Open Court Topic #7: A Facelift For The GOP? (Submitted By Steven Forbis)
By Corey Thompson, filed in Open Court, Steven Forbis on Apr.28, 2009
***(Editor’s Note: In an effort to promote more dialogue among our readers, “The Thirsty Quill” will run a special series entitled “Open Court” each week. Typically these questions/prompts will run in conjunction with a controversial issue or ‘hot topic,’ while others may be entirely random and cover a more obscure subject altogether. Regardless, the aim of these questions/prompts will be to encourage more debate, dialogue, and discussion among readers of ‘The Quill.’)***
April 28th, 2009 on 6:30 pm
I’m not sure that trying to become more ‘mainstream’ is the solution. From what I heard from several people, John McCain lost a lot of support because his stances were so much more ‘liberal’ than the Republican base, but gained HUGE support when he brought in a staunch conservative running mate. The most fitting comment I’ve heard from the 2008 election was, “It’s like the Republican Party isn’t for small government anymore. It’s for ’smaller than the Democrats’ government.” Quite honestly, and this is just my personal opinion, I think that the Republican Party will get the voice that it’s looking for by going back to a Republican way of thinking, rather than going any further to the ‘liberal’ side than it already has. Ronald Reagan won in two landslides…by being conservative.
Very, very interesting post! I’m looking forward to seeing what other views are posted here!
April 28th, 2009 on 11:29 pm
I think the face lift has already begun. Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele, the Hot Busty Babes broadcasting from bars and Casinos on Fox News…..
Frost said: “Life goes on”, and that is where I think we are. Many people, including myself, promote freedom, personal liberty, lack of intrusion from government ect.
Speaking solely for myself I can safely say that I would never vote for any party that paints with steam rollers instead of craftsman’s .25 brush when a .25 brush is required (forgive me conservatives, to clarify; when Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Michael Savage grossly generalize welfare recipients, as well as the benefits one group of people deserve vs. the benefits another people deserve depending on their sexual preference, I just kind of fade out like I would had I ever heard Hitler broadcast his ideas (Just not my cup of tea)
I have had many head buttings with Corey (Quill Producer) over these pet issues and what I think it comes down to is we (he and I) only differ in who we defend. The end is the same but the talking heads that he defends and those who I end up defending are different. Its almost like UNC vs. Duke (Nothing anyone says to me is going to convince me that Danny Ferry was a good Shooting guard) but I digress.
To keep it on topic: Does the Republican Party need a facelift? Yes. I think that current events dictate they are going to get one, whether they like it or they don’t.
I could never align with a side that easily fades from responsibility to bigotry, from pay as you go to discrimination, and from saving lives to hate. Not going to happen.
I am a Christian who has voted Democrat over the last few years because the Democratic Party embodies more of the Christ like qualities to me then the Republican Party.
April 29th, 2009 on 5:18 am
Amen! I don’t want the GOP to be “liberal lite”. We need our candidates to stand by the conservative principles that have always served us well.
Conservative Principles, okay, let’s review:
1. Our Liberty is from God, not the Government;
2. Our Sovereignty is in our Souls, not the Soil;
3. Our Security is through Strength, not Surrender;
4. Our Prosperity is through the Private sector, not the Public sector;
5. Our truths are Self-evident, not relative.
April 30th, 2009 on 9:51 pm
“”Should the GOP keep its economic stance, but turn more liberal in regard to social views? Should the party try to distance itself from the Christian church?”"
Yes, and Yes.
Economically speaking most (liberal and conservative) people would like to see less taxes, and better fiscal management, which is something the republican party has traditionally been known for. Not only do they need to improve their image of this (perhaps remake it if you ask me) they should make it a focus of their campaign platforms.
As far as social values go, given the political reality that is out there (the nation tends to be leaning more to the left than the right) you have to play the cards you are dealt. If the republicans want to regain control of congress they are going to have to give up or at least loosen up on issues they have traditionally tacked to the far right with (eg. abortion, gay marriage etc. etc.).
I am not even making a case for what should be done on these issues, I am merely saying that because politics tends to be shades of grey more than black and white, perhaps the party should start to realize this, and perhaps loosen off of much of the black and white rhetoric that has dominated the party in the past (when pertaining to social issues).
Lastly, should the party try to distance itself from the church? Leaving personal faith matters out of this, politically speaking…yes yes yes a thousand times.
You aren’t going to win elections when you are backed by a religious force (regardless of what particular religion this is concerning) that is unwavering on many moral issues. Once again, not that I am in disagreement with said issues, but the sweet spot of politics is the center, it always has been. And in order to cater to the center, or the “silent majority,” republicans are going to have to stop being overtly adamant about keeping 100% (or as near as possible) in line with Christian ideology and morality.
Let’s face it, this is a free country, and if we are truly unbiased citizens, we should strive for politics to be a matter of democracy rather than faith. It’s time the republicans woke up and realized this.