Where Do conservatives Go From Here?

I am rethinking something I said earlier in anger, particularly at the sliming of Sarah Palin. While it is imperative to ward off the more damaging aspects of the radical policies that Senator Obama may wish to impose on us, like redistributing wealth, the “Fairness Doctrine” and senseless gun laws, the housing and mortgage crisis has so damaged the nation’s economy that all Americans have to come together to solve it. It is plunging our nation into a serious recession, and Americans of every political outlook and income situation may suffer. Of course, we Americans have short memories, both institutional and individual, and we will not remember that all the government remedies that President Roosevelt tried in the 1930’s failed. Nevertheless, we should cooperate in whatever attempts are made to jump-start the economy.

One intriguing statistic that emerges from the housing mess is that home prices are now probably where they would have been, if there had been no bubble to burst. A modest 6 % a year inflationary increase in home prices would have put us where we are today. Current owners who need to sell or who are upside down in their mortgages are suffering, but young people entering the market can now find something that they can afford.

Another intriguing set of statistics that conservatives need to take into account is first, the total of votes cast last Tuesday for McCain and Obama was the same (actually even a little less) as those cast in 2004 for Bush and Kerry. We know that Obama brought out a large increase in the African-American vote and that he also brought out an increase in the youth vote, so who stayed home? When you couple that statistic with the results of the exit polls indicating that more than 60% identified themselves as conservatives, the conclusion is inescapable that conservative Americans either stayed home or voted for Obama.

Since McCain was leading in the polls prior to the mortgage meltdown and credit disaster, clearly the economic situation scared lots of people into switching to Obama to effect a change. Also, McCain clearly did not shake the label of being a liberal, and the sliming of Palin worked.

Except for Susan Collins, there are no more liberal Republicans left in the entire Northeast. Rebuilding the party should start with the acceptance of the fact that Republicans who run as liberals or conservatives who run as conservatives and then turn into or pretend to be liberals doom themselves and their party. What we need to do is work to elect true conservatives in the Reagan-Goldwater school so that Republicans will, once again, stand for something.

Finally, I’d like to reproduce a letter to the editor that appeared in one of today’s Florida newspapers:

From Bush's shoulders to Obama's

Published: Sunday, November 9, 2008

To all of those still upset about President Bush's victories in 2000 and 2004, you can finally let it go. I did not support Obama's campaign but, on Jan. 20, he will become my president too.

Unlike the people who have NEVER supported President Bush, I WILL support President Obama when I agree with him. When I disagree, I will burn up the e-mail and telephone lines to my senators and congressmen. That's the way a democracy works.

To have lived with the intense anger and rage I hear people talking about had to have destroyed many hearts and souls. One day, people will look back and realize that this country has been divided by the people in it and not those chosen to lead us.

The problems in this country are not President Bush's alone, but I do thank God that he has big shoulders.

Yes, he could have communicated better. But when so many hate you, what's the sense? He speaks, he gets called a liar.

The members of the Senate and the House have a lot of responsibility for the problems that plague this great country, but they had the option of changing their minds. The leader must stand by his decisions.

We live in the greatest country in the world, no matter the leader! We the people are the power of this great nation.

I have been promised four great years and the love of the world -- quite a lot for one man's shoulders. I will pray for him.

Kimberly Horvath
Myakka City