It appears the GOP's sold out base in quest for independent voters
Sunday, February 10, 2008
I am not a Republican. I am a conservative.
Yes, Scarlet, even an over-the-top, uppity, defiant MotorCity MadMan guitar wrangler can be a real conservative. Get used to it.
Claiming to be a Republican signifies allegiance to a political party.
Being a conservative denotes a commitment to a self-evident, truth-based philosophy and disciplined lifestyle.
A conservative believes in and fights for limited government and individual rights to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In today's big-government juggernaut, it is truly progressive to be a conservative.
Conservatives are independent, rugged individuals who believe the "American Dream" is achieved through hard work, sacrifice and an unrelenting commitment to excellence.
We detest able-bodied bloodsuckers who live off the sweat equity of others by refusing to be equal to those who try harder.
The base of the Republican Party used to be composed of staunch conservatives who championed limited government. Though the Republican tent was large and accommodating, there was no room for people who did not, at a minimum, subscribe to limited government and lower, dare I say, fairer taxes.
In a quest to achieve political victories, the Republican Party seemingly has abandoned its conservative base in search of independent voters. Conservatives have quietly been marginalized by the Republican Party. Yet the Republican Party believes conservatives will rally around the Republican Party at the ballot box because conservatives have no other place to go — a mistaken assumption.
I speak to conservatives on a daily basis who are discouraged at the direction the country has taken under Republican control. These disgusted conservatives all sing the same heart-breaking blues song: "The Republican Party has squandered too many opportunities to promote conservative values."
American characteristics
America has a great government, but America did not become great because of its government. Increased government involvement and programs do not lead to more independence, freedom or opportunity. They result in fewer of these uniquely American characteristics.
Conservatives do not despise government but believe government has poured over its banks and flooded into all areas of our lives, businesses and social structures to the extent that we are drowning in government red tape.
Conservatives believe less government is best government. We have witnessed over the past 40 years how government intervention and social experiments to the tune of trillions of tax dollars have literally destroyed lives and entire communities.
Surely no one wants to drink from that poisoned well again. Government-controlled or mandated health care, anyone?
The political buzzword of the presidential primary is "change." Wouldn't it be enlightening and refreshing to hear the Republican candidates talk about conservative change?
How about a question to the candidates on what federal government programs and agencies could and should be eliminated?
How about a question on how they would reduce the overall size of the federal government by 25 percent during their presidency?
How about a question to the candidates about what they will do to expand individual freedom and liberty?
How about a question asking each of the candidates if he would define himself as a conservative or a Republican?
Liberals detest conservative values. Liberals believe more government is the answer to all our problems. When illogical liberal ideas fail as they do time and time again, liberals then champion even larger government programs.
Liberals are socialists — bloodsuckers looking for a free handout. "Never trust a liberal" is my mantra.
I am a conservative because the conservative philosophy drives people to be self-reliant, independent and hungry to achieve their "American Dream," whatever it may be, by being the best that they can be. That's the America I know and the America I want my great-grandchildren to know.
Ted Nugent is a Waco-based musician and television show host. Contact Ted at tednugent.com.
