This week, I attended a meeting for Republican municipal caucus members in Salt Lake County. This was an opportunity to meet State Senate and State House Representatives, as well as people running for Federal Senate. One of the most impressive parts of this meeting were the members of the party who take on responsibilities of leadership unpaid. I was filled with a sense of hope which came at the hands of so many people who love individual liberty, limited government and giving decision making rights back to enterprise and to individuals. There were some minor differences of opinion, which is the sign of a healthy party, but in general there was overwhelming concern for this great country.
Because this was a meeting for Salt Lake County Republicans, we discussed the state of the party seats in the county. The verdict, as it now stands, is the Republicans have about one third of the legislative seats in both the State House and Senate. Now the reasons for this depressing number are many; but, I personally see that the largest culprit is that Utah Republicans too often don't act like Republicans. Utah Republicans create new taxes, institute nanny-state laws and oversee a steady growth in the size of State and County bureaucracy; none of these things are Republican values. Too often these missteps come at the Republicans playing along to "work" across the aisle.
The guest of honor at this meeting was Federal House Representative Jason Chaffetz. Chaffetz is someone who has fought for responsible spending and has fought ear-marks and political patronage. When Mr. Chaffetz ran for for the house last year, he ran on the principle the he is implementing. Chaffetz unseated a moderate entrenched Republican, and a moderate entrenched Democrat by winning two thirds of the vote in Salt Lake County. The lesson is, when Republicans act like themselves, they win. Now as responsible citizens we must keep an eye on all of our representatives and keep them accountable; but, Mr. Chaffetz will keep winning as long as he keeps his word and continues to fight like a conservative.Republicans (or conservatives in general); acting, voting and speaking as Conservatives means that you are acting like winners. Why do you think Specter left the Republican Party? He hadn't been acting like a winner; so, he switched parties to hold on to his seat. Now, because Specter has not acted like a winner he probably won't win, even after jumping ship. The lesson: act like a winner. Be a winner. The Salt Lake County Republicans need to stop walking the middle road and act like winners.
What does it mean to act like a winner?
- Vote against any new regulation that will harm business.
- Support utilization of natural resources that will reduce the cost of energy.
- Stop promising that more money will arbitrarily be thrown at education. Support education reforms that mean real competition, more parental choice and lower costs.
- Support legislation that puts more responsibility in the hands of States, Regions and Municipalities. This will mean fewer decisions being made in D.C.
- When the opposition is putting forth bad legislation, don't work with the bad legislation, fight it.
Right now the Democrats and the Administration will flip any proverbial booger against the wall to see if it will stick on their Health Care Bills. The Republicans have a simple way to win at every level; act like winners. Alas the trends are shifting the Conservative Republican direction. These trends will continue as long as we as Republicans act like Conservative Republicans and not "milk-duds."
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