As a party official who has been elected by our convention-going grassroots Republicans, no one understands the frustration currently felt by our base as well as I. Many of us could see the mood of the electorate leading up the November elections. As one stalwart leader in the Republican Party, Congressman Jeb Hensarling put it, “…too many Americans came to the conclusion that the Republican Party lost its commitment to limited government, to accountability, to a balanced budget, to less spending. So that is where there is a huge battle. If you look at the polls, and I’ve looked at a number of polls, particularly in swing districts, the Republican brand has been damaged. Fiscal responsibility is one of our core values. Nobody expects the Democrats to be fiscally responsible. But if we’re not fiscally responsible, I don’t know how we ever get back into the majority. (Texas Congressman Hensarling is currently the Chairman of the Republican Study Group.)
The question now is: Where do we go from here? No one is saying the problems faced by our nation are easily solved. There are no quick fixes, but every single proposal should be tested to see whether it complies with the broad principles of our platform. It is also imperative that we re-energize our base. To that end, I propose the following New Years’ Resolutions:
1) I resolve to communicate more frequently with my elected officials.
2) I resolve to submit timely letters to the editor of my local newspaper.
3) I resolve to be an unpaid citizen lobbyist to help counteract the countless paid, professional lobbyists.
4) I resolve to encourage those elected officials who do the right thing.
5) I resolve to contact my precinct chairman and to help organize my precinct.
6) I resolve to meet candidates in person and ask them how they stand on the issues before I vote, and hold them accountable after they are elected.
While many Republicans are discouraged, if we commit to these resolutions, and if we strive to work together as a team, it is possible to influence our elected officials and change the direction of our Republican Party. Please join me in taking back the GOP! Also, please give Congressman Jeb Hensarling a phone call and thank him for his outstanding leadership in Texas and in
Washington, D.C. He can be reached at these numbers: telephone 214-349-9996 and fax 214-349-0738. Here’s to a productive and successful 2007!
