Glenn Beck is so right on so many levels. He is not only saying what so many of us feel, but he is doing so with intense courage and credibility. While watching today’s show, he discussed an issue that has been touching on my last nerve for a while now. Like many of you, I no longer identify myself as a Republican, but as a proud Conservative. The presidential election of 2008 changed any of the once-held perceptions I held regarding the so-called “Grand Old Party.” Prior to the election, I used to vote for Republicans whenever I had the chance, thinking this party had my best intentions at heart. While many members of this party, including Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Jim DeMint, John Boehner, Mike Pence, Marsha Blackburn and others DO fight the good fight and stick to the values of conservatism, many other Republicans have lost their way. Instead of going to Washington D.C. to make it better, Washington ends up changing them; in fact, the latest Rasmussen poll shows 73% of people say the GOP has lost touch with its Republican base.
Far too often, elected officials become overwhelmed and tainted by the power and prestige that comes with holding an elected office. While the majority go to Washington with sincere, just intentions, along the way they seem to forget the job they were sent there to do. In the shuffle, they forget about you and they forget about me, which is a huge mistake given that WE are the ones who elected them in the first place. I am sick and tired of the Washington establishment acting like they care about me, when it is clearly apparent they don’t. They say one thing, yet do another. They say they are for tax cuts, but they raise our taxes. They say they are for limited government, but they help it to grow. They say they are for fiscal responsibility, but they continue to spend. They say they are in favor of energy independence, but vote against drilling for oil. They say they are against stimulus packages and bailouts, but they vote for in favor of them. You get the idea? I could go on and on.
The point I am making is that these individuals talk a good talk, but they don’t follow through and walk the good walk. This is what I admire so much about Sarah Palin. As I have written about before, what you see with Sarah is what you get. She is not afraid to actually follow through on her promises. This is so refreshing to see. It is almost as if the majority of those in Washington are in a bubble and we, the voters and their constituents, are on the outside of the bubble looking in. Within this bubble, they see the dollar signs and payouts and the lobbyists and, in turn, make their decisions solely upon issues that interest them best. There is so much that is wrong with this picture. While Sarah represents what is right, so many in her very own party have turned on her, which is just one of the many reasons our party is split. While I expected that the Democratic Party would attack Sarah on policy, I NEVER in my wildest dreams ever thought members from the party to which she belongs would turn on her as well. Remember when I told you that I don’t consider myself a Republican anymore? This is one of the prominent reasons for this.
I see the GOP as an unknown entity right now. My reasoning for this is because there are so many republicans out there who are trying to changed and tweak everything the Republican Party is based upon. I’d hate to break it to the John McCain’s or Lindsey Grahams of the Republican Party, but the Republican Party was founded on conservatism. The Republican Party I know is the party of Ronald Reagan. A party based upon limited government, fiscal responsibility, tax cuts and a strong military. Like Glenn Beck eluded to, there is another option for those who do not agree with these values and this party’s mascot is a donkey. Recently, Lindsey Graham said that in order to keep up with the times, it was crucial that the Republican Party become a “center-right party.” Now, I don’t know about you, but if Graham and others who agree with him want a center-right party, then, they should change that “R” after their names to a “D.” I am sick and tired of the Olympia Snowes and Susan Collins’. In calling themselves Republicans, they are basically lying to Americans. The Republican Party does not need any more RINOS (Republicans in Name Only).
Now, I know some of you out there might see my criticism as harsh, but I am sick and tired of the Republican Party members of both houses of Congress who have lost their way. If you need any example of the problems that come with turning into a “center-right party,” you don’t have to look any further than to the 2008 Presidential Election. The Republican Party had its most liberal candidate in history, and what happened? WE LOST. That’s right, we lost. What does this tell you? It should tell you that the more to the center the Republican Party has become, the more narrow the distinction between the Republican and Democratic parties. With John McCain, the media had the perfect candidate. The media wanted John McCain to be the Republican Party’s nominee because he’s as center-right as they come. Remember who he said was his favorite president? Teddy Roosevelt, who was a big Progressive- that tells you a lot right there. As a center-right candidate, McCain frolicked along and pretty much went whatever direction the wind blew. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather have John McCain as president because not only was the lesser of the two liberals, but we would have had Sarah as our Vice President- Sarah, who is a true Conservative Republican.
When the Republican Party drifted away from its founding principles, so did its popularity, and we see the result we are left with. The Republican Party no longer has the control of either houses of Congress, but this is beginning to change as we see more and more candidates who are running for the right reasons and sticking to the values of conservatism. A recent poll found that more individuals consider themselves conservative than liberal. This is a positive step in the right direction for conservatism as a whole. One issue that remains has to do with the fact that while we have new conservative candidates coming to the forefront, will they be able to beat the incumbent in their districts? This is why it is so important that one votes upon principle, not party.
One of the things I really admire about Sarah is that she thinks outside of the box. The reason is because she is going to support the candidate who best represents her values regardless of party. As I write this, I have just been informed via a note on Sarah’s Facebook page, in which she is throwing her support behind a candidate in the New York 23rd District Race. Sarah is choosing values and issues over party in supporting Doug Hoffman a third-party candidate from the Conservative Party. Way to go, Sarah! You are a leader, and you do walk the walk.
The Republican Party’s candidate, if you can even call her that, is Dede Scozzafava. On paper, Scozzafava looks more like a liberal Democrat, than a Republican, which is the contributing factor for her being behind Hoffman in the polls. This is a great example of how powerful the conservative movement is. I read today that many of the individuals who are volunteering for Hoffman’s campaign have never volunteered for a campaign in their lives. For the first time, they feel passionate about the values Hoffman speaks of and sincerely value the importance of conservatism. Like Sarah has so eloquently said in the past, issues matter, and New York’s 23rd District Race is proof of this. Unlike Newt Gingrich, who supported the RINO Scozzafava, Sarah is taking a stand and doing the right thing in speaking out that conservatism matters over party.
Perhaps this is even more prevalent today with the Obama Administration. If the N.Y. 23rd District Race is any indication, the seats congressional members hold may not stay warm for long, that is, if our elected officials don’t hold true to the values and platform that helped them get elected. Voters are standing up and speaking out, and they are DEFINITELY tired of the politics as usual. While President Obama repeatedly spoke of bringing people together, he has done nothing of the sort. I’m tired of the hype and pain. It’s time to rise up and let our voices be heard in the form of electing leaders who stand for conservatism, for we are the party of Ronald Reagan- the party of freedom and liberty. Below is Sarah's most recent Facebook Note regarding the New York 23rd District Race:
Support Doug Hoffman
Today at 5:28pm
The people of the 23rd Congressional District of New York are ready to shake things up, and Doug Hoffman is coming on strong as Election Day approaches! He needs our help now.
The votes of every member of Congress affect every American, so it's important for all of us to pay attention to this important Congressional campaign in upstate New York. I am very pleased to announce my support for Doug Hoffman in his fight to be the next Representative from New York's 23rd Congressional district. It's my honor to endorse Doug and to do what I can to help him win, including having my political action committee, SarahPAC, donate to his campaign the maximum contribution allowed by law.
Our nation is at a crossroads, and this is once again a "time for choosing."
The federal government borrows, spends, and prints too much money, while our national debt hits a record high. Government is growing while the private sector is shrinking, and unemployment is on the rise. Doug Hoffman is committed to ending the reckless spending in Washington, D.C. and the massive increase in the size and scope of the federal government. He is also fully committed to supporting our men and women in uniform as they seek to honorably complete their missions overseas.
And best of all, Doug Hoffman has not been anointed by any political machine.
Doug Hoffman stands for the principles that all Republicans should share: smaller government, lower taxes, strong national defense, and a commitment to individual liberty.
Political parties must stand for something. When Republicans were in the wilderness in the late 1970s, Ronald Reagan knew that the doctrine of "blurring the lines" between parties was not an appropriate way to win elections. Unfortunately, the Republican Party today has decided to choose a candidate who more than blurs the lines, and there is no real difference between the Democrat and the Republican in this race. This is why Doug Hoffman is running on the Conservative Party's ticket.
Republicans and conservatives around the country are sending an important message to the Republican establishment in their outstanding grassroots support for Doug Hoffman: no more politics as usual.
You can help Doug by visiting his official website below and joining me in supporting his campaign:
http://www.doughoffmanforcongress.com/donate3.html.
- Sarah Palin
(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://www.conservativegirlwithavoice.com. I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)
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