Posted by
H-J-S on Friday, May 16, 2008 5:47:33 PM
I may be wrong about this , but I believe that Republicans are heading for a major defeat in 2008 if they do not get together and present a coherent set of policies to address core issues .
On the other hand, if they come together and do come up with a set of coherent policies and promises that they promise to enact and follow through with, then maybe, just maybe, they can turn defeat into victory and regain the majority. One of the main challenges they will face is their record when they were last in power. They promised, but did not deliver. Indeed they followed policies not unlike those of the ruling Democrats before them. It is my contention that, that, not the war in Iraq, and not charges of corruption that cost them the majority.
Like one of my favorite Radio Talk Show hosts, Sean Hannity, I believe that we need to present the differences between the two parties in bold colors. Subtle distinctions are custom made for failure because there is little real choice in tiny shades of differences. This is one of the reason I am concerned about our choice of a presidential candidate in John McCain. When I look at some core subjects I am convinced that I have little choice but to vote for McCain because the alternatives are just simply unacceptable. But on other core issues, I see no real difference between McCain and his opponents. Therefore I believe the battle must be fought at the legislative level. Can Republicans win? That depends on the message, on unity of effort, and on their ability to convince the voting population that this time they will follow through.
These are the core issues that I would address for better or worse. I will attempt to address each topic in a separate post later, but I would be interested if any readers would be willing to give their feedback on the relative importance of these topics to them. If given the opportunity, would they add others or remove ones that I have selected, and how would they rank the issues in terms of importance.
· The War Against Islamic Terrorists
· National Defense Issues in General
· Immigration Reform
· Energy Policy
· Fiscal Discipline in Government
· Taxation and Fairness
· The Courts and Tort Reform
· Improving Healthcare
· Education Reforms
· Man Made Global Warming; Fact versus Fiction and what to do about it.
· Amendments to the Constitution