Posted by
Michael Gallops on Saturday, August 04, 2007 7:31:10 PM
Here is a copy of a letter that I emailed and faxed to our Republican leadership after we got slaughtered in the election.
---------------------------------------------------------
"A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs, which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell numbers..... And if there are those that cannot subscribe to these principals, then let them go their way." Ronald Reagan.
Dear Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, Senator Hutchison, Senator Cornyn, Congressman Hensarling, Governor Perry, and others,
I write this letter after much has already been said about why we, the Republican Party, were so overwhelmingly annihilated in the recent election. Many pundits, commentators, and even politicians have offered their opinion on what happened so I thought it was my responsibility, even my duty, to let you know what we think – we, the American people who are conservative in our values. Admittedly, much of what I write is the same as what has already been written or said – that is because I agree with much of what has been said. My hope in writing is that what has been said is more than just words being spoken but words that will be taken to heart. I intend to distribute this letter as widely as I can, it likely will not be published or printed by anyone but hopefully it will reach many – and maybe, just maybe it will do some good. Here now, are my thoughts on why we, the Republican Party, lost and what we must do to reclaim our rightful place.
The Republican Party needs a change of direction and a refocusing on its core values. Find new leadership for the Republican Party. A new RNC Chair (and I don’t think Mel Martinez is the right person because he is pro-amnesty for illegal immigrants and too busy as a Senator; Michael Steele would be a much better choice), a new Minority Leader in the House (my personal favorite is Joe Barton from Texas), and a new Minority Whip in the House. It is too late for me to offer my choice for Senate leadership positions so we must wait and see how they choose to lead. We need leadership that is decidedly conservative and the recent past leadership has failed us in that. Also, let’s not make our choice for a 2008 nominee for President just yet. Let the National Convention actually choose a nominee - it will give our party new life and give us the best opportunity to retain the White House. Remind those in our party that are “contenders” for the presidency such as Sen. John McCain, “"We departed rather tragically from our conservative principles" and that departure will not soon be forgotten.
Too many Republican leaders came to Washington pledging to uphold traditional values and then forgot those values, morals and standards. New leaders with fresh ideas will bring us back to the party of Ronald Reagan. Those who were reelected need to go back to Washington to change it, not to become it. Republicans must go back to the principles that made America proud to vote for them, and if they do they can win back those who voted against them this year.
We can only move forward with a renewed commitment to our core values and principles. Republicans did not just lose the majority - we lost our way - we walked away from the limited government principles that highlighted the Republican Congress. We walked away from those principles in letting those among us violate the rules of ethics, common sense morals and God given laws. We need to rewrite the ethics rules and then stick to them. Deal with those violating those rules openly, quickly and cleanly. In other words, clean house – deal with those who break the very rules and principles we stand for. As Ronald Reagan said, “if there are those that cannot subscribe to these principals, then let them go their way."
We must remain dedicated to a balanced federal budget, entitlement reform and limited federal government. Republicans have recently voted to nearly double the federal government's role in education, have created record deficits, record national debt and record pork barrel spending and have spent more money on federal solutions to state and local problems than any Democrat. Many who claimed to be Washington “outsiders” have become “insiders”. We must work to overhaul the tax code. The income tax needs to be repealed and replaced with a tax that is fair and equitable to everyone, regardless of their income. I personally prefer the Fair tax proposal and believe it should be vigorously pursued. (Fairtax.org). Let us hardworking Americans determine how to spend our money. We must fix Social Security. The way things are right now there will likely not be funding to support me, my children and definitely not my grandchildren. Privatizing Social Security may be the solution; raising social security tax is not. Balance the federal budget but not by increasing spending and raising taxes. Cut spending and reduce government. These are core Republican principles, and we must return to them.
Determine a real direction for Iraq. Decide on a specific goal, make that happen and get our troops out. I fully support our troops and what we are doing in Iraq but at some point Iraq needs to step up and take responsibility for themselves. We aren’t going to solve all of their ethnic problems – they will need guidance and help – but they must learn to do that. While we are there we need to do everything in our power to better protect the lives of our troops first and foremost.
Real immigration reform must take place and our borders have to be made secure. We must fix the problem of illegal immigration without amnesty. Those who are here illegally are criminals and must not be rewarded.
We must do everything within our power to confirm conservative judges – judges who will strictly interpret the Constitution and laws and not legislate from the bench. This will be significantly harder since Republicans Senators lost their core principles and did not step up when they had the opportunity but we must not back down.
We must do everything in our power to protect the sanctity of innocent life. Protect the unborn at all stages – from embryo to delivery. We must remain committed to the sanctity of marriage as an institution between a man and a woman. We must remain strong in our belief in Second Amendment rights, if those rights are stripped from us we lose as a people and as a nation.
The Democrats have no answer for America. They have no plan for our future. American will see that the Democrats are not the party of the future and are nothing more than radical liberals. This election was a correction. America did not abandon her conservative principles, we simply rid ourselves of those who claimed to be part of us but who had deserted us. We can regroup and we can win back the seats we lost and we can continue to claim the presidency IF we return to our core values and principles, fiscal discipline, reform, and family values.
Sincerely,
Michael Gallops
5206 St Charles Drive
Rowlett, TX 75088