A troubling dynamic is emerging within the conservative ranks. Some of the loudest voices are pointing a finger of blame at the Republican Party as part of the problem. The rhetoric includes the labeling of moderate elected Republicans as “progressives”, calling the party’s actions “Democrat light” and condemning Republicans for big government solutions. This strikes me as curious. Who and what exactly is this “Republican Party” and who is to blame for them becoming part of the problem? In my mind the answer is clear, as we are in fact the Republican Party we have no one but ourselves to blame for the party not living up to its own/our principles.
The truth is that many of us who are now alarmed and outraged by the Progressives’ power grabs were previously too pre-occupied with our own lives and responsibilities to care about “Washington nonsense”. We are after all conservatives; we don’t look to Washington or the government for answers, assistance, or solutions. It is only natural that our attention was focused elsewhere when the Left was building their base and coalitions to launch their attack on liberty. The election of Obama and his ensuing radical agenda is the Conservative Pearl Harbor. We have been rudely wakened from our political slumber; our backs are against the wall and we are now reacting.
The question before us now is how best to defeat the Left’s energized and aggressive assault on the American way of life. Part of this ongoing discussion is the blame game, how did this happen and who is at fault? While it is true that the Republican Party has been part of the problem and is guilty of many sins it is also true that our own decision to not involve ourselves effectively and demand better was a factor. Had we been as energized and organized as we are now our elected Republican officials wouldn’t have dared to bring home the giant cardboard checks, they wouldn’t have voted for debt expansions and created new entitlements. The truth is they did this and more because the voices encouraging this behavior were louder than our own.
That was then, this is now. Clearly we have gotten their attention, now we must work to maintain it. By continuing to build Conservative organizations and mobilize Conservative voters we can refocus their attention to our conservative goals. This is the surest way forward to victory over the agenda of the Left.
Understanding our past errors is important but I caution us to question those who continue to point fingers, both their tactics and their motives. What is it they are really trying to accomplish?
Scott Armstrong