We're all familiar with the classical Biblical account of how Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt to wander in the wilderness for forty years on a very roundabout journey to the Promised Land. Understandably, there was much frustration and discontent on the part of God's chosen people as the prize remained just out of reach.
In much the same manner, the Illinois Republican party is currently underway, having embarked upon a noble quest for our very own Promised Land--that is to say, a return to power at all levels of state and local government.
Unfortunately, much like Moses and his followers did thousands of years ago; we appear to be spinning our wheels in the desert. We, the grassroots party faithful, find ourselves asking the state GOP leadership the same question over and over again:
are we there yet?
But regrettably, our esteemed leadership seems hell bent on leading us down the primrose path of liberal capitulation and moral compromise, ultimately steering us away from both widespread victory in a general election, and our coveted Promised Land.
Let's boil it down… The word "platform," in its applicable context, is defined as "a formal declaration of the principles on which a group, such as a political party, makes its appeal to the public."
The Democratic Party Platform is one which promotes socially liberal principles, while the Republican Party Platform promotes socially conservative principles.
For instance, the Republican Party Platform unequivocally embraces pro-life, pro-family, pro-marriage, and pro-second amendment values; while, the Democratic Party Platform is wholeheartedly pro-abortion, advocates special rights for homosexuals, and is unapologetically hostile to the second amendment.
In the name of "moderation," much of the Illinois GOP establishment (folks best described as ideological Democrats cloaked in Republican clothing) have displayed nothing but dismissive scorn for both the Republican platform, and the middle-american, conservative values embraced by the majority of Illinois Republicans.
as our primary election approaches, these Republicans in name only (RINOs) are promoting like minded candidates, and themselves, are running for office at the highest levels of state government (including governor).
Ostensibly, they intend to shift their liberal "Democrat-like" values from the arena of mere conviction, to the realm of formal public policy.
In an ill advised-attempt to appear "centrist" or "moderate," our GOP leadership has helped to bolster the notion that the Illinois Republican party is willing to surrender on issues of tremendous consequence for short-range political expediency.
Simply stated… we're willing to sell-out if we think it'll get us elected.
The problem is that it doesn't work. Such compromise only serves to foster the wide-spread perception that Illinois Republicans are merely a bunch of mealy-mouthed, political "also-rans" who care more about attaining power through any means possible, than they do about promulgating solid conservative public policy--policy which is clearly in the best interest of the people of Illinois.
In recent years, these RINOs have taken over key positions of leadership within the party, and sadly, continue to drag the conservative Republican majority kicking and screaming to the ideological left--a move which, if not reversed, promises to insure that the Illinois Republican Party will remain the minority party for many years to come.
This consistent undermining of true Republican values by the state GOP establishment begs a couple of questions: What incentive is there for voters to unseat a Democratic incumbent and hire a Republican in his place, if the GOP offers candidates who, on the issues, are nothing more than Democrat-light? Why should voters change horses mid-stream when the other horse walks the same, talks the same, and generates the same line of…well, the same "byproduct?"
It seems to me that it's time for conservative Republicans in Illinois to reclaim control of our Grand Old Party--a party which, sorry to say, has been weighed down and dragged into the mud by an oddly obtuse collection of pseudo-Republicans who embrace Democratic Party values.
Bottom Line…It's time for Illinois Republicans to firmly re-establish our roots in both the Republican Party Platform, and the time-honored conservative principles set forth therein.
Copyright © 2006 by J. Matt Barber
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