The last few years have had their share of low points for principled conservatives holding out hope for the GOP. But this week was a particularly abject display. Members of Congress proved yet again that the R next to their names stands for nothing. Something has to change. 1/
We need a conservative party in America that truly defends the Constitution, the rule of law, and limited government. That doesn’t demean intelligence or mock logic. One that holds close a set of principles bigger than partisan loyalty & has the courage to live them out. 2/
We need a party that will actually defend the interests of the United States instead of the political interests of party leaders. One that respects career public servants and doesn’t senselessly denigrate them with false charges and slander. 3/
That party will care about fiscal conservatism when it’s in power as much as it does when it’s out of power. It’ll also champion equal opportunity as opposed to equal outcomes & look for ways to unlock the potential of every American. It’ll be about ideas instead of insults. 4/
It will also fight for evidence-based policy and be humble about what government can accomplish. It will realize the wisdom of decentralized government that shares power with states and localities. One election shouldn’t dictate so much. 5/
It also won’t deny the great collective challenges we face & will be pragmatic in addressing them. It won’t wall itself off from the world and will realize that just because something happens “7,000 miles away” doesn’t mean American interests aren’t implicated. 6/
It will possess the courage to confront facts & reality instead of run from them, and it won’t cater to our basest instincts. It’ll lift our gaze & have the confidence to build a better future. 7/
Finally, that conservative party will recognize the dignity, worth, and potential of every human being. We’ll respect one another even when we disagree and won’t let politics lead us to question the patriotism of our fellow countrymen. 8/
It matters not one lick to me whether the GOP is salvaged or abandoned. The label of this new movement matters less than the ideas & principles its people champion. Every public official should be judged first on their character & actions, not the letter next to their name. 9/
It’s not rocket science. It just takes folks who care about our country more than themselves and are willing to go to Washington to do something rather than be someone. But right now, that means replacing nearly every R in Congress, because they’ve miserably failed the test.
