PC Beat the GOP

The mainstream media played the Democrat tune: make the election about US involvement in Iraq. It is not that anyone believes our enemies do not exist, or that they would not destroy every American and the United States were it possible.

Yet nobody would acknowledge the real nature of the failures in our Iraq policies. Not the president, nor the few conservatives in Congress, nor any Democrat.

When Sadaam Hussein was removed from power, Bush 43 declared victory. His immediate steps took us into nation building, establishing a democratic outpost in the region, and filling a police role. It was unlike the Gulf War 1990-1991, when the US prematurely declared victory and pulled out. The limited scope of that engagement left the job less than half-done and actually served to weaken any US role in the region. Since 2003 Bush 43 has remained dedicated to fulfilling the mission, but the approach could not succeed.

Americans like to win. Winning means truly defeating the enemy and, in historical terms, exerting pro-American influence in the world. Concern for our image, placating our so-called French and Russian allies, allowing do-nothing appeasers in Congress to thwart foreign policy… these are the results of political correctness. Winning a war, and this is a worldwide war, would mean massive military engagement and laying waste to every battlefield. It is necessary to crush the enemy’s stronghold, demoralize his followers and remove his chains of supply, financial and military resources. Nation building would come later.

Bush 43 spoke the right words: “You are with me or against me.” He was inspirational, he was patriotic. But he was not prepared to commit the national resources necessary to identify and call to task the rogue nations and terrorists who mean us harm. Many Americans still believe in staying the course, and we recognize that Iraqi involvement is but one front in the war. The American people, regardless of political affiliation, know the world is not safe. And most people favor continued vigilance in the war on terror. Yet, as a nation, we can no longer accept “stay the course” rhetoric without knowing there is a clear desire and commitment to win.

Today the election is over. We see the results of waffling on the immigration crisis, creating a huge Medi-Care entitlement, refusal to veto even one spending bill. Bush 43 is now conciliatory toward the victorious Democrats. Within hours of the mid-term election results, hat in hand, he offered several olive branches that dismay conservative regulars: a minimum wage increase, amnesty for illegal aliens and replacement of Don Rumsfeld. The outcome could have been much different. The choice of political correctness at home and in foreign policy, and refusal to heed the conservative base, brought this about.

The lessons taught by previous residents at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue would have served Bush well. He missed class on those days, and his staff lacks the intestinal fortitude to remind him. During the last two years of Reagan’s presidency there was a Democrat Congress. But he remained an ideological and political leader. Amid massive criticism he stayed the course using every financial, military and diplomatic resource of the United States toward eventually forcing the downfall of communist USSR. The world changed. The Cold War was over. Free nations of the world were safe from nuclear holocaust.

Teddy Roosevelt provided several lessons in presidential leadership: his invitation of Booker T. Washington to the White House; his threat to nationalize mining interests to force reforms; his bold attack on railroad trusts; the Square Deal. He followed principles and took actions that cost him friends, supporters and reputation. He did the right things for no reason except they were right. The nation has been better for it.

Political winds continue to blow in every direction. Republicans lost in this election. Conservatives and conservatism did not lose, but have suffered a major setback. The base of liberty loving, religious, patriotic, fiscally responsible, small government citizens have suffered a setback. It is apparent there will be little guidance from the White House. Compromising Senators like McCain, exercising free agency instead of conservative leadership, will not fill the gap.

What this nation needs is a good, 5-cent cigar and a few truly conservative legislators. The Revolution of 1994 must be rekindled. New faces must now follow the guidance of that Contract’s framers. Else, in two years the liberal and socialist insurgency will have wrested complete control of our government.