Sam Weaver
An open letter to the leadership of the Republican Party
By Sam Weaver
I hear their voices loudly and clearly. I hear them at the manufacturing facility where I am employed. I hear them at church. I've heard them at the bank, at the post office and at Wal-Mart. I've heard them in countless letters-to-the-editor of my local newspaper. I've heard their voices on Internet forums and billboards, and on radio call-in programs. I hear their voices whenever I gather with family and friends. (Many, if not perhaps even most, of my family and friends do not consider themselves to be conservative Republicans. Most perceive themselves to be moderate, independent thinkers.)
Exactly who are these people and what are they saying? Your comprehension of the answers to these questions is vital to the very survival of the Republican Party. The simple fact that little old me feels the urgent need to declare these answers to you — bolstered by the results of the November 7th elections — is evidence that the Republican Party is in deep trouble.
Who are they?
The voices I'm hearing are those of whom my grandfather referred to as "red-blooded Americans." My grandfather passed away more than two decades ago — before the concept of "political correctness" even began to approach any degree of dominance in American culture. To him, a red-blooded American was anyone born in the USA who works hard for his family, who places both God and country on an ultimately higher level than himself, and who never takes for granted the principles and ideas that have made America great.
These people were in my grandfather's time — and remain today — the grassroots; the "silent majority." They are the men and women of the heartland who raise decent, God-fearing children and who make America productive and great. They are not always eloquent. Far too often, they would rather just keep their mouths shut than to "raise a stink." Far too often, they are way too busy (thanks in part to the heavy tax burden they are forced to endure) trying to raise their children right to have any time to give you a piece of their mind.
I hear them. I hear them every single day. If you love America, and if you want your party to survive, then you had best find a way to listen to them! They are the essence of America. They are clinging — despite all odds — to the fundamental American principles and ideas embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution; principles and ideas such as individual rights derived from a Sovereign Creator, and limited government with enumerated powers. They are the moral, educated and informed — the backbone of American liberty.
What are they saying?
Had you listened closely all throughout the last election cycle, the November elections would probably have been at least slightly different. I am absolutely convinced that the mid-term election results would have been much different had you both listened early and acted early.
The voices of the grassroots — the moral, educated and informed — were echoing the sage and sound advice of the great Lady Margaret Thatcher. Why — How! — could you not have heard those millions of small, but resolute voices screaming, " Don't go wobbly on us!?"
Yet you went wobbly on us. You went wobbly on both constitutional and ethical principle. You allowed growth in the power and scope of the federal government, you failed to do your sworn duty to protect and defend the borders of the United States of America, and you spent the people's money like crazed Democrats. Many of your members were caught up in scandal.
You went wobbly on us on immigration. Why are you not adamantly enforcing laws that are already on the books? Why have you not demanded respect for both America's sovereignty and the rule of law? Why have you refused to do your Constitutional duty to protect and defend the borders of the United States?
You went wobbly in Iraq. Why isn't Muqtada al-Sadr either dead or in prison? Why have you not done everything necessary to quell the sectarian violence in the Sunni Triangle? (By everything, I do not just mean everything militarily.)
This list could get exceedingly long, but adding to it would do no good unless you get my point. What does it mean to "go wobbly"? Millions of Americans know precisely what Lady Thatcher meant when she uttered that now famous warning to "Bush 41." Why can you not grasp the meaning, the wisdom and the vital importance of that sage and sound advice?
You go wobbly whenever you put political power or political expediency above the original principles, ideas and values embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution — principles, ideas and values, I must add, that come directly from the Holy Bible; the Word and the Will of man's Creator and Author of Law. You go wobbly when you place your own will, or the will of powerful special interests above those principles, ideas and values — not to mention, the Ultimate Source of those principles, ideas and values! You go wobbly when you foolishly emphasize the "need" to garner "perceived" or "potential" votes while taking for granted the votes of the grassroots. You go wobbly whenever you cower to consensus and fail to lead on principle!
A significant number of the grassroots (Remember, many of these do not consider themselves Republicans, or even conservatives!), believing — quite correctly in many cases — that "Republicans deserve to lose," chose to sit out last November's elections. At first, I profoundly believed that these folks were foolishly and dangerously disregarding the flip-side of this philosophy — that modern liberals absolutely do not deserve to win! The more I listened to them, however, the more I noticed a method to their "madness."
Many of those who decided to forgo the mid-term elections sincerely believe that four, six, eight or more years of liberal dominance and the consequences thereof might just be the best thing for America. No pain, no gain. A period of liberal Democrat hegemony just might wake up the American people to the failure of the modern liberal (i.e., secular/ relativist/collectivist) world view.
Many of these great folks had been loyal Republican voters since at least 1984. Not anymore. They see virtually no difference between a Republican Party that is all too willing to compromise its principles and a Democrat Party that has had no principles since the early-mid 1960's. A large number of them are joining forces with third party activists to replace the "failed" Republican Party with a new Conservative Party.
Republican Party leaders, please consider how razor-thin most of the losses were in the last November mid-term elections. Do not listen to the pundits in the media for "explanations" of those losses! Do not misinterpret November 7th !
You lost the mid-term elections because the grassroots lost faith in your ability to lead on principle — and rightly so! Bowing to "conventional wisdom" and cowering to consensus, you forsook the rock-solid principles and ideas upon which America was founded and largely alienated the moral, educated and informed grassroots Americans who have voted Republican (i.e., conservative) ever since Ronald Reagan showed the world exactly what it meant to be a genuine Republican (conservative). Shame on you!!
It will be a daunting challenge now for you to win back the trust of those moral, educated and informed voters who have lost faith in you. If you consider yourself to be a leader in the Republican Party, then lead! Do not lead by consensus, lead by and upon principle! Be a shining light of Truth. Lead by example. Do not be a dark, confused, wishy-washy moderate. (Most "moderates," according to my personal observations, respond very favorably to principled and rock-steady leadership!) Never support or endorse candidates who have weak or questionable views on any of the moral, ethical, fiscal or cultural principles/ideas upon which the United States of America was founded. Always support and endorse candidates who are known to be moral, educated and informed.
Speak out and speak out often. Educate the public on the principles, ideas and values that made America a free, generous and prosperous nation. Defend those principles, ideas and values as if your life depends upon it. (America's survival certainly does depend upon the defense and perpetuation of those principles, ideas and values!) Always love first your Creator, and second your country, your community and your family far more than you love yourself. Demonstrate that love in all your thoughts, words and deeds.
There are but three courses for America: greatness, mediocrity or oblivion. Steadfast adherence to the principles, ideas and values upon which she was founded will continue and enhance her greatness. Persistent and prolonged compromise of those fundamental principles, ideas and values has led — and will continue to lead — to mediocrity. Total abandonment of those original principles, ideas and values will lead to oblivion.
Make up your minds this day, you "leaders" of the Republican Party! Are you satisfied with mediocrity, or is excellence your standard? Can you not see that when one generation is willing to compromise a few principles and ideas, a later generation may be totally willing to abandon them all completely?
If the Republican Party cannot or will not uphold and defend the principles that made America great, then to hell with the Republican Party! We, the moral, educated and informed People of the United States of America will find — or we will form — a political party that can and will. Convince us why we are wrong in doing — or even wanting to do — just that!
Sam Weaver
12 DEC 2006
© Sam Weaver
I hear their voices loudly and clearly. I hear them at the manufacturing facility where I am employed. I hear them at church. I've heard them at the bank, at the post office and at Wal-Mart. I've heard them in countless letters-to-the-editor of my local newspaper. I've heard their voices on Internet forums and billboards, and on radio call-in programs. I hear their voices whenever I gather with family and friends. (Many, if not perhaps even most, of my family and friends do not consider themselves to be conservative Republicans. Most perceive themselves to be moderate, independent thinkers.)
Exactly who are these people and what are they saying? Your comprehension of the answers to these questions is vital to the very survival of the Republican Party. The simple fact that little old me feels the urgent need to declare these answers to you — bolstered by the results of the November 7th elections — is evidence that the Republican Party is in deep trouble.
Who are they?
The voices I'm hearing are those of whom my grandfather referred to as "red-blooded Americans." My grandfather passed away more than two decades ago — before the concept of "political correctness" even began to approach any degree of dominance in American culture. To him, a red-blooded American was anyone born in the USA who works hard for his family, who places both God and country on an ultimately higher level than himself, and who never takes for granted the principles and ideas that have made America great.
These people were in my grandfather's time — and remain today — the grassroots; the "silent majority." They are the men and women of the heartland who raise decent, God-fearing children and who make America productive and great. They are not always eloquent. Far too often, they would rather just keep their mouths shut than to "raise a stink." Far too often, they are way too busy (thanks in part to the heavy tax burden they are forced to endure) trying to raise their children right to have any time to give you a piece of their mind.
I hear them. I hear them every single day. If you love America, and if you want your party to survive, then you had best find a way to listen to them! They are the essence of America. They are clinging — despite all odds — to the fundamental American principles and ideas embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution; principles and ideas such as individual rights derived from a Sovereign Creator, and limited government with enumerated powers. They are the moral, educated and informed — the backbone of American liberty.
What are they saying?
Had you listened closely all throughout the last election cycle, the November elections would probably have been at least slightly different. I am absolutely convinced that the mid-term election results would have been much different had you both listened early and acted early.
The voices of the grassroots — the moral, educated and informed — were echoing the sage and sound advice of the great Lady Margaret Thatcher. Why — How! — could you not have heard those millions of small, but resolute voices screaming, " Don't go wobbly on us!?"
Yet you went wobbly on us. You went wobbly on both constitutional and ethical principle. You allowed growth in the power and scope of the federal government, you failed to do your sworn duty to protect and defend the borders of the United States of America, and you spent the people's money like crazed Democrats. Many of your members were caught up in scandal.
You went wobbly on us on immigration. Why are you not adamantly enforcing laws that are already on the books? Why have you not demanded respect for both America's sovereignty and the rule of law? Why have you refused to do your Constitutional duty to protect and defend the borders of the United States?
You went wobbly in Iraq. Why isn't Muqtada al-Sadr either dead or in prison? Why have you not done everything necessary to quell the sectarian violence in the Sunni Triangle? (By everything, I do not just mean everything militarily.)
This list could get exceedingly long, but adding to it would do no good unless you get my point. What does it mean to "go wobbly"? Millions of Americans know precisely what Lady Thatcher meant when she uttered that now famous warning to "Bush 41." Why can you not grasp the meaning, the wisdom and the vital importance of that sage and sound advice?
You go wobbly whenever you put political power or political expediency above the original principles, ideas and values embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution — principles, ideas and values, I must add, that come directly from the Holy Bible; the Word and the Will of man's Creator and Author of Law. You go wobbly when you place your own will, or the will of powerful special interests above those principles, ideas and values — not to mention, the Ultimate Source of those principles, ideas and values! You go wobbly when you foolishly emphasize the "need" to garner "perceived" or "potential" votes while taking for granted the votes of the grassroots. You go wobbly whenever you cower to consensus and fail to lead on principle!
A significant number of the grassroots (Remember, many of these do not consider themselves Republicans, or even conservatives!), believing — quite correctly in many cases — that "Republicans deserve to lose," chose to sit out last November's elections. At first, I profoundly believed that these folks were foolishly and dangerously disregarding the flip-side of this philosophy — that modern liberals absolutely do not deserve to win! The more I listened to them, however, the more I noticed a method to their "madness."
Many of those who decided to forgo the mid-term elections sincerely believe that four, six, eight or more years of liberal dominance and the consequences thereof might just be the best thing for America. No pain, no gain. A period of liberal Democrat hegemony just might wake up the American people to the failure of the modern liberal (i.e., secular/ relativist/collectivist) world view.
Many of these great folks had been loyal Republican voters since at least 1984. Not anymore. They see virtually no difference between a Republican Party that is all too willing to compromise its principles and a Democrat Party that has had no principles since the early-mid 1960's. A large number of them are joining forces with third party activists to replace the "failed" Republican Party with a new Conservative Party.
Republican Party leaders, please consider how razor-thin most of the losses were in the last November mid-term elections. Do not listen to the pundits in the media for "explanations" of those losses! Do not misinterpret November 7th !
You lost the mid-term elections because the grassroots lost faith in your ability to lead on principle — and rightly so! Bowing to "conventional wisdom" and cowering to consensus, you forsook the rock-solid principles and ideas upon which America was founded and largely alienated the moral, educated and informed grassroots Americans who have voted Republican (i.e., conservative) ever since Ronald Reagan showed the world exactly what it meant to be a genuine Republican (conservative). Shame on you!!
It will be a daunting challenge now for you to win back the trust of those moral, educated and informed voters who have lost faith in you. If you consider yourself to be a leader in the Republican Party, then lead! Do not lead by consensus, lead by and upon principle! Be a shining light of Truth. Lead by example. Do not be a dark, confused, wishy-washy moderate. (Most "moderates," according to my personal observations, respond very favorably to principled and rock-steady leadership!) Never support or endorse candidates who have weak or questionable views on any of the moral, ethical, fiscal or cultural principles/ideas upon which the United States of America was founded. Always support and endorse candidates who are known to be moral, educated and informed.
Speak out and speak out often. Educate the public on the principles, ideas and values that made America a free, generous and prosperous nation. Defend those principles, ideas and values as if your life depends upon it. (America's survival certainly does depend upon the defense and perpetuation of those principles, ideas and values!) Always love first your Creator, and second your country, your community and your family far more than you love yourself. Demonstrate that love in all your thoughts, words and deeds.
There are but three courses for America: greatness, mediocrity or oblivion. Steadfast adherence to the principles, ideas and values upon which she was founded will continue and enhance her greatness. Persistent and prolonged compromise of those fundamental principles, ideas and values has led — and will continue to lead — to mediocrity. Total abandonment of those original principles, ideas and values will lead to oblivion.
Make up your minds this day, you "leaders" of the Republican Party! Are you satisfied with mediocrity, or is excellence your standard? Can you not see that when one generation is willing to compromise a few principles and ideas, a later generation may be totally willing to abandon them all completely?
If the Republican Party cannot or will not uphold and defend the principles that made America great, then to hell with the Republican Party! We, the moral, educated and informed People of the United States of America will find — or we will form — a political party that can and will. Convince us why we are wrong in doing — or even wanting to do — just that!
Sam Weaver
12 DEC 2006
© Sam Weaver
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