Image Courtesy of Robert Black FrostMyChaps.com
Are Conservatives waiting for the second coming of Ronald Reagan? And when it comes to voting, will some of them settle for nothing less? It’s a worrisome thought considering two contradictingpoints the media is drilling down the throats of Americans…
One: Dissent within the GOP is reaching fever-pitch.
And Two: The GOP is going to sweep the 2014 elections.
These are the kinds of headlines that should make us scream, “Red Alert! There’ssomething to see here!” You have to wonder if this isn’t mental manipulation for anotherGOP no-show election like that of 2012.
Perhaps a litmus test for what could become the further demise of the nation comes from an Illinois Townhall hosted by patriotic action group, Awaken America. The meeting was meant to tackle the conflict among the GOP ranks head-on. But they never really got past the first topic, which was…
Would you vote for a Pro-Choice Candidate?
Before I get into the ramifications of the 15% out of 50 or so in attendance that said unequivocally “No, I will not,” I should tell you they were specifically addressing Illinois’ GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Bruce Rauner, who will be challenging current Governor Pat Quinn.
It’s no secret that Illinois is experiencing financial disaster. Since Quinn has taken over as Governor, Illinoisans have endured tax increases, fleeing businesses, high unemployment and absolutely nothing has been done to tackle the looming pension crisis.
It’s gotten so bad Gallup recently reported,
- Illinois has the unfortunate distinction of being the state with the highest percentage of residents who say it’s the worst possible place to live.
- Residents have the least trust in their state government out of all 50 states.
- They are among the most resentful about the amount they pay in state taxes.
The ineptness and corruption by local politicians has made businessman and billionaire Bruce Rauner an attractive fiscal candidate, even though he’s considered a social liberal by many accounts.
As I watched the fireworks of the Townhall debate ensue, one of the Conservative moderators said, in regard to holding back his vote, “Better to lose now and retain our integrity…in order to form a true opposition.”
And while I respect the heartfelt moral convictions of those who vow to stay true to their beliefs, I have to wonder…why wait? Can’t we take a lesson from the progressive left?
For every small battle they win, they come together and rally, then they push for more. Our Constitution has been dying the death of a 1,000 paper cuts by their incessant strategy. And if Conservatives want to win freedom back, they can’t wait for the next charismatic Reagan to save the day in one fell swoop.
The latest Gallup poll has Quinn and Rauner in a virtual dead heat. If the local Townhall represents a cross section of Republican voters within the state, the 15% that will decline to use their hard fought right to cast a ballot might as well be casting one for Quinn. Because he will win.
I should point out that someone made a profound inquiry at the meeting, “Aren’t fiscal issues moral issues?”
Conservative panelist and healthcare expert C. Steven Tucker, who said he will support Rauner, made excellent points, one of which is the fact that abortion has been in decline for years. While reasons behind the decrease are debatable, there’s little doubt pro-life activists have been able to make inroads through awareness and education.
However, to be effective at the grassroots level, for any cause, it helps to have money in your pocket and as much freedom as you can get on your side. I’m not certain anyone can build an effective or ‘true’ opposition under 4 more years of oppressive power.
When someone else quipped, “So you are telling us that we HAVE to accept voting for the lesser of two evils?” I believe it was Tucker who concluded that is what we do EVERY TIME we vote. For the simple fact that people are imperfect.
Patriots understand there’s no guarantee politicians will follow through on their promises. But logic suggests the more “R’s” there are taking up Congressional and Gubernatorial seats, the less resistance there will be to beating back intrusive government programs like Common Core and Obamacare.
But voters have to show up.
Like him or not, Rauner is Illinois’ rightwing man of the hour… today. Not in some hypothetical waiting-for-Reagan moment in the future. If Independents, Republicans, Conservatives, Libertarians and Reagan Democrats who believe in individual liberty want to heal the nation, some might have to hold their noses, rally, and painstakingly heal it one paper cut at a time. All the while, keep pushing.
SPECIAL THANKS TO CAROL ANN PARISI OF AWAKEN AMERICA.
IMAGE COURTESY OF ROBERT BLACK AT FROSTMYCHAPS.COM.
Originally posted at Smart Girl Politics…
Excellent article. Unfortunately we conservatives are facing a myriad of enemies. Entrenched power interests of all types will do anything to maintain control. You have the Democrat Party mechanism, the Progressive movement at large, the Rockefeller Republican Washington establishment, the mainstream media, academia, as well as widespread apathy, ignorance and cultural rot. It remains to be seen whether conservatives have sufficient numbers to do anything. But, in the case of Illinois Governor, it is sheer stupidity for any conservative to not vote for Rauner. This is not a “normal” red team/blue team time in history. This is an inflection point. Rauner is not some insider squishy establishment candidate worried about fallacious climate change that was shoved down our throat. It may certainly be preferable that he be more forcefully pro life BUT the abortion issue is a federal issue, not a gubernatorial one. So, why would the social conservatives sabotage whatever slim chance there remains to save this state? We do not have the luxury of time here, folks. Wake up! Rauner is an independent thinking solutions oriented candidate from outside admittedly imperfect. We have not had such a choice available to us in the general election in a long time. Check your histories!