The New Republican Party

Often times a devastating election loss is nothing more than another stage in the cycle that is politics. But there are elections that indicate something deeper. After three straight presidential debacles throughout the 1980s, the Democrats sought a more centrist candidate. The party as a whole moved slightly to the right. Well, the Republicans face the same dilemma.

The Republican party is a turd right now. The leadership wants to spray perfume on that turd. What the party needs is an overhaul. The Republicans' solution to every economic problem is indiscriminate tax cuts. The party continues to back an indeterminate oversees military presence. It remains a tacit supporter of torture, the restriction of civil liberties, and corruption. At the moment, the GOP is trying to resurrect the issue of abortion; a clear sign of desperation.

Certain policy shifts will allow the Republican party to disassociate itself with its recent history while providing attractive alternatives to the party in power. Domestically, Republicans need to stop advocating blanket tax cuts. Americans always enjoy paying fewer taxes, but, at this moment, the policy appears insulting. Taxes were cut massively under Bush and the result has been a recession. Whether or not the tax cuts played any role in creating the recession, I have no idea, but that is the logical perception.

Instead, the Republicans need to change their tone towards advocating efficient government, as opposed to small government. Americans expect the government to provide services, but don't want to pay for it. If Americans are shown that their tax money is put to use, they'll live with paying taxes. The Republicans' argument should be: a more efficient government will serve the dual purpose of reducing taxes while still providing services.

On the foreign policy front, there is a clamoring on both sides of the political spectrum for an isolationist approach. Liberals disapprove of America's neo-imperialist role on the international stage. Conservatives are concerned with the amount of money being thrown at the problems of other nations.

Putting socially conservative issues on the backburner, and advocating for efficient government and a noninterventionist foreign policy will provide the Republican party with a relevant message that appeals to a broad range of the American population. It will become a national party again and actually provide a true alternative to the policies of the Democrats.