It is the morning of July the fourth. A time for Americans to reflect on the awesome Blessing that is this greatest nation in the history of civilization.

If the above statement seemed like hyperbole to you, chances are you are a liberal. If however, you took no issue with what I wrote, you are most likely a Conservative. It is you who fall into the latter category whom I make this appeal to.

As conservatives (of any party affiliation, or none), I truly believe we need to be steadfastly demanding of any candidate we grant the honor of nomination for POTUS. I also believe we haven't been all that demanding of any recent nominee. We have as a group given our votes to those we deem 'most electee'. I am guilty of this myself. It is a compromise made to ensure that liberals do not gain control of the White House. After seven years of a President who stirs no passion in me, I realize the nomination for the last two national primaries of the GOP were mistakes.

Tired of voting the 'lesser of two evils'? Tired of wondering how an elected official can consistently embarrass, disappoint and confound you with their positions and decisions? I know I am. In fact I have sat back and watched it so many times now, that it has created in me a rock hard focussed center of resolve. Resolve to always vote for candidates who truly share my ideals, not just those who pay them lip service.

I believe we as conservatives need to implement a litmus test, not just for whom we vote for on primary or election day, but in our discussions with each other. We all by now remember that leading up to 2000, George W. Bush made it a point to call himself a 'compassionate conservative'. That should have raised a flag for all of us. It is obvious now that by that description, he meant he is politically center to left of center on many issues, while giving a nod to an issue of conservative concern.

Conservatives should be angry, insulted and disgusted by this. Conservatism needs no modifier. It stands alone on its own merit. Compassion is a feeling of empathy, and should be employed in how we treat each other. It should have nothing to do with governmental policy. Conservatives believe in very limited government. A government whose role is to protect its citizenry from threats at home and abroad. A government determined to ensure the freedoms and liberties outlined in the Constitution remain available to every U.S. citizen.

Ronald Reagan governed as a conservative. He made no apologies for his beliefs. He merely trusted that his ideology was the best possible ideology for himself, and more importantly, for the country he loved. This approach to governing didn't alienate the electorate - far from it. During his tenure a phenomenon arose called the 'Reagan Democrat'. In this age of near universal dislike (hatred for some) of GWB, this seems hard to fathom, yet it is true. Imagine a conservative, governing as a conservative and winning votes and support from the other side of the aisle. It happened, and could easily happen again. I believe the main reason for the Democrats regaining the majority in both Houses of Congress in 2006, was the failure on the part of conservatives to vote conservatively. 

It sounds to good to be true, right? If we just elect true conservatives, and they vote their beliefs, we will gain the votes of more Americans? In a word, yes. 

So, to the litmus test. I for one will be sure to speak out against any candidate who doesn't measure up to the conservative ideals I want in a POTUS, or other elected official. 

Illegal Immigration : This one is easy. Seal the borders. Enforce the law.  Remove the 'anchor baby' policy. Prosecute any and all businesses who employ illegal aliens to the absolute fullest extent of the law.  While it may be too massive an undertaking to deport every illegal at once (not sure I believe this), deport as you go. If any government agency learns that an individual is here illegally, deport them immediately. Little by little, with sealed borders, we will be reducing their numbers in this country. Any candidate who waffles on any of these points cannot truly be conservative.

Islam's war on the infidels: Call it what it is. A holy war started by a people who want every single non-muslim to submit to their will, or die. It really is that simple. So, conservatively, we need to make war and protect ourselves with this in mind. A hard line needs to be taken. The kind of line that makes the MSM opine that anyone who advocates this line is a 'war monger'. We know that this war is not with any country per se, but rather with an ideology subscribed to by many muslims, in many, many countries. Enough with the compassion, and fear of offence. My conservative candidate might make the following statements.: "I am calling on the leaders both political and religious of the entire muslim world. Do whatever it takes to stop all islamic terrorism everywhere. Immediately call for an end to jihad against the infidels. Failure to do this will force the USA to eradicate three major muslim cities (and Mecca must be on the list), the list of which cities will not be known until the dust settles." Then back up the threat. War, all war should be fought with one thing in mind: kill as many people and break as much stuff as is possible, in a very short amount of time. This is how you break the enemies' will. The kind of war we are conducting, a slow bleed, only emboldens the enemy, and gives them the time and reasons to continue their jihad. A candidate who minces words regarding the 'war on terror' is unfit to serve, and take that oath.

Taxes and government spending: An election year favorite. The goal of all who govern, should be a tax rate of zero percent for all Americans. As unrealistic as the goal is, it must be the target. This is the only way to achieve responsible governance. If this sounds crazy to you, that's understandable. We have come to accept high taxes, and disgusting high spending from our leaders. Start by moving tax day from April the 15th, to the day before election day (notice the current tax day is as far  away on the calendar as is possible from election day? Not an accident). Repeal the law which allows the government to take your money before you even see it. If Americans took home their gross pay, and had to pay taxes say - quarterly by cutting a personal check, we would be far more incensed at the amount we have forcibly taken from us, and given to others.
It used to be a staple of conservatism to abolish bloated agencies like the NEA and the Department of Education. Now our so called conservatives increase the spending for these unconstitutional agencies. Sickening. Demand that your candidate be truly fiscally conservative.

These are but a few of the trials any conservative must endure to become my candidate. They must pass with flying colors. It feels truly liberating to have made this decision. I will no longer be content to go along with the 'most electable' candidate. That line of thinking got us eight years of: "how can Bush do that?" or "I can't believe Bush said that!". No more. I for one, will openly rail against all non-conservative candidates, and I hope and pray that you will do the same.

God Bless America 

Welcome to my blog. I am new at this, so please be patient and not too critical.

I thought this topic would be a great way to start, as I see it as one that is at the very heart of most debate, and debate which is political in nature specifically. As a Conservative (that's big 'C'), I know I am not alone in my discontent with the Republican Party. As a traditional, America loving Constitutionalist, it is very hard for me to feel at home within any established political party.  There are many ideals I share with Libertarians for example, however I find their overall policy advocation to be fanciful, and unrealistic.

I was for many years a registered Republican, but have since enrolled as an Independent. I still vote Republican (and never Democrat) in nearly all cases. Yet I do so, as I'm sure many of you do, as a choice in the 'lesser of two evils'. This not only saddens me, but frustrates me to no end. I have no desire to vote for a 'compassionate conservative'. The very name itself implies that other conservatives lack compassion. This is the exact opposite of the truth, as I see it. True Conservatism is based on reality, pragmatism, historical precedence and is the only political ideology I have found which assesses and accounts for Human Nature.

There are scores of Republicans that hold elected office, who in my opinion are not just lacking conservative ideals, but are promoting policy which is extremely leftist. Nearly every article and blog on this and other conservative websites have scores of comments from traditional conservatives who are appalled at the leftist positions taken by their elected Republican representatives.

The defining of oneself via political party is just as painful for Democrats as well. I know quite a few people from my parents' and grandparents' generation who are lifelong Democrats. As either FDR or JFK Democrats, they line up, politically speaking, with right-wing conservatives nowadays far more than with any Democrat. They haven't changed - their party has. JFK for example, was fiscally conservative. He provided the largest tax cut in history (at the time), as he knew this was common sense way to bolster the American economy. He had a strong policy for National Defense, and had no qualms about standing up to our enemies, nor about labeling them as such.

There is no Democrat nowadays who even remotely lines up with his ideology. Heck I would dare say JFK was quite a bit more conservative in his policies than George W. Bush. I don't think it's even close.

In closing I would like to say that I like many see the need for a third or even fourth major political party in this country. I am very pessimistic about this need ever being fulfilled. Money is far too strongly in control of the political process, and of the MSM. I do think however, that a good start is for each of us to make an effort to define ourselves and each other with more accurate labels than Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, etc..

As Conservatives, we should not be carrying the water for any Republican. Ideally, every Republican should be jumping at the chance to carry the water for each of us!

God Bless America - RD