Reluctant Republican

The last few weeks before Tuesday's general election I often told people I was a reluctant Republican. I was disappointed in the massive bailout that passed Congress a few weeks ago. I am frightened by the willingness of our government to nationalize some banking institutions and allowing others to fail. I am concerned that Americans in general support a traditional definition of marriage, but cannot see their way clear to support a clear definition of when life begins.
So, I am reluctant to be labeled a Republican because basic, foundational principles that used to define Republicans are no longer adhered to or even used as a foundation on which to build policy. After Tuesday's Republican demise I began re-reading Arthur Schlesinger, Jr's massive work, The Age of Jackson, hoping it would encourage my hope for the future of the American Republic. I am just a few chapters into the book and am noticing some similarities to the age of Andrew Jackson and our own. Where his era witnessed the transition from an agricultural based culture to one rooted in industry and production, we are witnessing the decline of an industrial based social order and the rise of an informational culture where most production occurs elsewhere. Hmm. When our country was founded almost all industry and manufacturing occurred elsewhere- Great Britain and Europe to be precise. Now, as many have noted, third world countries are discovering the benefits of industrialization- and thus they are capturing most of the manufacturing tasks that were the heart of the American economy for over 150 years.
The basic premises of society were changing as well. During Jackson's era, Jeffersonian democracy - i.e. local and state supremacy- was losing ground to federalism - the rise of the 2nd national US bank, the strengthening of federal tariffs, and the like. The result of many of those decisions played a huge role in the decision of Southern states to secede a few years later. We are watching the demise of federalism and the rise of globalization. Europe is rapidly becoming more Arab and Muslim based- as population shifts are changing the face of France and Britain in particular. America is becoming less White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, and more visibly multi-cultural- i.e. the first African-American male to be elected president of the United States; the shift in demographics towards those from Mexico and Central American countries.
So, we are in a changing culture. Many Republican leaders acknowledge the need for change-Gov. Tim Pawlenty notes in an interview, “Demographically, culturally, technologically and economically the country is changing,” he noted, while the GOP is “stuck in a 30-year-old feel in tone and image.”

“We need a more forward-leaning, newer, younger, more diverse party. That does not mean that our values and principles get thrown overboard.

“But you can’t be a majority governing party getting almost no support from African-Americans, modest support from Hispanics, with a major gap with women, and decreasing support from modest income Americans.”

The party, Pawlenty concluded, “needs to be freshened up.” (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/06/politics/politico/main4577248.shtml?tag=topStories;secondStory).

So, from this Reluctant Republican, let me offer the following:
Let's make sure we learn from history.
Let's determine to define what it means to be a Republican- a return to our roots.
Let's determine to enlist and support candidates that embody true Republican ideals.

Those would be a place to start!