Reforming the Right (Part V of V)
The current success of the Democratic Party in recruiting new members and new voters can be directly attributed to two things: the public dissatisfaction with the status quo and the co-opting of abstractions like hope and change that are shaped and molded by each individual into an American Dream of his own creation.
The simplicity of this strategy is brilliant.
The implications of it are staggering: Few policy declarations need be made that require revision or repudiation at some later date.
Because it puts the responsibility for creating the vision on the voters.
And as a result, a leader can be elected on the basis of a collective illusion, based on abstractions that shimmer like a mirage in the desert, giving false information to anyone unfortunate enough to see it and move toward it, only to find that the oasis is always just beyond the next dune…or the next election.
Perhaps the better idea is this: The GOP needs to offer a clear, concrete vision for the future of America that demonstrates in succinct, understandable terms, the benefits to the individual and to the corporate whole of adherence to conservative principles, especially if we are entering a period of slowed economic growth with declining tax revenues.
It must actively recruit and solicit individuals and business who share the same values.
It must provide a continuous stream of information to voters, regardless of party affiliation, that demonstrates the true impact of liberal and conservative policies alike on personal, business and corporate revenue.
It must hold its own party officials accountable for deviations from stated values.
It must hold current politicians accountable for voting records, and launch campaigns and raise support to replace them should they violate the established tenets.
In other words, in order to clean the House, we have to begin with our own house.
We must clean up our own rhetoric and begin to practice what we are preaching, for example:
Saying that someone is rich or poor is an abstraction.
Saying that 40-50% of the 95% of people who will be getting a tax cut currently pay zero taxes and will, in fact, get a distribution check paid out from the taxes collected from the remaining 50-60% of the taxpayers is a solid, concrete analysis.
Showing how it works on a pie chart is even better.
And telling a story -
perhaps about a teacher who awarded no As to her students who worked hard, did all their work, and performed well on their tests, and instead redistributed the grades so that every student in her class, including the ones who made little or no effort to perform or who did not master any of the material, could get a passing grade -
is the best way to do it.
Even kids can figure out that scenario. And we adults know what would happen to that teacher.
The GOP needs to shatter the public illusions of political abstractions by providing a cold cup of clarity. It must create a reality refuge for constituents weary of the political process. It must declare precisely and exactly how conservative government and economic principles impact the wallets of individual voters across all socio-economic levels.
And it must be prepared to counter, in concrete terms, accusations of abstractions like “meanness” and “paying a fair share.”
Joe the Plumber gave us a good start in that direction. He provided a very concrete picture of his economic scenario. And became an overnight political sensation by forcing Barak Obama’s hand.
Thanks to Joe, we have all seen the liberals’ cards.
And now we know exactly what cards we need to play in order to win the game.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:58 am
[...] what occurred last night (other than the obvious). However, one thing I do know is that we need to Reform the Right. This election was not a rejection of conservatism. We need to get back to our roots and [...]