Much has been written and proposed on how Republicans can regain power in future elections. This, however, is akin to a doctor putting a Band-Aid over a sore without treating the infection that caused it. The recent bellwether loss for Republicans is a symptom; all the talk of how to regain power simply skirts the real issue, and all the effort put into retaining a majority was wasted. How to regain and retain is not the issue, but to deserve, there is the crux of the matter. Deserving the trust of the American people, especially conservatives, is on what Republicans need to focus. I've written about how moderate actions by Republicans alienated conservatives, and don't want to go into that here, so I'll admit that as a theory yet to be disproved, and frame my position from there.
There is only one thing that the Republican party can do to convince conservatives across the nation that they deserve to be in power: Stop being Politicians, and become Statesmen. It truly is that simple. But how does this translate into effective governance? How does this simple goal promote trust? From the ground up. Call it "Succession Planning for Government".
Government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, and good government arises from the desire of good men and women to have it so, and acting upon that desire, making it so. It starts at the local level, with town councils, school boards, and mayors. It rises to the state level, with state representatives and senators and the office of Governor. It rises further to the members of Congress and the President of the United States. But it all starts at the local level. Not one current Senator, Representative, Governor, or Mayor was born in that position, though some act it. To a man or woman, they all were raised in a town or city, saw the actions of government, and decided that they wanted or needed to be part of the process. Here, in the small towns and city boroughs of America, is where the future of the Republican party stands. I say stands, for statesman do not sit on their laurels, they set them aside; statesmen are not there for the praise and adulation of the populace.
Good government is made possible by good people, and good people are solidly grounded in the principles of conservatism. A smaller, less intrusive government; lower taxes; greater personal responsibility; state's rights over federal regulation; governance by the will of the people. These are the hallmarks of conservatism, best displayed by men like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. All had a vision of a greater America, and all lived to see that vision, in some way, become reality. The Republican party needs to seek out, at the local level, men and women of vision, grounded in conservative principles, willing to act the servant, and of significant moral character, integrity, and intellectual honesty. These are the future of the Republican party, for in finding them, it will find a well-spring of trustworthiness, which now it sorely lacks. It is these men and women, who will serve, and serve justly, honestly, and impartially. But that is just the first step. These statesmen must be willing to serve for a time, and laying aside such service, return to honorable citizenry. So begins a cycle, whereby men and women serve locally while being mentored by those at the next level, run for higher office, server at the state level while being mentored by those at the national level, run for national office, and turn by turn mentor those rising in the ranks. Term limits will never pass as law, but in practice, Republicans should set the example, for good government is made by men and women who recognize that government is a tool, not an establishment, a guide, not an edifice. From the local to the federal, the Republican party would be better off spending its money seeking men and women of just such character and conviction, able to be trained and taught by those already in office, willing to offer themselves as candidates upon the basis of their convictions, character, and record, if applicable. Mud slinging should be a practice left to the other side, and negativism left to the issues and records of full elections, not primaries. Imagine, if you can, a Republican State Representative primary with three candidates, all of whom had been mentored by the sitting representative, all of whom had passed a lengthy background check, all of whom had experience at the local level. Imagine ads in which the three talked about their respective backgrounds, upbringing, and personal beliefs, without bad mouthing their rivals. Imagine the pleasant surprise from GOP voters, and the overwhelming turnout. Imagine a joint celebration as the final vote is tallied, where the winner stands and speaks of his or her friendship with one-time rivals, and one-time rivals speak of how well they expect the winner to perform in the coming years. The result? A general election in which the only bad taste in anyone's mouth would be from the other side. A general election where the character and conviction of the GOP candidate had already been vetted and found impeccable.
Impossible, I think most would say. No one is going to relinquish such power so easily. No one would be willing to mentor someone so. I think such nay-naysayer are wrong, but then they would have a great deal of anecdotal evidence from today's power-mongers to back them up. Unfortunately, the cycle must begin at the top, or it will never begin at all. Our current leaders must decide to be Statesman, instead of Politicians, and such a change is difficult to make.
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