- Clear, decisive ideological lines have been drawn across the American political landscape since the election of President Obama. Something about our current President has caused more public dissent and agitation than any election I can recall.
- At first these lines in the sand knit themselves together with the organic yarn of concerned neighbors holding small rallies. Those modest but critical early efforts were the precursor to the now famous and very influential Tea Party movement.Numbers grew. There were town hall meetings repeated across the country which pitted concerned voters against their elected officials who lost their way in a manner reminiscent of an earlier, simpler time, and with just as much passion.
- Still, against overwhelming opposition by the American people, health care reform was forced through, as was the government’s full and complete takeover of student loans, with much more damage on the way.These events follow the takeover of automotive companies, the banking industry and now, while government employees suffer from a 4% unemployment rate, the country is suffering a 17% unemployment rate.
The polls consistently and without exception show a level of anger among the electorate I have not previously witnessed. With respect to health care reform, even Bill and Hillary Clinton dropped the matter entirely and moved toward the political center when public opinion unequivocally showed that the American people did not want such legislation. During that time, the publics distaste for national health care was but a shadow of what it is today.
But that was over a decade ago. This current administration, operating on the simple and completely incorrect notion that well-educated acadmics know better than the average, unwashed citizen and, moreover, that this group of elite liberals must drag the unwashed masses kicking and screaming into the 21st century where government goes from being large to omnipotent, where the sheer force of a liberal agenda, finding itself in a brief pocket of time where they control the House, Senate and administration, can muscle through laws and mandates that, even on a cellular level, are antithetical to what has made this nation so great.
So what’s next for Conservatives? I am so impressed and full of pride at the work my fellow Patriots have done over the past year, and I want to suggest a few bullet points regarding where we need to go next.
1. Conservatives need to make the effort to read, listen to and support their fellow Patriots who are producing quality blog posts, internet radio broadcasts, etc. If you have a website or blog, you need to link to like-minded blogs and weave the stitch tighter. In short, support those among us who are trying to make a difference. Avail yourself of modern technology. Do your part and support those who are doing theirs.
2. Use Twitter to share important news of the day. Use Twitter to share links to the colums written by your fellow Tweeps and Patriots. We must knit ourselves together, get to know one another better, and put the larger purpose above any single, personal goal.
3. We must win over, as much as possible, the opposing side. I was once a liberal, and thanks to people like you I was converted and have become a player in this fight to keep America’s core values in tact. So it can and must be done. Reach out to those who offer diametrically opposed viewpoints. Use a little humor and finesse. Preaching to the converted means you end up with the same number of intellectual soiders as when you began.
4. Every Patriot should be emailing and calling their local representatives weekly. Make it routine. Place it high on your priority list. A constant onslaught of feedback from Conservatives to their representatives can go a long way.
5. Read the Bill of Rights, The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”. Know your argument better than your opposition knows theirs. Fight with facts, not insults. We all know that their prescription for change ends in bankruptcy and a failed nation. But if you do your reading you’ll be that much more convincing.
The current administration is on a spurious and anti-free-market End-Run, gearing up to pass as much partisan, socialistic legislation possible before the mid-term elections shift the political balance once again, preventing the further arrogant use of arcane legislative loop-holes. By knitting ourselves together tightly, interacting with each other beyond what we have done, supporting our fellow Patriots and their media efforts (blogs, websites, Internet radio programming), we will have a tremendous impact.
What can You do? Subscribe, listen, write to those websites that are doing the heavy lifting. Keep in mind we are still a center-right country, and know that by building friendships, reaching out to the unconverted and staying on message will go a very long way to positioning ourselves for November.
Keep the faith.
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Love the article. I have posted a link-article titled 'Fed Up Patriots, Here is Your Playbook' on Rational Discourse. Keep up the great work!!!
Sometimes I feel like I'm in this alone. Yes, I go with groups to DC, Tea Parties, Tweet, Make phone calls, but even when I'm in public I talk to people in line at the grocery, YMCA, school (I'm an old student) educate them with what is going on. So many people want to keep their heads in the sand. Don't mess with their routine! This needs to be a daily commitment from all of us to spread the word!
You R not alone Melinda. In fact, U R part of the majority in this country of center-right focused voters. All that work that U do, that U mentioned, was not for nothing. It matters. U matter. Often, with a liberal media hell-bent on supporting the current intern we have as President, reports on everything but that which is most important. Imagine if Bush were President and a massive, organic groundswell of voter organized against him. The media would embrace him. Wake up and realize that being part of the the Rebel Force isn't easy. We so appreciate your efforts. Do not lose your fire.
Scot
Thanks Scot…I needed that!
To your excellent suggestions I would add securing a FaceBook presence as well and linking to unite there too!
I understand your frustration because Ive been there, more than once. But my wonderful hubby always tells me that even though I feel discouraged I cannot give up because what good would that do? It would only make me feel worse. As hard as it is, keep plugging on and do not lose your values. Giving in to frustration would make you no better than a koolaide drinker. Your very nature as a conservative means you hold to your values no matter how much the other side beats you up. Take a break from it if you must, but square up those shoulders soldier and prepare to face the opposition with pride in your beliefs.
Excellent blog post btw
Tony,
Thank you for the kind words you shared with Melinda. Excellent! And I agree with you that our efforts are not in vain, that our mission is clear and just and though we may lose some battles along the way, this country will indeed win the ideological war and once again be the shining city on the hill.
Thank you for taking time to view our site and please keep writing.
God Bless.
Scot
Excellent point. You are correct. Facebook, and indeed all social networking sites, are a fantastic medium for sharing conservative ideas, making new friends, and ultimately knitting our line in the proverbial sand tighter. Bad metaphor, but you know what i mean.
Scot
Thank you. If you ever feel like talking about being a contributor, feel free to write to me.
Scot
Melinda, do not despair all of your efforts are tied to the millions out there feeling the same way you are. And our cause for restoring glory back to this country will not go down as a failed opportunity.
Like tcot, teaparty, RNC and most "conservative" advocates – this post misses THE most critical action that everyone must take. Actions actually.
1. Register like minded voters – young, old, and in between
2. Vote and ensure that your like minded friends are registered and actually vote – not just in national elections but in state and local elections as well (further, conservatives should be entering races)
3. Rather than cursing Democrats and Leftists, use rationale and fact to educate them on our Constitution and what has made America great, and how the current direction will stifle that – it won't take a lot particularly if you use the Socratic method and let them come to their own conclusion using their own answers to key questions. Congress doesn't have a near single digit approval (or lack of) rating because only one party is unhappy – the entire country is unhappy. Many will recognize this problem.
All the other stuff is useful but will be futile if there is not a massive voter registration drive simply to counter the non-stop registration and fraud that has not stopped since Obama's election. Yes, Dems are STILL registering new voters daily and their outreach far surpasses anything any conservative group puts forward.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply Charles!
Scot
Excellent stuff. I can not describe how much your blog has helped me in my academic research about them. I am now likely to get top marks for sure. Thanks a thousand. I owe you one.