Column:
The future of the GOP
Published Aug. 31, 2010
I often refer to myself as a “Ron Paul Republican,” simply because Ron Paul seems to embody most of my political beliefs.
Cutting taxes and government spending, establishing a national defense rather than a national offense, respecting individual rights to bodily autonomy and many other principles originally attracted me to the outspoken Republican representative from Texas. Paul’s influence, however, holds much greater implications for the future of the Republican Party.
Following vast GOP losses in the 2006 and 2008 elections, the party seemed to face a sort of identity crisis. Should we move to the middle, as Arizona Sen. John McCain so famously claimed to do? Should we run to the right, in imitation of the Reagan Revolution of the 1980s?
It seems to me that the solution is not to run simply to the right or the left, but to go in an entirely different direction.
Generally speaking, both the left and the right are guilty of some level of hypocrisy. Conservatives, who often lament over expanded government spending and new federal programs, are content to spend billions (or even trillions) expanding federal programs overseas through wars, nation building and increasing foreign aid to politically favorable countries, all while encroaching on individual liberties through legislation like the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, the PATRIOT Act and countless others.
Liberals tout their support for civil liberties yet constantly seek ways to increase government control in every individual decision, from healthcare to education and even down to organic food choices, all while increasing taxes and business regulations, thereby stripping individuals of their economic freedom.
The “new Republican” must see the inherent hypocrisy in both the left and the right, and reject it. If Republicans are to be against expanding federal programs domestically, they should also oppose expanding them abroad.
If Republicans respect individual liberties, privacy and property rights as they claim they do, they should also seek to lessen government involvement in personal matters such as marriage. Freedom cannot come piece by piece. It is a single concept and must be defended at all times. Young people recognize this, and the GOP is following suit.
If the GOP hopes to move forward, it must take a note from Paul, whose popularity among young voters has earned him notoriety within Republican circles. Paul was only the first in a new series of Republicans who defend freedom from all sides.
Kentucky Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, and Connecticut Republican Senate candidate Peter Schiff (among other libertarian-leaning candidates) have all come to the surface as a new, exciting face for the GOP.
Many younger Republicans, fed up with the dead arguments of their neo-conservative predecessors, can find a bright and energizing future within the pro-liberty movement while sticking to their Republican roots.
A truly free society is possible, and the “new Republicans” are in line to make it happen.
Comments (3)
9:21 p.m., Aug. 31, 2010
57girl said:
Ron Paul has been trying to warn us of the evils of the Federal Reserve for over 20 years and has remained consistent in his views for that entire time. I am glad to see people are finally listening, not only to his ideas on our economy, but in following the basics of the Constitution as well. I just pray that the people will be smart enough in November to recognize the real Patriots running for office and place them on the Hill. Maybe we can reverse some of the damage done by the Obama (Bush, Clinton,etc.) Administrations by abolishing the Patriot Act and such. If Ron Paul had been elected President in 2008, I suspect our Nation would be on its way to healing by now. We are bright people, give us our freedom and quit taxing us to death and we will get our ambition back. Of course, NAFTA needs to go, and we should secede from the UN, CRF, and Tri-Lateral Commissions, but one step at a time. We need Patriots will morals on the Hill ... for the REAL change America needs. We need to revert back to our Sovereign identity as outlined in our Constitution.
8:37 a.m., Sept. 1, 2010
Robin B. said:
Thank you for writing such an insightful article. Not sure which school this newspaper represents but it's refreshing to see Ron Paul continues his positive influence on America's youth. You might want to also consider joining and promoting Dr. Paul's 'liberty' organizations: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/ and http://www.yaliberty.org/ We've been supporting Ron since his run for President in 1988 as the Libertarian candidate. He's an amazing man, considering all the resistance and ridicule he's had to endure all these years. Fantastic, that he's finally been able to break through, there really is hope for this country after all!
11:23 a.m., Aug. 31, 2010
charles walker said:
just give Ron Paul one day in office as president!