Ever since the Clinton administration, Republicans have advertised themselves as the moral alternative to the Democratic Party. In 2000, that advertisment paid dividends, as Republicans overwhelmingly gained seats in Washington. Similarly, in 2002 and 2004, Republicans continued to pick up seats. However, the wheels are about to fall off for the GOP. Despite the belief that Republicans would set up a government formulated around integrity and family values, the Republican Party has proven to be Democrat-lite, and has turned off enough of the Conservative voter base in order to lose control of one or both houses of the legislature this November.
Broken Promises
The Republican platform remains one that a majority of the United States would agree with. Most Americans are against Affirmative Action, oppose Gay Marriage, want at least some restrictions on Abortion, and favor smaller government as far as domestic programs are concerned, and a strong foreign policy stance. However, the Republican Party doesn't really stand for its own platform anymore. Despite control of both houses, Republicans have pushed major health-care packages, major education spending, and have done nothing to promote fiscal responsibility. Furthermore, Republicans have waffled on the issues near and dear to its constituency. Instead of providing a consistent debate illustrating the problems of using embryonic stem cells, the Republicans have let themselves fall prey to the ilk of the likes of Christopher Reeves, and other (living) selfish Hollywood faces who support an issue with catch phrases instead of ethical debate.
Ineffective Leadership
Despite the fact that liberals were handed quite a defeat (both in the Presidential and Legislative) in the 2004 elections, Republicans have been unable to capitalize. The OWMP (Old-White-Male-Party) has been too busy reaching for viagra pills while the BWMFEP (Blame-White-Males-For-Everything-Party) has been philibustering while likely drawing strength and inspiration from speed. Unfortunately, the Republicans are no longer able to hold any sort of moral high ground. Issues such as the Page Scandal have shown that while it is true that the Democratic Party is made up of willing polygamists, adulturers, homosexuals, and otherwise perverted people, that the Republican Party is simply made up of the same quality of men, just older, and inable to pursue their dreams to the level of past glory.
Muddled Foreign Policy
Another failure of the Republican Party, (mainly the Bush administration) is the overall lack when dealing with threats abroad. While the Democratic Party believes in an already proven false dogma of "Peace at any Price", Bush seems to believe in an obviously lacking doctrine of "Fight the War, but do it with One Arm Tied Behind our Back". The foolish mantra of the Bush Administration has lead to a prolonged military involvement in Iraq. By being more concerned about press and political correctness, Bush has turned Iraq into a police state. He should've turned it into a parking lot. Americans would've forgiven Bush for bombing Iraq forward into the stone-age. The rest of the world would hate America regardless.
Republican Loss of Power not for Long
Although Republicans will be very disappointed with the elections come November, they need not worry too much. The nation is moving in a Conservative direction, and people are ready and willing to vote Conservative. They just need viable options, and candidates of integrity. Even the moderate Democratic Presidency of Bill Clinton left a sour taste in the mouth of decent Americans. Don't expect a new wave of hippie-backed do-nothings to all of a sudden go Abraham Lincoln when it comes to honesty. Six years is the approximate expected life of the re-tooled Democratic Party. Scandals will probably be even more rampant (albeit, less covered) than during Bush, and Conservatives will vote-out a one-term Al-Gore in 2012. The nation is moving Conservative. If Republicans want to be elected, they should probably try to be Conservative again too.
Answers to the Last Blog's Questions:
1) Who said "Give Me Liberty or Give me Death!" ? - Patrick Henry
2) What was the context of the statement above? - It was made during a Prayer
3) Who said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." ? Nathan Hale
4) "One if by land, two if by sea..." is quoted from what? Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's Ride"
5) Who was the Second President of the United States? John Adams
6) Who was the Vice President under John F. Kennedy? Lyndon Johnson
7) Who is the only President to serve for more than two terms? Franklin Roosevelt
8) T/F - The Constitution does not contain the words "separation of church and state". T
9) T/F - George W. Bush is the only President to be elected while losing the popular vote. F - Hayes/Tilden
10) T/F - Bill Clinton is not the only President to have been impeached. T - Andrew Johnson
11) Who did Aaron Burr kill? Alexander Hamilton
12) Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner? Francis Scott Key
13) What is the Monroe Doctrine? Doctrine of Expanding the U.S.
14) Name 1 Significant Supreme Court Case (other than Roe v. Wade) (many)
15) Who is on the Ten-Dollar bill? Alexander Hamilton
Bonus Question: Who killed Martin Luther King Jr.? James Earl Ray
Eric is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. He has a bachelor's degree in Political Science, as well as in Public Administration.
