Discouraged, But Hopeful

As one can imagine, I have been pretty discouraged about politics, after the November 2006 elections. The Republican party took a bath, and the Democrats assumed control of both houses of Congress. I am very concerned about the implications, and about the 2008 presidential election.

In my opinion, the Republican party deserved to lose control of Congress. Members of our party were exposed as corrupt, and a lot of Republican congressmen and senators forgot why they were sent to D.C. in the first place. In the space of twelve years, our party went from one of serious reform to one that was fat and happy.

One cannot discount the war in Iraq as a factor, as well. Our men and women in Iraq are doing a great job, and have accomplished a lot, in spite of opposition both there and at home. The American people have not heard enough of the positive stories from the war, and have been subjected to a consistent drumbeat of misery and failure from Iraq over the last 4 1/2 years. People vote according to what they know, and they know mostly cluelessness and failure in Iraq, because that has been reported to them in the mainstream media.

We now find ourselves with a looming free-for-all on both sides of the presidential ballot in 2008. For the first time since 1972, there will not be anyone named Bush or Dole on the Republican ticket. In my opinion, that is a good thing.

The Republican party is losing its way because it has forgotten what has won elections for it. An agenda of smaller government, lower taxes, and a strong national defense can still win elections. Our party has been better at some of those things than others. Our party must prove itself as responsible stewards of government, when given the chance.

To come: My thoughts on social issues and the Republican party, and my thoughts on GOP presidential candidates.