The Conservative Majority

Though voters may have repudiated the Republican Party in the midterm elections, they clearly haven’t turned their back on Conservatism itself. A cursory examination of the various ballot initiatives in states around the country prove what the mainstream media fails to recognize: the average American is not a liberal, but a moderate conservative. For instance, seven (7) states passed amendments in support of traditional marriage. The only states to reject such an amendment was Arizona, where the proposition failed by two (2) percentage points. Considering that over a dozen states passed similar amendments in the 2004 elections, well over one third of states have passed constitutional amendments which define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. In some states, like Alabama, the initiative garnered support from 81% of the voters. Colorado voters also soundly rejected a proposition which would create domestic partner benefits for homosexual couples.

In the wake of last years Supreme Court ruling Kelo v. City of New London, over six (6) states passed amendments which limit the ability of the government to seize property via eminent domain. Initiatives which dealt with illegal immigration also met with rousing support. The voters in Arizona approved a plan which would deny bail to illegal immigrants involved in violent crimes. Colorado passed a more stringent measure which called for increased immigration enforcement.

More surprisingly, Michigan passed a ballot measure which bans affirmative action throughout the state. Colorado voters rejected an amendment which would have allowed an individual to possess less than one ounce of marijuana legally, and the citizens of Nevada rejected a similar measure. And finally, Arizona passed an amendment making English the official language of the state.

So what does all this information tell us? First of all, it indicates that the American people are far more conservative than the media would have us believe. Measures which protect traditional marriage, property rights, and repeal affirmative action are not initiatives which liberals favor. However, some measures which conservatives oppose also fell afoul of the voters. Six (6) states passed minimum wage hikes. Now, few states in the union adhere to the federal minimum wage of $5.15. In fact, the minimum wage in some states is as high as $7.00 an hour. Overall, however, the American people are moderate conservatives who favor initiatives which protect traditional American values and limit governmental intrusions into our lives.

The success and failure of certain ballot measures also tells us something about the Republican Party. After all, Republicans recently lost their majority in both houses of Congress and support for the President is hovering around 40%. This indicates that the Republican Party has drifted astray from its Conservative moorings and failed to deliver on its many promises to the American people. A perfunctory examination of the ballot initiatives this past election should bring hope, and regret, to all Conservatives. Regret for the time lost in implementing Social Security reform, Medicare reform, immigration reform, and a limiting of governmental power. But hope in the future of Conservatism and the American dream. A hope that one day, leaders will arise who will deliver on their promises and stand on principle.

Why We Lost

It was indeed a dark week for the Republican Party. The loss of Senators such as Conrad Burns, Jim Talent, Mike Dewine, Rick Santorum, and George Allen is not only a blow to the Republican party, it is also a blow to this country. The innagural post of this blog is dedicated to the Conservative ideal embodied by these noble warriors.

When Republicans took back the House of Representatives in 1994, we all expected the country to change. What is remarkable, is, in fact, how little it changed. With Newt Gingrich's "Contract for America", Conservatives and Moderates alike believed that the Republican Party would succeed in making the country a better place. Hopes were high that the Republican Congress would fix Social Security, Medicare, Immigration, and a host of similar problems plaguing this country.

However, as time went on, it became clear that the Republicans would not fix these problems. Most of the party gave up on Gingrich's "Contract for America" and contented themselves with remaining in power by embracing the status quo.

In the past dozen years of Republican dominance in Congress, little has changed. The reforms we were promised never occurred, the ideals we held in common were never put into practice. The Republicans defeated themselves this past Tuesday. They defeated themselves because they lost sight of their goals, embraced partisan politics, and lost the backbone to deal with issues of national importance. While the Republicans did make some progress (the partial birth abortion ban), they deserved to lose the election. They failed their Conservative base, the Republican Party, and the American people.

-LWS-