If one listens to the mainstream media and the liberal wing of the Republican Party it is Limbaugh and Beck. According to these people, Limbaugh and Beck are turning off voters to the Republican Party and driving them en masse to the Democratic Party because of their “inflammatory” and “out of step” rhetoric. The cry is to move to the middle, expunge the party of “right-wing radicals” and become more like the Democratic Party. The shrill coming from this group of progressives is that while the likes of Limbaugh and Beck, and their supporters, are a part of the Republican Party is in deep trouble and cannot win national elections because it is too far to the right.
What the mainstream media and the left wing of the Republican Party either don’t understand or are scared witless about is that commentators like Limbaugh and Beck speak to a large audience of like minded individuals. What is also left out is that neither Limbaugh nor Beck pretend to speak for the party and that there are plenty of times that both hammer the Republican Party for acting like Democrats. Some of those in Limbaugh and Beck’s audiences are Republicans, some are Libertarians, and some are Independents. While there are differences of opinion, these audience members are all in agreement over one thing. They don’t like the direction the country is headed. These are generally intelligent individuals who understand the basics of history and have seen what socialistic policies have done to other countries and don’t want anything to do with them. This group does its best to follow conservative principles and stick as close to the original intent and beliefs of the Founders as they can. Many in this group are the core supporters of the Republican Party. These are the ones who, at times, have to hold their noses and vote for the “moderate” Republican when their candidate of choice has either been beaten in the primaries or they cannot find a true conservative to run for the position. These are the ones who contribute to campaigns. These are the ones who want the Republican Party to stand on its principles rather than compromise them in hopes of some love from the media. These are the ones who will make the difference in the 2010 midterm elections.
On the other side are Olympia Snowe, Lindsey Graham, and other moderate (code for liberal) Republicans. These are the “Republicans” who spend more time hanging out with their Democratic colleagues than they do with their Republican counterparts. They obviously do not subscribe to nor believe in the conservative values and principles that the Republican Party should. These are the career politicians who will do and say anything to get re-elected regardless if that is the desire or in the best interest of their constituents. (Thankfully Arlen Specter did the honorable thing and switched parties.) This is also the group that believes that the Constitution is a living document and can be interpreted according to the current popular whim or twisted in order to justify the latest expansion of the Federal Government. These are the ones who teamed up with the media and ridiculed the average voter and tea party attendee for being out of touch with reality or not smart enough to understand what is going on. These are the ones who ridicule conservative values and hail liberal ones. These are the ones who want to mirror the Republican Party with the Democratic Party. These are the ones who consistently support a larger federal government intrusion into daily life and the economy. These are the ones who believe that Europe is the one on the right path politically, not America. None of this is what the Republican Party was founded on, nor is it what the Founding Fathers had in mind.
What the Republican Party needs is more people who uphold conservative values and view the vision of the Founding Fathers as the answer. It does not need those who believe that the failed policies of European socialism and becoming a clone of the Democratic Party are the answer as its elected representatives. Far too long have Republican voters elected Republican candidates who are truly Republican in name only strictly because they were the lesser of two evils. No longer should this be the choice the stakes are too high. This is what is destroying the party and driving off voters not comments from the likes of Limbaugh and Beck. If Republican leadership doesn’t understand this, maybe it is time to replace them with someone who does.
On a personal level, look at both sides, listen closely to what they say, and see for yourself where the problem lies. If you still believe that Limbaugh and Beck, as well as their supporters, are the problems with the Republican Party maybe they should look in the mirror and honestly ask if you truly believe in the conservative principles that the Republican Party should be upholding such as the original intent and beliefs of the Founding Fathers, minimal government intrusion into personal lives and the economy, and the smallest tax burden possible. If so, welcome and please become part of the solution. If not, then maybe the Democratic Party, and its big government big tax agenda, is better suited for you anyway.
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