Restructuring the Republican Party After Defeat: The Goldwater Model, Part 2

by Jerry Ryburg




First and foremost, I want to issue a disclaimer here. This article is not an indictment, nor is it a demonization of the Religious Right(RR). I believe the RR to be an important, if not integral force which should influence the moral fiber of our country. The problem I have is that I feel they have completely weakened the GOP and hurt its reputation through exerting too much influence by requiring various litmus tests for potential candidates—I do not believe I am alone in this view. With that said, we shall continue.

The RR has much inconsistency within itself and there exists much infighting that cannot be crushed. Most evangelicals, Mormons, and Catholics identify with and form the base of the RR. While they unite as the RR on political issues, they condemn each other to hell from their pulpits. This inconsistency is hypocritical and one reason why the GOP has garnered a negative reputation. We have seen GOP leaders and figures that vehemently stand for RR values and condemn those who don’t, fall deficient in their own moral character and judgment. The Ted Haggards, the David Vitters, the Larry Craigs, etc. have made the GOP look like bumbling idiots. As it is often said, “One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” How can the RR trust their issues with GOP leaders who seem to routinely go against their very beliefs? Hypocrisy never is rewarding, and it is the very reason most Americans do not trust government in general today. In this respect, any GOP leader who falls morally short in his or her life is criticized as if they are the pastor of a church or a religious figure. When did the GOP become a religious organization?

Perhaps even more hypocritical are some of the demographics of the 2008 presidential election. According to most studies, 56% of Roman Catholics voted for Barack Obama. That is stunning—and it’s a significant majority. This says that Catholics, despite threats of excommunication, elected a pro-choice candidate—a candidate who represents the far left on abortion rights, and supports legislation which allows for late term abortion and legalized infanticide if the baby survives—an abhorrent and morally reprehensible thought. What happened here? Can we conclude that the abortion issue is not the hot button issue it once was? I think we should assume it is not, and rebuild the conservative legacy by promoting good government policies and individual freedoms, and not faith-based morality issues.

In our rebuilding effort for the GOP, we need to redefine what it means to be conservative, and thoroughly explain why conservatism is the best ideal for our country—religion has nothing to do with it. I have heard over the past few months by various commentators that the GOP has lost its identity. It most certainly has. There are many in this country who subscribe to the following stereotype: The GOP is for the rich, white religious fanatics; The Democratic Party is for everyone else. While this is a sad view, it is continuously promulgated in the mainstream media(MM). Unfortunately, the MM is the sole source of education in this country for most registered voters, and their conclusions are drawn by what the MM promotes. Indeed, it is a sad situation in this country that the MM is the opiate of the masses.

Throughout this debate on faith-based morality and public policy, the Dems have managed to come to the forefront, and paint the GOP as extremist religionists out of touch with the needs of the country. Remember Obama’s comment, “And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.” They have successfully misled the public by promoting themselves to be the true party of liberty, when they are the party which actually promotes such freedom-threatening practices of bigger government, activist judicial appointees, and higher taxes—and now, enter socialism.

A true separation of church and state, which is called for under the constitution, is in dire need today. The RR has infiltrated the GOP through its PACs and special interest groups by attempting to legislate morality, all the while the Dems are walking all over the GOP, getting controversial anti-libertarian policies passed. Though it may be significantly handicapped by the MM, the GOP needs to reeducate the populous on the benefits of conservative values vs. the fallbacks of liberalism.

The ignorance(read lack of understanding) of the American people manifested itself in the 2008 elections. The people elected a president who is an unashamed socialist, and elected a vice-president who claims it is a patriotic thing to pay higher taxes. They elected a Congressman in Pennsylvania who called his own constituents racists, and then corrected himself by saying he meant rednecks, not racists. In Minnesota, we’re still awaiting a recount between comedian Al Franken, a bitter, angry individual who wants to raise the gasoline tax, and incumbent Norm Coleman. What the hell is going on here? Have the American people turned bitter towards their constitutional rights? I doubt it—I simply do not think the GOP has done a good job marketing the benefits of conservatism vs. liberalism to the American electorate.

We can only hope that any new future policies proposed by president-elect Obama will not increase the stranglehold on individual rights in this country. But, now is the time for the GOP. The GOP has only been knocked down, not knocked out. We need a grassroots effort geared towards educating the people on what our Bill of Rights actually stands for. It is the time now for the GOP to stop forgetting their constituents or losing focus of the goal of guaranteeing for all Americans “individual rights, economic freedom, and a government of strictly limited powers,” regardless of race or religion. Government should stay out of the lives of the American people, not creep in through the back door.

And finally, to the RR: Education is the key. Issues such as abortion, gay rights and marriage, etc. should be educated and not legislated. It is up to you to educate your family and friends concerning moral issues. It is your duty to educate your children to make moral decisions in their lives. When you turn to the government to legislate your ideals, it almost seems as if you are admitting your deficiency as a parent, a teacher, or a pastor. Morality is always rewarded, and all other things will fall into place.

Please, let the GOP be the GOP—not the GOD—and all else will fall into place.