Today the GOP’s Michael Steele is supposedly going to give a big speech on the direction of the party.

Keeping with that theme…I’ve got a few things I’d like Mr Steele (and those who care to read this) to know about me, your average conservative who’s still registered “Republican”, but has given serious thought in the last couple of years to changing party affiliation…

To put it simply – I’m tired of the litmus tests. The numerous “factions” within the party have gotten so backed up into their own corners, I don’t think they see it. But, not to worry, because I’m damn sure going to explain it. I’ll only touch on the two “wings” of the GOP that I think need to hear what I have to say.

[b]The so-called “social conservatives”[/b] – staunch Republicans and faithful to the end. They are an asset to the party, no question about it. But, when they demand that fellow Repubs and candidates adhere exactly, without question, to what [b][i]they[/i][/b] feel are the most important issues of our time (religion, abortion, same-sex marriage, values), they are basically admitting that they want a party of think-alike “bots”. Well – time to wake up kiddies…It’s never been that way, and is never going to be that way. For example, for a fellow Republican to insinuate that I am not “Christian enough” because I didn’t find Mike Huckabee a politically viable candidate for the GOP ticket,…Well, that’s the kind of thing I’m talking about. This crap has to end, or the party will never come together again.

[b]The so-called “moderates”[/b] – They too can be an asset to the party, because (at least every now and then) they find something worthy about conservatism that they like, and they vote for the GOP candidate. But, they lack gumption…backbone…and determination to stick to a solid set of political beliefs. These folks tend to tell the rest of us that we’re too “stiff” – we’re too “rigid” – and that there never seems to be room for a “middle-ground”. They probably have a point, but, here’s the thing….EITHER YOU’RE PRO CORE CONSERVATIVE IDEALS, OR YOU’RE NOT. It’s that simple. One does not advance conservatism, or the GOP, by embracing the ideals and stances of your political opposition, all in the name of getting more members into the party. Lower taxes, less government, more individual freedom…Those have been core political ideals within the party, and to suggest that it’s ok to “waffle” on those things and [i]still[/i] be a conservative Republican…is simply wrong. Make up your minds. Ante up, or cash out.

Most of all – I’m sick of of a few key things that I must now detail:

*Being told that being conservative means you must also behave a certain way, when it comes to religion. The last time I checked, there was this thing called “freedom OF religion” in this country, and it is MY choice as to whether I wear a cross around my neck or not. It is MY choice as to whether I speak 24/7 about my religious beliefs, or not. It is MY choice as to how I use my religious beliefs to gauge potential political candidates…or not. Being politically conservative means alot of things, but I’m tired of being told that being politically conservative comes with a mandatory list of religious methodology that one must follow, if they are to be accepted as “conservative” or “Christian enough” to even be considered “conservative”. To suggest that a person must believe a certain way when it comes to religion, all because they are politically conservative…Isn’t smart. This is where that “individual freedom” comes in. Respect it, or it will eventually become an albatross around your neck.

*Being told that I’m a “jew lover”, and don’t love my own country, because I believe we must maintain our alliance with Israel. The people who say things like this need a swift kick in the ass, as far as I’m concerned. Take a look at the middle east, and name for me all the countries we can call “ally”. And don’t give me the “U.S.S. Liberty”/”Powerful Jew Lobby” BS. There are other countries besides Israel who’ve done as much, or more, and I find it funny we never hear you people standing up and crying about [i]that[/i] when it happens. It’s always all about Israel and the Jews. Get a life…and put down the copy of “Mein Kampf”.

*Being told that I must “give a little” when it comes to core conservative ideals. No, I don’t have to “give a little”!
I don’t find that embracing the political opposition’s ideals or stances does anything to further the conservative movement or cause. It only makes things politically “murky” and indistinguishable. That creates confusion, and we have enough of that already. Pardon me for having a backbone and sticking to those core ideals. I don’t plan on waivering on those things, ever, and if it means that I re-register as “Libertarian” or “Independent”, then so be it. My advice to these folks – educate yourself on what conservatism TRULY is, and go from there. Start fresh, because you’re thinking as been muddied by a liberal media hell-bent on brainwashing you.

In the end,….Individualism seems to have flown out the window within the GOP. They seem not to respect the fact that [b]PEOPLE[/b] are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights….Not [i]“political parties”[/i] are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights”.

My advice to the party as a whole? Decide whether you still believe in the core conservative ideals (lower taxes, less government, more individual freedom).
If you do, make [i]those things[/i] the only litmus test that matters, because in the end, those things that most so-called “moderates” want to be flexible on and the things that most so-called “social conservatives” believe are more important would ALL fall under the “individual freedom” category. In my book, that’s how it should be.

Talismen on May 19, 2009 at 9:49 AM