants as well as donkeys.
A second term of Bush 41 might or might not have been better than what we got. I was only pointing to the fact that a third party which is conservative in nature will fracture the Repub vote. That is why I remain steadfast in my position that we need to re-take the GOP. Is the paradigm changing? Of course it is. The electorate is waking up, but we need to be careful how we handle this.
Great debate, BTW.
Gentlemen, this is how Conservatives should debate. This kind of exchange is one of the reasons I started the Conservative Hideout. We can actually exchange ideas without resorting to insults. We can discuss our issues without fending off trolls and disruptions. Thank you both.
Thank you Matt. I try to maintain civility, and when I feel the need to call someone a poopy head I post on Blog Catalog.
Seriously, civil debates are exactly where great ideas are often born. Leaving the rhetoric and drama at the door is hard to do sometimes, but pays off in the long run.
Don, there is no shortage of that type at Blog Catalog! I agree 100% on the civility. There is a great deal to learn, and Conservatives do have variations in opinion that are worthy of exploration.
Funny enough, I started the site to have a forum. I started the blog as an after thought. Dr. Dave really inspired me to go on. Then, once I gave up trying to be funny and got serious, things started to take off a bit.
Matt,
This is a very important piece. I believe that conservatives are going vote for the candidate of their choice and not the “lesser of the evils”. This will leave many a spoiled beltway beauracrat looking for work.
I won’t ask if you heard back from Steele. If you did you probably would use it to wrap dead fish in.
Ken
Great letter Matt! Steele does not represent conservative values and in fact is something of a RINO. Depending on the economy the next election could very well turn on the big government spending issue. If however the economy is doing well the election will hinge on other issues. Excessive government spending was and is the issue of the Tea parties and that should be adopted by the Republican party, but we will have to wait and see. Social conservatives will also have a major voice and the spending issue is important to them also, but other issues will come into play.
great letter- I hope he reads adn circulates it to his staff
@ Trestin, Thank you. I agree that we should go on ideals. No more Rinos. If the leadership has brains in their normally vacant skulls, they’ll give us candidates that we’ll vote for.
@ Ken, I believe that doing so would be an insult to all fish. Thanks!
@ Ron, I agree. I think next weeks elections will be warning shot across the bow of the Party leadership. Hopefully, they get the message.
Great letter! Conservatism is on the rise, not Republicanism. I believe it is what cost us the last election. There were so many conservatives that just could not bring themselves to vote for McCain that it divided us and allowed Obama to gain office. If the Republican party will realize that, and stop letting moderates and rhinos into the GOP then they would most likely see a huge gain in support. I certainly hope that they not only read your letter, but took it to heart.
@ Dennis, Thanks for the comment, and yes, it would be great if they distributed it. Unfortunately they’ll probably laugh it off if they did. They are too out of touch. Next week, however, they’re going to get a wake up call.
@ Truth Detective, I think the days of voting for the lesser of two evils is a thing of the past. That was the problem, really. I think there were many of us that held their nose and voted McCain. There were many others that couldn’t bring themselves to do it and sat at home. Simply put, the Party needs to wake up to what the base is telling them, or they’re done.
Don,
No. I do not prescribe to the “corporations are evil” mentality. Those people are ridiculous. It’s corporatism that I abhor – corporate/government arrangements (economic fascism).
I’m fully aware of the weight the Republican Party has to offer in elections, and I don’t discount it either. I also admit to growing more combative with the Republican Party. Yes, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. But I guess I’ve decided it’s just as important to hold their feet to the fire, as it is to hold the Democrats feet to the fire. And unfortunately, I don’t have any reason to trust them.
Besides, I know markets work! A vote sends signals in the same way a purchase does. For example, “holding your nose” and voting for John McCain to beat Obama may be a worthy cause, but even in losing, it sends the (wrong) signal to the RNC that a Bailout Maverick type of candidate is what the people want! I just want to make sure I send the correct market signals (it’s the only thing that gives your vote a voice).
I’m just one guy, I don’t have all the answers, I can barely tie my own shoes … But I agree its great to be able to talk with other conservatives about these things without falling into the usual knee-jerk partisan arguments and gotchas.
We’re on the same team!