Rebuilding The Party

For those of us that have been Republicans our entire life, last night was yet another conformation to what many of us have known for a very long time. The party has not only lost some of it’s momentum, but more importantly, it has lost touch with the average American. The party has forgotten that the party as well as the country, was built by average people living average lives and have higher than average expectations of it’s party leaders and ultimately of those we wish to represent the party at the highest levels of government.

We no longer buy the theory that tax breaks for the wealthy stimulate business. Business was started by and continues to thrive because of the small to medium business owners. Major corporations don’t pay the majority of the taxes; we do. Major corporations don’t worry about putting their kids through college; we do. And the most wealthy of Americans not only have no idea of what the average person goes through each day just to make a living, they are too busy planning their next party, overseas trip or what ridiculously expensive nick nack to try to outdo their equally ridiculously wealthy neighbor.

They are understandably in a class of their own, and they need to stay there; but not on the backs of the average Republican.

The party needs to realize that the days of our candidate getting elected by the white American male segment of the population have long since passed. The future isn’t just approaching, it’s here and has been here for some time now. The party needs to embrace all of those that are “different” rather than sit back and ridicule them. The party needs to realize that this great melting pot of the world is just that and we need to invite each and every one of those people to join our party … but let’s not forget that we need to listen to their expectations and rather than tell them to embrace ours, we must be prepared to embrace theirs.

Most of all, we cannot insist that the world march to our little tune. As the country grows more and more diversified, our leaders must find ways to negotiate and compromise. We understand that despite our strong opinions, we cannot afford to shut the country down just because we don’t get everything our way. That “take our ball and go home” attitude is nothing more than destructive and holding our breath until we turn blue will not only make us look foolish, we will suffocate on our own stubborn pride.

We need leaders and political candidates that are far less elite and are able to connect with the common man and woman. Put away the wing tips and $2,000 suites and get us some folks that are comfortable in nice jeans and a sports coat. Put away the martini’s and let’s just have a cold beer over interesting conversation.

And lastly, let’s not forget the philosophy that reminds us that the mind is just like a parachute; it works best when it’s open.