Promising Signs

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

RealClear Politics depicts the pie chart of post-election polling results at right, and I hope the GOP will heed it. The question:

As you know, as a result of the election which was held earlier this month, the Republicans will control the U.S. House of Representatives. Do you think the Republican victories in the House races are more of a mandate for Republican policies or more a rejection of Democratic policies?
The blue portion of the chart, clocking in at nearly three quarters of those polled, corresponds to the answer, "rejection of Democratic policies." "Republican mandate" is less than a fifth.

Even better, yesterday brought news from Politico that several Tea Party and allied groups are holding the GOP's feet to the fire:
In a letter to be released Monday, the group GOProud and leaders from groups like the Tea Party Patriots and the New American Patriots, will urge Republicans in the House and Senate to keep their focus on shrinking the government.

"On behalf of limited-government conservatives everywhere, we write to urge you and your colleagues in Washington to put forward a legislative agenda in the next Congress that reflects the principles of the Tea Party movement," they write to presumptive House Speaker John Boehner and Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell in an advance copy provided to POLITICO. "This election was not a mandate for the Republican Party, nor was it a mandate to act on any social issue."
While I have expressed misgivings about the explicit "principles" of many Tea Partiers, I am cautiously optimistic after reading the rest of the article that these groups, at least, are focused on reducing the size of the government. (This is not ideal: it's the scope of government that is the real problem. However, in today's context, it's good news.)

-- CAV

3 comments:

ObjectivelySpeaking said...

Yes Gus, I just read the letter you linked to... and Thanks.

It was uplifting to see that GOProud and the numerous other signees onboard w/it were able NOT to infer/imply altruist/religious moral values in the framing of the letter.

That might be something for for us Oists to keep in mind.

The Tea Party movement(s) are making a dent and just as they are trying to hold the Repubs 'fannie's to the flame', we Oists should remember to work to hold the Tea Party's aim to complete separation of morality and state.

What I keep telling anyone who will listen is, "If you're advocating a return to a more moral society, and by that you mean a return to a more Christian/Altruistic morality, then you're advocating for a return to WHAT LED US TO THIS PRECIPICE TO START WITH!

You remember me? I was musing on your Logo about 3 years back from
my blog, ObjectivelySpeaking.

No blogging much since, too busy trying to keep my head above water.

I've followed you though... keep up the good work Gus.

Gus Van Horn said...

OS,

Thanks, and yes, I do remember you. Glad you're still around.

My approach to introducing the topic you name is to do so when it comes up, and in a way that emphasizes the clash of self-sacrifice with legitimate goals and aspirations. It's an important message, but one which it isn't necessarily easy to "sell."

Thanks for stopping by.

Gus

ObjectivelySpeaking said...

Thanks for responding Gus.

I'm still here and still fighting.

I'm reading you... and getting in a shot across their bow when I can... and think it may be effective.

OS