Ever since the election there has been a
lot of reflection on the future of the Republican Party and what it must do to
improve its appeal to groups other than white males. Well, in case you’re
interested, here are my ideas on the subject…..
Many conservatives seem to believe the
problem was their party’s failure to explain their policies and that they didn’t
“reach out” enough to minority voters. “If only these voters understood our
positions”, the Republicans argued, “they would see that we are the ones
looking out for their interests”.
I would suggest that the opposite is true.
As the GOPs positions on many issues became clearer, more and more people came
to understand how their election would be bad for the country.
Here’s my advice: If you want those minorities
and women to vote for your party, you need to initiate and support policies and
programs that HELP those constituencies, not HURT them. It really is that
simple.
If you want blacks to vote your way, don’t
try to make it harder for them to vote.
If you want Hispanics to support you, don’t
threaten to deport their grandchildren.
If you want gay people to join your party,
don’t deprive them of the same rights every other couple have.
If you want women to join your cause, don’t
mess with their reproductive rights.
If the GOP cannot adjust to the changing
demographics of our country and learn to support policies that serve the cause
of the common people and not the wealthy, I fear they will go the way of the
Whig Party. Americans deserve an honest debate about the direction our nation
needs to take to get us back on the road to prosperity. Unfortunately, one of
our political parties has chosen to only support policies that increase the
flow of wealth upwards. It’s not surprising, therefore that the majority of
Americans no longer see them as a viable alternative to the Democrats, who,
despite their faults, at least acknowledge the importance of giving a hand up
to EVERY American, not just the wealthy ones…..
